FIRST WORLD WAR, SPECTACULAR SUMMER FETE
This will take place on Saturday 6 June from 10.30am to 5.30pm
Join the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn to raise funds for the Woodland Trust’s Centenary Woods project.
The Woodland Trust at Baronscourt: Adults £5 Children £2.50
Fun-filled family activities include a craft village, antiques fair and roadshow, tours of Baronscourt, a fishing competition,helicopter flights, vintage vehicles display and much more!

Please note, some activities will incur an additional charge.
Follow signs for the Baronscourt Estate from Newtownstewart.
Parking is available on site. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
T: 028 9127 5787 E: wtni@woodlandtrust.org.uk W: woodlandtrust.org.uk/events

Discover Armagh’s rich apple-growing heritage with fun, food and frolics on Monday 4th May.

Fun, food and plenty of frolics are fully guaranteed on Monday May 4th when Armagh officially marks the start of a busy summer festival season with the return of this year’s Apple Blossom Fair.

Held at the beautiful Loughgall Country Park on the first May bank holiday Monday, the annual Apple Blossom Fair brings together a huge range of exciting family-friendly activities and an unrivalled variety of stalls featuring some of the finest local artists and artisanal producers – all of which have joined together to celebrate Armagh’s rich apple-growing heritage in a fun and exciting way.

For the first time this year, visitors from Belfast can now travel directly to the event as part of a special return shuttle bus service which departs from the city to Loughall Country Park on Monday at 10am and departing at 6pm. Tickets cost only £15 pounds return and includes entry to the spectacular Apple Blossom Fair.

Tickets for the special shuttle bus return are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre at Donegall Square, at the Visit Belfast website www.visit-belfast.com or at www.armagh.co.uk.

More details are also available by contacting the Belfast Welcome Centre directly at 028 9024 6609.

Famous for its ‘Orchard County’ status, Armagh has long been recognised for growing some of the finest apples in the world, and the annual Apple Blossom Fair is specially-designed to celebrate that tremendous success while showcasing all the top quality of local food and produce available to locals and visitors alike.

There are plenty of activities for children too with traditional country games, a mad-hatters picnic, children’s musical entertainment and much, much more.

There will also be the choice of two specially-designed tours available – the first at Ardress House, a stunning National Trust property set in the heart of an orchard, where visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the farmhouse and savour some home-made apple tart, and the second, at the Armagh Apple Farm owned by Armagh Cider Company.

As part of the fair, Armagh’s orchards will be brought to life with special ‘tasting & pressing tours’, which will combine the unique stores of the local industry and the chance for everyone to sample the produce and get directly involved.

Meanwhile, the award-winning Armagh Cider Company will delight everyone with an exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ glimpse into what goes on at a real working apple orchard, before offering visitors the chance to have a go at pressing their own apple juice and sampling the ciders and juices they make.

And, if that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, there will also be a traditional afternoon tea, an apple tart competition and a barbeque – just in time for everyone to sit back, relax and enjoy the live musical entertainment on offer.

Lord Mayor, Darryn Causby, said:

“The annual Apple Blossom Fair is an integral part of Armagh’s bank holiday and summertime fun, and, after last year’s tremendous success, I’m thrilled that the event will be even bigger in 2015, with a fantastic and exciting mix of live entertainment, food, tours and demonstrations planned to ensure that everyone has a great day out.”

The Apple Blossom Fair starts at 10:30am on Monday 4th May and runs until 6:00pm. Admission is only £4 per person – and under 4’s are free. Apple Pressing and Tasting Tours are accessible for an additional fee.

Tourism NI today unveiled the shortlist of nominations for the 2015 Northern Ireland Tourism Awards, in association with Tennent’s NI.

The sought-after awards, which recognise the outstanding performers in the tourism industry, will this year be presented over eleven different categories including two special awards.

A shortlist of 27, which includes four tourism providers that are up for an award in more than one category, plus nominees for two special awards, has been drawn up by a panel of judges.

Entries for the awards came in from all over Northern Ireland.

In what will be the highlight of the tourism calendar, the winners will be announced at a gala ceremony to be held on Thursday 14 May at the Sir William Whitla Hall at Queen’s University Belfast.

Commenting on the shortlist, Kathryn Thomson, Chief Operating Officer, Tourism NI, said: “A winning destination needs winning tourism providers and we’ve looked hard at what makes a successful provider and how we can reinforce Northern Ireland’s brand while stimulating innovation, competitiveness and shared best practice. Our shortlist completely reflects that.

“No matter how small or large the operation, all local businesses and organisations have a lead part to play in growing tourism in 2015 and beyond. Winning an award or receiving a commendation will no doubt be a welcome boost that will give opportunities for publicity, positive profiling and heightened credibility within the industry and, crucially, with customers.”

An Outstanding Contribution to Tourism and a Local Tourism Champion award will also be conferred at this year’s ceremony.

Commenting on his company’s inaugural association with the NI Tourism Awards, Brian Beattie, Marketing Director for Tennent’s NI, said, “We are proud to support Tourism Northern Ireland with this creative initiative to highlight, reward and encourage excellence right across our diverse and fast-growing tourism and hospitality sector.

“We know from our own business experience that excellence is borne of long hours, hard work and, above all, passion for your products and service. ‘Making the cut’ in these hotly contested and high profile awards is therefore a massive achievement in itself and we offer our congratulations to all those who have been shortlisted: they are indeed a ‘who’s who’ of tourism talent.”

Balloo Inns Limited, County Down

Beech Hill Country House, County Londonderry

Causeway Hotel, County Antrim

Circuit of Ireland Rally, County Antrim

City Hotel Derry, County Londonderry

Derry City Council

Dunamoy Cottages and Spa, County Antrim

Fermanagh Self-Catering, County Fermanagh

Finn Lough, County Fermanagh

Vauxhall International North West 200, County Antrim

James St South/Bar+Grill/Hadskis/Cookery School, Belfast

Jurys Inn, Belfast

Lough Neagh Partnership, County Londonderry

National Trust, County Antrim

Newforge House, County Armagh

Open House Festival, County Down

Orchard Acre Farm, County Fermanagh

Game of Thrones Winterfell Tours, County Down

Rayanne House, County Down

Shola Coach House, County Antrim

Streamvale Farm, Belfast

The Bushmills Inn, County Antrim

The MAC, Belfast

Titanic Belfast, Belfast

Tory Bush Cottages, County Down

Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s, Belfast

Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, Belfast

A new outdoor market recapturing the excitement and the hustle and bustle of old Belfast opened in Bank Square today.

Folktown Market, the first independent weekly outdoor market to be granted a licence in 400 years, began with more than 30 stalls selling delicious hot dishes, artisan crafts, and locally sourced food including freshly baked bread and handmade cheeses.

Lively music from local folk musicians and buskers added to the atmosphere in the newly renovated square, one of Belfast’s most historic districts, now surrounded by restaurants and cafes.

Folktown CIC Director Joby Fox said the Folktown opening was the culmination of many months of planning to breathe new life and vibrancy into an area that had been forgotten for many years.

Mr Fox, who was bass player with the Belfast band, Energy Orchard has put his creative abilities into developing the market.

“It is so great to see our dreams finally realised. We are delighted by the number and quality of stalls who are supporting the market and are confident that the public will make the Thursday outdoor market one of their must-see events.

“As a musician myself, it is great to see Bank Square coming alive with so many talented players. This is just the start for this space as a creative showcase for this part of the city.”

The Department of Social Development spent £3 million renovating Bank Square – an area dating back to the 1600s which is comprised of Bank Street, Berry Street and Chapel Lane. Improvements included the installation of natural stone paving, landscaping, improved lighting, free WI-FI, street furniture and art work.

The journey to bring this market to Bank Square involved lengthy negotiations to obtain a licence as under the original charter granted by King James I, the historic rights to operate markets in the city, including those held on private property or indoors, belong to the city council.

“A market is an ideal way to invigorate the economy and to create a buzz. Research shows that for every £1 spent in a market, the local traders get £1.75. This market should bring a great benefit to the small local shops, the historic pubs and the great restaurants in this area,” Folktown Director Sophie Rasmussen said.

The project has been realised with support from DSD, the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All programme, Invest NI and The Ireland Funds.

Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey MLA said: “The new weekly Folktown market will bring increased footfall and activity to the Bank Square area and act as a catalyst for the regeneration of this historic part of the city centre. In addition, Folktown Community Interest Company is currently developing proposals for a programme of events to be held in Bank Square during 2015/16.

“I want to wish them every success with the market and their efforts to promote Bank Square as an exciting, multi-use, shared spaced for all sections of our community. I hope to visit the area later in the year to witness, first hand, the impact of my Department’s £3m investment in the area and the transformation which will undoubtedly result from Folktown CIC’s good work.”

Phelim Sharvin, Associate of the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT), which provided finance for the market, said: “UCIT are delighted to provide flexible social finance to Folktown CIC as it develops the artisan market. Like many UCIT clients, this is a Social Enterprise that aims to provide a valuable service to the wider community and regenerate the locality whilst achieving a positive social impact. The market will facilitate the fair trade movement and bring vitality to a small part of central Belfast. UCIT stand ready to support ambitious Social Enterprises that wish to compete in the wider business environment whilst redistributing profits for community benefit and making a difference.”

For more information about the Folktown Market go to www.folktownbelfast.com