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

Get excited for your opportunity to come up with something both delicious and creative! Create an eel recipe that you think will dazzle our star judge and be in with a chance to win both the prestige of having the best dish and, more importantly a Kilo of fresh local eel as part of the Balmoral Show celebrations!

Paula McIntyre, a celebrated NI food broadcaster/chef and writer who is no stranger to stunning eel creations, will be the judge of your handiwork and will announce who has taken the mantle of eel chef extraordinaire after her cooking demonstration on Wednesday the 13th in the Food NI Pavilion

The closing date is strictly the 9th of may

Send your recipe here: paulamcintyre@hotmail.co.uk and GOOD LUCK!!!

It sometimes takes an outsider’s perspective to realize just how special a place truly is.

Both Jenny Holland and David Laxer, Piece’s co-founders, are the perfect outsiders. One a New Yorker and former journalist and speechwriter, returning to the city of her childhood. The other, a Canadian living in Tel Aviv with a slight obssesion regarding the Irish ever since he saw Michael Collins (the movie). Together, they want to tell a story of a contemporary Northern Ireland, one with its eyes on the future yet also steeped in its own recent history.

Piece aims to package the 9 original counties of Ulster, its people, produce and practices into a household global name. Nothing goes down better than food and drink, yet they are not intending on creating your typical food magazine. Food is the excuse as it were, but the real reason behind Piece is to craft an engaging narrative of N.I as they see it – with all its quirks and quarks. Its people, its landscapes, its movers and shakers, its hipsters and its farmers, its rockers and its rebels, its growers and consumers.

Holland and Laxer have recently launched a Kickstarter campaign in Belfast to kickstart their project. They’ve teamed with talented local chef, Brian Donnelly, who brings extensive hands-on knowledge of the entire culinary landscape of N.I. The proceeds of the crowdfunding campaign will go to starting an online magazine and an online shop that will sell select made-in-NI products from food and drink to design and fashion.

“The concept behind Piece stems from a desire to help a post-conflict society move forward, away from a troubled past,” says co-founder and publisher David Laxer. “Coming from a place with it’s own troubled history, seeing how Northern Ireland has reinvented itself is really inspiring, but still today when people think Ireland they think Dublin. And for those who think Northern Ireland, they think balaclavas and thick accents. N.I has the making of the next organic heaven while Belfast has the making of the next Berlin. It’s rock n’ roll. It’s super exciting.”

“The quality of Northern Irish products is extremely high and getting better every year,” says Brian Donnelly, Piece director of product development. “I’ve worked with some of the best chefs in London and Dublin, and they are always looking for the highest quality products. They are starting to look to what we grow, raise and make here in NI.”

“We want to give our talented local makers and producers a voice on the world stage and an outlet for them to bring their products to market,” says Jenny Holland, co-founder and editor-in-chief. “We know that Americans will absolutely love what we are cooking up here.”

“We believe we have a global audience for this story and we know that the local makers and producers need a channel to communicate with the world,” adds Laxer.

The time to invest in Northern Ireland is now.

The small scale food and artisanal producers are some of the most dynamic and interesting businesses at the moment. Add to that the great cultural amenities and hospitality NI has to offer. They see huge opportunity. It’s an under explored place with great upside and provides great entertainment value for a global audience.