November 2024
Armagh apple company Natural Umber launches in Marks & Spencer Stores across Ireland.
Local Armagh company, Natural Umber, who manufacture premium organic apple cider vinegar, have found their magic and sparkle early this year as the business is now being stocked by Marks & Spencer for the first time across 15 stores in Ireland. This exciting development will see Natural Umber available in the following M&S stores including the major Lisburn, Belfast, Dublin and Cork stores. The Natural Umber range will be available to purchase from the following stores from early November including:
- Boucher Rd, Belfast
- Lisburn
- Newtownbreda
- Malone Lisburn Rd
- Banbridge
- Newry The Quays
- Ballymena
- Belfast
- Bangor
- Abbey Centre, Belfast
- Omni Park, Dublin
- Liffey Valley, Dublin
- Cork
- Dundrum
- Blackrock
Luke Mackle, Director with Natural Umber, has welcomed this opportunity with Marks & Spencer, saying: "We are thrilled to be stocked by Marks & Spencer across Ireland. This is a significant milestone for Natural Umber, as it allows us to reach more customers who are seeking high-quality, organic products. Marks & Spencer's commitment to excellence and sustainability aligns perfectly with our own values, making this collaboration a natural healthy fit.
We are delighted to secure this partnership, which will also see Natural Umber added to the shelves across the UK in early 2025 as part of this opportunity with Marks & Spencer."
Natural Umber which has been awarded Gold in the Northern Ireland Great Taste Awards and Gold in the Blas na hÉireann Awards is renowned for its distinctive taste and superior quality. Produced from carefully selected organic apples, the apple cider vinegar is raw, unfiltered, and contains the 'mother' – a complex structure of beneficial acids that occur naturally as part of the fermentation process. The name "Natural Umber" reflects the rich, deep colour of the vinegar, distinguishing it from other products on the market.
This product not only enhances the flavour of dishes but also offers numerous healthy benefits, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen and healthy lifestyle. From salad dressings to marinades, Natural Umber is the go-to choice for those who value both taste and wellness.
For more information about Natural Umber and its many benefits, visit www.naturalumber.com.
November 2024
Relax and unwind this Winter at Killeen Castle
As the days and weeks draw closer to winter, and the twinkling lights and joys of Christmas beckon, Killeen Castle is the perfect spot for families and couples to enjoy the festive season and unwind in our glorious rural setting. Our new luxury Lodge Style guest accommodation offers the ideal getaway both before and after the Christmas rush.
It's the perfect winter escape for loved ones to gather and celebrate the season, superb base for Christmas Shopping or simply relax and unwind after all the festive cooking. Killeen Castle is also the perfect place to party as you celebrate the season of sparkle with a choice of two restaurants. We have your party season covered- gather your friends or colleagues for a festive celebration with delicious food and unforgettable live Christmas tunes from local bands. Dance, sing along, and soak in the holiday cheer.
For those wishing for a quieter holiday season, our new Lodge accommodation makes for the perfect place to relax and take in the gorgeous Winter landscape as you enjoy the serenity and surroundings of Killeen Castle and our 600-acre estate. Killeen Castle now holds a Failte Ireland Accreditation as a quality assured location for our gorgeous accommodation and recently all members of the management team completed the Failte Ireland Employer Excellence Programme and has been accredited as a Great Place to Work.
Our beautifully decorated bespoke guest lodges sleep up to 12 people and are suitable for romantic seasonal escapes or family holidays in December and the New Year, with cosy furnishings and accessories to create a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere and all the Christmas trimmings, we will even have the perfect tree up for you to capture that special moment.
Onsite there are many places to explore and enjoy including the new Killeen Castle Woodland Walks, now open to the public. Pop on your winter clothes, grab a map from reception and you're good to go out and explore our beautiful surroundings. Take a stroll around the estate and treat yourself to a tasty hot chocolate or tuck into a sumptuous lunch.
Our onsite restaurant Sixteen offers a range of culinary delights for you to indulge in, with exclusive festive menus during the Winter months. Savor a culinary adventure with dishes crafted by our Executive Head Chef, Declan Cronin, and his team—each plate bursting with unique seasonal flavors locally sourced from within the Boyne Valley.
Killeen Castle has a range of seasonal offers for winter and New Year breaks. Our popular 'Winter Warmer' package for two, starting from €200, includes:
● Overnight stay in luxury lodge accommodation
● Traditional Irish breakfast each morning
● Evening meal in Sixteen or The Kiln
● Access to 6km of ancient woodland walks
● Complimentary Wi-Fi and car parking
If you're looking for the perfect getaway gift, our gift vouchers make an ideal Christmas present and are available for purchase on our website. Learn More
Wrap up warm and grab your clubs to enjoy a world-class golfing experience at our Signature Jack Nicklaus Golf Course. Our Residential Stay and Play Golf packages offer exceptional value this Winter too – so all the more reason to perfect your swing. Book Now
Located just 30 minutes from Dublin, Killeen Castle is the perfect spot to explore the Hill of Tara, Newgrange, or enjoy a family day out at Emerald Park’s Christmas ‘Jingle Fest’.
November 2024
Ballet legend Joanna Banks brings her Ballet Story back to Belfast
Creative Company darach9 will next weekend present’ A Day with Joanna’ as the legendary Joanna Banks ballet master joins the company on a visit to Belfast on Sunday 1 December 2024. Dublin based Joanna who has trained and performed at the highest levels in ballet and danced the world over, will bring attendees on a journey of her dance career and life travelling the world to perform from her personal perspective. A renowned dancer, Joanna will spend the afternoon in the MAC in Belfast sharing stories of her experiences creating artistry in Ireland and dancing and curating around the globe. During the afternoon Joanna will undertake a Ballet Masterclass which has already sold out.
In conversation with Joanna, attendees will be taken on a journey from a dancer’s perspective hosted by with Professor Aoife McGrath. London-born Joanna trained at The Royal Ballet School and subsequently joined The Royal Ballet upon graduation. From here Joanna went on to perform with Rambert, Bavarian State Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada, Bayerisches Staatsballett Munich and Irish National Ballet performing both soloist and principal roles. Joanna was also Artistic Director and Senior Ballet teacher at the College of Dance for 25 years.
Speaking to Aoife, Joanna will share her experiences of the dynamic dance history of our island, right up to where she founded Dance Ireland, and has continued to perform with Irish Modern Dance Theatre, United Fall, Dead Centre Theatre Company and most recently Company Phillip Connaughton in "Trojans". Only last month Joanna was performing Lippy, the award-winning story of an aunt and three sisters from Dublin who enter into a suicide pact lasting 40 days, in Caragiale National Theatre in Bucharest. Joanna will focus on the amazing longevity of her dance profession, which included dancing in the Grand Opera House in Belfast with the Royal Ballet in 1956 and again in 1958, in a career which has spanned over 8 decades.
Commenting ahead of Joanna’s visit to Belfast, Clare Novaes, Founder of darach9 Creative Company, says; "We are honoured to have Joanna Banks here, to speak with Professor Aoife McGrath, and it's thrilling and not surprising that our earlier Dance Masterclass with Joanna is sold out. Joanna's extensive experience connects us with a lineage of ballet masters like Marie Rambert, Eileen Ward, and Alicia Markova. Living in Ireland, she continues to be integral to the progress of dance here. She is a founding member of Dance Ireland and set up The College of Dance which she ran for 25 years. In this pivotal role, Joanna inspires the next generations of dancers, dance leaders and educators.
In her chat with Aoife, Joanna will share her extensive experience discussing how the ballet taught today has been shaped. We are thrilled to have her visit and know it will be a really insightful and enriching day for everyone who has ever danced, or who simply loves ballet to attend and join the company of this fabulous woman. We are really honoured to welcome Joanna to Belfast and are grateful to Creative Catalyst and Innovate UK for their support,” Clare added.
This event launches Darach9, a new creative company based in Northern Ireland providing masterclasses for dancers and actors and is supported by Creative Catalyst and Innovate UK.