Northern Notes

has remained constant is its reputation as a music venue with some of the finest players across the land making a beeline to perform.

‘A lot of visitors are completely blown away at the standard of music, particularly amongst the younger musicians,’ says Vincent. ‘We’re very lucky that we have a great pool of musicians. Some of them would be considered the best in Ireland. ‘They’re all-Ireland champions and they’re so young. We’ve kids of nine and ten coming in and playing, up to 80-yearolds, who have been playing for 50 or 60 years.’

Sessions are held every Saturday and occasionally on Fridays and Sundays. When there is a tour group arriving then music is usually laid on, along with a serving of BBQ food, eel suppers and Irish stew. There is even a purpose-built tour operator room at the rear of the pub and a pet-friendly beer garden to house special occasions or tour groups.

Although coffee and tea are as popular as pints, visitors can also sample of the 100 whiskeys available, including their very own Crosskeys 1654, an eightyear-old single malt Irish whiskey. In 2017, The Crosskeys Inn won the BBC Countryfile ‘Country Pub of the Year’, and was the first ever Northern Ireland pub nominated for the prestigious award, let alone to win it. It also received the CIE Tours Award of Excellence in 2019, amongst other accolades.

With a history going back to the 17th century, it's not surprising that there may be a ghost or two, but storytelling and poetry are also key to the Crosskeys offering. ‘Storytellers and poets from all over Ireland and some from just down the road have been known to captivate the minds of many visitors with their tales of years gone by,’ Vincent continues. ‘Unlike other historic buildings, which record how our ancestors lived, at The Crosskeys Inn we present a unique living history in which visitors can participate and immerse themselves in traditional Irish culture and craic.’

Whether visitors go to The Crosskeys Inn for the music, the craic or a pint of the ‘black stuff’, the ambience and atmosphere of The Crosskeys Inn remain a draw for many.

Derry music festival back with a bang

Irish soul sensation Imelda May topped the bill at the City of Derry Jazz Festival with a stellar performance at the Millennium Forum

Irish soul sensation Imelda May topped the bill at the City of Derry Jazz Festival with a stellar performance at the Millennium Forum The Hyde Park Brass Band were just one of the new acts to join the Jazz Festival line up this year

The streets of Derry were swinging as tens of thousands of music lovers flocked to the City to enjoy an extravaganza of sounds as the 21st edition of the Jazz Festival took place over the weekend.

The five-day festival, which is one of the largest celebrations of jazz in the country, was back with a bang after a two-year break from live music due to the pandemic. The packed programme featured 417 musical performances from April 28 – May 2 across 70 participating venues.

While the final tally is yet to come in terms of visitor numbers, figures are expected to top those of previous years as music lovers flocked to experience the rich musical medley over the course of the weekend with workshops, dance classes, alfresco performances and even a Jazz Parade through the City Centre. Hotels were booked out on the busiest nights, with 99 per cent occupancy on Saturday evening, and there was positive feedback from businesses with the surge in city centre footfall, as the music spilled into restaurants, bars and even street corners.

Looking back on what was a fabulous weekend for the City, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Graham Warke, said the festival had lived up to all expectations.

‘The energy in the city centre was phenomenal,’ he said, ‘and it was just amazing to see so many visitors flocking to our hotels and hospitality venues. The festival is a real highlight for the local economy so I know the local business community is delighted to see it return in its usual format and to welcome visitors back through their doors to enjoy live music.’

The Hyde Park Brass Band were just one of the new acts to join the Jazz Festival line up this year

Blooming up the Borough

Green-fingered residents of Ards and North Down were recently urged to help brighten up the borough as its In Bloom campaign got underway.

The council launched this year's Ards and North Down In Bloom campaign and community competitions to coincide with National Gardening Week.

Volunteers from the Portaferry In Bloom helped to launch the 'In Bloom' community competitions and encouraged residents in the Borough to get involved for the chance to be recognised for their excellent gardening skills.

‘The In Bloom campaign is always extremely popular with residents, community groups and businesses right across the borough,’ said Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Mark Brooks.

‘The campaign gives people the chance to take some time out and enjoy the many environmental and health benefits gardening has to offer. ‘The In Bloom competitions give people the chance to experience the joy of growing flowers and gives residents the platform to help create stunning green spaces within Ards and North Down. I would like to encourage all residents to dig deep, pick up a trowel and enter this year’s In Bloom campaign. I look forward to seeing the budding entries bloom in the weeks and months ahead.’

The campaign encourages everyone who lives or works in the Borough to think about their local environment and how attractive flowers, plants, trees and gardens can enhance it. By actively supporting this competition, entrants will not only make their garden or business more attractive but they will also contribute to the Borough’s entry to the Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition and other regional awards.

Applications are welcome from all residents and entry is free. You can even nominate a neighbour’s garden or other local properties that you think deserve recognition!

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Mark Brooks, is pictured with representatives from the Portaferry In Bloom group: Christopher Duff (Chairperson), Margaret McGreevy, Kerry Shields and Mary Mageean.

For more information, visit

ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/inbloom

Causeway Coast and Glens marks the Platinum Jubilee

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is calling on the public to get creative as part of its plans to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. A fantastic series of themed events and

opportunities for local communities and visitors to the Borough will take place over the coming months to mark the historic occasion. From floristry workshops fit for a Queen, to royal fairytales for tiny tots, the programme aims to engage residents of all ages. During May and June, there will be a series of royal film screenings, including family film, The Queen’s Corgi at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s extremely popular musical fantasy, Encanto, at Flowerfield along with Spencer (2021) starring Kristen Stewart, Elizabeth II: A Portrait in Parts (2022) and The Queen (2006) starring Helen Mirren. For adults, there will be workshops in floristry, glassmaking, silversmith jewellery and needle felting, all with a royal twist to create commemorative pieces of art inspired by Her Majesty’s reign. Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre will host a reflective creative writing course to lead participants back through the decades, supporting them in creating a final written piece, with workshops and courses suitable for all levels. There are a number of community events planned to bring the people of the borough together for this landmark celebration including a spectacular outdoor projection of key moments in the life of Queen Elizabeth II at Flowerfield, and vintage tea dances for senior citizen groups. Residents of all ages are invited to take part in the Big Community Bunting Stitch-up, a series of free drop-in workshops to help create a giant bunting. These are for all levels of experience and those taking part can try a range of different techniques from block printing to stencilling, applique, mixed media as well as sewing. For further information on all dates and times please visit www. causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/ platinumjubilee where you can find out more about the council’s wider Platinum Jubilee programme.