Stewart Lee Review
“Comedy is the new opera” Stewart Lee quipped at the outset of his new show, referring to his Grand Opera House surroundings. He might just be right too. Lee’s brand of comedy is dramatic, intense and, at times, beyond his audience. Throughout the ninety minute set Lee effortlessly kept …
Super Council’s and Ratepayers Clash over Bills
Figures from the Department of Finance have shown that up to 350,000 households in Northern Ireland have been affected by increased rates due to the formation of the super councils. Finance Minister Simon Hamilton has said that the people affected will be able to get a discount and that he …
Van Gaal accuses his players of complacency after Everton defeat
Manchester United witnessed another defeat on Sunday (26th April) after losing 3-0 to Everton. The match, held at Goodison Park inflicted a second Premier League loss on Louis van Gaal’s side. While the game ended in defeat for Manchester United, van Gaal must have been glad that he would not …
Safety of North West 200 questioned as injured spectator in critical condition
A spectator and rider were airlifted to hospital after a crash involving three motorcycles at the Vauxhall International North West 200 on Saturday. The crash happened on a straight section of the course between York corner and the Mill Road Roundabout in Portstewart during the opening Superstock race. The injured spectator, Violet McAfee, a mother of one was hit …
‘The New council of Newry, Mourne and Down have ambitious hopes to lead and serve a district that is prosperous, healthy and sustainable.’
On April 1 2015 the councils across Northern Ireland changed into what is now known as ‘Super councils.’ The council numbers went down from 26 councils to 11 councils. This is conveyed in the diagram below: The councils would still retain the same powers as previous councils but now with …
NHS gets the ‘Stitched Up’ treatment
‘Stitched Up’ is a topical play tackling relevant subject matter at a time when the NHS is dominating the headlines. As I collect my ticket at the usually quiet Riverside theatre in Coleraine it is clear from the number of people in the foyer the satirical drama by Northern Irish …
Successful Day at the Omagh Rugby 7s
On Saturday 25th April, Omagh Academicals Rugby Football Club hosted their annual Seven’s Tournament. 27 teams from across Ulster competed in four leagues. The Omagh Accies first team defeated their Omagh 2nd XV counterparts, to win the Campbell Cup. ‘No Woman No Try’, a team of other Omagh players, won …
Laura’s girls go for gold
Netball’s Northern Ireland under 17 squad took on the under 19 national side on Sunday in preparation for the upcoming European championships. Following an impressive warm up, the girls took the court in front of an audience of Netball Northern Ireland officials, family and players. Ahead of the European …
North West 200 Launch
24/3/2015: Stars of the 2015 Vauxhall International North West 200 pictured with Event Director Mervyn Whyte at the race launch in Titanic, Belfast. (L-R) Jeremy McWilliams, Ryan Farquhar, John McGuinness, Lee Johnston, Maria Costello, Dean Harrison, Michael Rutter, Peter Hickman, Alastair Seeley and William Dunlop. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON PACEMAKER, …
Super Council Planning Corruption
In the run-up to the launch of Northern Ireland’s local government reforms adverts assured the general public that the new councils with additional powers would create a “stronger”, “more cost effective” and “citizen focussed” government. One month on from the super-councils take-over what are the major issues facing the new …