On song at the launch of Anita Hoppe's 'My Irish Trails' exhibition in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
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It's heading for Halloween and the council have unveiled their weekend of festivities.
On Friday 1 November, rounding off the half-term week, the much-loved Twilight Market will return to host Newry Mourne and Down’s flagship Taste the Island event at Newry Variety Market, followed by a fantastic fireworks and laser show at Fathom Line.
The Twilight Market, in John Mitchel Place, will be open from 5pm and will transform the Variety Market into a food and drink heaven, with over 50 traders offering unique locally-produced artisan food and drink, as well as a bar offering craft beers and small-batch gins.
With fun for all the family, the Twilight Market will also be running a series of free activities to keep everyone entertained, with face painting, arts and crafts, street performers and a full programme of live music.
Fathom Line is the place to be at 8pm for the superb Newry City ‘Fireworks Frenzy’, a specially choroegraphed music, lights, laser and fireworks display. Visitors are advised to get down with plenty of time to claim their spot along the Quays for the best viewpoint.
On Saturday 2 November, as part of the National Museums NI Late Shift series of events, there will be a superb ‘Swingin’ Wartime Revue’ lates event at Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal's Castle. Inspired by wartime concerts held in Newry during the 1940s, hidden histories will be revealed after dark, with music, magic, comedy and unique, one-off experiences. Doors open from 6.30 and there is an on-site bar. As part of the Taste the Island celebrations, visitors will uncover food and drink tastings, music and surprise performances straight from a Pathé newsreel as they explore the museum. This event is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Tourism NI and Department for Communities.
Visit WWW.VISITMOURNEMOUNTAINS.CO.UK to book and note the Swingin’ Wartime Revue is a strictly over-18s event.
Commenting on the events Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “This Twilight Market provides a wonderful opportunity for our local producers to come together to showcase the fantastic food and drink available within our District. With gates opening at 5pm, I encourage you to get there early and sample the delicious treats that will be on offer before making your way to Fathom Line for 8pm to find your perfect spot for viewing the fireworks. It is set to be a fantastic evening for all the family.
“On Saturday night and back by popular demand, the Late Shift NI will see Bagenal’s Castle come to life after dark with the Swingin’ Wartime Revue. Inspired by the new temporary exhibition in Newry and Mourne Museum on World War Two and the Revue concerts held in the 1940’s, this step back in time is one not to be missed. Last year’s event was a sell-out so book your ticket now to avoid disappointment.”
For more details check out website www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/TwilightMarket or call into Newry Visitor Information Centre to pick up a copy of the flyer.
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Newry will be swinging to the sounds of the 1940s bands on Saturday 2 November in a one night only performance of ‘Swingin’ War-time Revue’ taking place at the Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal’s Castle.
Guests will take a trip down memory lane to experience a night of theatrical entertainment and music with the best local food and drink, including sweet treats, craft gin, and beer and cider tastings—all within the Museum walls.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey explained the reasons behind the event. He said, “Newry has an incredible history of performing arts especially during World War II.
“Many famous names are associated with our area during that period including Glenn Miller who played in the Town Hall and we wanted to celebrate this fact with our own special evening.”
During the evening of song and theatre, guests will also be treated to a cabaret hosted by the inimitable Caolan McBride, featuring comedian George Firehorse, juggler Grant Goldie and many more. As you can explore all the galleries of the Museum you will be met with many more performers and artists, including Leonie Pony, and the Casino Jazz Band.
The event is part of a series of after dark, adults only events taking place in museums across Northern Ireland this autumn. Entitled ‘The Late Shift’ the series aims to encourage the over 18s to try a different kind of night out at their local museum.
Tickets for this strictly over-18s event are £10 and available to book online at EVENTBRITE where you can also find more information.
For further information, please telephone 028 3031 3182/3178
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A photography exhibition showcasing the beauty of Ireland through portraiture has opened at Sean Hollywood Arts Centre.
The exhibition was launched on Friday night with the over 100 people present being treated to incredible Polish food perfectly blended with great music.
Anita Hoppe left her home in Poland 13 years ago and came to live in Ireland where just three years ago she developed an interest in photography and her natural talent shows through in all of her work. Portraits taken in many parts of the countryside show beauty in the normal day to day scenery we have all grown to take foregranted.
One of Anita's pieces involved moving a piano into place on a County Down beach and the finished photograph involving the pianist and his audience of one is just one example of how attention to detail pays off with a stunning image.
As Anita says "To me photography means meeting people, and capturing passing moments. It is a never ending journey into the unknown. Through my photographs I want to show ordinary things in an unusual way and to uncover true emotions and details of which we are not always aware."
The exhibition entitled 'My Irish Trails' runs from now until Friday 30 October.
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Popular acoustic duo Noctambule keep going up in the world. For Iúr Cinn Fleadh they played above Newry’s rooftops with their car park gig on Buttercrane’s Level 7. This Friday (20th September) they take their trad-with-a-twist to the lofty banqueting room of Bagenal’s Castle for Culture Night.
French for 'night-owl', Noctambule are Marla Fibish and Bruce Victor. There will be no admission fee for their concert in the historic setting of Newry and Mourne Museum, which starts at 7pm.
And that’s not all. Just before Culture Night, this hard-working couple will play at Rostrevor sessions in The Corner House from 10pm on Tuesday and Crawford’s Bar from 8.30pm on Wednesday – as well as two daytime sets at Synge and Byrne in Kilbroney Forest Park from 11.30am and 2pm on Thursday (19th September).
They've already won hearts not just at Iúr Cinn Fleadh, but also at the Gerry Whelan Memorial Weekend and Spirit Store, Dundalk, on this, their second Ireland tour. Marla and Bruce delighted local audiences last year when they launched their album A Sweetish Tune on their first ever tour of this island.
Noctambule play a variety of musical forms - traditional Irish tunes, their own compositions in a traditional vein, and compelling settings of a broad range of poetry. This unique collaboration brings out surprising qualities in these seasoned musicians. Their work is rendered with sensitivity and humour on an unusual array of strings - different guitars in varied tunings, mandola, mandolin, cittern, tenor guitar - and their blended voices.
Bruce and Marla take their audiences on a journey. Their love of traditional music shines through as they wrap you in their well crafted songs. They're warm-hearted and funny, too!
Reviewers have portrayed their work with descriptions such as - 'irregular phrases, unpredictable meters and strangely beautiful harmonies'; 'glittering musical imaginations grounded in joyful glorious experience' and simply, 'folk music at its best - hand made, without a template'.
Marla is a prominent voice of the mandolin in Irish music. She brings a deep and distinctive sensibility on one of its lesser heard instruments. Marla has also just recorded a new solo album which has been produced in Dundalk.
Bruce is an eclectic and accomplished guitarist and composer, who plays different guitars in different tunings. Seemingly resisting any single musical genre, he's been labelled a 'poly-stylist' by one of the editors of Acoustic Guitar magazine.
A Noctambule experience is like no other.
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The Wake the Giant Festival is back in Warrenpoint this weekend.
Finn, the character at the heart of local folklore, is the star of this Festival in the form of an impressive 32-foot model marionette. Each year, the giant Finn makes an epic journey to appear in Warrenpoint at the end of August. On this fun-filled Festival weekend, townspeople and visitors will all compete to find the most creative and fun ways to wake the sleeping giant.
What's On
Wake The Giant - Day One - Saturday 24 August
Ahead of Saturday's event, have a look over the map below and pick your spot to watch Finn and his friends as they make their way through the main street of Warrenpoint - will any of the businesses have worked out a way to wake Finn? Do also take time to look at our social media channels Facebook @VisitMourneMountains and Twitter @VisitMourne #WakeTheGiant to see their progress so far on what they are planning.
Children of all ages can expect to get involved in fun challenges and games along the route. From 12noon – 6pm come along to the Artisan Market in Warrenpoint Municipal Park and enjoy the atmosphere with children’s entertainment, live music and much more.
We advise you to come to Warrenpoint early and enjoy the Warrenpoint Artisan Market from 12noon and the many businesses who have been busy preparing GIANT surprises to help wake Finn.
PARKING & TRAVEL
Finn will be making his way through the town from 4pm on Saturday, with rolling road closures and diversions in place to allow for this. (Due to Health & Safety, parking will be restricted along the route of the Moving Theatre - mainly along Church Street and the roads will be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so). Please note normal parking restrictions will apply.
Wake The Giant - Day Two - Sunday 25 August
On Sunday, the action is in Clonnallon Park (for directions, follow the yellow AA road signs) on Clonallon Road, Warrenpoint where the story of Finn unfolds through two performances at 2pm and again at 4pm. According to folklore there will be some BIG and SMALL surprises along the way. Family fun entertainment in Clonallon Park from 1pm - 6pm including slime workshop, balloon modelling, falconry display, live music, face painting, circus performers, arts & crafts, Food Village and so much more!
PARKING & TRAVEL
Please follow the yellow AA road signs on route into Warrenpoint from all directions.
We advise to get to Warrenpoint early and make the day of it! It’s your last chance to #WakeTheGiant until summer 2020 after all!
- Park & Walk at Mary Queen of Peace (300 spaces) located opposite the main Clonallon Park entrance on Clonallon Road, Warrenpoint
- Park & Walk at St. Dallans Primary School (200 spaces) located opposite the main Clonallon Park entrance on Clonallon Road, Warrenpoint
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Sean Hollywood Arts Centre and Newry Town Hall are delighted to announce the arrival of their latest arts programme. The new autumn guide is brimming with a huge range of music, theatre, talks and comedy.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “This autumn brings a wide variety of performances to Newry. We will see both amazing local talent as well as the best in professional music and theatre. There is truly something for everyone over the coming months and I’d urge everyone to come and join us.”
Kicking off the season is a production of the ever-popular Marie Jones play, ‘A Night in November’ on Thursday 12 September at 8pm in Sean Hollywood Arts Centre. Performed by the Soda Bread Theatre Company this 25th anniversary tour sees Matthew Forsythe seamlessly shift through dozens of characters in this iconic, one man show.
Fans of the supernatural will have a special treat on Friday 20 September when one of Ireland’s best known psychic mediums, Angela Dunlop, also appears at Sean Hollywood.
Newry Town Hall will be venue for local comedy, ‘Don’t Tell the Wife’, written by Sam Cree and presented by the Newry Panto Players. The side splitting comedy, which stars home grown talent, will be performed on both Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 September at 7.30pm. On Friday 27 September, ‘A Night for Wesley – Music and Memories’ will delight the audience with a night of music, stories and fond memories of the much-respected Wesley Livingstone.
October brings ‘Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’, presented by Newry Musical Society, to the Town Hall on 14 through 18 October. This spectacular production will definitely brighten up the darkening nights.
If you are into foot tappers, barn stompers, compassionate and delicate tearjerkers, then come and see Hilltown’s own Matt McGinn, along with Jesse Terry and Emma Stevens, in ‘A Night of Americana Songs and Stories’ in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre on Friday 18 October.
For all the Elvis fans, a highlight of the autumn programme will be ‘The Elvis Spectacular Show’ on Thursday 7 November in Newry Town Hall at 8pm. The show features multi-award winning, 2010 Elvis Champion, Ciaran Houlihan who will perform with female vocal harmony group, The Sweet Sensations to celebrate the legacy of the man voted Artist of the Century in 2000.
These are only some of the events, exhibitions, lectures, classes and activities available and all details are in the new brochure which is available to download from www.newrymournedown.org.
For further information on all the events and tickets for all shows contact T: 028 3031 3180 or
E: arts.reception@nmandd.org
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Newry Conference and Banqueting Centre is the venue for this weeks That Wine Guy Launch Event this Friday 23 August at 7.30pm
It's an evening delving into the world of wines and celebrating the start of a new business venture in Newry.
Start your journey with a selection of sparkling, white and red wines, paired with cheeses and treats; join in a few interactive demonstrations and learn a little while you are there. This will be a fun evening for everyone and a great chance to taste something new. Whether you know your Burgundy from your Bordeaux, or simply know that wine is either red or white – this event is for you!
Come and hear about the new range of wine tasting classes starting soon, find out how you can join in, and spend an evening with wine, cheese, chocolate and beautiful views of Newry over the balcony.
Your Host
Martin McAuley has over 22 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, a BSc Hons degree in Hospitality Management and various WSET qualifications in wines and spirits.
Martin trained as a Sommelier in the award winning Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland where he was responsible for sales, cellar management and wine-menu pairings. He is currently working as a trainer for Hospitality and Customer Service NVQs and BTECs, and is highly passionate about improving the hospitality industry and drinking wine!
To book your place contact Martin McAuley: thatwineguynewry@gmail.com, £5 entrance fee payable via PayPal.
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A group of young people are hosting an eight hour music marathon in Nan Rices in Newry on Bank Holiday Monday next 5 August to help raise money for a local teenager needing specialist cancer treatment.
The young people have been regularly gigging in Nan Rices every Saturday afternoon and came up with the ideal of pooling their musical talent, fan base and resources to help out the family of Lauren Fitzgerald.
Aoife Cranney, one of the event organisers and singer with Open to Interpretation, said it was a real easy decision to make. "We all know Lauren’s brother, Sean. He has been a regular at our Saturday afternoon gigs and we wanted to reach out and show our support.”
Lauren, is a bright, 14 year old girl from Newry, who was diagnosed with stage IV high risk neuroblastoma in 2018. She has already endured extensive treatment to date however neuroblastoma is an aggressive and complex cancer with a high likelihood of returning.
Lauren’s family are fundraising with Solving Kids’ Cancer to give her the best chance of living cancer free. They need to raise £234,000 by September for Lauren to access treatment in New York.
As Aoife adds “We have 15 young bands, singers and performers, giving up their time on Monday 5 August from 4pm to midnight, to put on an 8 hour Music Marathon, in the Beer Garden in Nan Rice’s. It’s a huge symbol of young people pulling together to help others in need”
“We want to show that young people can contribute positively in today’s society and use their skills and talent for good.”
The music on display will be as diverse and the young people delivering it including rock, pop, soul and punk. There will even be some performances from other non young musicians who use the local Jamming Rooms and are well known to the main performers.
“Yes, it true. We’ve also asked a few young at hearts to join us as well” laughs Aoife. “Just to show them how it can be done”
Find out more on facebook : https://www.facebook.com/events/391421294837494/
Full list of performers and Starting times
You can make a £5 donation at the door.
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Time Slot |
PERFORMERS |
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16:00 |
6th SENSE |
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16:25 |
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16:50 |
ANARCHY / ABBEY CBS BAND |
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17:20 |
LAUREN & MALLORY |
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17:45 |
THE BIG JAM – PETER MCANULTY |
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18:10 |
ANNA ROSE BLAKLEY |
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18:35 |
LOOSE CHANGE |
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19:00 |
ORLAGH COMER |
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19:25 |
HALF RIGHT / STEPHEN PRIESTLEY |
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20:00 |
POETIC LICENCE |
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20:25 |
JESSICA JAMES |
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20:50 |
FRANCIS FARREL |
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21:25 |
PETER/ DERMOT/ GARTH KIDD |
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21:50 |
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22:15 |
L.A.F |
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22:40 |
DARAGH MCSLOY |
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23.05 |
LOUD N DURTY |
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23:30 |
OPEN TO INTERPRETATION |
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Newry Masonic Hall at Downshire Road in Newry is hosting a fascinating WW1 exhibition this weekend with a wealth of exhibits and information on lodge members who died in World War One.
The exhibition entitled Newry Freemasons' in WW1 continues tomorrow Saturday 28 June from 11.30am to 5.30pm.
Lodge members are also very happy to show people round their historic building, an opportunity you should not miss as it will give you an incredible insight into another facet of Newry life.
David Henry Ferris, born 1893 was a member of Francis Crossle Lodge 83. From Windsor Avenue in Newry David entered the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin before cutting short his studies, enlisting and serving as a Surgeon - Probationer in the Royal Navy. David died on HMS Broke and was buried at sea 1st June 1916.
John Knox a member of Union Lodge 23 was born in 1886 at Tierkelly, Rathfriland and was employed as a pharmacutical chemist at Messrs S Connor and Son's of Newry. He joined the army in December 1915 and did terms at North Irish Horse at Antrim and Royal Irish Rifles. John was awarded the Military Cross in 1918 and during a short period of leave in September received his award from the King at Buckingham Palace.
Returning to his batillion shortly afterwards he was wounded in Belgium in October 1918 and died of his injuries later in the month.
Francis (Frank) Lee Cleland, William Boyd, Thomas Alexander Walsh Crozier and George Bostall Jenkinson Smyth were other lodge members based in Newry who died in the war and their stories are also illustrated in the exhibition.
The exhibition contains many pieces from the everyday lives of the soldiers including bizarre items such as a folding saw and spikes used to injure horses. Bullets made into lighters, Certificates of Service, medals, postcards and much more are on display.
The exhibition is supported by the Heritage Fund from the National Lottery.
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