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The votes are in. Drum roll please. The annual Newry.ie New Year Awards have been announced highlighting the best of Newry in 2014.
Best Night Out
The Award for the Best Night Out in 2014 was something a little different this time round. It was a September evening trip on the Soteria classic ship down Newry Canal to the locks and back again as part of Iur Cinn Fleadh organised by the Newry 2020 group. Such an absolutely simple concept that was amazing.
Refreshments were provided in the way of a glass of wine or three and music came from three young girls from Warrenpoint Comhaltas.
The magical atmosphere of the classic ship gliding silently down the canal for a couple of hours on a beautiful, if chilly autumn evening with beautiful tunes dancing in the twilight will live long in my mind. The event was organised as part of Iur Cinn Fleadh 2014 with Chris Wren and the crew of the Soteria, Warrenpoint Comhaltas, Newry Maritime Association and members of Newry 2020 all contributing to making it happen.
This year Iur Cinn Fleadh will take place from Friday the 11th to Sunday the 13th of September 2015 so lets hope the same event will form part of it this year again.
Best Venue
Top venue in 2014 was the Canal Court Hotel. Saturday nights in the Granary Bar are timeless. Always guaranteed to catch up with somebody you know, great music and a relaxed vibe. The Miller Suite, from it's regular Saturday night Dance to it as a Concert venue as well as being a great location for Charity nights. From Hospice events to Chamber events service is always excellent.
Best Dining Out
Best Dining Out experience of 2014 was The Graduate Restaurant run by the Southern Regional College in Patrick Street. An absolutely amazing feast for the tastebuds with an endless amount of courses every one of them exceptional, fantastic attention from staff/students and all for £18. No wonder you have to book them so far in advance
Another one worthy of note was Al Forno in Francis Street and it would be wrong not to mention last years winner the Sugar Supper Club which continues to show others the ingredients necessary for a great night out.
Best Festival
Our best Festival of 2014 was Newry Drama Festival.
Over ten nights the 62nd annual festival served up classic stage entertainment to a packed house. The festival winner was Boeing Boeing, a hilarious French farce staged by Prosperous Dramatic Society justifiably taking the top award. No mean achievement considering the quality of the plays on offer.
Other Festivals of note included Sticky Fingers Small Size Big Festival, Festival of Windows in Hill Street (A festival organised on a budget of zero), Newry's first Blues Festival, the Halloween Festival, Oktoberfest and of course Iur Cinn Fleadh. What a delight to see much more festival choice in our city compared to a few years back.
Best Gig
Best Gig of 2014 would have to be a tie between Christy Moore in the Canal Court Hotel and the 4 of Us 25th Anniversary in Newry Town Hall. Both for different reasons, Christy for the legend he is and how he can mesmerise a crowd with his singing whether it's a soft sad song or a rousing version of Lisdoonvarna.
The 4 of Us for returning to Newry in September for the first time in 25 years. Boy what a night that was. Playing to a capacity crowd in the Town Hall, it just doesn't get any better than that.
Best Sporting Event
For the second year in a row Newry City Triathlon takes the Best Sporting Event award. This year, the second year of the Triathlon, the support for the event was just breathtaking and the number of competitors unbelievable, all in the surrounds of the beautiful Albert Basin. What a perfect event backdrop.
Best New Arrival
Our Best New Arrival was a long time coming and didn't appear without a little controversy (Cherry Trees anyone!) but beyond a shadow of a doubt it has laid the foundations for a re-invigourated city centre.
Yes it's the new walkway along Newry Canal as part of the Public Realm Scheme thanks to the foresight of Newry and Mourne District Council and many other stakeholders. Somewhere for locals to walk/ run/ cycle where before there was hardly the space to walk. The loss of a few car park spaces was a small price to pay for a facility that shows off Newry's waterway in the best light possible.
Well done all the winners but note: These Awards are unashamedly biased as it's just our opinion on what we experienced. Don't be afraid to let us know what your highlights were!
