Category: featured-1

Jet2.com Named Best Airline at Routes Europe 2024 Awards

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Leading leisure Jet2.com has been named Best Airline at the prestigious Routes Europe 2024 Awards.

The awards, regarded as one of the key accolades in European aviation, took place on Tuesday 23rd April at Routes Europe 2024 at Aarhus in Denmark. The awards bring together key figures from the industry to celebrate excellence in aviation, as well as outstanding achievements in the industry.

Jet2.com was recognised by judges for its sustainable and responsible growth which has been driven by new routes including more than 40 new routes for Summer ’24. Judges commended the UK’s third largest airline for fleet growth and the launch of new UK airport bases, Liverpool John Lennon and Bournemouth Airports, which means the company will operate from 12 UK bases in Summer ’25.

The airline was also praised for its partnership approach to working with airport and tourism partners, as well as for offering customers unrivalled choice and flexibility. Judges also recognised Jet2.com‘s industry-leading customer satisfaction scores, something the airline has repeatedly won high-profile accolades for, such as Which? Travel Brand of the Year.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious award which recognises Jet2.com‘s strength and success, as well as our industry-leading approach to supporting and working with airport and destination partners.

“The Routes Awards are truly global, so this accolade is outstanding evidence of the success of our business, our relentless focus on customer service, and our continued commitment to building long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships with airports and destinations.”

For more information, visit: www.jet2.com.

Celebrating their Best Airline award at the Routes Europe 2024 Awards are the Jet2.com team (l-r) Chris Groom (Head of Commercial Planning), Nick Louden (General Manager Airports & Tourism Organisations), Ricard Querol (General Manager Airports & Tourism Organisations), Janice Mather (Head of Airports & Tourism Organisations), Jake Bramley (General Manager Airports & Tourism Organisations), Ian Doubtfire (Sustainability & Business Development Director), and David Neill (Director of Planning).
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, photographed at East Midlands Airport with one of the Jet2 jets.
2021/04/26 Picture by Georgie Gillard.

Diplomatic Dinner Celebrating The International Community’s Presence

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Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Senior Diplomats and Honorary Consuls based in Northern Ireland attended a special dinner at the Crowne Plaza in Belfast on Thursday 11th April to celebrate the international community’s presence in Belfast.

Organised by The Consular Corps/Association of Northern Ireland (CA-NI), the dinner is supported by Invest NI with peace-building organisations Co-operation Ireland as official charity partner. All proceeds will go to the Co-operation Ireland Future Leaders Programme.

Commenting on the success of the event, Tina McKenzie MBE, President of CA-NI), said: “This evening has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contributions of Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Senior Diplomats and Honorary Consuls; highlighting the strong ties between Northern Ireland and the global community and emphasising the significance of collaboration for peace and prosperity. It’s encouraging to see policy makers and business leaders coming together in events like these as we continue to cultivate partnerships that drive positive change and create opportunities for future generations.”

CA-NI, established in 2003, has members representing almost 40 countries including 36 Honorary Consulates.

The United States of America, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Poland and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have a full-resident Diplomatic presence in Northern Ireland under Consuls General. Ireland is represented by a Joint Secretary.

The 43 Honorary Consuls play an important role in developing trade, tourism, educational and cultural links between the countries they represent and Northern Ireland.

The Diplomatic Dinner brought together London-based diplomats and some of the top businesses with Invest NI, providing an opportunity for guests to network and build business relationships between Northern Ireland and international markets. Around 200 people attended.

Peta Conn, Regional Director of GB & Europe Invest NI, said: “This event has provided an excellent opportunity to build our connections and partnerships with the international diplomatic community, stakeholders and business.

“It allowed us to showcase what Northern Ireland offers as a location for international business expansion, including access to an educated and skilled workforce, a proven track record, unique dual market access to GB and EU markets and business-friendly government support.

“We also highlighted Northern Ireland’s strengths as a trade partner, promoting our leading expertise across sectors as diverse as technology, financial services, life and health sciences and advanced manufacturing and engineering.”

Ian Jeffers, Co-operation Ireland CEO, said: “At Co-operation Ireland, our commitment to fostering understanding and friendship is paramount. Events like the Consular Association Northern Ireland Diplomatic Dinner serve as invaluable opportunities to strengthen ties, build bridges and promote mutual respect among nations, and we are delights to again be working CA-NI towards this goal.”

Tina McKenzie, President, Consular Association Northern Ireland, Ian Jeffers, CEO, Co-operation Ireland, Minister Pam Cameron, Minister Aisling Reilly, Sir Julian King, Chairman, Co-operation Ireland.

Belfast Comedian to Host UnderOne Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2024

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The UnderOne Festival has announced the launch of the highly anticipate 2024 UnderOne Diversity and Inclusion Awards, set to take place on Thursday 25th July 2024 at the prestigious University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus. The star-studded event will be hosted by Belfast comic and actor, William Thompson, who will take to the stage alongside the dynamic British abstract artist and X-Factor finalist, Misha B.

Commenting on the awards, William Thompson said: “As someone intimately acquainted with the importance of diversity and inclusion due to my experience with cerebral palsy, I am honoured to host the UnderOne Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2024. It’s a joy to celebrate the efforts of individuals and organisations doing their bit for diversity. I hope to inject a little Northern Irish humour and bring smiles to the faces of these global trailblazers as we recognise their work to build more inclusive communities.”

The UnderOne Diversity and Inclusion Awards aim to shine a spotlight on the champions of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), who fearlessly advocate for these core values and integrate them into the essence of their organisations. As an integral part of the UnderOne Festival, the awards bring together the world’s most inspiring DEI advocates – individuals and organisations committed to driving real, positive change.

“The UnderOne Diversity and Inclusion Awards offer a unique opportunity for organisations, individuals and initiatives across Northern Ireland to receive well-deserved recognition for their dedication to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. There is an abundance of commendable work underway in Northern Ireland aimed at fostering greater social and cultural awareness and this is a perfect chance to celebrate those efforts”, said UnderOne founder, Lydiah Igweh.

The awards feature a diverse range of categories, including the Global Inclusion Excellence Award, Trailblazer Employee Resource Group Award, DEI Innovation Award, DEI Rising Star Award, Inclusion in Sustainability Award, DEI Thought-leader and Influencer Award, Diverse and Inclusive Company Culture Award, Creative Diversity Campaign, and Social Impact and Community Engagement Award.

Respected judges from renowned global companies such as Warner Bros., Discovery, Clyde & Co., HSBC, Channel 4, Innocent Drinks, Expedia, and more will meticulously evaluate the nominations, ensuring a fair and thorough selection process.

Nominations for the awards are now open to both individuals and organisations, with the deadline set for Monday 3rd June 2024. Winners will be honoured in a glamorous event at the University of Northampton on Thursday 25th July 2024.

For more information and to submit nominations, visit: www.underonediversityinclusionawards.com.

William Thompson, Northern Irish comic and actor.
Lydiah Igweh, founder of UnderOne.

First Ever Sustainability and Arts Festival at Queen’s

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A new art exhibition which explores the impact of plastic waste on our oceans has kicked off a new sustainability and arts festival at Queen’s University Belfast.

The exhibition, which launched on Thursday 18th April, showcases work from US artist Ingrid Hess, and highlights the challenge micro plastics pose for our oceans. Ingrid has teamed up with local social enterprise Bryson Recycling for the exhibition, who have provided 2,000 used plastic bottles for the art piece.

The exhibition also features an accompanying sound installation by Bihe Wen, a PhD candidate at the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queen’s, alongside noises from plastic bottles and takeaway containers, weaves an auditory tapestry that transports listeners into the heart of nature, making the exhibit even more immersive and engaging for visitors.

On Friday morning, a group of local schoolchildren from Holy Rosary Primary School also attended a unique event to hear more about the art from Ingrid, and took part in a plastic and environment workshop with Belfast City Council, designed to advance their understanding about the impact plastic waste is having on the world around us.

‘Full of Wonder or Full of Plastic? You Decide’ will run in the Naughton Gallery at Queen’s University Belfast until Sunday 12th May.

Between Thursday 18th April and Saturday 20th April, a 3-day festival, ‘Reach 24’, was held, which aims to examine the climate emergency and sustainable solutions via various mediums including a drawing workshop, film screenings, performances, talks and the art exhibition.

The festival hosted inspiring presentations from people who are leading the way when it comes to pairing arts and sustainability, including a keynote presentation from Alison Tickell, Director of Julie’s Bicycle, a pioneering not-for-profit that mobilises arts and culture organisations to act on the climate crisis.

Queen’s Film Theatre (QFT) hosted a special screening of two important environmental documentaries about rising sea levels, followed by a panel discussion.

Attendees were invited to immerse themselves in sound at the Sonic Laboratory in Queen’s Sonic Arts Research Centre. The Sonic Lab, which is often called the ‘cinema for the ear’ is a specialist acoustic space designed to provide a unique listening experience via 48 loudspeakers. A showcase of sounds was played in the Sonic Lab as part of the festival, including ‘Breathe’, which shows the impact of climate and environmental damage on woodlands by simulating the atmosphere we’re predicted to have in 2050, and ‘Dune’s Song’, which allowed attendees to hear a sound often heard in deserts, but which is sadly being lost due to climate change.

Professor Michael Alcorn, Pro-Vic-Chancellor for Sustainability and Strategic Projects at Queen’s said: “As a global institution, Queen’s has an important role to play in making a positive impact on our environment.

“Our Strategy 2030 sets out how we will embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals across all our activities, and the Reach 24′ arts and sustainability festival is one of the ways we are nurturing a culture of sustainability. In partnership with SDSN, we are bringing together leading experts in the art world to explore the climate crisis and to discuss sustainable solutions to help tackle it.”

Pictured at the art exhibition launch event on Thursday 18 April (L-R) Ingrid Hess, Professor of Graphic Design, UMass Lowell and Bihe Wen, PhD student at the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queen’s.
Pictured during Day 2 of the ‘Reach 24’ Festival on Friday 19 April (L-R back row) Aileen Monahan, Bryson Recycling; George Lyttle, Belfast City Council; Professor Michael Alcorn, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability and Strategic Projects at Queen’s; Tania Benotti, Director of Creative Ireland; and Sara Lynch, Head of Sustainability at Queen’s. (L-R front row), Alison Tickell, CEO of Julie’s Bicycle; 4 schoolchildren from Holy Rosary Primary School; and Ingrid Hess, Professor of Graphic Design, UMass Lowell.
Pictured at the art exhibition launch event on Thursday 18 April (L-R) Ingrid Hess, Professor of Graphic Design, UMass Lowell; Professor Michael Alcorn, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability and Strategic Projects at Queen’s; and Bihe Wen, PhD student at the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queen’s.

Majorca’s Responsible Tourism Pledge

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Today, Thursday 18th April, Jet2holidays has become the first UK tour operator to sign Majorca’s Responsible Tourism pledge, further strengthening the company’s commitment to promoting and encouraging sustainable tourism on the island.

The UK’s largest tour operator has signed the pledge, which contains eight key points to help preserve the nature, values and beauty of Majorca whilst ensuring the long-term prosperity of the island for visitors and residents.

The pledge addresses key areas such as appreciating and protecting nature, respecting local communities, making a positive impact, buying locally, and reusing, reducing and recycling.

Many of these areas align with Jet2holidays’ recently launched hotel sustainability labelling scheme, which enables customers and independent travel agents to easily find and choose from a collection of certified sustainable hotels which meet Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Recognised standards. Currently featuring almost 60 hotels across Majorca, the collection can be found at www.jet2holidays.com/sustainable-hotels.

Customers and independent travel agents visiting this page or seeing the label will know that the holidays featured meet GSTC Recognised standards, meaning that they can choose the holiday that is right for them. These standards are closely aligned to many areas in the Majorca Pledge for Responsible Tourism as they are based on actions around sustainable hotel management, social and economic support of the local community, promoting positive cultural impacts and environmental protection.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2holidays, said: “As well as enjoying their well-deserved holidays on the beautiful island of Majorca, we know that customers take sustainability and responsible tourism very seriously. As a responsible airline and tour operator, we have taken a number of tangible steps on our journey to reach our sustainability targets, such as launching a Certified Sustainable Hotels labelling scheme. This means customers can choose from over 900 hotels, 60 of them in Majorca, knowing they are choosing a holiday that is right for them.

“The Majorca Pledge for Responsible Tourism is a great way to create further awareness about this critical issue and, as the UK’s leading tour operator to the island, we are proud to be the first UK tour operator to sign the pledge. This is a clear demonstration of our continued commitment and leadership when it comes to working in partnership with our friends and partners in Majorca so that holidaymakers can continue to enjoy this special island, both today as well as in the future.”

To view Jet2’s sustainability strategy, visit: www.jet2plc.com/sustainability.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, photographed at East Midlands Airport with one of the Jet2 jets.
Picture by Georgie Gillard.

 

Transport Through the Ages

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North Down Museum recently opened a new exhibition, ‘Trains, Boats and Planes’, exploring and celebrating modes of transport through objects from the museum’s collection. The museum’s collection possesses a wealth of paintings and artefacts relating to transport and the curated display is a celebration of the movement of people by rail, sea and sky.

Visitors can see an array of artistic interpretations of magnificent vehicles, from the Coronation Scot train to the de Havilland Rapide aircraft flying over Bangor, to tall ships and warships in Bangor Bay. Many of the items have been put on display especially for the exhibition, offering a unique opportunity to view them.

Highlights include paintings by Bangor-born artist Norman Whitla and original travel and tourism posters that were issued by British Railways to promote Bangor in the 1950s.

Speaking about the exhibition, North Down Museum’s Manager, Arlene Matthews, said: “This exhibition highlights the huge impact that transport has made in shaping the history of our borough. Transportation has facilitated the growth of industry and opportunity in our towns and villages and continues to play an essential part of our daily lives.”

‘Trains, Boats and Planes’ is open in North Down Museum’s Long Gallery until Sunday 16th June. Admission is free.

For more information, visit: www.andculture.org.uk.

Jonathan Magee, Museum Assistant and curator of North Down Museum’s new ‘Trains, Boats and Planes’ exhibition, pictured with ‘Rapide’ over Bangor, a painting by Bangor-born artist Norman Whitla.

Sound Around Ards Celebrate 40th Anniversary

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On Thursday 4th April, Sound Around Ards (Talking Newspapers) volunteers joined with former volunteers, family, friends and guests to celebrate their belated 40th anniversary at Royal Belfast Golf Club. Sound Around Ards is a community-based charity who support people in the Ards Peninsula area who have visual impairment, which means they have difficulties reading the local papers.

Their guests of honour were the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, Lord Weir of Ballyholme and members of the committee of the Association of Talking Newspapers NI.

This celebration was made possible by the generosity of the Community Lottery Fund NI, which awards money raised by the National Lottery to communities across the whole of the UK, who work with local groups and UK charities, enabling people and charities to thrive. They provided the funding for the celebration, as well as the funding to replace all Sound Around Ards’ outdated equipment and furniture in their studio in the Old Laboratories at Ards Hospital and purchase materials to promote their work.

Sound Around Ards (Talking Newspapers) was started in 1980, so they should have been celebrating this anniversary in 2020, but because of the pandemic this was not possible. The company was started by Newtownards Lions Group and the charity were delighted that, even though the Lions Group is no longer in existence, four of their former members were able to join the Sound Around Ards volunteers at Royal Belfast to help them celebrate this milestone.

Sound Around Ards has three volunteers who have been with them right from the start, 44 years ago, with their longest-serving volunteer, Trevor Dillon, in attendance.

Alongside the Lions Group, attending the event was George Morris who was the pioneer of Ards Hospital who donated equipment to the charity over the years.

In his speech, the Chairman of Sound Around Ards, Phil Baron, thanked the Mayor especially for all her support throughout her year in office and paid tribute to the 34 current volunteers, as well as all the former volunteers present, for keeping the charity going for almost 44 years. He said: “Why would you become a volunteer? Why would you stop off at Ards Hospital on a Thursday night on your way home after a busy shift in a hospital or a busy day as a member of a farming family? Why would you leave the warmth of your own home on a dark, wet winter night to speak into a microphone? Why would you travel from Donaghadee, Bangor or Groomsport on those nights? Well, I can tell you because every volunteer, in whatever capacity, cares. They care for people whose lives are very different. They care and think of those less fortunate. They don’t know them personally, don’t know what they look like and, in most cases, don’t know their names, but listeners know their voices and that makes such a difference. They provide comfort, they let them know that they matter and, above all, they feel very much a part of the local community by being kept up-to-date with the local news. This is reflected in the messages we receive through card and notes put inside the CD covers when they are returned from the listeners.”

In replying to Mr Baron, the Mayor said: “Well done to all of the volunteers who have stepped forward over the years to give a voice to the local news stories, their recordings bringing that local news to a wider audience. At Christmas time, I enjoyed going along to the studio and recording my mayoral Christmas message to the readers. Volunteers make an invaluable contribution to making Ards and North Down the best place to live. This anniversary is a great opportunity to spread the word about this wonderful service that you provide, and I hope that, in another 44 years, Sound Around Ards is still going from strength to strength.”

The evening was rounded off by the Chair of the Association of Talking Newspapers NI, Patricia McGuinness, who congratulated Sound Around Ards on this wonderful milestone and brought greetings from the other Talking Newspaper Groups in NI.

The Members of Ballyblack Women’s Institute who make up over 50% of the Sound Around Ards volunteers.
Volunteers John Faros, Stuart White and Penny White.
Lord Weir, Patricia McGuinness (Chair of the Association of Talking Newspapers NI) and Julie Russell (Secretary of the Association of Talking Newspapers NI).
Phil Baron (Chair of Sound Around Ards) with volunteer Kay Johnston and Rebekah Trimble.

Belfast to Welcome Little Amal with Free Family Events This May

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Free tickets are now available for a series of free family events in Belfast from Thursday 16th May to Sunday 19th May to welcome world-renowned creative project ‘Little Amal’ – a signature event in Belfast City Council’s Belfast 2024 programme.

‘Little Amal’ is a striking 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee who represents all children fleeing war, violence and persecution.

Presented by The Walk Productions, in association with Handspring Puppet Company and local partner ArtsEkta, she will arrive in Belfast by boat on Thursday 16th May – the first stop in a unique all-island collaboration.

Following her visit to Belfast, Little Amal will make her way to Newry, Mourne and Down where she will cross the border before finishing her journey in Dublin, with details of events to welcome her in these locations to be announced in due course.

The Belfast portion of her visit will be the first major event for Belfast 2024 – the city’s biggest ever creative and cultural celebration, which is now well underway with projects, activities and workshops encouraging residents to get creative over the next eight months.

Just like her previous visits to New York, London and other locations, Little Amal’s itinerary during her Belfast stay will be shaped by community input, led by Arts Ekta and Belfast-born creative director Des Kennedy, who are delivering the programme on behalf of the council.

Her spectacular arrival, via the River Lagan, will be followed by a free outdoor performance at Custom House Square (Thursday 16th May, 7pm-8pm, doors closed 6.30pm) where Little Amal will be met by the Seahorse and the Wolf – two ancient heraldic symbols of Belfast. They will take her on a time-travelling journey through the city’s history in a unique show, co-created with local residents, brought to life by a cast of professional and community performers and featuring music from acclaimed composer Neil Martin.

On Friday 17th May, after a busy day spent meeting with community, school and faith groups and exploring the city, including some of the city’s peace walls, Little Amal will seek sanctuary in St. Anne’s Cathedral. It will be the venue for an evening of original music and art as the cathedral is transformed into a celestial world, with community choirs, local musicians and performers delivering a united message of hope to help Little Amal feel at home (performance 8pm-10pm, doors closed 7.45pm).

Artists have worked with refugee women and community groups to create a handmade patchwork quilt, featuring over 100 individual designs, which will be gifted to Little Amal before she beds down for the night. Following a bedtime story, the cathedral will come alive for ‘Amal’s Dream’, an immersive projection show showcasing original music from leading artist Katie Richardson.

Tickets for both the Custom House Square and St. Anne’s Cathedral shows are available to book now at artsekta.org.uk (limited to four per person).

On Saturday 18th May, Little Amal will travel to C.S. Lewis Square in east Belfast (7pm-8.30pm, doors closed 6.30pm), where she will step through the wardrobe to explore Narnia with Lucy and Mr Tumnus at a free outdoor show suitable for all ages.

Following ‘Do Not Disturb’ – a tree planting event on Sunday 19th May at Colin Glen Forest Park in the west of the city (11am-12pm, doors 10.30am), inspired by Ciaran Carson’s poem ‘Belfast Confetti’ – Little Amal’s final stop will be the slopes of Cave Hill (Beann Mhadagáin).

There, she will explore the city’s mythological roots at the Four Treasures of Tuatha (7pm-9pm). Visitors will enjoy drumming, music, dance and a fire ceremony as Tuatha Dé Danann – the people of the goddess Danu – come to life to offer Little Amal gifts of earth, air, water and fire to ‘protect’ Amal on her onward journey to Newry and Dublin.

Tickets for the C.S. Lewis Square and Cave Hill shows are also available to book now at artsekta.org.uk (limited to four per person).

All other public events in Belfast during Little Amal’s visit do not require a ticket to attend.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: “This is a really impressive line-up of events, which combines grassroots, community-led activities with the very best of our local arts scene, to create a packed weekend of events, with something for everyone to enjoy.

“ArtsEkta and The Walk Productions have put together a vibrant, colourful showcase of Belfast which speaks to our city’s past and our shared stories, as well as our bright future and our growing diversity. I would encourage everyone to check out what’s available to enjoy as we welcome this spectacular event. Come along with your friends and family and be part of what promises to be a very memorable experience in this special year for our city.”

“Over the last number of months, we been working with residents and artists across the city to co-create a spectacular programme of events to welcome Little Amal in May,” said Nisha Tandon OBE, Chief Executive of ArtsEkta. “We are inviting everyone to join us in the celebrations, which will see every corner of the city come alive with music, dance, theatre and art to help Little Amal learn about Belfast’s people, stories and heritage.”

David Lan, producer of The Walks Productions, said: “I’m thrilled Amal will be visiting Belfast, Newry, Dublin and places in between. Wherever she goes, crossing borders, making new friends, bringing strangers together, she adds a little to the well-being of the world, even in these especially dark times.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valeria Harte, stated: “We look forward to giving Little Amal a warm welcome to Newry, Mourne and Down as part of her inspirational journey between Belfast and Dublin.

“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is delighted to be involved in this all-island initiative and for our residents to have the opportunity to hear Little Amal’s message of hope and empathy. We can’t wait for Little Amal to learn about our diverse community as she shares her story and will be sharing details of how and where to join in with ‘Walk with Amal’ in our district in the coming weeks.”

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Daithí de Róiste, said: “Little Amal is a symbol of hope, goodwill and international human rights and we are delighted to show how warm an Irish welcome can be when she visits Dublin city this May.”

A wide range of free activities and workshops have been taking place across Belfast during March and April as part of the Belfast 2024 programme.

Among the other projects underway are The Hearth, a film-making project co-created with the people of Belfast; Wild Belfast, exploring the city’s unique and hidden biodiversity; 9ft in Common, looking at the potential of 202km of local alleyways and Roots, a cross-community production combining gardening and contemporary dance and centred on the city’s peace walls.

To learn more about Belfast 2024 opportunities coming up near you, visit: www.belfast2024.co.uk

Little Amal pictured in Staten Island, USA.
Little Amal pictured in Toronto, Canada.

New Immersive Visitor Experiences Showcase Belfast Maritime Mile’s Heritage

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Visitors and locals can experience Belfast Maritime Mile’s heritage in brand-new ways for free this week as part of the Belfast HUB-IN project.

Six local creative and digital businesses, artists and innovators were awarded £120,000 from Belfast City Council to collaborate with heritage organisations and communities and develop innovation prototype visitor experiences to animate and enrich the city’s iconic Waterfront.

Three of these experimental projects will be showcased this week and people can try out a range of experiences powered by artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality.

Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Christina Black, said: “HUB-IN is helping to nurture exciting new relationships between Belfast’s heritage and creative industries sectors, communities and businesses along the Maritime Mile, and supporting people to develop valuable entrepreneurial and digital innovation skills. It’s fantastic to see these proposals come to life along the Maritime Mile.”

Kerrie Sweeney, Chief Executive of Maritime Belfast Trust, added: “Maritime Belfast Trust is committed to delivering an iconic waterfront for Belfast. This project is where heritage and innovation collide – an outdoor Heritage Lab of unexpected surprises! It’s fantastic to see young creatives working with some of our oldest communities on innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality, to provide new ways to explore our rich maritime heritage and stories along Belfast’s Maritime Mile. This is only the start of a pilot initiative and we are looking forward to building on its success in the future.”

Today, Wednesday 10th April between 12pm and 3pm at the Linen Lounge, Belfast Metropolitan College, Titanic Campus, visitors can try out ‘Maritime Echoes: An AI Voyage to the Past’ developed by local innovator Darin Smyth. Using the power of AI and Unreal Engine 3-D software, pivotal historical figures from Belfast’s rich maritime past, including Mary-Ann McCracken, Lord Pirrie and William Ritchie will be brought to life.

Between 1.30pm and 4pm at the Dock Café, Titanic Quarter, visitors will get an exclusive preview of interactive 3-D virtual reality rooms developed by Flax & Teal in partnership with the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). The virtual reality experience will give people a unique perspective on the Belfast waterfront area’s evolution by showcasing the stories of past generations through images, video, audio and historic maps.

And this weekend between 5.30pm and 8pm on Friday 12th April and 12noon and 4pm on Saturday 13th April, visitors can call into St. Joseph’s Church, 9 Princes Dock Street, Sailortown, to discover ‘Memory Anchors’ – a collaboration between digital artist Katya Solomatina and the Sailortown Regeneration Group which aims to preserve the heritage and local stories of sailor town through interactive digital sculpture and storytelling. Visitors can see virtual art pieces developed using augmented reality and listen to stories created by the Sailortown community.

A new Treasure Hunt Quest will also run from Saturday 13th April to Saturday 31st August. Starting on Donegall quay, visitors can use their mobile phone to follow the route towards Sailortown and sicker hides virtual objects created by the Sailortown community.

The projects are supported by the Belfast HUB-IN (Hub of Innovation) programme developed by Belfast City Council’s City Innovation Office in partnership with the Maritime Belfast Trust, to explore how digital innovation can help to sustain, enhance and preserve the Maritime Mile’s rich and unique heritage.

For more information, visit: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/XRbelfast and www.smartbelfast.city

Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Tina Black is pictured with local innovator Darin Smyth and Jenna Crymble, Marketing and Digital Content Officer, Maritime Belfast Trust.

The ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ Unveiled at Integrated College Glengormley

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On Friday 22nd March, Integrated College Glengormley hosted a very special event, where the ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ sculpture by Ross Wilson was unveiled. This sculpture draws on the ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ legend depicting a leaping salmon on a plinth of Mourne granite. It was generously donated by the Leonard family in memory of their parents Rose and Philip. The siblings and their families gathered at this special event to honour the legacy of their parents.

When discussing a tribute to their beloved parents, ‘Ma and Da L’, the siblings decided that a permanent sculpture reflecting their love of education located in an integrated school would be a perfect lasting memorial.

Author and screen writer, Niall Leonard, explained that the family’s long-standing support for Integrated Education was the inspiration for the integrated school setting. Niall explained: “Ma and Da would have been huge supporters of the Integrated Education Fund (IEF). They knew how shallow, how superficial, how contrived, were the differences between our communities and, raising a family in Newry in the 1970s, they knew where ignorance and hate could lead. They knew how it cramped and crushed aspirations, how it squandered talent and goodwill, how it drove so much youth and potential and ambition out of Northern Ireland. Ma and Da would have loved Integrated Education and the hope it offers, and loved what Northern Ireland could be, will be, is becoming.”

Integrated College Glengormley were delighted to have been chosen as the location for such a special tribute. Ricky Massey, Principal of the College, said: “In September 2022, our school completed the transformation process and officially became Integrated College Glengormley. As an integrated school, we believe that the future of Northern Ireland lies in children from all backgrounds and cultures being educated together. A belief shared by the Leonard family, and in particular demonstrated by Philip’s support for Integrated Education as far back as attending meetings in Newry in the 1970s.

“Today our school community feel truly privileged to be the recipients of the ‘Salmon of Knowledge’. The inscription on the sculpture reads ‘Happy are those who find Wisdom’. Our school can agree with this sentiment and has truly thrived since becoming integrated, offering the very best education for all our pupils.

“We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Leonard family for their generosity and support, not only today, but also in their donations which will enable the refurbishment of our Sixth Form and the sports facilities. These projects will make a huge difference for our pupils; on their behalf, thank you.

“We are truly delighted to have so many of the family with us today for this very special occasion, when we finally unveil the sculpture.”

Paul Collins, Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy for the IEF, attended the unveiling and stated: “As one of Northern Ireland’s leading artists and sculptors, Ross Wilson has created a truly unique sculpture in ‘Salmon of Knowledge’. The IEF are delighted to have been involved in this project, in helping the Leonard family find a fitting location for a permanent memorial to their parents, Rose and Philip Leonard. The Leonard family have been friends of IEF for a long time and we want to thank them for their support and commitment to Integrated Education. Their generosity and support have enabled us to support the growth and the development of Integrated Education over many years.”

Niall’s final words were a tribute to his parents: “In other words, it’s not just about gaining knowledge, but finding wisdom. Rose Maguire and Philip Leonard did. They were wise, and they were compassionate, and they were funny, and we miss them, and we thank them, and here today, we commemorate them.”

IEF Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy Paul Collins, author and screen writer Niall Leonard, sculptor Ross Wilson and Principal Ricky Massey at Integrated College Glengormley.
The ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ sculpture.
Great-grandchildren of Rose and Philip Leonard with sculptor Ross Wilson.
Niall Leonard with Tim McGarry.

Ards Arts Centre’s New Exhibitions

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Part by Part, a solo exhibition by Louise French has opened in the Sunburst Gallery, Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards. Louise French is a recent graduate of Fine Art Painting from the National Art School, Australia, and is interested in the life-cycle of objects.

This exhibition presents a series of paintings and assemblages that engage the viewer in the material qualities of the pieces, while they consider present and future artefacts. By using waste materials for assemblages and as a source for painterly interpretations, the exhibition explores the tension between the aesthetic appeal of consumer objects which, at the same time, are a toxic token of the current environmental crisis.

By dissecting contemporary waste and considering its continued existence hundreds of years from now, Part by Part will act as a marker of time. The exhibition runs until Thursday 23rd May.

Pictures in Rock, an exhibition of photography by Keery Irvine, opens in Ards Arts Centre’s Georgian Gallery on Wednesday 17th April. The exhibition is part of Ards International Guitar Festival and will feature a curated selection of Keery Irvine’s career highlights. Expect images of local acts, including Guitar Festival headliner Dom Martin and Life-Time Achievement Award winners, Ronnie Greer and Pat McManus.

Keery specialises in photographing Blues and rock gigs and festivals and is the official photographer for the Rory Gallery tribute festivals in Ballyshannon, Dublin, Netherlands and Nantwich. Pictures in Rock runs until Saturday 27th April.

Ards Arts Centre is currently temporarily closed for maintenance work but will re-open on Tuesday 16th April. Everyone is welcome to attend a preview event for both exhibitions in the Arts Centre on Thursday 18th April, 7pm – 9pm.

For more information, visit: www.andculture.org.uk

Louise French.
Dom Martin by Keery Irvine.

Bangor RNLI launched 36 times in 2023 as lifesaving charity puts out its own Mayday call

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Bangor RNLI is calling on members of the public to support the RNLI’s Mayday fundraising campaign, after revealing they launched on service 36 times last year.

With demand for its lifesaving services at a high, the charity is putting out its own ‘Mayday’ call, urging members of the local community to take part in the Mayday Mile – taking on the challenge of covering a mile a day for the month of May. All money raised will help to provide the charity’s vital lifesaving service, such as the training and equipment that is needed to keep its lifesavers safe, while they risk their own lives to save others.

Funds raised will help support the charity’s vital lifesaving work, including the provision of important training and kit for the volunteer lifeboat crews who readily risk their own lives to save others whenever the call for help comes in.

Bangor RNLI volunteer Glen McMahon says: ‘Summer is the busiest time of year for the RNLI, with thousands of people at risk of getting into danger by the water. Having recently marked the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, we’re putting out our call for help to raise the funds which will help keep our lifesaving service going today and into the future.

‘As a charity we rely on the generosity of the public to take part in events like the Mayday Mile and raise the funds that allow us to be there when we’re needed most.’

Sign up for the Mayday Mile now and find out more at rnli.org/SupportMayday