Family Life

F MILYLife Y AUTUMN COLOUR TRENDS

How TV mum Vikki remains tuned in to her kids

DIAGNOSED WITHADHD AT56YEARS CARA’S CBBC WIN LEADS TO STARDOM

ALSO INSIDE COOKING WITH PAULA MCINTYRE, HOMES, FASHION, HOLIDAYS PLUS EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENTS AND MUCH MORE....

2 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

Contents

4 TV mum Vikki schedules plenty of time for her kids

23

6 A ‘Dengenious’ idea launches Cara on course for stardom 8 From Russia with love: family tradition helps Alexander with first day at school 9 Model, barber, granddad and now the latest addition to the ADHD fraternity

24

Amisty,mellow timeofyear I

Changes and new beginnings?

Welcome to autumn...

t’s 200 years since Keats wrote his ode To Autumn and yet nothing describes this beautiful season so eloquently as that first line, ‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’. There’s certainly been no shortage of misty eyes in our house at the return of early morning school starts. The mellow fruitfulness is generally reserved for weekends, when we can sit down with a glass of wine to watch Strictly.

For lots of families, autumn is full of firsts, especially if they’re seeing a little one off to nursery or school, or a bigger one off to uni. We have some healthy recipes for a packed lunch for nippers although with students leaving home, a basic recipe book is a good start, with lots of Facetime on the menu.

It’s usually in those early days of nursery and primary school that teachers and parents get an inkling if a child is on the autism spectrum. A noisy classroom full of bright stimuli can be intolerable for a child with ASD and flag up the need for extra support.

However, growing numbers of people are being diagnosed with ASD in adulthood. We meet barber Garry Jackson who is using his late diagnosis to help others.

This issue of Family Life also features two people carving a name on the small screen. Vikki Taggart heads up the production company behind many popular TV shows including Flinch on Netflix, while making sure she has plenty of time for her children, while at the other end of the scale, young Cara Mailey has won a place in the spotlight, presenting CBBC programmes.

Some changes are welcome, others are challenging. Journalist Maeve Richardson will inspire anyone thinking of making some major life changes with her experience of moving to Thailand.

As usual, this issue of Family Life has the lowdown on the new season’s fashion and beauty, with tips for helping your hair and skin as the weather turns. We also cover the latest home interior trends, short breaks and more. Our health and wellbeing features include the latest treatments for hair loss and a Belfast Fertility clinic with wonderful success rates.

And with the new season heralding a huge programme of entertainments, we bring you a whopping nine pages of events, festivals and gigs ... something for every member of the family.

10 Budget days out with youngsters 14-21 Home interior tips and trends for a cosy autumn and winter 22 Grab your coat

28-29 Wrap up in style 30 5 picks for an autumn getaway

21 32 D2, the perfect

postcode for a city break

23 Feeling Peaky? Get the look

34 Afternoon ‘tee’ at Lough Erne Golf Resort

24 Fall into a new skin and hair routine

36-38 Oakfield Park: Donegal’s best kept secret?

25 Be bold, be beautiful!

26 New season, new reasons to dress fab

36

26

39 Seasonal cooking with Paula McIntyre

41 Health & wellbeing 43 Get the garden ready for winter... and children 44 From comfort zone to living the dream in Thailand...

45 Do your bit for Recycle Week 2019 46-54 Festivals, events and entertainments to brighten the dullest days

Published by Belfast Telegraph, Clarendon House, Clarendon Dock, Belfast, BT1 3BH FAMILY LIFE MANAGER Jackie Reid, Belfast Telegraph, j.reid@belfasttelegraph.co.uk EDITOR Fiona Rutherford, Realtime Editing & Design NI Ltd, f.rutherford@redni.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Ruaidhri McCarney, Maureen Coleman, Andrea McKernon, Valeria Higgins, Davina Gordon, Maeve Richardson DESIGN Susan McClean, INM Design Studio, Belfast PRINTING INM, Newry

4 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

TVmumtuned intofamilytime

At 37, Vikki Taggart is one of the youngest directors in Northern Ireland. A single mother, the Belfast woman finds that loving her career goes hand in hand with raising her children.

BY ANDREA MCKERNON

L

ike virtually all working mums, Vikki Taggart is high performance.

As a young director and single mum, she combines her high performance career with the speed injection of a mother on the go. A Formula 1 racing car springs to mind.

On a typical weekday morning, Vikki is in pole position at 7am, ready to start her day as Director of Operations at TV productions company Stellify Media.

Even before her hectic work day begins, she has with precision engineering prepared for her dual role of the school run and the office.

She has her son Alfie (10) and daughter Izzy (7) wakened and the family are getting ready to start their day, The race begins.

But as the north Belfast woman explains, being supercharged like a racing machine relies on strong drivers — and those are her children and her work.

The 37-year-old financial expert summons her power pack optimism and zest for life from her family, her work colleagues and her friends.

Mum Gail, grandmother Mabel and a stable partner keep her on track and they are there for the pit stops she needs to recharge and get back in the race again.

“We’re out of the house by 8.30am for the school run and during the journey I’ve brokered any number of UN peace deals with the kids. I’ve somehow washed myself, managed to put on some make-up and dressed in some outfit that’s usually dirty by the time I get to work after running the gauntlet of breakfast, the dog and school lunches,” she says.

“I walk the kids to the playground in school and then it’s a 20 minute drive to work. I turn up the radio and sing my head off as I switch from mummy into work mode. I’m at my desk for 9.30am and then I am straight into the thick of it. It’s non stop.”

through the day with whatever stuff that day brings. It could be a day with finance taking priority if it’s the end of the month, HR in focus, legal systems or business plans being worked on, or office duties to complete.

“We have 25 staff in our office and 50 at the moment UK wide. It’s a fast-paced work environment. I have five team members reporting to me and I make sure they have everything they need.”

Lunch can often be missed with the daily buzz and as Vikki jokes, even getting to the loo can be a challenge.

“On my way to the toilet, I can get distracted and then a half hour later I realise I’ve forgotten to go. The work is so engaging and compelling.”

Vikki split with her children’s father three years ago. Instead of her life falling apart, she found that through her work she had become a mother her children admire.

Stellify Media was formed by Kieran Doherty and Matthew Worthy as a joint venture with Sony Pictures Television in 2014. Vikki worked with the founders at the conception of the company in 2014 in a consultancy capacity. She joined the team full-time the following year as Head of Operations.

“I love my role as a wizard behind the curtain at Stellify. I keep the show on the road and that allows Matt and Kieran to concentrate on dealing with the talent and the shows. I am immensely proud that the company in just five years has achieved so

Vikki Taggart with Alfie and Izzy much. I can’t express how much I love working with these guys who have been such a support for me as a working mum and then a single mum. When I’m on my frequent trips to London or Edinburgh, they work these around the times when my children are with their dad. School plays, sports days are absolutely no problem.”

FAMILY FRIENDLY WORKSPACE

This new breed of director with family focus is one Vikki hopes will be the norm in all workplaces by the time her daughter gets into the workplace and the children of employees are often in the Stellify offices.

“It’s not unusual to see kids playing around the office — and I’ll have my two in during their summer holidays. Our little Stellifys love seeing where their parents work. It’s lovely for my kids to see where mummy works.

“I love that my kids say they are really proud of me. They love taking stickers and stuff from Stellify and bringing it into school.

The other day Alfie was allowed to get onto the internet in a school lesson and he looked up Stellify and showed his teacher my picture on the website.”

TV CREDITS

Stellify Media — based in Belfast — has grown to become one of the largest Independent TV production companies in Northern Ireland, turning out viewer-capturing content like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Gino’s Win Your Wishlist, Beauty Queen & Single, In Solitary, There’s No Place Like Tyrone and most recently Flinch for Netflix.

Vikki, with the company from its infancy, has played a pivotal role in installing systems that put family and children firmly at the centre of employees’ lives.

“A lot of my work is firefighting and getting

The Stellify team picking up one of many awards

Despite the marriage split, Vikki is relieved that the stable and supportive family life she maintained with her children throughout the break-up has helped her children to better cope with the changes.

“My kids kept me going, but the role models I had in my very strong and formidable mother and grandmother played a big part in my quick recovery after my marriage breakdown,” she says.

“I didn’t get my professional qualifications until I was in my late twenties and I did my exams and graduated when I was married and pregnant. When the split came, I didn’t know how I would cope, but it coincided with me going full-time at work and that was what gave me so much strength. I found that instead of wondering how I was going to balance being a mum and a career, I was well able to balance both.

“My children, despite seeing a drastic change in family life, found their mum was as able as she always had been. Regardless of what I was going through — if I felt like screaming or kicking the wall, I never showed anger, I never cried in front of them or got emotional. Regardless of anything, I found it was easy to tell and show them that no matter what was happening, that they were loved and cherished by their mum and there was always a place of warmth and comfort for them with me and their granny. When they are with me, they are never away from me.

When they are with their dad, that’s when I get time to see my friends and get that me time I need. Every year we go away — just the three of us — for a week’s holiday. I keep our family times precious and exclusive.

“None of this would be possible without the support of my parents — my mum especially is fantastic. She picks the kids up from school, gets them dinner and starts their homework with them. I get home after 6pm — switching back into mummy mode — and I make sure I’m always finishing their homework with them. I read with them every night and then we watch some TV in my bed before they go to their own rooms for the night.

“If any woman is looking into a deep abyss of marriage break-up, grief or any other challenge and has children to raise, never lose hope and persevere. Nothing is unattainable.”

6 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

‘Dengenious’designsetsCara oncourseforTVstardom

BY MAUREEN COLEMAN

S

tanding at a height of just 102cms, 10-year-old Cara Mailey from Carryduff struggles to reach the counter and the shelves in her favourite confectionery shops.

Having a condition called achondroplasia – the most common form of dwarfism – means the St Joseph’s Primary school pupil is well used to things being out of her reach.

Not so her goals though, for Cara refuses to let her condition define her. Instead, she used it to her advantage when drawing up a plan for her den for the popular CBBC show Dengineers. Her design for a sweetie den, where everything was in reach, impressed the show’s bosses and a team flew to Northern Ireland to help Cara’s dream for a den of delights come true.

Mum Tricia, who also has achondroplasia, explains: “Dengineers is a children’s show where the kids get to create their perfect den and then a team makes it over. Cara watched the show and wanted to apply, so I agreed, thinking little of it.

“Her story was based round the fact that because she’s so small, when she goes into a sweet shop, she can’t reach the shelves so her den had everything at just the right height for her.

“After Cara applied, she had to do a Skype interview then the team came over to meet her. She got her sweetie den in the back garden, made to measure for her. She drew the den herself and of course, it’s still there.”

Crafty idea

After getting a taste of television glory, Cara then decided to apply for the CBBC programme Craft Party. This time though, the role was that of co-presenter. Model boss Alison Campbell, who is Cara’s agent, had spotted the advertisement and called Tricia up to suggest her daughter give it a go. Cara was keen, so they sent off an impromptu video of her craft making. A phone interview followed then Cara’s crafting skills were put to the test with a Skype interview.

But things didn’t quite go to plan and

Tricia wasn’t confident that Cara had made it through to the next round.

“Cara had to do some crafts herself so she decided to make a personalised birthday bunting,” says Tricia. “Unfortunately, it didn’t go too well. The glitter wouldn’t stick and I remember looking at her and thinking ‘no, she’s not going to get it’.

“But next thing, she was invited to London for a screen test and was one of 12 children shortlisted from that. Two weeks later, she was told she’d got the role as one of six young presenters, chosen from 5,000 applicants across the UK. Cara appears in 11 out of 20 episodes across two series, with each series being hosted by four of the six kids.”

An inspiration

Tricia’s three-year-old son Noah also shares the same condition as mum and daughter and she says Cara will be an inspiration to

Tricia, hubbie Sean and kids Cara and Noah him as he gets older.

“Cara doesn’t let anything hold her back,” Tricia says. “She is a bubbly, outgoing child who loves to sing and dance. She attends drama school and tap dancing and loves learning new things.

“Cara is also mixed race as she’s from a previous relationship and of course, she is aware that she is different to other children but I always tell her she’s unique and that it’s amazing to be different. She does see other kids staring at her sometimes but then they ask her ‘are you Cara from Dengineers?’ so it’s ok.

“Walking long distances and reaching things are her only real issues. She tires easily and is a bit slower than her peers. But she is realising now that she can do anything she sets her mind to and I’m incredibly proud of her.

“The first episode of Craft Party went out recently and she was pretty chilled about it.

I do see a wee change in her though. She’s definitely more confident so I have to keep any eye on her to make sure her feet remain firmly on the ground. But if this is what she wants to keep doing, then I’ll support her 100 percent. She’s an incredible child.”

Cara Mailey and her co-hosts from Craft Party

8 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

Firststepsontheschooljourney

The early days in P1 are surreal for parents, as Valeria Higgins found. Carrying on a family custom made the occasion even more special.

Alexander on his first day in P1

T

he big day had arrived, our alarm was set for the first time in months, the uniform was labelled and neatly laid out on the chair having been tried on and adjusted the night before, and Alexander’s first ever ‘fiver platter’ (more about that later) was prepared.

Alexander was excited before going to bed the night before — trying on his new uniform and running downstairs to show off to daddy.

He even Facetimed his great-granny in Russia and his granny, who only lives around the corner, to show off his new uniform and first-day-of-school haircut.

I don’t know what Alexander felt like, but this was a big day for my husband and I, seeing our four-and-a-half-year-old off to school. It felt like only yesterday that he was a helpless little bundle who needed us to do everything for him.

Thankfully, Alexander was up before the

alarm and raring to go without too much persuading – he can take his time in the mornings to get ready. He was presented with his ‘fiver platter’, which he promptly tucked into, even before breakfast.

The platter is a family tradition that’s been passed down from my great-grandparents. At the start of the school year a child receives a ‘fiver platter’ to help them achieve top marks at school. The reason for the number five is because in Russia marks at school ranged from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest. The platter would usually include a selection of fruit and sweets or chocolates, with five of everything. And no one is allowed to eat the contents other than the recipient.

After breakfast and a quick cartoon we were walking down the road to the school, leaving plenty of time to take everything in and not rush — that time will come when I’m dropping him off at breakfast club and heading to work. It’s nice to have the school within walking distance, even if the pressures of modern life will mean that taking the time to walk is not always possible.

As we walked down I couldn’t quite believe this was all real. Was our little boy actually going into P1? But I was immensely thankful to be part of the experience and take him to school for the first time. Soon I’m starting a new full-time job and the freedom to spend as much time as I want with my family will be gone. I’m grateful for the little things and appreciate them now more than ever.

As we went in through the infant entrance, I helped Alexander find the peg with his name on it and hang his bag while his teacher greeted him by name and he was straight off into the classroom with barely a glance towards us. He’s certainly confident and not afraid of new adventures!

For the first while the P1s finish at lunchtime, so it wasn’t long before we were back to pick him up. He was excited, telling us what he did (which is unusual, the normal response is “nothing”), what cartoon they watched and songs they had sung, which of his pre-school and day nursery friends he had met and what he did during the break.

And the best thing about school so far? He could climb trees during his break, something the boy loves to do!

A‘fiver platter’ set Alexander up for his first day at school

Lunchesthatpackahealthypunch

A homemade pasta dish is a healthy option that is full of energy

T

he first days of primary school are a big change for children, as they properly begin their education journey. But this time is just as big a learning curve for parents, especially for those going through the whole experience for the first time, like myself.

On top of preparing my little man’s uniform and backpack, reading notes from the school for the hundredth time to make sure I don’t miss anything, I also now need to think about ideas for his lunch.

Having attended pre-school part-time, and been cared for around that by staff at a day nursery, up until now I haven’t needed to think about making a packed lunch every day.

My head is bursting with questions and concerns — 20 minutes for lunch isn’t enough knowing how slowly Alexander can eat. Will he go hungry? Will he get bored of sandwiches? What else can I give him that’s both quick to eat and follows the school’s rules? Will other children be bringing in packed lunches or getting school dinners? Will anyone make fun of what he has for lunch?

Should I sign him up for school milk?

Will the school reprimand me if I give him something not as healthy? Though, at home, Alexander does have a very healthy diet.

My only saving grace is that, up until today, Alexander has been in school on a half-day and has only required a snack for break time. As of Monday it’s a packed lunchbox every day.

For parents like myself, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has prepared some tips for packing a healthy and nutritious lunchbox.

Judith Hanvey, Regional Food in Schools Coordinator, appointed jointly by the PHA and the Department of Education, said: “Recent surveys looking at children’s lunchboxes found that they were too high in fat, especially saturated fat, salt and sugar.

“Just under half of lunchboxes contained no fruit. It is important to include a balanced variety of foods in a packed lunch, so that your child can get all the nutrients they need. Avoid fizzy drinks and snacks high in added fat, salt and

sugars, and remember that kids only need child-sized portions of food.”

The PHA’s leaflet ‘Are you packing a healthy lunch?’ has lots of advice and lunchbox ideas, and it is available online at www.pha.site/healthylunchbox.

“There are lots of foods available in our supermarkets that are marketed for lunchboxes, such as processed fruit snacks, squeezy yogurts, yogurt on sticks and cereal/muesli bars. However, these are often high in fat, salt and sugars,” said Judith.

“It can be confusing, but picking the healthier option isn’t just good for nourishment, it can also help with pupils’ concentration and behaviour in the classroom.”

And finally, involve your children in making up their lunch.

“Picking healthier foods is an important step in establishing good eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives, helping them to stay at a healthy weight,” said Judith.

If you are tired of packing the same old lunch, try these ideas to add variety: 1. Bagel with tuna, sweetcorn and low fat mayonaise. Fresh fruit chopped into plain yogurt. Water.

2. Soda bread pizza with tomato and cheese. Vegetable sticks with hummus.

Small fruit smoothie.

3. Roast beef, lettuce and tomato roll.

Fruit salad. Plain yogurt. Water.

4. Rice salad with salmon and vegetables.

Kiwi fruit. Milk.

5. Crackers, cheese and chopped cherry tomatoes. Slice of plain cake. Berry fruit pot. Water.

6. Ham and vegetable pasta. Chopped grapes. Plain yogurt. Unsweetened small fruit juice.

7. Cheese and salad in pitta bread.

Banana. Plain yogurt. Water.

8. Egg and onion sandwich. Carrot sticks.

Fruit pot. Milk.

9. Chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion and low fat mayo wrap. Chopped grapes. Pot of low-sugar custard. Water.

10. Vegetable soup and wheaten bread.

Apple. Milk.

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 9

Itall ‘ADD’sup fornewly diagnosed granddad When barber, model and grandfather of two Garry Jackson was given a diagnosis of ADHD earlier this year, he was relieved though not particularly surprised, writes Maureen Coleman.

H

aving ‘walked though life in a confused state’, the 56-year-old Holywood man, who has strutted his stuff on the catwalk and appeared in several high profile advertising campaigns, always suspected there was an underlying reason.

At grammar school Garry struggled to fit in. Coming from an estate in the Newtownabbey area, he felt at odds with his peers at Inst. He was easily distracted, had poor concentration skills and in his own words, was ‘quite rebellious’, though never ‘bad’, he hastens to add.

But while many young men diagnosed with ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – end up on the wrong side of the law, Garry channelled his hyperactivity into something creative and successful – his award-winning and well-known barber shop.

And he’s now keen to give something back and help other young men with ADHD put their own skills to good use.

“Other members of my family have ADHD of some description,” Garry explains. “When you’re the one with it, right in the middle of it, you don’t always see its effects. It’s more a case of my wife Mari noticing things but she’s

Garry with family members including wife Mari (right), daughter Michelle and grandchildren Faith and Jackson

incredibly supportive and has been for years.

“I don’t think I’m the easiest person to live with. I get distracted, I can be very disorganised and impulsive but Mari has the patience of a saint.

“It’s only been as I got older that I decided I wanted to know what was going on with me. At school I didn’t really pay attention in the classroom. I procrastinate a lot and I would’ve been the one sitting on the bus, doing my homework at the last minute. I left everything to the last minute, to be honest.

I had poor concentration, lack of focus and was always going off on tangents.

“I was rebellious but not bad. Nothing reared its ugly head. I’d say my symptoms were mild to moderate but I’ve always been aware that there was something going on.”

DAPPER STYLE

Garry, who has one daughter Michelle and two grand-children, Faith and Jackson, is very much a family man. Devoted to Mari, his wife of 26 years and with whom he shares a passion for music and dogs, he has worked as a barber for 32 years. Known for his trademark beard and dapper style, Garry was surprised and delighted when model boss and Belfast

Allhandsondeck...

We’re all used to posting our ‘after’ photos on social media. Belfast mum Kirsty Russell scored a big hit for realism with this hilarious ‘before’ shot.

Kirsty’s mum Debi Ralston was tasked with trying to get a family portrait to mark Rebekah’s 4th birthday but this snapshot was too good to keep to herself. We’re sure you’ll agree.

Sean and Kirsty Russell with their children Ryan (6), Rebekah (4) and one year old Matthew

Fashionweek organiser Cathy Martin asked him to take part in a promotional campaign for Forestside Shopping Centre. Garry was 52 at the time. That opportunity opened doors for him and a side career in modelling began.

But Garry was still aware that his issues were sometimes causing unnecessary friction in family life so decided to delve into ADHD and go for therapy. In order to do this, he had to get a diagnosis first. He paid to see a specialist and a few months ago was given the confirmation. But rather than see it as a curse, he views his ADHD as a blessing.

“I’m very happy in my own skin,” he says. “I know a lot of people with it have addictions and turn to drink and drugs for stimulation.

But I have a great family and friends and work is my salvation. I love my job and family life.

I count myself very fortunate.”

Mari says it’s little things that have an impact on family life, like procrastinating over plans, forgetting to do things, missing

“A diagnosis of ADHD doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Just take your energy, like I did, and challenge it into something positive and good.”

important deadlines. She often finds herself reminding him of appointments or telling him to write lists. It can be infuriating, she admits, but she adores her husband and says his ADHD is just part of who he is.

“Garry now understands why he was always getting into bother at school and why he felt like a square peg in a round hole,” Mari says. “‘Adders’, as people with ADHD are called, have a lack of discipline, are very intense and don’t like being told what to do.

One minute they hate something, then they love it, like social media, mobile phones.

“Many young males end up behind bars, which is frightening. I see some young guys who really look up to Garry and see him as something of a role model. He had a couple of narrow escapes himself but chose not to go down the wrong path.”

Garry says a love of punk rock saved him from getting into trouble in his teens as he discovered bands like the Sex Pistols and The Clash. Being a punk was a way of expressing his creativity, which continued to flourish as a trainee barber.

Having attended a support group for people with ADHD, Garry now plans to do a special course to learn more about the disorder. He also wants to use his knowledge and experience to help others who have been given a similar diagnosis.

“As someone with ADHD, my brain never stops racing and I talk a lot,” he says. “But that’s a bonus in my job as I love to talk to my customers.

“I could never work for anyone else so being my own boss really suits me. A diagnosis of ADHD doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Just take your energy, like I did, and challenge it into something positive and good.”

NITOPSUKTABLEFORAUTISM The latest statistics from the Department of Health shows that one in 30 school age children are now being diagnosed with autism in Northern Ireland. The figures extracted from the Northern Ireland School Census shows 9,768 school aged children have autism, with children living in urban areas 1.5 times more likely to have bene diagnosed with autism.

Autism NI CEO Kerry Boyd said: “These latest figures, although alarming, are not unexpected. A report was commissioned by the NI Department of Education which warned of this ‘autism wave’ of diagnosis back in 2002 and this was the motivation for Autism NI’s autism awareness lobby at Stormont which led to the establishment of the Autism Act (NI) in

2011. Therefore, it is extremely frustrating that because the NI Assembly is not functioning, autism is not getting the right level of attention that is so badly needed.”

Autism NI says the pressure on services is now at breaking point. “In some trust areas parents are still waiting up to 18 months on an assessment and support services are few and far between. Therefore, it is often left to us to fill this void but due to the level of demand on Autism NI’s services, we are already stretched to full capacity.

“With the latest increase in diagnosis levels, Autism NI’s Family Support Service has seen a 40% increase in demand for advice and post diagnosis support.”

10 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019 The ‘Big Fish’ or Salmon of Knowledge, is one of many landmarks along the Maritime Mile that takes in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter

Budgetdaysout withalittleone

Watching the wildlife at Castle Espie WWT

Exploring the rockpools at Ballintoy © NI Tourist Board

BY VALERIA HIGGINS

S

chool is back, as well as all those extra-curricular sporting, art and music activities, the days are getting shorter and cooler, and family free time is at a premium. Make the most of weekends or weekday afternoons for proper family fun.

Having had a lot more free time than usual over the summer, due to changing jobs, I was able to spend it with my four-year-old son Alexander. It was fantastic and didn’t cost a lot. We went glamping and camping, cycling, swimming, enjoyed lazy days at the beach and in the park, explored formal gardens and went rambling through forests, discovering new playgrounds, eating ice-cream and having picnics.

Here are some ideas for days out with your little, or not so little ones, which won’t cost the earth but will be the most memorable ones:

✱

Go to the park/ forest or formal gardens, either your neighbouring one or, for something a bit more exciting, find new ones further away so it feels more like an adventure. I’ve found that my son loves his freedom and doesn’t like being constrained, so outdoor activities, where he can Off road cycling run around, climb trees, explore at Castlewellan mountain bike the playground, pick flowers, coltrails, © Outdoor lect leaves etc., are just the best.

Recreation NI * Go to the beach while the weather is still decent. So what if you need a rain jacket and a pair of wellies.

The freedom to explore, discover shells, rocks, The RSPB’s Window sea creatures, etc., is good for their developon Wildlife in Belfast ment and lets children learn about the world Harbour Estate, is one of the city’s best around them in a fun, non-classroom setting. kept secrets, where And when you are out, why not take a picnic you might see a tern with you - the sandwiches, fruit and crisps catching its own fish, taste a million times better eaten in the great see www.rspb.org.uk outdoors than at home or at school. for details Go for a cycle as a family, or if you little one hasn’t yet mastered the bicycle then go on a scooter, and don’t let your self-consciousness prevent you from joining in. My son has a scooter and a bicycle, and so do I now. That way I can keep up with him while he’s motoring ahead, instead of shouting at the top of my voice for him to stop and wait

✱

✱ A medieval family fun day at Enniskillen Castle Museum © NI Tourist Board

for me every minute, thus spoiling the fun.

Don’t be on the sidelines, join them! And when you stop for a rest, why not have an ice-cream, as a reward for children and adults alike.

Be a tourist at home.

Go and visit the sites tourists flock to see in Northern Ireland. Take an open top bus tour of Belfast, see the many sites in Titanic Quarter, go on a free guided tour of Belfast City Hall (11am, 2pm and 2pm Monday to Friday, and noon, 2pm and 3pm Saturday and Sunday) and learn

about its history, or visit Parliament Buildings in Stormont for a free tour (twice daily at 11am and 2pm).

See the historic and ancient monuments across Northern Ireland. Entry to some is free. Visit castles, ruins, ancient monastic sites, the list is endless. For example, conquer the Norman Carrickfergus Castle on the shores of Belfast Lough or walk through the ruins of the 5th century Nendrum Monastic site on the shores of Strangford Lough.

Learn about wildlife. Take a trip to the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre at Oxford Island and go birdwatching on the lough, for walks in the woodland and through wildflower meadows. Or discover one of Belfast’s best kept secrets at the RSPB’s Window on Wildlife (WOW) reserve on Belfast Lough, home to birds and wildlife from all over the world.

✱

✱

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

with their slides, flumes, water features and lazy river. For maximum fun, mums and dads should join in and not sit on the sidelines.

A museum is another great place to while away a few hours on a rainy weekend. It’s educational, yes, but it’s also about the children discovering new things for themselves and seeing them rather than reading about them. And there are quite a few museums to choose from. The Ulster Museum in Belfast is completely free and has lots for everyone to look at, plus its location, on the edge of Botanic Gardens, means that after exploring the museum you can take a wander through the gardens, look at the trees and plants and visit the Palm House and the recently refurbished Tropical Ravine. Or why not go to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, the Ulster American Folk Park outside Omagh or the Enniskillen Castle Museums in the County Fermanagh town, to name just a few.

I’ve often found that these adventures don’t stop when you come back home. Frequently my son has wanted to either draw or paint something he saw during the day, play and recreate scenes from a movie we watched, build out of Lego a car he spotted or continue the adventure at home in some other way.

Family Life | 11

SPONSORED

✱

Rainy days are perfect for the pool or make it a treat day out at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex

Rainydayfun

A few ideas for rainy days, in case jumping in puddles isn’t your thing – though most children will grab that chance to be like Peppa Pig...

Go to the cinema. Unless this is something you do regularly as a family, a trip to the cinema can be an adventure on its own. It goes without saying – see the film your kids want to see. So what that it’s Toy Story 4. My husband and I loved the Disney and Pixar animations, even before our son came along.

The local swimming pool can provide a few hours of fun on a cold and rainy day.

It’s not swimming lessons where children must do what the instructor tells them, but just the pure fun of splashing in the water, swimming (if desired) and having a great time as a family. If just going to the swimming pool sounds a bit boring to you or your children, then why not go for a session to the likes of the Lisburn Leisureplex or Bangor Aurora

✱ ✱

The Ulster Museum is fab and free

New adventure centre for all the family  High Rise is a brand new indoor family adventure centre opening on Altona Road in Lisburn on October 3, 2019.

With 24 stunning climbing challenges for children and adults to enjoy, High Rise is Ireland’s largest Clip ‘n Climb facility. The Clip ‘n Climb arena also includes two special attractions – the ‘Leap of Faith’ and ‘Vertical Drop Slide’, perfect for thrill-seekers in your family!

Our three storey soft play area with double lane slide, climbing tube and rope bridge provides an exciting experience even for the most energetic mini adventurers. State of the art sensory and quiet rooms, as well as a Changing Places toilet, ensure that High Rise offers accessible and inclusive play for all our guests.

Our in-house café is available from 10am daily for refreshments. So whether you are refuelling

your hungry family after an energetic climbing or soft play session, or watching all the action over a bite to eat on our bright and airy first floor mezzanine, we have something for everyone.

At High Rise, we love hosting parties for people of all ages and can cater for a wide range of events in our party and corporate rooms. Our bespoke party packages include your choice of activity and food plus every party goer receives a free High Rise gift. Dates are filling up fast so don’t miss out and book your next party at High Rise now!

To book your Clip ‘n Climb session or for party enquiries visit our website www.highriseni.org, email contact@ highriseni.org or call 028 9263 6195.

12 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

SPONSORED

DotMicrogave Lindaanewlease oflifeafterhairloss

L

ocal woman Linda Clarke is facing the world with her head held high after a new treatment ended decades of self-consciousness.

Linda’s troubles began back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when she was beset by ill-health and after a while, friends began to remark on how her hair was becoming thinner on top.

She was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease which can affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and its toll on Linda’s hair became more pronounced. “People with Crohn’s do suffer hair loss – I can’t retain iron and have to get an injection of Vitamin B12,” she explained.

Linda became increasingly self-conscious as the problem worsened until her confidence hit rock bottom. Every time she looked in the mirror, all she could see was exposed scalp.

Hair transplants were making headlines and in 2010, she decided to take the plunge. “I went twice and had hair transplants and it did take but unfortunately my hair kept falling out.”

She grew her hair longer to try and comb over the bare spots and tried every product she could find, even bringing hair thickeners home from her holiday in the States, to no avail.

“I was actually thinking about going and getting a wig, because all you could see was a white scalp,” she said.

RESULTS AFTER ONE VISIT

The turnaround came after Linda spotted an advertisement

Linda Clarke, before and after receiving treatment for scalp micropigmentation at the Dot Micro clinic in Holywood this summer. She booked an appointment in July and was impressed by the results after just one visit.

Dot Micro offers scalp micropigmentation, with multi-award winning specialist Mark Smith. It is a cosmetic treatment suitable for both men and women that places tiny pigments of ink on the scalp. The dots resemble shaved hair follicles and give the illusion of a fuller head of hair. The treatment offers a solution to anyone experiencing thinning hair, including Alopecia sufferers.

“Mark was first class and he’s a lovely chap and makes you feel completely at ease. The scalp micropigmentation has meant that you don’t see my scalp any more, you think you have hair coming through,” says a delighted Linda.

Even better, the procedure was pain free, just ‘a bit of sensitivity around the front of my head’.

Linda booked in for three treatments but was impressed after her first visit. “Mark does the treatment a stage at a

time. After just one session my husband couldn’t believe it and my friends cannot believe the difference either.

“It is a brilliant success!”

NEW LEASE OF LIFE

These days, the 64 year old is happy to stop in front of a mirror whereas before, all she would notice was white scalp showing. “It really gives you your confidence back because you think that’s new growth coming.”

Linda has no hesitation in recommending scalp micropigmentation to anyone facing a similar situation. “I would recommend it to anyone who is losing their hair. It would be great for people with Alopecia and people with scars on their head or even cancer patients – anyone really.

“It’s such a brilliant job, it’s given me a new lease of life!”

For further information about Dot Micro, visit www.dot-micro.com

14 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019 Designed for luxury, this yellow velvet table lamp looks effortlessly stylish in vintage, boho-chic, and eclectic interiors, £135, www.cultfurniture.com

The Francis sofa from Northern Ireland firm Algram Modern Living is available in a wide range of fabrics and leathers, www.algram.co.uk Add glamour with this Enchanted room divider, £145, Harvey Norman

Velvet throw with tassels in corn yellow, £149, www.idyllhome.co.uk

Classy,cosy andcolourful... itmustbeautumn

Teal Focus Art Print (Unframed) available in 3 sizes from £15, Audenza, www.audenza.com

As the season arrives and leaves begin to fall, introduce warm textures and lush jewel tones for a striking mood shift in the home.

Raspberry pink knit throw, £24.99, HomeSense

Anneka navy velvet swivel chair, £449, EZ Living Interiors, www.ezlivinginteriors.co.uk Hand carved mustard wool rug, from £282, hexagonal mirror £196, ginkgo leaf console table £198, Sienna teal velvet shell chair £498, Audenza, www.audenza.com

Westhampton clock, £80, Harvey Norman, www. harvey-norman.co.uk

Icon classic faux fur snow leopard bean bag, £59.99, www.beanbagbazaar.co.uk

LAYER TONES AND TEXTURES

Luxurious soft, faux fur rug, 150cm by 200cm, £89, Cult Furniture, www.cultfurniture.com

Hardwearing and handsome, the Alaska marble console table, £399, EZ Living Interiors, www.ezlivinginteriors.co.uk

Gold decorative mirror, £39.99, TK Maxx, www.tkmaxx.com

style are all over the AW19 This autumn, let rich collection from soft-fill shades of blue, green, furniture brand Icon. pink, mustard and Allison Chatten, lead mauve take centre stage. designer, says the collec“Embrace the sophistion has been designed to tication of the season suit a range of decorating in all its moody glamour,” tastes and styles. “It also says Rebecca Snowden, focuses on the wellness Interior Style Advisor at Make a chic statement with of the user and slowing Furniture Choice. this grey velvet round wall down of life as well as Layer deep, rich tones mirror. Ideal for the living room owning items that bring via opulent textures like or bedroom, also available in you joy.” velvet and faux fur to yellow, £59, Cult Furniture, Velvet, faux fur and create a lavish, comfortawww.cultfurniture.com plush cords are to the ble setting that’s perfect fore. Said Alison: “Faux for cosying up in. fur is an incredibly luxurious and tactile Light up the space with distinctive fixfabric that is great for creating a cosy-feel tures to enhance the overall ambience. “In- and comfortable space away from the dividual pendant bulbs give off a modern, world and our busy, frantic lives. almost industrial feel while sleek standing “It’s also an incredible style chameleon lamps are practical and stylish.”

– perfect for mixing and matching with Display fresh flowers for a burst of life various décor styles and adding depth to or dramatic floral artwork with contempo- an interior. No matter what your taste or rary charm as final touches. style, faux fur is one of those rare fabrics Exotic prints, plush colours, luxury which can slip fluidly into any living fabrics and decorative, dramatic patterns space.” See the full Icon range at inspired by the idea of a well travelled lifewww.beanbagbazaar.co.uk.

Capsule 3-seater sofa £579, cushions from £15, Miso footstool, £129, Harvey Norman, www.harvey-norman.co.uk

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 15

MUSTHAVEMUSTARD Yellow, from lemon to mustard, remains a firm favourite this year and works well with black.

“This trendy colour contrasts nicely with a sleek black leather sofa to produce an edgy and season-appropriate palette,” says Rebecca Snowden, of Furniture Choice. “Go bold with a mustard feature wall or start small with yellow

cushions, rugs and planters.

“Keep the rest of the room simple and opt for pieces with clean lines to prevent overwhelming the senses. Add warmth with a soothing accent colour like forest green; dark green, leafy plants bring about a breath of fresh air while also contributing to the overall colour scheme.”

Luxurious custom-made Orla Kiely multi stem tomato roman blinds, starting from £68.45, from range of stockists including English Blinds, www.englishblinds.co.uk

BACKIN’BLACK

Black is adding oomph to neutral schemes whether used as a block or as edging. Check out Next’s Fusion Live range to see how it can transform and define natural materials like wood and rattan.

Mission black leather sofa, £399.99, Furniture Choice, www.furniturechoice.co.uk

Scalloped oyster velvet chair £375, Large sitting leopard floor lamp, black shade £795. square sunburst mirror £162. Aria round rug, mustard £519, Audenza, www.audenza.com

This mono room scheme oozes sophistication, image by Leeroy Agency from Pixabay

We love the Ashton ochre blackout door curtain, to block draughts and add style to your hall, 66’’(w) x 84’(h), £59, Harry Corry, www.harrycorry.com

Telford ladder Black Kai rattan tripod bookcase, £49, Very floor light, £99, Sherlock leather petite armchair, £775, Next

16 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph |27 September 2019

Natural inspiration

Chevron sienna patterned rug from £159; Gold links console table £198, Pablo pink parrot print (unframed), from £36.95, Golden feathers shimmering print (unframed), £36.95, www.audenza.com

Celebrate the beauty of the season with botanical and floral patterns, animal prints and plants, plants and more plants! Add a dash of natural exuberance to a pared back scheme or go all out with the maximalist ‘more is more’ eclecticism.

Dragonfly midnight blue velvet cushion with watercolour illustration from Annabel James, takes inspiration from elegant oriental landscapes, 40cm x 50cm, £47.95, www.annabeljames.co.uk

Botanical leopard Giclee art print in A4 or A3, from £14, Bex Parkin, www.bexparkin.co.uk

This charming Elephant family trio is £70, Harvey Norman

Vibrant fresh flowers add life to any scheme This duck feather cushion has a Seychelles Palm printed front, with deep forest green velvet back, 45cm x 45cm, with edge piping, £45, www.charlestottenham.com

The Icon Leopard print velvet stool balances both style and comfort with its supportive form and soft padded top providing functionality for everyday use without compromising on stylish aesthetics, £69.99, www.beanbagbazaar.co.uk

Gentle touch

Upcoming designer Kelly Kratzing won a Wallsauce competition with her set of nature murals including ‘Wisteria Lane’.

Her made-to-measure wallpaper murals can be ordered in a variety of wallpapers, including peel and stick - perfect for rentals. From £32 per sq metre, www.wallsauce.com

plants + 3 pix

Punk up pinks...

Pinks can be given more punch by adding a little black. Stay on trend by mixing your prints – team leopard print cushions and stools with bold florals and even stripes.

This leopard print pouffe is made of durable cowhide, £240, The French Bedroom Co, www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Parlane Savannah 45cm square cushion featuring elephants, lions, jaguars, leopards, zebras, toucans and giraffes with black fringe, £38, Hurn & Hurn, www.hurnandhurn.com Real statement pieces, handwoven lampshades are bold, brilliant and full of personality. Taking inspiration from the organic forms of exotic ocean creatures, the lampshades feature an extra long fringe and are made with natural, sustainable straw. The raw material is brought to life by the talented artisans of Northern Ghana using a traditional time-honed weaving technique.

Available in lots of colours, £75, Lola & Mawu, www.lolaandmawu.com

18 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019 Dulux Colour of the Year 2020, Tranquil Dawn

The pale green works beautifully Croft Collection Leaf Square with strong pink, from Laura Ashley Showerproof Outdoor Cushion, Green, £20, John Lewis & Partners

Estate Coffee Table, £399, Jute Round Rug, £100, John Lewis & Partners Hue pendant shade desert sage and copper, £29, made.com Provence Rose plant pot with coaster, £12, Cath Kidston

Green dot geo cushion, £6, George Home

Conway plastic bar stool, sage green 75cm, £59, Cult Furniture, www.cultfurniture.com

Retro Palm Leaf glass pendant light with brass detailing, £85, Cult Furniture, www.cultfurniture.com

Loseyourselfina seaoftranquillity

A

utumn and winter trends may tend towards dark, rich colours. If you prefer a light and airy interior, Dulux’s colour of the year for 2020 may be right up your street. Tranquil Dawn is inspired by the morning sky and will look great alongside any corals and pinks you might have introduced this year. It’s a cooltone shade of green, intended to introduce a calm and relaxed ambience.

“A new decade heralds a new dawn and the hazy pale green tones of Tranquil Dawn are calming and comforting just when we need it most in our lives,” says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director, Dulux UK. This versatile colour of 2020 seems to

DIYAUTUMN-THEMED TRINKETDISH

Dice shelf Unit in Green, £350, John Lewis & Partners Shetland Herringbone Light Sage Throw, £85, Bronte By Moon www.brontebymoon.co.uk

La Cafetière Pistachio Monaco cafetière, £21.95, www.kitchencraft. co.uk change according to the tones that it’s used

with – it can work in different ways in a warm, neutral, soft or bright palette. Tranquil Dawn sits somewhere between green, blue and grey – just like the fleeting beauty of a morning sky.

Pair with neutral pastels for a laid back look or opt for rich jewels for an empowering setting.

When used with a sandy tone, it creates a relaxed and nurturing space for focusing on wellbeing and positive interactions. Comforting fabrics, cushions and throws, warm woods and mood-boosting indoor plants complete this light and airy look.

 In the spirit of transitioning into the season, get crafty and create some DIY autumn-themed accessories.

“Metallic accessories are a simple and effective way to add a pinch of glamour and light to any space,” Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture Choice, advises.

To make a metallic trinket dish, supplies needed include modelling clay, a few leaves, and metallic paint.

Roll the clay out, then firmly press the leaf onto it so the veins are clearly imprinted.

Trim away the excess clay following the leaf’s outline. Using fingers, gently curl up the sides of the dish to form a shallow edge.

Allow it to dry on a cooling rack overnight, then paint on the desired metallic shade and allow to dry completely before using.

1

2

3

4

5

Insert Nest of 3 Tables, GreyDusty Green, £219, House

by John Lewis

Green interwoven Aliona cushion, 60 x 60cm, £65, Habitat, www.habitat.co.uk

Vox Vintage tall chest of drawers, £345, Cuckooland, www.cuckooland.com

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 19

Andsotobed

SPONSORED

Create a relaxing, welcoming vibe with inviting layers in your bedroom this autumn.



Swedish designer Linum’s Plushious velvet fawn bedspread not only gives a luxurious finishing touch to your bed, but it’s also incredibly warm. Deep fawn coordinates with almost every colour in the spectrum. Add layers and create a bed that you can’t wait to climb into in the evenings. Start with crisp white cotton bed linen, add a plush velvet bedspread, some silk cushions, and even a mohair throw – all the textures and all the style.

Plushious velvet bedspread, £360, The French Bedroom Company, www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

The new entrance and car park at Smyth Patterson, Lisburn

‘NosuchthingasNoDeal’saysLisburnretailer 

Children’s rooms can be fun, funky and functional. We love this Maya cabin bed which combines space savvy features with a hip design. How cool is the stairway of drawers leading up to the sleeping area? Making optimum use of space, these drawers are handy for storing toys, bedding, clothing or general knick-knacks. Kids will love sleeping up high on this cabin bed, whilst the underbed area can be transformed into a den, study space or storage area. Maya cabin bed, £499, Noa and Nani, www.noaandnani.co.uk

 While our newspapers our full of reports about Brexit and a No Deal scenario, one Lisburn retailer says: “There is no such thing as no deal!”

Perhaps it is a different kind of deal to the one most people are talking about but nevertheless Smyth Patterson say they are keen to deal!

Last year parts of the Lisburn property were

Testing the sofas in the furniture department

demolished to create a new customer car park and shop front at Wardsborough Road. With more convenient access, upgraded showrooms and a very tempting coffee shop, the store owner, Colin Patterson says they are well placed to offer customers a good reason to visit and a great deal.

The store sells a multitude of products from furniture, sofas and bedding to electrical appliances, giftware, lighting and DIY. In fact, it has been dubbed the ‘Tardis’ because of its deceptively narrow shop front at Market Square and extensive showrooms spanning three floors. It’s a unique store with a long standing reputation for quality and customer service.

If you want to experience something a bit different and see if you can negotiate a better deal, then visit Smyth Patterson’s Department Store in Lisburn. The customer car park at the rear offers an hour’s free parking.

20 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

Goforaglow The Code 12 light pendant is a beautifully styled, retro industrial look centrepiece featuring vintage style lamps, available in energy saving LED, £270, dar lighting group, www. darlighting.co.uk

Nautical Small Scatter Back Chaise Sofa, £1,795, Chill Scatter Cushion, £39, Globe Lamp Table, £169, Knot Table Lamp, £99, Furniture Village, www.furniturevillage.co.uk

Ostrich feather, £30, gold Umbrella table lamp, £130, Harvey Norman, www.harvey-norman.co.uk

Michelle Keegan Midnight Rose pendants cameo, £34.99 each, Very, very.co.uk

Fill the air with the aromas of the season with some autumnal or Christmassy scents from a beautiful Tulip Moon candle or diffuser. This organic range is hand made in Northern Ireland and comes beautifully giftwrapped. Try spicey Cinnamon, Clove Bud & Sweet Orange or Clove Bud, Bergamot & Lemongrass or for autumn, the uplifting Bergamot, Lemongrass & Lime. Candles, from £8, www.tulipmoon.com

Made in Portugal, this handglazed, oversized lamp with its silk shade makes a strong statement on a sideboard or console table. Calla oversized black ceramic lamp, £205, Habitat www.habitat.co.uk

Shadesofexcellence

T

he shorter days mean more time to enjoy cosying up indoors. Turn up the style with an array of lighting options, from table lamps that cast a gentle glow to statement floor lamps, from a single pendant to wall lights and from the simple scented candle to a stunning chandelier.

Marble bases, enormous lights and linear fixtures which spread out rather than hanging down are among the hottest trends right now.

When choosing lights, it’s worth treating yourself to a stroll around a showroom, not only to see for yourself the sheer

Pared back floor lamps and pendants from Next’s AW19 range Hamilton antique brass spotlight, £40, Laura Ashley, www. lauraashley.com

range of styles on offer but to get expert advice on what sort of size and style is best, whether you’re trying for an industrial look, a mid-century modern, natural with rattan or vintage with a brass lampstand.

Independent retailers like Elite Lighting in Ballymena and the Arches Lighting Centre in east Belfast are must-visits whether you’re looking for something unique or simply quality lighting at value for money prices. Here’s our pick of lights to get you switched on.

Pure Nordic lanterns, from £60, amber candles from £10, Harvey Norman, www. harvey-norman.co.uk

A contemporary adjustable multi ringed pendant in polished chrome with crystal detail. Supplied with a meter of chain and cable, £330, Arches Lighting Centre, www. archeslightingcentre.co.uk

The Columbus floor light in rattan, £249, Cuckooland, www.cuckooland. com

Fairy lights add fun to an autumn table arrangement, from Lights4Fun, www. lights4fun.co.uk Get a golden glow with the Hurricane lantern, from £38, Harvey Norman, www. harvey-norman.co.uk

The Booklight Mini is a rechargeable lamp made to look like a book with a lasercut wooden cover. When it’s closed, tucked it away on a bookshelf. Powered by two LED strips, the booklight is rechargeable with a standard mini usb charger, €37.50, Designist, designist.com

A chandelier makes an impact whether it’s ornate or minimalist.

This 18 light model is dressed in fine crystal drops and cut glass sconces, hand finished in a silver or gold patina, visit Elite Lighting or elitelightingni.com for details

Antler style floor lamp with cream fabric shade, from Elite Lighting, elitelightingni.com

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 21

BATHEBEAUTIFULLY...

Spatime!

S

oothe away your stresses by creating a spa feel with your bathroom refurb.

Large tiles in dark shades can be inexpensive to buy and pack a punch when it comes to achieving a luxury look with black proving an excellent accent shade. Floating shelves, a rain effect shower and dimmable or recessed lights are all must have additions for a modern take on luxury.

Float away on a sea of tranquility in a comfortable bath. It might be free standing, roll top, traditional or corner bath or even a drop-in bath for that wonderful sensation of an infinity pool set into your floor.

Happy with your bathroom but want to bliss out? Add a few drops of essential oils, such as calming lavender, geranium or bergamot, to some bath salts or a carrier oil like almond oil and you’ll be transported to a place of complete calm. A thick, warm towel to off with and a soft, huggable bathrobe are the perfect finishing touches.

Brabbu Design Forces has offices in Portugal and the States where they create incredible luxury designs such as this Lapiaz bathtub.

The polished brass details and mirrored sides attribute this luxury design artwork an artic yet warm beauty. See brabbu.com

Getting ready for a night out or like to take a glass of wine into the bath with you? Simply peel-off the protective backing and apply the Sipski Shower Wine Holder to a flat shiny surface. Sipski works on glass, mirrors or any shiny tile surface without leaving any residue.

SIPSKI Shower Bath Mirror Wine Holder, £13.54, Gyrofish, www.gyrofish.com.au

With a sleek concealed valve and large square rainfall showerhead mounted to the ceiling on a discrete shower arm, the Hudson is the perfect way to extend that luxury feeling within a modern bathroom suite.

Hudson thermostatic concealed shower valve with square ceiling head, £99.97, Bathroom Takeaway, www.bathroomtakeaway.com

Luxury square chrome on brass handles and minimalist frameless design, Aquaglass + Elegance Quadrant shower enclosure, from £765, Frontline Bathrooms, www.frontlinebathrooms.co.uk Supreme Velour Robe in Raspberry, £69, Christy, range of stockists and www.christy.co.uk

Circular, warm tone light provides excellent full face illumination, perfect for applying make-up or shaving with a shaver socket to the side. Finished with a discrete motion sensor to underside for powering the unit on and off. Oxygen Illuminated Bathroom Mirror, £89.99, MY Furniture, www.my-furniture.co.uk

Brighten up bathtime with this towel collection from Margo Selby, in eight colourful designs finished with a neon striped trim. Margo Selby Faversham Towel, £14 full set hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, £14, Lagoon, www.vivalagoon.com

22 | Family Life

The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket, £230

Grabyour

coat...

B

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019 PEACOAT

A peacoat is the perfect coat for smart casual occasions and gives most outfits that extra touch of style. Team with a grandad shirt and a flat cap for a nod towards Peaky Blinders.

elieve it or not – after the summer we’ve just had – it’s about to get even colder, wetter and windier.

However, the changing seasons will give you a good excuse to invest in a new coat this year.

Here are a few stylish options to keep you warm when it’s cold...

PARKA

The parka is a classic that every man should have at his disposal.

From the mods in the ‘60s through Britpop in the ‘90s, the parka is still just as relevant and stylish today, with or without a fishtail.

They are also versatile enough to cater to most needs so keep an eye out for what you need in particular, be that warmth, waterproofing or a longer fit.

H&M Outdoor Parka, £69.99

PUFFER JACKET

The out and active option, a puffer jacket is what you will find yourself grabbing when it is genuinely freezing.

For added warmth, look for a down filled jacket. This year, expect to see longer versions on the streets.

Zara Quilted Technical Fabric Coat £95

Carhartt Trapper Parka, £250

Schott Melton Wool-Blend Peacoat, £405

London Tradition Peacoat, £300

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

ThePeak of fashion

BY ANDREA MCKERNON

Polly Bring a touch of elegance to going out dresses with glass hair clips paired with art deco-style, heavy necklaces and ear rings. Lights will love sparking off you. Sling on a faux fur shawl to keep the autumn chill at bay.

Family Life | 23 Photos: BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd 2019/Robert Viglasky

Arthur boots: So bad they’re good brother

C

happery, duncer caps for the boys and cloche hats for the girls will have you covered this autumn in true Peaky Blinders style.

Tweeds, velvets, starched cotton collars, long overcoats and three piece suits will get that Thomas Shelby smoky vibe, while Tommy’s sister Ada Thorne - already a top Christian name with newborn girls last year, is the leader in faux fur-lined camel coats cuff and collar - and red lipstick.

And what about the gutsy Polly? The peaky matriarch is the go to dame for trouser suits and lady gangster sleek lines.

Women, accessorise with broaches, feathers and hair clips. Boys, grab your cap, raid the vintage stores for waistcoats, pocket watches and leather gloves.

So get tough, get your tie pins, razor cufflinks and feather boas and get ready for some peaky fashions.

Nothing, but nothing is as engaging and sexy as a three-piece suit on a woman. Dress it up with a fedora-style hat, tie pin and heels. Seek out a touch of elegance and femininity with soft shirt collar and silk blazer lapels. This look is as timeless as a Peaky Blinder pocket watch.

Tommy Iconic wool and tweed mix flat cap complement the same tweed suits and heavy woollen overcoat.

Tommy Shelby can do anything dressed in his 1930s’ finest. There’ll be no getting cold this season with the Shelby head of the family look. Get to the auctions for a pocket watch, buy braces, leather gloves and a classy tweed man bag. Peaky it up with tie pin, rounded shirt collar and leather boots.

Ada

The epitome of old world comfort and style is the cloche hat worn by infamous gangsters like Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde fame and our very own Peaky Blinder, Ada. Keep warm in classy green hat with warm overcoat finished with cosy gloves to carry your handbag. A classy, classic look.

Timeless timepiece.

No peaky look would be complete without the pocket watch

Going on a weekend break? Take your flatcap, flask and bag A tweed or woollen suit will top off the Peaky Blinder famous flatcap

Available at www.shelbybrothers.com

24 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

SEASONALSKINCARE

Fallinto anew routine

Confidence in a Cream Rosy Tone, £39, IT Cosmetics ises to deliver the flush of youth to skin that needs a dose of luminosity. This quick-absorbing moisturiser is enhanced with rosy tone pigments to give dull skin a boost even on the grimmest of days, perfect for this time of year, and it smells amazing too!

EPOCH SOLE SOLUTION, £23.20, NU SKIN

BY MAEVE RICHARDSON

A

s the season turns colder and we starflower and supercharged with anti-ageing go back and forth from the harsh algae. I’m always a fan of a multi-functional elements of the outdoors to product and I love that this stifling air-conditioned offices can be used on a daily basis and toasty homes, our skin takes as a deep cleansing balm a bit of a battering. It’s important at this or weekly as a nourishing time of year to re-evaluate the products facial mask. we are using on our skin and our hair, to ensure they add extra moisture as well as NUTRICENTIALS POLISHING a protective barrier against the elements.

PEEL, £31.50, NU SKIN I was a bit cautious when I first tried a This skin refinisher (for all cleansing balm rather than a traditional skin types) promises to deliver cream for fear it would be too heavy and professional-level results in leave a residue but I’m so glad I gave it a just two minutes. It boasts a shot and found one that suits my skin. Like non-abrasive gentle skin peel any skincare product, there may be a little which is gentle enough to use trial and error while you find one that is just as part of your weekly skin-care right for you. Luckily for us, there is a huge routine, buffing away the tellrange of cleansing balms out there, with Nutricentials tale signs of pollution, with core Polishing ingredients such as bentonite more being released all the time. For me, it is a crucial item in my skincare arsenal Peel, £31.50, clay exfoliating skin Nu Skin at all times but especially as the weather for a beautifully turns brisk. soft, smooth finish.

We all know exfoliation is a crucial part of a healthy skincare routine but if you’re COMFORT SCRUB, £26, anything like me, this is the step you are most CLARINS likely to skip when you’re feeling lazy. As the A gel-in-oil formula for dry, weather turns dull, so does my skin, and I find sensitive skin, that transforms myself in need of a good refresh. Clarins have into a milky veil upon contact released three gentle scrubs to suit different with water. Sugar microcrystals skin concerns: dryness, blemishes or sensitive combat skin dryness by gently skin. Nu Skin, another favourite brand, also removing dead skin cells on the has an exfoliator which I love because it’s so face and lips. Combined with gentle – it polishes rather than scrubs and wild mango butter, which is the clay feels amazing on the skin. A good rich in essential fatty acids, exfoliator will slough away dead skin cells even the driest of skin is left and enable any serums or mosturisers you with a luminous complexion. use to absorb fully into the skin, giving you optimal results.

DETOXIFYING Facial masks are another fantastic way BRIGHTENING MASK, to give your skin an extra boost and help to £18.50, DIEGO DALLA Comfort Scrub, brighten it during gloomy days. Any mos- PALMA £26, Clarins turiser with hyaluronic acid is a good pick Pure silver, precious black any time of year as it will help plump and clay of Brazil and babassmoothe the skin. su oil draw out impurities and minimise pores without any unpleasant drying/tightening sensations. Those of us with sensitive skin can rejoice – this mask contains no parabens, silicones or alcoPro-Collagen Cleansing hol, and it’s vegan to boot!

Balm, 105g, £43, Elemis

PRO-COLLAGEN CLEANSING BALM, 105G, £43, ELEMIS

This balm dissolves make-up, grime and pollutants. Luxurious Rose and Mimosa waxes are infused with nourishing elderberry,

Detoxifying Brightening Mask, £18.50, Diego dalla Palma

MIRACLE WATER, £28, IT COSMETICS

This product combines a Radiance Booster, an Anti-Ageing Treatment and a Micellar Cleanse and can be used as a make-up remover or a toner. The no-rinse formula is infused with anti-ageing peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, rose, aloe, rice, chamomile, green tea water, licorice root, vitamin C and diamond powder!

Miracle Water, £28, IT Cosmetics

If the summer has taken its toll on your feet don’t just hide them away as the seasons change – that will only exacerbate the problem. This rejuvenating foot cream works on the underlying cause of chronic foot dryness. It features crushed allspice berry traditionally used by the indigenous people of Central America to relieve persistent dry, cracked, red skin to restore healthy looking heels, toes and soles.

Epoch Sole Solution, £23.20, Nu Skin

MOISTURIZING SHAMPOO, £17.60, NU SKIN

Hydra-Filler Cream, £47, Filorga

HYDRA-FILLER CREAM, £47, FILORGA

Has the summer left your hair feeling a little frazzled? The sizzling sun, chlorinated water from swimming pools, colouring and overstyling all takes its toll so at this time of year your barnet is in need of a little extra TLC. Nu Skin’s Moisturising Shampoo is an oasis for overworked tresses.

Featuring cotton bloom extract and shea butter, this nourishing cleanser loads your locks with moisture, leaving it looking noticeably healthier in Moisturizing just a week.

Shampoo, £17.60, Nu Skin

A rich, anti-ageing moisturiser that instantly replenishes and hydrates skin. Fortified with a powerful combination of hyaluronic acids, the smooth formula drenches skin with moisture, while stimulating natural collagen production.

ANEW HYALURONIC ACID PLUMPING CONCENTRATE, £15, AVON

This budget-friendly hero boasts three different molecular weights of Hyaluronic Acid, so it can penetrate deeper into the skin’s surface, working across three layers of the skin for longer lasting hydration and plumpness.

CONFIDENCE IN A CREAM ROSY TONE, £39, IT COSMETICS

IT Cosmetics are one of many brands releasing a rosy-toned cream that prom-

Superfruit Complex Hair Masque, £12.99, Shea Moisture

SUPERFRUIT COMPLEX HAIR MASQUE, £12.99, SHEA MOISTURE

An intensive, antioxidant-rich treatment that helps restore vibrancy, hydration, texANEW ture and manageability. Each product Hyaluronic contains natural, certified organic and Acid Plumping Fair Trade ingredients, and is sulphate Concentrate, and paraben-free and at £12.99 for 340g £15, Avon it’s good value for money too!

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 25

2 3 1 4

6

5

7 9

8 11 15

13

12

Bebold, bebeautiful!

10 14

16

17

BY DAVINA GORDON

I

t’s a brand new season of colour so treat yourself to a new make-up bag because you are going to need it. Make-up shades echo the beautiful autumnal colours. It all starts with a great foundation to cheat your way to luminous, glowing skin. Of course, it’s always a good idea to drink lots of water and give yourself extra brownie points with a green juice in the morning!

There are some amazing choices out there when it comes to foundation and we recommend Intensive Skin Serum Foundation by Bobbi Brown for the best of both worlds. Highlighter is a must and we love Tickle Powder by Benefit. Make sure your eyes take centre stage with bold, jewel-toned shades and glitter the order of the day. Stila does a fantastic range of liquid eyeshadow that will make your

eyelids glisten and your eyes pop. Mascara is a must-have and this season, there’s a big emphasis on making your bottom lashes stand out. Use a thickening mascara to coat your lash line a la Twiggy.

Keep blush subtle, especially if you’re going for dramatic eyes; smokey eyes are always a good look. Do pay attention to your brows as they frame your face. You don’t even need to buy a new brow pencil and you can use an eyeshadow close to your brow colour and a brush to fill in.

Make a statement with red lipstick.

Depending on your skin colour, you can opt for crimson, scarlet or tomato. Be sure to get a matching lip liner and if you are drinking, always use a straw! Here’s our favourite must-haves from the high street.

Go treat yourself!

19 18 20

21

1. Intensive Skin Serum Foundation, £48, Bobbi Brown 2. True Portrait Foundation, £28, Kat Von D Beauty 3. Fever Dream Eye Shadow Palette, £28, Bobbi Brown 4. Love in the Afternoon Eye Shadow Palette, £36.50, Bobbi Brown 5. Eyeshadow Palette, £39, Charlotte Tilbury 6. Luxe Eyeshadow Rich Gemstone in Royal Sapphire, £27, Bobbi Brown 7. Luxe Eyeliner, £26, Bobbi Brown 8. Magnum XXX Mascara, £19, Stila 9. Luxe Illuminating Powder, £36, Bobbi Brown 10. Tinted Cover in Nude, £32, Nudestix 11. Liquid Eye Shadow in Violet Velvet, £24, Stila 12. Hide & Chic Fluid Foundation, £31, Stila 13. StudioFix Fluid, £27, MAC 14. Stay On Me Lip Liner, £14.50, Diego dalla Palma 15. Tickle Powder Highlighter, £26, Benefit 16. Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £34, Charlotte Tilbury 17. Luxe Shine Intense Lipstick in Siren Red, £28, Bobbi Brown 18. Hello Happy Velvet Powder, £26, Benefit 19. Hello Happy Flawless Radiance Foundation, £26, Benefit 20. Highlighter in Cookie, £26, Benefit 21. Nail Varnish in Dream Weaver, £11.95, Orly

26 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph |27 September 2019

Newseason bringsnew reasonstodress

fabulous

A

BY DAVINA GORDON

sumptuous new season is upon us and there is something for everyone. The Seventies are having a revival and silk pussy-bow blouses and blazers are a must for your chic work wardrobe. Every shade of brown is acceptable, in everything from jackets to skirts or culottes. Flashes of animal print were seen in all the fashion capitals but don’t overdo it.

If you love colour, then it’s the season to stand out from the crowd. Pops of turquoise, cobalt and sunflower yellow were seen on all four catwalks. Pasty pins aren’t a problem as thick tights are totally on-trend.

There’s a big nod to grunge with highshine, high-waisted trousers being a very covetable item of clothing. Form-fitting leather, black lace, tartan and check should also be on your radar if this is your bag.

At the other end of the scale, roses are

the flower of the moment. As seen on the Prada and Valentino runways, wear them big and bold. Romance is certainly not dead.

For those who love neutrals, a cool grey suit will exude go-anywhere elegance.

Structured jackets and blazers are absolutely a must, in fact, square shoulders have taken on a bit of a sci-fi twist but they’re not for the faint-hearted.

If you love to dress up, go big and colourful. It’s ‘look at me’ fashion that is certainly not for wallflowers.

Love a bit of sparkle? Who doesn’t!

Sequins and rhinestones are the perfect complement to crisp white shirts. Don’t forget feathers. Make like a peacock and adorn your shoulders and hemlines with perfect plumes.

Whether you’re pragmatic but chic or a showgirl at heart, there is something to satisfy every taste this wonderful autumn/winter season.

Top and skirt available at Next.

Checked A-Line Midi Skirt, £35, M&S

Metallic Pleated Midi Skirt, £49.50, M&S

Neon Citrus Pleat Skirt, £34, Next

Trousers

Skirts

Faux Leather Culottes, £35, V by Very

Per Una Trouser, £39.50, M&S

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 27

Tops Bright Orange Jumper, £20, Dorothy Perkins

Dress, £42, Next

Dresses

J by Jasper Conran Mono Geo Print Viscose Shirt Dress, £59, Debenhams

Nine by Savannah Miller Lurex Spot Ruffle Sleeve Blouse, £39, Debenhams

Silver Sequin Party Dress, £65, Dorothy Perkins

Pink Crew Neck Jumper, £10, Primark, Pleated Midi Skirt, £15, Tan Sandal, £12 Gold Brocade Dress, £45, Dorothy Perkins

High Neck Gold Spot Blouse, £35, V by Very

Principles Formal PU Trousers, £39, Debenhams

Star by Julien Macdonald Baroque Padded Coat, £69, Debenhams

Faux Shearling Aviator Jacket, £65, V by Very

Collection Trouser, £39.50, M&S

Red Herring Cord Front Pocket Trouser, £35, Debenhams

Suedette Western Jacket, £48, Next

Principles Formal Check City Coat, £65, Debenhams

Jackets

28 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

Camel coat, £55, Dorothy Perkins

2

4 Vibrant boiled wool blend Jacket, £80, Joe Browns

1

Wrapup instyle

BY DAVINA GORDON

I

t’s all about outerwear as the nights draw in and the air gets crisper. The right coat can take you from day to evening and maybe even last you a few seasons as faux fur will always be a winter staple. There are a lot more amazing options though.

Think golden brown rather than beige for knee skimming, belted wool coats that work so well with slender glossy knee boots.

Leopard print is an obvious step up from warm neutrals and is also a nod to ‘90s grunge.

Velvet and leather are go to fabrics for

timeless elegance and a look that’s a little more luxe.

Bold brights are on trend as well as jewel-coloured shades like emerald green and ruby.

You don’t have to part with your beloved denim either as there are plenty of jacket options to get you through autumn.

So, get out there and choose your new best friend. Here are 10 of our faves.

Dima belted denim jacket, £55, Monsoon

Faux fur coat, £80, V by Very Lime vinyl coat, £59, Topshop

Per Una blazer, £89, M&S

Coat, £89, Principles

Red coat, £65, M&Co

Fur collar waterfall suedette jacket, £75. JD Williams

Faux fur jacket, £69, Topshop

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Putyourbest

foot forward

ReKnit boots, £193, Everlane

BY DAVINA GORDON

S

hoes and boots can make or break an outfit. They are the final flourish to your look. There’s a big emphasis on fun this autumn/winter when it comes to footwear.

From sparkly ankle boots to satin peep-toe platforms, strappy sandals and kitten heels, there’s every reason to get a pedicure and keep those toes on show until the temperatures properly dip. If you can’t wait to get cosy, Eliza Cuban heel ankle lug-soled boots are high on boot, £75, White Stuff the trend meter and knee-high styles will keep you warm with a dash of cheeky chic. We’ve scoured the high street for 10 must-have and affordable shoes and boots you need right now.

Beatie black lace-up hiker

boots, £45, Miss Selfridge

Bewitch natural western boots, £42, Miss Selfridge

Dark red patent laceup boots, £27.99, New Look

Blue knee length boots, £17.99, T.K Maxx

Velvet knee boots, £50, Very

Burgundy leather knee high-heeled boots, £69, Wallis

5th Avenue brown heel ankle boots, £54.99, Deichmann

Sequin ankle boots, £16.99, T.K Maxx

30 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019 Horse riding at Tallagh Beach, Clonmany, Donegal

Slowthepace...

Keep that summer holiday feeling going by pencilling in some breaks this autumn. The days are still long and mild enough that you can linger outside and take in the incredible scenes playing out in nature. Enjoy outdoorsy fun with the kids or make it a mellow affair. Take an educational approach by immersing yourselves in the history and culture of somewhere new or make for the rural heartland of the country and see how close you can get to the natural wildlife. Relax and enjoy the comfort of an hotel stay and take advantage of a few days’ break from grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking and housework. Time to slow the pace and unwind, keeping quality time in mind. Here are our top 5 picks for places within easy driving distance for a weekend...

1

Donegal gets cooler by the year, and we’re not talking about temperatures.

With its excellent hospitality, vibrant music scene and increasingly famous food, it’s a must in any season. Many parts of Donegal are completely unspoilt and almost feel undiscovered. Take to the beaches or savour the views and the sheer granite walls of some of Europe’s highest sea cliffs, at Slieve League. It’s not unusual to see the Aurora Borealis off the northern headlands and the 11 lighthouses shining out across the sea are a sight to behold.

Lough Gill, Sligo

2

They say the farther west you go, the friendlier people are and that’s certainly the case in Sligo. Ancient and modern collide in a unique way in this beautiful Wild Atlantic Way county.

Take to the beaches with Atlantic Ocean rollers crashing ashore, hike through the mountains or immerse yourself in the culture. WB Yeats described Sligo as the ‘Land of Heart’s Desire’ and the great poet’s fans visit landmarks associated with his times there, from his grave at Drumcliffe to the Isle of Innisfree in Lough Gill. Ancient

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 31

Hope Castle is a local landmark in Monaghan

Sugar Loaf mountain, Wicklow

Dublin at dusk

exhibition centred on a WWII Spitfire that crashed here in 1942.

4 history is part of the appeal of this western county, whether you want to peak over a clifftop at Diarmuid and Grainne’s cave or explore the Creevekeel Court Tomb which dates back to 4,000BC. Don’t miss the Raptor Bird Centre for a brilliant day out.

3

Monaghan is a firm favourite with foodies and lovers of country music as well as anyone who wants to escape the crowds and feel fully immersed in beautiful, unspoilt countryside. The most popular destinations are Monaghan and Carrickmacross while for a wonderful getaway, it’s hard to beat Castle Leslie, outside Glaslough. Lake Mucknoo is a much loved beauty spot for walking, cycling, kayaking, horse-riding or enjoying a round of golf. The county’s most famous poetic son is Patrick Kavanagh and you can find out all about him at the Patrick Kavanagh Centre at Inniskeen. Don’t miss the exhibit on local rugby hero Tommy Bowe at Monaghan County Museum. His jerseys from Ireland’s triumphant Six Nations campaign in 2009 are there as well as an

Wicklow is not only one of the most stunning counties in Ireland, famed for its mountains and its spectacular gardens, it’s also an excellent base for a break that allows easy access into Dublin. A favourite setting for movies such as Braveheart and PS I Love you, its top attractions include the gorgeous Glendalough with its monastic ruins nestling in the foot of the valley and Powerscourt Gardens, rated among the world’s greatest.

You can climb almost every mountain and take in views across to Wales. Its also home to beautiful beaches and lively towns like Bray and Wicklow town.

5

Dublin is a must visit at any time of year, whether you want to shop, tour or go to a show. Visit the Writers Museum at Parnell Square where the collection features the lives and works of Swift, Joyce, Beckett and more, take a stroll across the Wooden Bridge to Dollymount Strand. The Viking Splashtours are a hilarious and educational way to find out about the city’s past and present and for another hit of history with a difference, the Skyline tour of Croke Park Stadium is ‘highly’ recommended. Stay on the outskirts of the city for easy access to Tayto Park – always popular with the kids, or Blanchardstown Shopping centre for some early Christmas shopping.

32 | Family Life

D2 W

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

theperfectpostcode foraDublinbreak

hen the sun is shining on St Stephen’s Green, you could be looking at the set of a Richard Curtis movie, writes Fiona Rutherford.

There’s the lone Asian girl playing a ukulele under a tree, a yoga class yonder and all around the park, friends chatting on the grass, children playing and joggers with earphones skirting the paths.

It’s one of the best places in Dublin, yet too often it’s easy to rush through it, especially if you’re on a flying visit. As we were staying at the Harcourt Hotel on Harcourt Street, this lovely green was close by.

The Harcourt Hotel proved to be in the perfect spot for a city break, with a Luas stop just yards from the front door and the brilliant Grafton Street area a few minutes’ walk away. It also has kudos, having been home to George Bernard Shaw, and is an intriguing place, formed from eight adjoining Georgian listed buildings. On first impression, you’re in an elegant, historic hotel, but there’s nothing old-fashioned about Dtwo, the huge bar, club and backyard barbecue. Our bedroom was out of the ordinary too, with its outsized chandelier and stairs up to the en suite.

1900 style dining

Once settled, we headed for the hotel’s 1900 restaurant, well known for the quality of its food – Irish bistro with a French twist.

This dimly lit gem is obviously a popular choice and was busy even on a weeknight.

A large painting by our booth shed light on the restaurant’s name. Artist Michael McWilliams depicts a scene from 1900 when a train crashed through the wall of the Harcourt Street station onto Hatch Street.

A quick read of the menu promised a special dinner and it didn’t disappoint with our beautifully plated starters of Smoked Beetroot Salad and Rolled Smoked Salmon & Crab providing a perfect opener. We both went for steaks - my 10oz Rib Eye came with creamy mushroom and spinach and buttered mash. A mountain of crispy pomme paille soon disappeared under a river of pepper sauce and I was in heaven. The wine and cocktail menus were extensive as you’d expect.

After dessert, and Irish coffees to finish a perfect meal, we ventured out in search of entertainment, armed with directions for the local comedy clubs from our helpful waiter.

The Gravity Bar on the top floor of the Guinness Storehouse

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 33

1900 restaurant

The Front Square at Trinity College

Music and laughs

We walked down buzzing Grafton Street and made our way to The International on Wicklow Street, home to Dublin’s longest running comedy club, where well-known Irish American comedian Des Bishop was on the door. Upstairs, funnyman John Colleary had the audience howling with laughter. A familiar voice on the Irish comedy scene, he was both clean and brilliant especially when lampooning Trump and Michael D Higgins.

It was a squeeze to get back onto the Luas for our ride back to Harcourt Street where revellers were queueing for Dtwo, named after this salubrious postcode, clearly a popular club.

Good for you?

The next day we decided to go and see Ireland’s most popular attraction, the Guinness Storehouse, arriving at about noon. Thousands of people had had the same idea and there was a lengthy queue

A woman plays ukulele under a tree in St Stephen’s Green to get in. We had fast-track tickets so were spared the wait and the whopping €25 admission fee. There’s something quite surreal about the place which is at once a museum and a seven storey commercial for the black stuff. Self guided tours take you from level to level and I was assured that Science teachers would be enamoured by the explanations of the brewing process.

The high spots for me were the exhibits showing the Guinness ads over the years and a video of a cooper hand-crafting a

cask. The reward for persevering is the roof-top Gravity Bar where your complementary pint awaits. There are views over the whole city from its panoramic windows but for a better option, head for the roof of Croke Park.

Agreeing to disagree over whether a visit to Guinness is good for you, we decided to make Trinity College our next stop. On another day the library and the Book of Kells would be in order but we were on the hunt for food and knew that the Pavilion Bar in the university grounds was an excellent option for yummy food at tasty prices. All too soon, the afternoon Harcourt Street was over and it was at night time to head back to Connolly Street Station for the Enterprise home. The walk took us via a part of the docks I hadn’t seen before, past the new Epic Centre and the tall ship Jeanie Johnston, a definite possibility for our next venture to the big smoke.

With mid-term already on the horizon, there won’t be long to wait.

For information about the Harcourt Hotel and 1900, visit www.harcourthotel.ie, for comedy nights at The International, visit www.international-bar.com/comedy/ and for further inspiration on places to see and events in Dublin, www.visitdublin. com. Our stay was at the invitation of The Harcourt Hotel.

34 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph |27 September 2019 Lough Erne Golf Resort

Afternoontee?Anytimeis tasty(andtesting)at LoughErneGolfResort

The Open at Royal Portrush this summer has put Northern Ireland’s golf venues in the spotlight as never before. Jim Rutherford tests the waters at the Lough Erne Golf Resort and apart from sinking a few balls, finds it a champion place for a golf break...

G

olf has been played in one form or another on the island of Ireland since the 1600s, growing in stature and popularity. Highly successful events like The Irish Open at Royal County Down in 2015 and Portstewart in 2017, the ISPS Handa World Invitational at Galgorm Castle Golf Club and Masserenne and of course, The Open Golf Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club in July have prompted Rory McIlroy to declare Northern Ireland ‘the golfing capital of the world’.

Golf tourism has taken off with people wanting to ‘walk in the footsteps’ of the giants of the game. Expectations are high and the golf courses, the golfing experience, the accommodation and hospitality are expected to be first class. An R&A staffer, at Portrush for The Open Championship, commented: “You have no idea of what is ahead of you; there is a tsunami of people and opportunities that come after a venue hosts The Open.”

In order to experience the product we have on offer, my playing partner and I set off for the Lough Erne Golf Resort in Co. Fermanagh, which boasts two championship courses – The Faldo Course and The Castle

Hume Course.

Designed by Sir Nick Faldo, triple Open Championship winner and triple US Masters winner, the Faldo Course is a par 72 course set among some of the most scenic lakeside views in the country. The course is a tough challenge for all levels of golfer and has five tee box options. The fact that the course record is a miserly 4 under par is testament to

The 10th hole is surrounded

by Castle Hume Lough

the difficulty of the challenge, especially when you consider it’s been played by the likes of McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry.

Standout holes are the signature short par 4 10th, Emerald Isle, with its circular island green surrounded by the waters of Castle Hume Lough and the par 5 9th hole, Halfway House, where a raised tee box looks down to

Executive Chef Noel McMeel the green and you are challenged to recreate Rory McIlroy’s feat of ‘driving the green’.

NO ‘WALK IN THE PARK’

The Castle Hume Course has hosted the Ulster PGA Championships an unprecedented 10 times and is no ‘walk in the park’. Apart from its 7,000 trees and 30 bunkers, the banks of Lower Lough Erne and Castle Hume Lough are all ‘in play’.

Club professional Shaun Donnelly told us: “The Castle Hume Course is a much different golfing experience. It’s tighter and that leads to an entertaining, fun, exciting challenge.”

The week before our trip had seen over 80mm of rainfall, however, any fears about how the celebrated Faldo Course would ‘play’ following such a deluge were quickly put to rest. The course was in fabulous condition.

Whatever the weather, there are still opportunities to play at Lough Erne Golf Resort.

There is a modern, well equipped Driving Range and an area to practise chipping and bunker shots. You can give your game an MoT with Club Professional Shaun Donnelly using Trackman technology to analyse your swing and make necessary changes.

Trackman technology also offers the fun experience of indoor golf. A large screen allows you to play some of the best golf courses in the world, with your own clubs. My playing partner and I spent a very enjoyable hour playing 9 holes on Royal Portrush. It really was great fun!

The accommodation at Lough Erne Golf Resort was superb and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. A luxurious room with views over the 18th green had everything you would expect in a 5 star hotel. A beautiful bathroom with both roll-top bath and shower helped with the aches after the golf.

DINING IN STYLE

In the evening, we had the pleasure of dining at the 3 AA Rosette Catalina Restaurant, Hotel Restaurant of the Year.

The very affable Executive Chef Noel McMeel has designed a menu that celebrates local produce, telling the story of the people and their place while Nicola Harron, who leads the front of house team, is happy to recommend the perfect wine to match each course.

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 35

AutumnintheLakelands…

The resort’s setting is stunning



A pre-starter of pickled fennel with orange gel and caramelised sesame seeds gave a hint of the treats to come.

Chef McMeel had challenged us: “If you’ve never tasted eel before, try it tonight.”

Challenge accepted and the Smoked Lough Neagh Eel, Comber potato puree, Armagh Bramley apple and a seared Irish Scallop dish was beautiful to look at, delicate and full of flavour.

The Chicken Liver Parfait was Chef’s recipe of 35 years, served with Brioche, Rhubarb and Ginger gel, Amaretto crisp and the ingenious inclusion of Caramelised Macadamia nuts.

For mains we opted for the signature Pork dish starring produce from famous local butcher Pat O’Doherty and a Thornhill Roast Duck Breast with Chef Noel’s Garden Honey sesame caramel among the accompaniments.

The desserts were a fitting end to a truly wonderful meal - a Rhubarb soufflé that was light but packed with flavour and a superb panacotta served with light, refreshing Ar-

magh Bramley apple three ways.

Overall, this was fine dining in a comfortable, relaxed environment with knowledgeable, friendly and efficient staff. No wonder the restaurant was busy on a week night.

From our experience of Lough Erne Golf Resort, if Northern Ireland is becoming the golfing capital of the world, international visitors arriving for a ‘golfing experience’ will be well looked after.

As for locals, whether you are a serious golfer who wants to test him/herself against the courses the professionals play, a golfing society thinking of creating a special event for your members, or a group or couple looking for great golf and top notch spa facilities, Lough Erne Golf Resort hits the mark. Plus it has the tremendous advantage of being in the beautiful surroundings of County Fermanagh.

See lougherneresort.com for further information. But remember, book early, there is a tsunami coming.

With top events, stunning scenery, a fascinating history and heritage, unique shopping and first-class accommodation, Fermanagh Lakelands is the ideal place to take a short break this Autumn.

Fermanagh will host a number of fantastic Halloween events this year, with fun for all the family. Put on your scariest fancy-dress costume journey underground on spine tingling guided tour of the fantastic Marble Arch Caves, or take part in a Halloween themed painting workshop at Belleek Pottery where little ones can take home their own piece of Belleek, step on board a Hogwarts Halloween Cruise from the Share Discovery Village, or take part in the Scarecrow Fest at Florence Court house.

For a taste of the county’s stunning landscapes go walking, with walks for everyone from experienced hikers to novice ramblers and families. Climb to the top of Cuilcagh Mountain or enjoy a gentle stroll around Castle Caldwell Forest, both located within the beautiful Marble Arch Caves Global UNESCO Geopark. The Marble Arch Caves have recently extended their

Cuilcagh Mountain’s Legnabrocky Trail

Marble Arch Caves is now open until December 1

opening hours until December 1 so make sure to stop by for a wonderful subterranean tour.

Immerse yourself in Fermanagh’s fascinating history and heritage. Visit Enniskillen Castle and enjoy its award-winning exhibitions which cover the prehistory and natural history of Fermanagh, the county’s traditional rural life, local crafts and the celebrated pottery at Belleek. For a unique experience, visit Headhunters Barber Shop & Railway Museum to rediscover the history of the railways in Fermanagh.

If you’re in need of a bit of retail therapy, then try Fermanagh this Autumn. Pick up local crafts at the Buttermarket Craft and Design Centre in Enniskillen before hitting the high street, packed with both independent and big name retailers. No shopping visit to Fermanagh would be complete without a trip to Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre, where you can also take in a tour and stop for lunch.

Fermanagh has a fantastic range of accommodation to suit all needs and budgets. Avail of one of the many excellent autumn break offers and start planning your trip today.

See fermanaghlakelands.com for more.

36 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

Exploring OakfieldPark, Donegal’s best kept secret

BY FIONA RUTHERFORD

I

t may be known as the gateway to the north-west, but it’s always worth lingering in Letterkenny for a couple of days before venturing into the delights of Donegal.

It’s a lively spot, full of buzzing bars, hotels and restaurants where you can have your fill of craic before heading on to the natural wonder of the Wild Atlantic Way. And as we found, with superb attractions like Oakfield Park in the area, you might just want to stick around.

We went in the rainy season – August – and were pleased to find it wasn’t as wet as the weather we’d left behind. Our base for the weekend was one of the friendliest hotels

I’ve stayed in, Dillon’s Hotel. It’s right in the beating heart of the old part of Letterkenny with an outdoor seating area where coffees and cocktails can be sipped while watching the world go by.

After checking in and having hot drinks in our room, we decided to make the most of the late afternoon and go exploring. It was all downhill from there – literally. One of the local wags told us there had been talk of introducing the equivalent of the Belfast bike scheme in Letterkenny but the idea was parked after they decided no-one would want to cycle back up the hills.

There’s an interesting mix of locally owned

afternoon during which I only saw a fraction of this 100 acre delight.

We’d heard in Letterkenny that this was a popular spot with local families but it’s actually up there with Glenveagh and Ards Forest Park as a destination in its own right.

The first thing you see when you crunch along the gravel path into the park is the 4.5km narrow gauge railway which tours the grounds. Oakfield’s trains are fun for kids but they are also handy for figuring out which parts of the park you want to explore further.

On the last Sunday of the month, they also get out the big guns in the form of a steam train, The Duchess of Difflin.

As you rattle about the tracks, there’s one vista after another to take the breath away, not least sculptures like the Longsleeper – a vast swirl of oak rising skywards, by Derry artist Locky Morris.

Overlooking much of the park is the main house, owned by Gerry and Heather Robinson. The former chair of Arts Council England was knighted for services to the arts in 2004 and hit the headlines after he famously ‘saved’ the NHS in 2007. Originally built for the Dean of Raphoe in 1739, the house and grounds have been extended over the years.

Former owners include Cecil Stoney, who was involved in escorting the future Queen Elizabeth home from Kenya when her father, George I, died.

Sir Gerry and Lady Heather have carried out a major restoration of the house and grounds, planting more than 40,000 trees to complement the original woodland with its heritage trees including a colossal chestnut dubbed The 12 Apostles.

Walled garden

shops, like the Mourne Antiques arts and antiques place near Dillon’s and opposite the hotel, a winding street leads past a lovely vegan cafe, Wholegreen Health Foods, en route to the grand St Eunan’s Cathedral.

At the edge of town, there’s a major retail park where the local branch of Menary’s was offering a generous rate of €1.20 on the pound and not only that, at closing time, they kindly got us a cab back to the hotel.

Once re-installed in Dillon’s, we enjoyed pre-dinner cocktails in the bar and tried not to stare at a group of girls with their hair in rollers. There were lots of families and locals about – always a good sign – and when we sat down to dinner, the Grill bar was full.

The menu was packed with locally sourced goodies, from Atlantic Seafood Chowder to Salt and Chilli Squid starters and the mains were also varied and tempting, with a broad selection for vegetarians too. It’s always a good sign when a menu shouts about its local suppliers and the dinner was delicious, full of fresh ingredients extremely well cooked. It’s not surprising Dillon’s accommodate coach tours for their Wild Atlantic Way Dining Experience.

We retired for the night, more than happy with the day, and slept well in the comfortable beds. Breakfast was similarly impressive, with the full range of cooked and continental choices and no sense of having to hurry off when you were done.

Hidden gem

The reason for our trip was to check out what we’d heard was a hidden gem, not far from the town. Oakfield Park turned out to be a short drive along pretty rural roads in Raphoe. Pardon the prosaic but the bathroom block wouldn’t have been out of place in a 5 star hotel. And that first impression of ‘care’ stayed with me throughout a highly enjoyable

While the house remains private, the entire estate is open to the public and it’s hard not to feel as if you’re intruding when you tramp across their front lawn and enter the walled garden alongside the house. An oasis within an oasis, its delights include a sculpture of a hooded woman ‘Reading Chaucer’ and a pretty fish pond. I relaxed onto a seat and Continued on page 38

38 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

indulged in some herbaceous border envy before heading back out. From the house, the eye is drawn down a sloping lawn to a lake with a nymphaeum from which water tumbles over steps and beyond that, a vast expanse of woodland with a broad mown swathe leading to Longsleeper and the hills beyond. Breath-taking. Rather than heading back down the hill, I turned left and found myself in a wildflower meadow worthy of a Gardener’s World special and at the end of the mown path, a pretty raised seating area.

Everywhere you turn, there’s more to explore. Back down the hill I passed by Thomas at his railway halt and plunged into the woodlands, coming across a maze and a boardwalk that brings you out at another lake, with a beautiful castle folly at its edge.

Another trail took me across the site of the estate’s first wedding this summer and along a path where the most charming sculpture of a hedgehog with bright orange crocosmia ‘spines’ lurked. Morholt, ‘the land giant’ appears in one of the Harry Potter video games and was created by the Oakfield gardeners along with artist Marina Hamilton. There was plenty of more animated wildlife to enjoy too, not least the swans on one of the lakes.

food in this lovely spot.

Next time you’re in Donegal, have a look for yourself.

Oakfield Park is open daily during summer and from Wednesday to Sunday in September from 12pm – 6pm.

During the halloween and Christmas holidays, it’s a haven for families looking for an immersive fun experience. Alongside the creepy fun, West End actors will be scaring the socks off visitors (aged 12+) in The

Buffers Restaurant

After a few hours of basking in glorious surroundings with the help of blazing sunshine, I wandered into the on-site cafe, Buffers.

Unsurprisingly at this stage, it proved to be a cut above the average cafe as well and the menu promised beautiful ingredients, many of them grown in the walled garden, prepared with care. I opted for a pulled pork sandwich and the colourful plate that arrived tasted every bit as fresh and delicious as it looked.

Once a month, the restaurant hosts its

Lunch in Buffers

Buffer’s Nights events, where head chef Damian McGettigan prepares a menu celebrating the best of the park’s garden and other local produce.

The cafe looks onto an outdoor playground complete with a big wooden train which I’m told Sir Gerry crafted himself. Scores of families were enjoying the park, some eating in Buffers, others unpacking picnics at the tables. The marquee nearby, I was told, had been erected for the annual Oakfest event earlier in the summer and it was easy to imagine the crowds enjoying the music and

Sleepers, a thrilling event from International Theatre company Almost Burgundy, on Saturday, November 2.

At Christmas, it’s even more magical with the Santa Express bringing children through the woodlands decorated with thousands of lights to Santa’s Grotto for lots of goodies as well as an audience with the man himself.

For further information and tickets to The Sleepers, visit www.oakfieldpark.com or call 00353 7491 73068.

For details of Dillon’s Hotel, visit www. dillons-hotel.ie or www.govisitletterkenny. ie or call 00353 7491 22977.

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

PaulaMcIntyre’stips forseasonaltreats

Traditionaleats



T

here’s a whole new emphasis on Northern Ireland’s world class fare with fresh, great tasting foods harvested from the land and sea. We asked celebrity chef Paula McIntyre for her tips for making the most of the culinary season.

Q. Autumn is harvest time - what sort of goods would you advise people to look out for at the minute?

A. As with all times of the year try to source seasonal produce. There’s an abundance of local produce at the moment – tomatoes are coming to the end of the season and have a more intense flavour now. Raspberries are the same. Root vegetables, leeks, cabbages, potatoes, are all available now and plums, apples, blackberries and elderberries are here too.

Q. What are your favourite things to cook and eat in autumn?

As a cook this is my favourite time of year.

The game season is here which means pheasant, pigeon, etc. Slemish Market garden in Ballymena have a great range of pumpkins coming to fruition soon – they’re culinary pumpkins so are intensely flavoured with a firm texture (completely different from carving pumpkins). With a change in the weather it’s the time of year to cook soups, stews and slow roasts. There’s nothing nicer than a slowly cooked shoulder of rare breed pork with some seasonal vegetables and potatoes.

Q. Do you have a recipe that would be quick, easy and tasty for a weeknight dinner?

Roast pumpkin, sage and bacon pasta Ingredients ½ medium culinary pumpkin, cut into wedges 3 tablespoons oil 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary seasalt 6 rashers smoked dry cure streaky bacon

25g butter 12 sage leaves, roughly chopped 1 stick celery, finely chopped 1 leek, split, washed and chopped Freshly ground pepper 500ml double cream 200g grated smoked or regular cheddar 200g orzo pasta or any small pasta like penne or macaroni, cooked and drained Method Remove the seeds from the pumpkin wedge (wash and roast them separately) and place on a lightly oil baking tray. Drizzle with two tablespoons of the oil and cook and scatter with the seasalt and rosemary. Roast until soft in a 200C oven – about 30 minutes. Remove skin and cut into bite sized pieces.

Chop the bacon and cook in the remaining oil until crispy. Add the butter and sage and cook for a minute. Add the celery and leek and cook until soft – about 10 minutes. Add the cream. Simmer until spoon coating consistency. Add 150g of the cheddar. Season with salt and pepper and stir until the cheese has melted.

Add the pumpkin and cooked pasta and mix well.

Spoon into a baking dish and scatter over the remaining cheese.

Bake in a 200C oven for 10 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

Roast pumpkin, sage and bacon pasta

TastetheCity 10am - 4pm, Writer’s Square, Cathedral Quarter, September 28 – 29 ■ Belfast Restaurant Week has been running from September 22 – 29.

The grand finale will see everyone celebrate all that’s great about Northern Ireland’s local food and drink at Writer’s Square this weekend.

Go along for Live Cookery Demos from some of Belfast’s best Chefs, producers market, family foodie fun and live music.

Family Life | 39

Live Chef Demos Saturday 10am Dean Coppard - Sweet Afton 12.30pm Stephen Ferris - Coppi 2.30pm Gerard Doran - Buba Sunday 10am Daniel Harvey - Havana Bank Sq 12.30pm Danny Millar - Stock Kitchen and Bar 2.30pm Damian Schultz, Cafe Parisien There’s live music between each food demo and kids’ activities all day, including kite making with Go Fly Your Kite, cupcake workshops with Make and Bakes and face painting with Funky Fun – all for free.

Whether you’re looking to improve on your home cooking or on the hunt for a handy recipe book for a student heading off to college, the latest offering from Donegal chef Brian McDermott is the perfect starting point.

His last book Donegal Table, published by O’Brien Press, was recognised as the world’s best cookery book written by a restaurant chef at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Macao, China this summer.

Traditional Irish Cooking for Today, a handbag size softback book, is full of easy and tasty suggestions with the big bold flavours of Beef and Ale Casserole and Herby Roast Leg of Lamb perfect for a cosy family dinner on a cold, dark evening.

And for the growing numbers who are interested in learning to cook traditional dishes there’s everything from Boxty to a Thick Batch Loaf here too. Brian’s Coddle recipe has sparked a social media debate over fried versus boiled sausages but we think you’ll find Brian’s recipe for this Dublin based classic wins for flavour.

Try it and see.

Coddle Ingredients Drizzle of rapeseed oil 450g sausages 200g bacon, cut into strips 1 onion, diced 2 carrots, sliced 1kg potatoes, peeled and sliced Freshly ground black pepper 500ml chicken stock, warmed 1 bay leaf Handful of fresh parsley, chopped Method ■ Preheat the oven to 170°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3.

Heat the oil in a frying pan and brown the sausages. Add the bacon and cook for two minutes.

■ Place half of the bacon and sausages in the bottom of an earthenware dish and add half the onions, carrots and potatoes.

■ Season with pepper, and repeat with another layer of meat and vegetables. Pour the warm stock over and add the bay leaf.

■ Cover with a lid and cook for two hours.

Remove the lid and cook for a further 30 minutes.

■ When cooked, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

40 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

SPONSORED

Gethelptomakeyour dreamoffamilyareality S truggling to start or add to a family can be an emotionally challenging time, requiring extra help and support.

As Northern Ireland’s only fully private fertility clinic, Belfast Fertility, based at Edgewater Road, specialises in supporting patients through their assisted conception journey, providing them with access to the latest fertility treatments, specialist services and advice.

Belfast Fertility is part of The Fertility Partnership, a group of national and international clinics specialising in assisted conception. The Fertility Partnership is the largest provider of IVF in the UK and has some of the highest success rates in Europe.

Established six years ago as GCRM-Belfast, Belfast Fertility has helped patients throughout Ireland realise their dream of creating every type of modern family through IVF, sperm or egg donation and surrogacy.

Belfast Fertility hosts free fertility information evenings on a weekly basis for people thinking of starting fertility treatment.

“There is a waiting list for donor eggs so we are very keen to see donors come forward”

Attendees have the chance to hear presentations from the clinic’s expert and passionate team. The presentations include ‘The Patient Journey’ giving an overview of a typical IVF treatment cycle.

It also hosts monthly information evenings aimed specifically for those within the LGBT community who are considering fertility options and with more same sex couples than ever hoping to start their own families, these evenings are always very popular.

Another key service which Belfast Fertility provides is fertility preservation, aimed at women who wish to delay pregnancy until they feel ready or in a better position to start a family. Eggs can be frozen for up to 10 years.

A spokeswoman for Belfast Fertility explained: “For a number of reasons some women aren’t ready to start a family at the optimum age for their body so we can freeze their eggs and store them for up to 10 years, “This service is becoming increasingly popular for women aged up to 36.”

While women aged up to 44 going through IVF are treated with their own eggs, women in the 44 plus category and aged up to 50 receive egg donation. Belfast Fertility has seen a slight rise in egg donation but the clinic is actively seeking more donors from Northern Ireland.

“Although we have noted a small hike in the number of women coming forward, there

is still a shortage of egg donors here,” the spokeswoman said.

“We are looking for women aged between 18 and 32, who are fit and healthy and non-smokers, to become donors. We can pay expenses up to £750 for altruistic donors, those who don’t know who are they are donating to.

“There is a waiting list for donor eggs so we are very keen to see donors come forward.

Your donation happens over the course of a few weeks. This temporary change in lifestyle could mean a new future for people who need donor eggs and can’t have children without your help.”

Belfast Fertility, a Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) licensed clinic, treats all forms of infertility and this is reflected in its excellent success.  Out of 211 cycles started from October 2018 – March 2019 the clinical pregnancy

rate in Belfast Fertility was 40% per embryo transfer event for women of all ages – for more information on success rates visit www. belfastfertility.co.uk Belfast Fertility also offers a new personal tour and short presentation in its main clinic site in Belfast on selected times. Please call 028 9078 1335 to book your personal tour. Visit www.belfastfertility.co.uk or email info@ belfastfertility.co.uk to see how Belfast Fertility can help you start or build your family.

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Toptipstokeepstudentshealthy With students heading off to university this month, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging them to look after their health and wellbeing when they’re away from home.

Brendan Bonner, Assistant Director for Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at the PHA, said: “This is a really exciting time for students, when you get to make new friends and enjoy some independence. But it can also be overwhelming; there are lots of new things to get to grips with, such as learning to cook and managing budgets.

“To help students out we have come up with a quick health check list to keep you on track.”

TOP TIPS

 Get vaccinated: those starting university for the first time usually mix with larger groups of people, making them more exposed to various infections or diseases. Therefore it is important to ensure that you are up to date with vaccinations such as the MenACWY vaccine, that helps protect against meningococcal disease, and the MMR vaccine, which helps protect again measles, mumps and rubella. Contact your GP to see if you are up to date.  Know your limits: Excessive drinking can impact on your health. Misusing drugs which have not been prescribed for you can also cause serious damage to your health, and even death. You can never be sure what has gone into drugs, therefore the PHA strongly recommends that you do not take them. Further information on alcohol limits and where to get help for both alcohol and drug problems can be found at www.drugsandalcoholni.info  Eat well: The PHA has over 80 recipes for you to try including starters, mains, desserts, vegetarian dishes and snacks at www.pha.site/healthyrecipes  Keep active: remaining physically active can improve your health, confidence and wellbeing. One

way of doing this is to join sports clubs and societies at university – a great way to meet new friends.  Mind your head: new responsibilities, pressure to do well, and fitting in can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety and loneliness – ‘Mind Your Head: A student guide to mental health’ is full of practical tips and information. The booklet is available from students’ unions or www.pha.site/myhstudents  Make connections: whatever your living situation, you might feel alone, isolated or lonely.

Universities and colleges have clubs, groups and societies for just about everything. Attending induction courses and receptions run by your department is another opportunity for getting to know people on your course who you already have something in common with. Visit www.nus-usi.org or call into your students’ union on campus.  Choose to protect yourself: if you are sexually active, you are at risk of catching an STI. Choose to protect yourself and always wear a condom. For more information see www.sexualhealthni.info  Be CO aware: it is important to be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and ways to reduce the risk. Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm in your accommodation or if you have one, check to see that it is working properly.

Family Life | 41

BDA ‘CONCERNED’ SUGARTARGETS WILLBEMISSED Some firms adding more sugar to kids’ foods

T

he British Dietetic Association (BDA) has expressed concern about the lack of progress by companies in reducing sugar content of foods which contribute the most sugar to children’s diets, following the publication of a progress report.

BDA Deputy Chief Executive Sue Kellie said: “This second progress report on the voluntary sugar reduction programme shows a worrying lack of progress overall.

A 2.9% reduction by 2018 is so far short of the 20% target by 2020 as to make it seem very unlikely that it will be achieved.

“It is disappointing that there is so much variation between both food categories and between different food companies. It is clear that some are engaging with the voluntary scheme while others are choosing to ignore it. That some com-

panies have increased the amount of sugar in their products is particularly worrying.

“By comparison, the compulsory soft drinks industry levy has driven a significant reduction, with the average sugar content of drinks reduced by 28.8%. We hope the government will consider whether a compulsory approach in other food and drink categories could drive much faster change.

“Reformulation is one of a number of ways that government needs to act to support consumers to make healthier food choices. We hope that the lack of progress will encourage government to take action in other areas, such as the introduction of tighter restrictions on advertising and promotion of high fat, sugar and salt products.”

42 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph |27 September 2019

SPONSORED

Gethelpwithchoosing therighttravelsystem foryourbaby

EGG STROLLER

Whetheryou are expectingyour firstchild, or are already experienced parents, one thing isfor sure– choosing yourtravel system is a confusing minefield. That’swhere Donaghy Bros come in.

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

One of the first decisions you will make when you are expecting is choosing the right travel system. Choosing a stroller that looks good is one thing, but is it really the right pram for you? Our pram centre has over 50 different models on show alone, with hundreds more available to order. When you visit us, you are encouraged to try out all the different options, to push it, fold it up and down, attaching adaptors, car seats, carrycots, seat units etc.

We want you to be 100% sure that you make the right choice for you and your family.

INSPIRATION ICANDY PEACH

The Peach Designer Collection Cerium.

Bespoke Luxury with no limits

Now in its fourth generation, the Peach is perfectly designed to fit perfectly around you and your baby. This is a popular choice amongst our customers who want cutting edge design and style that lasts. Famous for its one handed fold and fashion forward designs, this pushchair also easily becomes

robust ride. Other benefits include an extra large shopping basket, one-hand carrycot detach, shock absorbing suspension and ability to convert to double. If you want that luxury finish, whilst maintaining ease-of-use and practically, the Vista is a strong candidate.

Uppababy Vista Carrycot and Pushchair combination incorporates quality and style at an affordable price a double pushchair through the use of innovative adaptors. Every element of this award winning pushchair has been crafted to ensure perfect functionality, quality and safety. From the very first push, with its high quality aluminium frame, you’ll immediately notice the ultra smooth ride and effortless manoeuvrability, and with a five year guarantee as standard, what’s not to like?

UPPABABY VISTA

Uppababy has been favoured for years amongst families due to its talent for producing systems that work for parents and children too. They pride themselves on listening to what parents want, and designing a product to fit those demands. The Uppababy Vista does just that. The chassis is sleek and lightweight, whilst maintaining a strong and

Designed for the style-conscious parent, this stroller features a finely crafted chassis with subtly toned wheels to complement. It offers outstanding functionality and is one of the most compact in our range. It features TruRide Technology® tyres, which have been engineered for comfort, superior handling and added durability. Hand stitched fabrics, stunning curves and superior handling brand the Egg an effortlessly beautiful choice.

WHY US?

We at Donaghy Bros have been providing expert customer care and personal attention for 55 years within the electronics sector. We have now expanded our range to include the nursery sector, where we felt parents needed that extra bit of support when making their choice for their new arrival. We are passionate about providing the best selection of products at the best prices. Our aim is to provide our customers with an incomparable service that can’t be found elsewhere. Our in-store experience is relaxed, friendly and bespoke.

We stand by all of our products and are committed to supporting our customers and their families. We even build up your pram for free at your request. Richard and his team would love to hear from you!

Call the shop on 02829540001 or visit www.donaghybros.co.uk

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 43

Howtogetyourgardenready forwinter...andforchildren

Check which plants are safe for children

A

utumn is a fantastic season for garNow’s a good time to tidy up deners. Often during the summer, you hedges before winter can find yourself scratching your head wondering what you were thinking planting a shrub in a particular place. Now is the time to do something about it.

It’s also the ideal time for lifting and dividing clump forming spring and summer flowering perennials and ornamental grasses. It’s good for the plants and it means you can at least double your stock for nothing - perfect for repeat planting schemes.

In autumn, thoughts also turn to getting the garden tidied up and ready for winter.

It’s safe to get hedges and trees cut back and looking trim, now that the nesting season is over and there’s no doubt that a tidy hedge improves the overall appearance of a property.

Wildlife hedgehog to have children running about, It’s also easier over the coming take the time now to childproof garden fence weeks, with foliage dying back, to highway passage the garden before winter rain get at climbers and secure them as and spring growth make it more arch portals, well as any plants and trees that £9.95, on eBay difficult. may need staking to stop the wind If this summer saw you condamaging them. stantly shouting about footballs damaging your favourite plants, try creating a designatCHILDPROOFING ed area for play with football nets, trampoFor families with children or who are likely line, swings, sand pit or whatever works best.

Householders often overlook the dangers that some plants can pose - especially for curious babies and toddlers who like to shove things in their mouths. It’s vital that you warn kids never to taste anything growing if they aren’t certain that they’re allowed. Some common and innocuous looking plants can irritate the skin and some are toxic if ingested – arum lilies, oleander, delphiniums, foxglove and even your friendly daffodil can pose a

danger. Search Potentially harmful garden plants on www.rhs.org.uk for a detailed list.

You probably won’t want to remove many favourites but do make sure they’re not near the kids’ play area.

Ponds are also hazardous for children under five and not worth risking. Remember, a young child can drown in just a few inches of water.

Finally, whether prepping for winter or kids, it’s worth checking your fencing, decking and gates to make sure everything is performing as well as it should. Don’t forget to leave small gaps for hedgehogs to travel from garden to garden.

44 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019 Happy Elephant Home, Chang Mai

Maeve afloat at the Paradise 3D Museum, Bangkok

Howescapingmy comfortzoneledto livingthedream When Maeve Richardson’s life demanded a course adjustment, she found a whole new world opening up to her...

A

series of what turned out to be not-so-unfortunate events led to me being commitment-free in every respect. For the first time in my adult life I had no job, no rent to pay and no romantic ties. I was free to do whatever I wanted, I just had to figure out what that was...

So with nothing to lose and everything to gain, I began to think about what was really important to me and the experiences I wanted to have. It was intimidating so I started small. I’ve always loved yoga so I started to make it part of my daily routine, something which massively benefitted my state of mind during this tumultuous period. I spent more time with my family who gave me all the support in the world while I tried to figure out my next move.

Then I saw an advert promoting a career in teaching English as a foreign language in Thailand. I’ve never been particularly adventurous but a couple of extended business trips to India a couple of years earlier had endowed me with a growing sense of wanderlust that was proving impossible to ignore. Within three weeks I had completed the required course, submitted all the paperwork and booked my flights to Bangkok.

I didn’t get off to the best start having contracted a vomiting bug which hit hard about 30 minutes into the long-haul flight.

I did my best impression of that kid from

‘The Exorcist’ in the classful of up to 50 tiny washroom at the students scared the back of the plane wits out of me. On and spent my first my first day I had to few hours in Banggo on stage in front kok hooked up to of approximately an IV in the airport 3,000 students and hospital. Fast-forintroduce myself. ward a few hours After that, a classful and I was checking in of teenagers no longer to my hotel in Bangkok intimidated me and I for a three-day orientaquickly bonded with my tion course to prepare me students. for my new role as a teacher.

I get a lift to school with There were hundreds of people In a bubble at another teacher on the back of of all ages and nationalities there, the Paradise 3D her scooter. I had never been on some veterans and some newbies Museum, Bangkok one before and that first day on like me. The atmosphere was inthe back left my knees knocking – credible. Most people were excited to be there literally. Entire families whizz by us with ease while some crackled with nervous energy and people balance impossibly cumbersome at the prospect of the next six months away loads as they scoot past. It’s got a little easier from everything and everyone they knew. on every trip and now I can go hands-free I soon met the other teachers stationed in and enjoy the sensation of the breeze washing Prachinburi, a small city a couple of hours over me as we zip around the streets. from Bangkok. Our group included a Brit, an In my free time I go on outings with the Aussie, an American and a South African and other teachers. Highlights have included it wasn’t long before we were getting on like seeing elephants up close and personal (ala house on fire. My fears that I wouldn’t find though if you are doing this do the research anyone I could connect with during the six and make sure the sanctuary has a no-ride months vanished. policy). I trekked through the jungle with Going back to school was surreal and experienced guides who stopped to show the thoughts of delivering a lesson to a us snakes, insects, monkeys and even giant

Maeve with some of her pupils squirrels in their natural habitats. I visited an incredible 3D museum in Bangkok which was so spectacular that I took hundreds of photos - and I normally hate taking pics. I travelled to Ko Lanta and spent three days at an eco-beach hut about 30metres from the sea. I fell asleep each night listening to the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore - it was idyllic. And the real surprise outing of my time here was going to a lamp museum – it doesn’t sound particularly scintillating but it was a blast!

So now I find myself with just a couple of weeks left in Thailand. It has been an incredible experience. Leaving will be bittersweet but I’m walking away with experiences that I will never forget and friends I can’t imagine not having met. I’ve decided to go to Malaysia for three weeks before I head back home to the land of potatoes (if there’s one thing I miss more than my family and friends, it’s potatoes).

My only regret is that I waited so long to step out of my comfort zone and figure out what makes me happy. So for anyone out there who is thinking about taking a chance and pursuing their dream, don’t waste too much time weighing up the pros and cons, because you might just talk yourself out of it. All I can say is do it, take the leap, make it happen. If I had known this is how good my life could be I would done it years ago.

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 45

MegMathews andmorefor menopauseevent

Raiseyour gamefor RecycleWeek

I

t’s Recycle Week and UK organisation Recycle Now is tasking residents to take action to protect our environment.

The year so far has been one of protests and marches. People have had enough of the status quo; things need to change urgently.

Inspired by Our Planet, Greta Thunberg and Sir David Attenborough - environmental concerns have never been so important to the nation. Last year saw people being more motivated to recycle with 2019 promising the most effective Recycle Week (September 23–29) yet.

Getting recycling right Latest research from Recycle Now reveals that over 60% of UK households are now recycling more than they were a year ago because of environmental concerns.

The research shows that more and more UK households are recycling plastic drinks, cleaner, toiletry and shampoo bottles, amongst other items including glass and metal tin cans. The level of increase of glass and metal / tin cans is at a slightly lower level compared to the other items cited. Nearly a third of these people cite environmental concerns as the main reason for doing more and other attribute it to an increased awareness of what can be recycled. Whilst the research showed an increase in recycling, it also showed that UK households sometimes incorrectly put items like nappies, toys and toothpaste tubes in the recycling bin.

If you’re at all unsure about how to recycle a specific item, Recycle Now’s Recycling Locator can show you exactly what needs to go in the recycling bin where you live – just pop in your postcode!

What and how we recycle really matters.

Recycling an item rather than throwing it in the general rubbish bin means that it will be dealt with in the most environmentally friendly way, keeping materials in use and out of the environment.

Craig Stephens, campaign manager for Recycle Now, said: “This year we’ve all taken more notice of our impact on the environment, and realised that recycling is part of reducing that impact. Here in Northern Ireland it’s no different – more and more of us are recycling, so the next step is to make sure we get our recycling right.”

To find out more about Recycle Week, and to use the Recycling Locator to find out what to recycle where you live, visit www. recyclenow.org.uk Top tips for recycling more 1 Don’t forget about toilet roll tubes and empty toothpaste boxes

E 2 Put a bag or a bin in your bathroom to recycle your card 3 Remember to recycle your tissue and toiletries boxes 4 Recycle cardboard packaging from online orders 5 Don’t forget to flatten boxes to save space in your recycling container 6 Paper is a valuable recyclable material but only when it is clean 7 Remove any plastic wrapping from newspapers and magazines before you recycle them 8 If you scrunch paper and it doesn’t spring back, then it can be recycled 9 If paper is crumpled, torn in half, or folded it is still recyclable 10 Small amounts of shredded paper may be accepted in your garden waste collection.

Please check with your council.

What you need to know about recycling paper and card Can I recycle paper coffee cups?

Coffee cups are not accepted in household recycling collection schemes. Better still, take advantage of the discounts offered by many coffee shops by taking along your own reusable cup.

Can I recycle flushable wipes?

Baby wipes, cosmetic wipes, bathroom cleaning wipes and moist toilet tissues are NOT recyclable and are NOT flushable either even though some labels say they are. They should always be placed in your rubbish bin.

Can I recycle pizza boxes?

Pizza boxes can only be recycled if the cardboard is clean. Soiled and greasy card isn’t accepted. If it has grease on it, simply tear it off and recycle the top half.

Can I recycle wrapping paper?

Wrapping paper can only be recycled if it passes the scrunch test - simple paper wrap can be recycled but foil or glitter-decorated paper cannot and needs to go in the general waste. Before recycling, remove any sticky tape and decorations such as ribbons and bows as these cannot be recycled.

Can I recycle nappies?

Disposable nappies should be placed in your rubbish bin.

DID YOU KNOW? ✱ It only takes seven days for a recycled newspaper to come back as a new one! ✱ Every tonne of paper recycled saves 17 trees. ✱ One tonne of recycled paper saves 7000 gallons of water, and enough energy to heat the average home for six months.

xperts on menopause, midlife, money and more will take the stage in October for Dublin’s first major event for ‘perennial’ women, ‘The M Word’.

Menopause 2019: it’s not your mother’s menopause for sure! And it might be natural but it’s often far from easy, for women already juggling careers, children, ageing parents, societal pressures and/or health issues.

Those are the issues that Meg Matthews, Irish Endocrinologist Dr Mary Ryan, and nine of Ireland and the UK’s established menopause and midlife experts will tackle when they take the stage on Friday, October 11.

Meg, Noel Gallagher’s ex, has proved her own rockstar credentials, when she became one of a handful of well known women to ‘come out’ about menopause and the debilitating effect it had on her life. MegsMenopause includes an awareness campaign and web platform to support women and her own bestselling product range specific to menopause.

Dr Mary Ryan, Consultant Endocrinologist, will open the conference, which will cover topics from Decoding Menopause to Reinventing Midlife; Hormonal Health to Financial Wellness.

The M Word will be co-hosted by Irish social entrepreneur Aisling Grimley, of the website My Second Spring. “Menopause happens to every single woman in Ireland. It is a life-changing

Meg Mathews and health-changing event” says Aisling.

“Knowing what is going on in your body and making smart informed decisions will impact your health for the next 3-4 decades of your life. That’s why this event, Ireland’s first, is so important.”

Topics include pro-ageing skincare and grooming, managing money and sex and relationships.

The M Word event Dublin, takes place in the Radisson St Helens, Dublin, on Friday, October 11, from 8.30am-3.30pm. Tickets from Eventbrite.

More info: www.themwordevent.com

M Day World Menopause Day is designated October 18, 2019 and is a worldwide awareness call for women who face health issues when approaching, during and beyond the menopause.

46 | Family Life

Afeastof festivals, eventsand familyfun

There’s lots happening between now and the end of the year — here’s our guide to some of the events you won’t want to miss…

Michael Rosen

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019 (LA)HORDEs To Da Bone ©Laurent PHILIPPE

La Spire ©Jean-Louis Fernandez

#BIAF19isbackandpromisestobebig

B

elfast International Arts Festival is back!

Taking place from Tuesday, October 15 – Sunday, November 3, the Festival features artists and performers from home and abroad for a world class programme of theatre, performance art, visual art, film, dance, literature and music.

The festival is proud to be part of two major international cultural celebrations: Japan-UK Season of Culture and FranceDance UK. This year’s programme cuts across traditional artform boundaries and aims to stretch minds, challenge perceptions, and surprise and delight you.

Opening the Festival this year, all the way from Japan, comes Hiroaki Umeda with his double bill, modern dance epic of Median & Accumulated Layout in The MAC on October 15–16.

Other highlights include (LA)HORDEs To Da Bone in The Grand Opera House, the surreal and Beckettian Real Magic in The MAC, Pat Kinevane’s Before, SPLICED from Chalk It Down Productions.

Closing this year’s Festival is Lady Magma: The Birth of a Cult from the critically acclaimed Oona Doherty and Prime Cut Productions.

This year’s Festival features some of the best music from all over the world. Headlining is one

of Ireland’s most iconic singer-songwriters, Glen Hansard, with two performances in Belfast’s Grand Opera House.

Following on the celebration of Japanese culture BIAF welcomes experimental artist ASUNA with this piece 100 Keyboards in The MAC. Other highlights include a Saturday night like no other with Cuba’s La Dame Blanche in The Empire Music Hall and classical pianist Lucy Parham’s Beloved Clara starring Juliet Stevenson (Truly Madly Deeply, The Politician’s Wife, Atlantis, The Village, Riviera) and Tim McInnerny (Blackadder, Notting Hill, Game of Thrones, National Treasure).

As always the Festival takes great pride in promoting the best of local talent and this year is no different with concerts from the Ulster Orchestra, Two Door Cinema Club, Joshua Burnside, Ruth McGinley and more.

The Embrace section of the festival includes events designed to both encourage active participation in the arts and to enhance audience enjoyment and understanding of specific productions and events presented in the programme.

They include free performances and events, and active creative learning activities such as workshops, performance opportunities and

artist talks. At the centre of this year’s Embrace programme are two wonderful and free installations, La Spire in Botanic Gardens and Unique Instruments: Expectant Spaces at the Ulster University. Co-Motion, the first all-island dance conference, which BIAF is co-hosting with partners, Dance Resource Base, Dance Ireland and Queen’s University Belfast, reflects the continuing commitment to promoting professional development in contemporary arts practice.

In addition to these special events, BIAF will also be showcasing Éigse Loch Lao, a public conference on Irish language planning and promotion.

The Festival is delighted to feature five new visual art exhibitions from partners at University of Atypical, Naughton Gallery at Queen’s University, Golden Thread, Royal Ulster Academy and Irish Society of Stage and Screen Designers as well as a celebration of the great cinematic musical with films from Queen’s Film Theatre and Strand Arts Centre.

This year’s Talks & Ideas section is packed with highlights and big names including author Michael Rosen, Booker long-listed authors Max Porter and Kevin Barry, along with the critically acclaimed Kerry Hudson, Emilie Pine, Meena Kandasamy, The Octavia Poetry Collective and Niven Govinden.

Finally, journalist and author Gavin Esler will be speaking on October 30 (the eve of Brexit) about his upcoming book Brexit without the Bullsh*t.

See belfastinternationalartsfestival.com for further information.

Halloweenspooktaculars MAIDEN CITY GOES GHOULISH SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 TO TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, ACROSS DERRY

Journey into the terrifying unknown this spooky season and take in some of the ghoulish events and frightful fun for all the family taking place at Derry Halloween.

The week long celebration of all things that make your skin crawl is spread throughout the city, with a ca-coffin-y of events to choose from.

See how The Other World Awakens around the City Walls and discover frights and delights along the way, as the weird and wonderful come out to play on a trail that features over 40 installations and performances by local and international artists.

Sink your fangs into the offerings at the LegenDerry Food Village and Halloween Food Trail, or sample the devilish delights at Michelin-star trained Chris McGowan’s Trick or Tr-Eat showcase.

Take in some of the Samhain Sessions which features a series of intimate gigs under the Samhain Moon with some of Ireland’s finest musicians, including Hudson Taylor, Paul Casey, Little Hours and an unmissable Gothic Organ Performance at the Guildhall.

Marvel and gasp at the ‘The Otherworld Awakens’ Halloween Carnival Parade as the souls of the ancestors rise up and descend on the town. The Samhain Parade is conjured by carnival artists, dancers and circus performers from communities across the north west and beyond and amounts to a show that’s out of this world!

And for the big finale, go out with a bang as the Samhain skies come to life in a blaze of breathtaking fireworks. A decades-old tradition in the city and an iconic part of Derry Halloween, the fireworks finale is back with a bang. Big, bold, and not to be missed.

For more information, visit derryhalloween.com.

MONSTER MASH AND FIREWORKS DISPLAY, BELFAST SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, TITANIC SLIPWAYS

SEAPARK FIREWORKS, HOLYWOOD SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, SEAPARK RECREATIONAL AREA

Mark the start of half term and the beginning of the Halloween season with a sparkling fireworks display at Holywood’s scenic Seapark.

This family favourite event will keep you entertained with a children’s funfair and food stalls and live music by local favourites, The Jukes, from 4pm.

The night will conclude with an always outstanding fireworks display, set to music, at 7.45pm.

For more information, visit visitardsandnorthdown.com/events/ seapark-fireworks-2019.

Come along for a spooktactular evening of fangtastic family fun as the Halloween Monster Mash returns to Belfast.

With hauntingly good live music, creepy street theatre, wicked workshops and much more, this eerily good event is perfect for the whole family.

Witches, wizards, ghouls and vampires are all invited to come along dressed in their most imaginative costumes. Of course, there will be prizes for the most terrifying outfits so be as scary as you can!

Then end the night with a bone-chilling bang with the flashy fireworks display at 6.45pm. Tasty treats and terrifying toys will be available to purchase onsite along with some hair-raising fun fair attractions, operating until the start of the fireworks display.

For more information, visit visitbelfast. com/event/halloween-monster-mash.

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 47

Literaturefestivalreturnsforlatestchapter

A

spects Irish Literature Festival, Northern Ireland’s longest running literature festival, promises to showcase stars of the literary world across a host of events for all the family. Over 40 events celebrate historical writing, poetry, crime fiction, writing workshops, children’s events, politics, memoir, journalism, scriptwriting, short stories and exhibitions.

Back by popular demand are some old friends of Aspects, including Fergal Keane, Polly Devlin and Malachi O’Doherty. The line-up also showcases local talent with Moyra Donaldson, Ian Sansom, Colin Bateman and Ross Thompson.

Darina Allen, a doyenne of Irish cookery, will be launching her new book on October 5 at a weekend of food-themed events in the Clandeboye Estate courtyard. ‘Food for Thought’ will feature Lightning Talks on research and writing about food and drink from the Clandeboye Reading Party – a partnership project between the Festival, Queen’s University, Trinity College Dublin and Clandeboye Estate.

The weekend programme includes a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with Lady Dufferin, a talk from florist to royalty Shane Connolly and Women Aloud NI will share its thoughts on food with culinary inspired poetry.

The Woodland Chew and Yarn is a family fun event featuring walks, cooking and creative writing at Clandeboye courtyard from 10.30am on Sunday, October 6.

Young readers won’t be disappointed either with a full programme of creative events designed to inspire imaginations. From Sensory Story experiences, Comic Book Creation, Bed-

Aspects Festival Director Patricia Hamilton added: “Aspects is about a broad range of writing. You don’t have to be the most avid reader to enjoy the programme.

“With interviews, food events and readings, you can come along, sit back and be entertained or if you want to get involved, there is plenty on offer too.

“Learn more through one of the workshops or get involved in the Q and A’s where you will see things from a writer’s perspective.”

The Festival runs through to October 6. For further information on the programme and to book tickets see www.aspectsfestival.com.

TOP PICKS AT ASPECTS FESTIVAL 2019 ■ Colin Bateman and Stephen Walker Saturday, September 28 at Bangor Castle from 3pm. Tickets £10.

The duo discuss their very different writing experiences.

Patricia Hamilton, Festival Director; poet Ross Thompson and artist Helen Hanse whose sculptures will be showcased, along with Owen Crawford’s, in the Gathering Silence Exhibition at Bangor Castle’s Walled Garden

■ An Evening with Poets and Poetry Friday, October 4 at Clandeboye Courtyard from 7pm. Tickets £7.

A highly acclaimed trio of wordsmiths in Ian Sansom, Gail McConnell and Stephen Sexton join forces to discuss their love of language.

time Stories, Book Inspired yoga and Tablets and Text.

The Festival welcomes award-winning illustrator Barry Falls who will host a special illustration workshop for 7 – 12-year-olds in Bangor’s Carnegie Library where he will also be

■ Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Saturday, October 5 at Clandeboye Courtyard from 3pm. Tickets £20.

Lady Dufferin and friends host an afternoon of local delights in the beautiful surroundings of Clandeboye Courtyard.

holding his ‘This World Is Magic’ exhibition.

The festival will be rounded out in style by The Darkling Air as they perform their new album ‘Ancestor’ for the first time alongside some old favourites at the Clandeboye Courtyard on Sunday, October 6 at 8pm.

48 | Family Life

AlleyesonCinemagic C inemagic, the flagship Belfast festival for children, young people and all generations of movie fans celebrates its 30th birthday with an action packed programme this autumn. Young audiences can travel the world from their cinema seats this October and celebrate stories, peoples and cultures from around the globe with a diverse cultural film programme across Odeon Cinemas, QFT, Crescent Arts Centre and Strand Arts Centre, showcasing the very best of world cinema, big studio previews, director talks, education programmes, workshops with film and television industry professionals and the annual ‘CineSeekers’ and ‘CineFocus’ film juries which offer participants a chance to become movie reviewers and choose the winning films of the festival!

Highlights include the Gala Opening movie from Universal Pictures ‘Abominable’ and movie screenings in the quaint and cosy surroundings of No Alibis Book Store in Belfast in the ‘Tales at Twilight’ series featuring The Water Horse, The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Parent Trap and The Bridge To Terabithia, all featuring introductions from authors, storytellers and special guests.

Highlights of the Festival in The Ulster Museum include family screenings of Grandpa’s Great Escape, Pete’s Dragon and

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

The Lunnis and The Great Fairytales Adventure Aardman Animation’s A Grand Day Out & A Close Shave. Accessible screenings include The Secret Life of Pets 2, Aladdin and Toy Story 4.

The annual Cinemagic Pyjama Party returns with episodes of kids’ favourite pre-school series In The Night Garden and creative workshops include ‘Farmageddon’ Aardman model making, claymation, props making, sfx make-up sound design, poster making, puppet making and voice acting.

Cinemagic will be hosting a 30th Festival Birthday Party in The Ulster Museum, with a fun-filled afternoon featuring a

music concert by Tom Sweeney and lots of celebrations, and at the gala closing of the festival in Belfast Cathedral, festival goers will be treated to a special screening of all time favourite family film, The Wizard of Oz. Two special events for teens and young adults and fans of films are the annual Mark Kermode Film Night and his festival film pick Kiki’s Delivery Service and the Festival is proud to host The Empire Film Podcast, live in Belfast, with homegrown talent Chris Hewitt and Helen O’Hara from Empire Film Magine making up the visiting quartet of podcast contributors.

Vincent and Me was the first ever screening at Cinemagic To kick start the launch of ‘Cinemagic30’, the festival is presenting two extra special screenings and Q&As in Queen’s Film Theatre with actor Tchéky Karyo (BBC’s Baptiste) on September 21 and 22. The first screening Vincent and Me was the first film ever screened at Cinemagic and the second movie Belle & Sebastian is the classic French family drama based on the beloved children’s TV series.

For further information and booking visit www.cinemagic.org.uk

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Family Life | 49 Hot Chip - Limelight 1, Belfast - October 16

Gigs, shows and funevents Once festival season is finished, it’s time for the festive season.

Here are the gigs and shows to get you through until then...

Little Mix - SSE Arena, Belfast October 6, 7, 13 and 14 The Divine Comedy - Ulster Hall, Belfast - October 7

WHAT’SON Gigs to keep an ear out for…

LITTLE MIX SSE ARENA, BELFAST — OCTOBER 6-7, 13-14

Chart-toppers Little Mix will be making themselves at home in Belfast this October, playing at the SSE Arena four times in a week with a trip to Dublin sandwiched in between.

X Factor winners Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall added three extra Belfast dates to their upcoming tour schedule due to demand.

For tickets, visit www.ssearenabelfast.com.

THE DIVINE COMEDY ULSTER HALL, BELFAST — OCTOBER 7

Enniskillen band The Divine Comedy will perform their new album ‘Office Politics’.

The release follows the acclaimed top ten 2016 album ‘Foreverland’ and again showcases Neil Hannon as one of the country’s foremost songwriters.

“It has synthesizers. And songs about synthesizers,” says Neil. “But don’t panic. It also has guitars, orchestras, accordions, and songs about love and greed.

“I do try to make normal records but it always seems to wander off into odd territories.”

For tickets, visit www.ulsterhall.co.uk.

HOT CHIP LIMELIGHT 1, BELFAST — OCTOBER 16

Electro-pop band Hot Chip will have crowds moving in unison to their infectious tunes as they headline Limelight 1 this October.

The festival favourites land in Belfast

50 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

Andrea Bocelli - SSE Arena, Belfast - October 24

Gerry Cinnamon SSE Arena, Belfast - November 1

Lewis Capaldi - Ulster Hall, Belfast November 22

Rod Stewart - SSE Arena, Belfast December 2

Duke Special - Empire Music Hall, Belfast November 24 “a celebration of love, family, faith and hope”.

The album will feature tracks co-written with Ed Sheeran and Tiziano Ferro as well as duets with Dua Lipa, fellow contemporary classical star Josh Groban and soprano Aida Garifullina.

To book your ticket, visit www. andreabocelli.com.

A-HA SSE ARENA, BELFAST — OCTOBER 30 Two Door Cinema Club - The Telegraph Building, Belfast - October 16, for Belfast International Arts Festival on the back of the release for their seventh album, A Bath Full of Ecstasy. The album builds on the band’s instantly recognisable sound they’ve become celebrated and feels just at home on the dancefloor as it does on the radio.

For info and tickets, visit www. limelightbelfast.com.

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB THE TELEGRAPH BUILDING, BELFAST — OCTOBER 16

Co Down’s finest indie export Two Door Cinema Club are headlining at The Telegraph Building this October as part of a tour for their latest album ‘False Alarm’.

The album — the band’s fourth studio album, following ‘Tourist History’, ‘Beacon’ and ‘Gameshow’ — reached No.5 in the UK charts and features their signature funky radio-friendly pop leanings.

Bangor trio Alex Trimble, Sam Halliday and Kevin Baird performed their hat trick of hometown gigs earlier this year alongside Snow Patrol at Ward Park 3 in front of 35,000 fans.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

ANDREA BOCELLI SSE ARENA, BELFAST — OCTOBER 24

The iconic voice of tenor Andrea Bocelli is returning to Belfast for a performance at the SSE Arena this October.

The Italian will be debuting songs from his upcoming new album ‘Si’ — his first brand new material in 14 years — billed as

A-ha will be in Belfast this October as part of their brand new tour, Hunting High And Low, which will be different from anything they have previously undertaken.

For the first half of the concert, they will play new and old, familiar and less-familiar songs.

Then, after returning to the stage, they will play the ten songs of their 1985 debut album ‘Hunting High And Low’ in the running order of the original release. The tour celebrates the 35th anniversary of the release of the original version of Take On Me — issued in the UK in October 1984 to reputed sales of just 300 copies.

For tickets, visit www.ssearenabelfast. com.

GERRY CINNAMON, THE CORAL SSE ARENA, BELFAST — NOVEMBER 1

Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Cinnamon kicks off his biggest tour to date with a performance in Belfast this November, with support from English rockers The Coral.

The festival darling begins his much anticipated arena tour at the SSE Arena after his rapid rise on the back of hits Belter and Discoland, with latest single Canter adding to his list of fan favourites.

He said: “The last stint was top class.

Expect nothing less from these gigs. The live shows have become something pretty special.

There’s something happening, I don’t know what it is but its happening, you can feel it, it’s undeniable.

“To be honest I’ve been trying to keep a lid on it but the bonfire’s burning now and it’s the best buzz ever so what else am I going to do?”

For tickets, visit www.ssearenabelfast. com.

CHER SSE ARENA, BELFAST — NOVEMBER 3

Iconic singer Cher has decided to “Turn Back Time” and make her long awaited return to Belfast this November to perform live for the first time in over 15 years.

The pop diva has rewarded fans strong enough to hold on for so long by adding a SSE Arena date to her Here We Go Again World Tour.

Cher, who holds the UK Record for the biggest selling single of all time by a female artist for “Believe”, will treat audiences to an array of hits from her huge repertoire as well as new songs from the ‘Dancing Queen’ album — Cher’s tribute to the music of ABBA. For tickets, visit www. ssearenabelfast.com.

LEWIS CAPALDI ULSTER HALL, BELFAST — NOVEMBER 22 Cher

2 and perform songs from their new album ‘Bride of The Devil’.

For tickets, visit www.limelightbelfast. com.

DUKE SPECIAL EMPIRE MUSIC HALL, BELFAST — SUNDAY 24

Duke Special wraps up his 2019 tour with a trip home to play the Empire Music Hall in Belfast this November.

The Belfast singer-songwriter will perform a retrospective of his work to date, dipping into studio albums, songs from his theatre productions — Mother Courage, Gulliver’s travels, Huckleberry Finn and Paperboy — as well as his most recent album, ‘Hallow’, based on the poetry of Michael Longley.

For tickets, visit www.thebelfastempire. com.

ROD STEWART SSE ARENA, BELFAST — DECEMBER 2

Rock legend Rod Stewart returns to Belfast this December after three years for a night at the SSE Arena.

The Scott stops in Belfast in support of the release of his 30th studio album ‘Blood Red Roses’ and the performance will include classics from across his career as well as tracks from his latest album — a deeply personal 13-track collection of originals and three covers.

For tickets, visit www. ssearenabelfast.com.

Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi will be crooning for the crowd at Ulster Hall this November in his biggest show in Belfast to date.

The chart-topping sensation’s track Someone You Loved, from the Breach EP, is his fastest- growing streaming track thus far.

Lewis is in the Top 400 global artists on Spotify, with Someone You Loved PRIMAL SCREAM having been added to their ULSTER HALL, BELFAST Hot Hits UK playlist, the biggest — DECEMBER 10 in the country. It’s also been added Rock stalwarts Primal Scream land to Apple Music’s top list, Today’s Hits.

Primal in Belfast this December for a show at For tickets, visit www.ulsterhall.

Scream the Ulster Hall. co.uk.

The eclectic group will take to the stage off the back of the release of new singles ELECTRIC SIX compilation ‘Maximum Rock ‘N’ Roll: The LIMELIGHT 2, BELFAST — NOVEMBER 22 Singles’ the band will play a range of hits Cult heroes Electric Six are returning to from their 35 year career.

Belfast this November after their smash-hit Primal Scream have been mainstays on sell-out show last time around. the British rock scene from the early 80’s The Detroit six-piece, famous for cheeky working with a range of artists including tunes like Danger, High Voltage, Gay Bar and George Clinton and Kate Moss.

Dance Commander, will headline Limelight For tickets, visit www.ulsterhall.co.uk.

Belfast Telegraph |27 September 2019

52 | Family Life

Experience Irish music in a unique way on the Belfast Traditional Music Trail

WHAT’SON Allkindsof everything...

BELFAST TRADITIONAL MUSIC TRAIL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 DIRTY ONION AND YARDBIRD

With two professional musicians as your guides, you will be treated to a performance of traditional tunes, songs and stories, all of which make up your own personal ‘session’.

The trail lasts around two and a half hours and will take place in Belfast’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter. Starting off at 4pm by the cosy fireside of The Dirty Onion bar, the trail then moves on to one of Belfast’s oldest buildings, McHugh’s, where there will be more ceol agus craic (music and fun) in store.

For more information, visit www. belfasttradtrail.com.

GIGGUIDE

OCTOBER ■ Tom Baxter — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Wednesday 2nd ■ Volbeat, Baroness, Danko Jones — Ulster Hall, Belfast, Thursday 3rd ■ Andrew Weatherall (all night long) — Menagerie, Belfast, Friday 4th ■ Ali Barter — McHugh’s, Belfast, Friday 4th ■ Damien O’Kane & Ron Block — Duncairn Arts Centre, Belfastm, Friday 4th

BOUNCERS DAILY UNTIL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 MAC

Enjoy lively and energetic traditional Irish music and dance to get your toes tapping at Henry’s every Saturday from 8pm with

By popular demand, the men in black are back. Powered by an amazing soundtrack featuring all the hits of the era, you’ll hear from Lucky Eric, Judd, Les and Ralph as they share their stories in this outrageous and often poignant disco parody.

New Bouncer, Sean Kearns joins the original trio of Northern Ireland’s finest comedic actors, Ciaran Nolan, Conor Grimes and Chris Robinson.

For more information, visit themaclive. com/event/bouncers1.

■ John Power — Skylite Room, Warrenpoint, Saturday 5th ■ Good Cop Bad Cop — Voodoo, Belfast, Saturday 5th ■ The Sherlocks — Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast, Saturday 5th ■ The Hillbilly Moon Explosion — Black Box, Belfast, Saturday 5th ■ Judith Owen — Black Box, Belfast, Wednesday 9th ■ The Academic — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Wednesday 9th ■ Jake Clemons — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Thursday 10th ■ Le Boom — The Duke of York, Belfast, Thursday 10th ■ Vistas — The Duke of York, Belfast, Friday 11th ■ Lazy Day — McHugh’s, Belfast, Friday 11th ■ No Hot Ashes — Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast, Friday 11th ■ Bird on the Wire — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Saturday 12th ■ The Orphan Brigade — Black Box, Belfast, Saturday 12th ■ Kneecap — Limelight 1, Belfast, Saturday 12th ■ Paul Carrack — Millennium Forum, Derry, Sunday 13th ■ David C Clements — Ulster Sports Club, Belfast, Sunday 13th ■ A Night For Billy McCoy — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Monday 14th

■ Chris De Burgh — Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Tuesday 15th ■ Saarloos — The Duke of York, Belfast, Thursday 17th ■ Keywest — Limelight 2, Belfast, Thursday 17th ■ Robocobra Quartet — Ulster Sports Club, Belfast, Saturday 19th ■ Kawala — Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast, Sunday 20th ■ Glen Hansard — Grand Opera House, Belfast, Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd ■ OMD — Ulster Hall, Belfast, Wednesday 23rd ■ Of Monsters and Men — Ulster Hall, Belfast, Thursday 24th ■ Lankum — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Thursday 24th ■ The Varukers — Speakeasy, Belfast, Friday 25th ■ The Blue Carpet Band, Stop Stop Start Again, Madhouse — The Palm House, Belfast, Friday 25th ■ Le Boom — The Glassworks, Derry, Friday 25th ■ Ritual King, Skypilot — Voodoo, Belfast, Friday 25th ■ The Riptide Movement — Limelight 2, Belfast, Friday 25th ■ Amanda Palmer — Ulster Hall, Belfast, Saturday 26th ■ Coco and the Butterfields — McHugh’s, Belfast, Saturday 26th ■ Midge Ure — Ulster Hall, Belfast, Monday 28th ■ Andy White — American Bar, Belfast, Tuesday 29th

LIVELY TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION WITH MAIREAD FORDE AND FRIENDS EVERY SATURDAY HENRY’S

SEPTEMBER ■ Melanie C feat. Sink the Pink — Limelight 1, Belfast, Friday 27th ■ George Ogilvie — The Duke of York, Belfast, Friday 27th ■ The LaFontaines — Voodoo, Belfast, Friday 27th ■ Beats & Pieces Big Band — Black Box, Belfast, Friday 27th ■ Amy Montgomery — McHugh’s, Belfast, Friday 27th ■ Native Harrow — Portico, Portaferry, Friday 27th ■ Inhaler — Voodoo, Belfast, Saturday 28th ■ Aslan — Emprire Music Hall, Belfast, Saturday 28th ■ Post Punk Podge and the Technohippies, Mob Wife — McHugh’s, Belfast, Saturday 28th ■ Tyla — Diamond Rock Club, Ahoghill, Saturday 28th ■ Adam Grant & The Open Doors — The American Bar, Belfast, Saturday 28th

Belfast’s own Mairead Forde and friends.

For more information, visit www. henrysbelfast.com.

NIGHT AT THE AQUARIUM FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 AND FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 EXPLORIS AQUARIUM

Do things go bump in the aquarium at night?

Well, now is your chance to find out by spend a night at the Exploris Aquarium.

Ticket holders must be seated in the restaurant at Portaferry Hotel by 7pm. Tour at Exploris Aquarium will commence at 8.15pm.

For more information, visit www. explorisni.com.

GIN TASTING AND SAVOURY AFTERNOON TEA AT LA MON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26; SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16; SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 LA MON HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB ■ Kris Barras Band — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Wednesday 30th NOVEMBER ■ The Selecter, Rhoda Daker — Limelight, Belfast, Friday 1st ■ Swimming Tapes — Voodoo, Belfast, Friday 1st ■ Joshua Burnside — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Friday 1st ■ Reverend and the Makers — Limelight 2, Belfast, Friday 1st ■ Chris Keys — Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, Friday 1st ■ Mary Gauthier, Jaimee Harris — Fitzroy Church, Belfast, Saturday 2nd ■ Warrior Soul, Bad Boat — Voodoo, Belfast, Saturday 2nd ■ Lloyd Cole — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Monday 4th ■ Machine Head — The Telegraph Building, Belfast, Thursday 7th ■ Martyn Joseph — Fitzroy Church, Belfast, Thursday 7th ■ Imperial Wax — Speakeasy, Belfast, Saturday 9th ■ Declan O’Rourke — The MAC, Belfast, Saturday 9th ■ Lucy Spraggan — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Sunday 10th ■ Snarky Puppy — Ulster Hall, Belfast, Monday 11th

27 September 2019 | Belfast Telegraph

Find out what fish get up to at night with a night at Exploris Aquarium

at the Oh Yeah Centre Gordon Street.

For more information, visit www. ulsterhall.co.uk.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1 TO SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 GRAND OPERA HOUSE

Based on the 1977 movie starring John Travolta, this brand new musical production promises new staging, more drama, more music and is bound to have you jive talkin’ all night long.

This production features the iconic songs of the Bee Gees including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever and More Than A Woman, as well as additional songs never before featured in the musical.

For more information, visit www.goh. co.uk.

STEPHEN JAMES SMITH AND TONY WALSH WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 BLACK BOX

Be sure to try La Mon’s new gin tasting and savoury afternoon tea event.

Have a fun afternoon with friends sampling craft gins and hand-picked botanicals, all complimented with La Mon’s Savoury Afternoon Tea. To book call 02890448631 or email: info@lamon.co.uk.

THE BELFAST MUSIC TOUR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28; SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26; SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 ULSTER HALL

The Belfast Music Tour is a journey across the city that reveals the music, the artists and the landscape that have brought character to the city. This is definitely a tour that anyone interested in music will want to know about.

Tour departs from the Ulster Hall and ends

■ De Staat — Voodoo, Belfast, Tuesday 12th ■ She Drew The Gun — Voodoo, Belfast, Wednesday 13th ■ Tom Russell — Errigle Inn, Belfast, Thursday 14th ■ Quaker City Night Hawks — Limelight 2, Belfast, Friday 15th ■ Tom Russell — Errigle Inn, Belfast, Friday 15th ■ Wallis Bird — Duncairn Arts Centre, Belfast, Saturday 16th ■ King Kong Company — Skylite Room, Warrenpoint, Saturday 16th ■ Hunkpapa — Limelight 2, Belfast, Saturday 16th ■ The Slow Readers Club — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Sunday 17th ■ Jade Bird, Mosa Wild — Limelight 2, Belfast, Tuesday 19th ■ John Mayall — Limelight 1, Belfast, Friday 22nd ■ Foy Vance (right) — Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th ■ Blanco White — Voodoo, Belfast, Monday 25th ■ Band of Skulls — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Monday 25th ■ The Darkness, REWS — Limelight 1, Belfast, Tuesday 26th ■ Steve Mason — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Thursday 28th

Family Life | 53

The Black Box is hosting must-see spoken word performances by Stephen James Smith and Tony Walsh this October.

Stephen is a Dublin poet and playwright central to the rise of the vibrant spoken word scene in Ireland today.

Tony’s performance will including brand new and little heard poems from his eagerly awaited new collection, Work, Life, Balance, alongside some much-loved audience favourites.

For more information, visit www. blackboxbelfast.com.

AN AUDIENCE WITH ROY KEANE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 WATERFRONT HALL

Spend an evening with Manchester United and Ireland great Roy Keane as he visits the Waterfront Hall this October.

Take the chance to hear from one of the most dom-

■ Bailer, Blackcoast, Hornets, Towers, No Great Loss — Voodoo, Belfast, Thursday 28th ■ The Exploited — The Palm House, Belfast, Saturday 30th DECEMBER ■ Sacred Reich — Limelight 2, Belfast, Sunday 1st ■ Happy Mondays — Limelight 1, Belfast, Wednesday 4th ■ Talos — The Duke of York, Belfast, Thursday 5th ■ Life — McHugh’s, Belfast, Thursday 5th ■ The Skids, Big Country — Limelight 1, Belfast, Friday 6th ■ Devin Townsend — Limelight 1, Belfast, Saturday 7th ■ Jarrod Dickenson — Ulster Sports Club, Belfast, Saturday 7th ■ Fontaines D.C — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Thursday 12th ■ Walking on Cars — Millennium Forum, Derry, Thursday 12th ■ Scouting For Girls — Limelight, Belfast, Monday 16th ■ Sam Fender — Ulster Hall, Belfast, Tuesday 17th ■ Mark Lanegan — Empire Music Hall, Belfast, Wednesday 18th

Hop on the Belfast Music Tour bus and see key landmarks in the careers of artists such as Led Zeppelin, Van Morrison, U2, The Undertones, Ash and more inant midfielders in the Premier League era and learn more about his role as leader of the United winning machine.

This event will see Roy Keane on stage for a live and unscripted interview followed by an audience Q&A. For more information, visit www. waterfront.co.uk/what-s-on/roy-keane.

SECRETS OF SPACE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 TO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 MAC

Award-winning children’s theatre company Cahoot’s NI present this out of this world new show packed full of magic and illusion. Join the space sisters on an interactive journey across the galaxy, exploring with dazzling imagery the wonders of the cosmos, whilst finding out the scientific secrets and techno-

logical truths of the universe.

Secrets of Space has been developed with leading space industry experts and features curriculum connections for primary school audiences in STEAM learning.

For more information, visit themaclive. com/event/secrets-of-space.

REAL SKETCHY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3; THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7; THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 BLACK BOX

Real Sketchy is an open live sketching event taking place in a bar environment. Over the years it’s developed from something that was largely populated by artists to being somewhere that anyone can have a wee sketch and a laugh over a few pints.

This event is free. For more information, visit www.blackboxbelfast.com.

54 | Family Life

Belfast Telegraph | 27 September 2019

Invistigate with Jason Manford in the hilarious murder mystery musical Curtains: A Musical Whodunnit Cheer on the Belfast Giants at the SSE Arena in their debut campaign in the Champions Hockey League.

Tickets from www.ticketmaster.ie as well as from the SSE Arena Box Office or by calling 028 9073 9074

SONGS OF LOVE AND LOSS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 ULSTER HALL

Enjoy the works of Howard Skempton, Wagner and Elgar for one night only at the Ulster Hall.

For more information, please visit www. ulsterhall.co.uk.

BLACK MOON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8; TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12; TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 BLACK BOX

FARMERS’ BASH FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 SSE ARENA

The Farmers’ Bash celebrates and showcases the very best of Irish country music and this year’s iteration is set to be the biggest yet with an even bigger line-up.

For more information, visit www. ssearenabelfast.com.

DANILO CORREALE: THEY WILL SAY I KILLED THEM FROM NOW TO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 Black Moon is a night for and by adults with MAC learning disabilities – giving people a chance to socialise in a cool, modern environment, meet new people and learn new skills.

It is £3 entry and £1 entry for parents and carers.

For more information, visit www. blackboxbelfast.com.

MTK FIGHT NIGHT: HARRIS VS BARNES FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, ULSTER HALL

Belfast flyweight Paddy Barnes is set to take on European champion Jay Harris as he looks to transfer his success in the ring as an amateur to the professional ranks.

For more information, visit www.ulsterhall. co.uk/what-s-on/mtkfight-night.

For Italian artist Danilo Correale’s first exhibition in Ireland, the MAC presents ‘They Will Say I Killed Them’, a major new film work produced by Careof, a non-profit contemporary art space in Milan, in partnership with the MAC. ‘They Will Say I Killed Them’ is the result of an in-depth investigation into Italian cinema from the 1950s to the 1980s, that for different reasons were left on shelves in the form of screenplays, or filed away in the minds of directors, without ever becoming films because of censorship.

For more information, visit themaclive. com.

ATHENRY: DANCE OF THE CELTS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 CABARET SUPPER CLUB

Ta Da Irish Dance Company presents the tale of the famous song “The Fields of Athenry” like you’ve never seen before. With a talent-

ed cast of World Champions and dancers from the biggest touring shows, such as ‘Riverdance’ and ‘Lord of the Dance’, watch as ‘Michael’ and ‘Mary’ find love during the Great Famine.

Join Cabaret Supperclub in Belfast City Centre for a sumptuous meal and wondrous entertainment.

For more information, visit cabaretbelfast.com.

FERN BRADY: POWER AND CHAOS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 BLACK BOX

As seen on Live from the BBC, Live from the Comedy Store, The Russell Howard Hour, and Live at the Apollo, Fern Brady is one of the UK’s hottest comedy stars.

For more information, visit www. blackboxbelfast.com.

HISTORY OF BELFAST CITY CEMETERY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND

Author Tom Hartley will talk about the history of Belfast City Cemetery which opened in August 1869 as a cross denominational burial ground for the people of Belfast.

The talk challenges old stereotypes and offers a fresh approach to the history of Belfast.

For more information, visit www. nidirect.gov.uk/proni.

THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF ARMAGEDDON: COLD WAR HERITAGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND

Dr James O’Neill will unearth archaeological resources and uncover records that demonstrate how the Cold War impacted upon Northern Ireland during the 20th century.

For more information, visit www. nidirect.gov.uk/proni.

MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 TO SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 SSE ARENA, BELFAST Everyone’s favourite comic book heroes land in Belfast this November for the Marvel Universe LIVE! super show

Marvel Universe LIVE! returns with an allnew, epic live-action arena experience.

Over 25 of your favourite Marvel Super Heroes and villains come to life in this action-packed, legendary battle to defend the universe from evil.

See Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Black Panther, Thor, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, and more. This all-new live adventure will also feature the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Fans of all ages will be immersed in the Marvel Universe through the non-stop action, pyrotechnics, aerial stunts, cutting-edge technology, motorcycles and more.

For more information, visit www. marveluniverselive.com.

WORLD WARS COACH TOUR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 NORTH DOWN MUSEUM

Take a coach tour and discover the area’s deep connection with the Great Wars of 1914 – 1918 and 1939 – 1945.

Tour departs by coach from North Down Museum. For more information, visit www. northdownmuseum.com.

JAMES ACASTER: COLD LASAGNE HATE MYSELF 1999 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, MAC

Comedian James Acaster is back with his brand new show for 2019.

For more information, visit themaclive. com/event/james-acaster-cold-lasagne-ihate-myself-1999.

ELIZABETH DAY: HOW TO FAIL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, MAC

Join the award-winning author and journalist Elizabeth Day for a brilliantly funny, painfully honest and insightful celebration of the things that haven’t gone quite right.

For more information, visit themaclive. com/event/elizabeth-day-how-to-fail.

CURTAINS: A MUSICAL WHODUNNIT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 TO SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23 GRAND OPERA HOUSE

Starring Jason Manford and Carley Stenson, this hilarious ‘whodunnit’ is packed full of catchy songs, unforgettable characters and plot twists galore.

From creators of Cabaret and Chicago, this Tony award-winning backstage murder mystery musical will have audiences laughing and guessing right to the final curtain.

For more information, visit www.goh. co.uk.

CHRISTMAS WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28 BELFAST’S WINDOW ON WILDLIFE

Get into festive good spirits by signing up for a Christmas wreath-making workshop.

Learn how to design and create a wired wreath using natural materials (which will be provided). There will also be festive nibbles.

Over 18s only. For more information, visit www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events.