Plans are Full Steam ahead for St Patrick's Day in Enniskillen

It's hard to believe that in just 6 weeks St Patrick's Weekend will be upon us and hopefully spring will have finally sprung. During these wet and wintry nights the committee of Project St Patrick have been meeting regularly, hatching plans to give you an even greater day out on Sunday 17^th March. Indeed the hard working committee have been nominated for 2 UK and Ireland EPIC awards and will find out this week if they have won. Regardless, it was great to be recognised for "their creativity, innovation and engagement with the wider community."

 

 

St Patrick at Enniskillen Castle

Given St Patrick's association with driving the snakes out of Ireland and that this is the Chinese Year of the Snake; the committee has decided on Snakes as the theme and ask that all participants interpret /incorporate this into their floats or display on the day. They are also attempting a Guinness World Record by having the world's largest snake on parade through the town. To achieve this the committee are working with Fermanagh Scout Groups and partnerships to come up with sections of the snake by decorating and attaching a 2 x 1.5 metre length of fabric (think old double duvet covers) to a hula hoop, which on the day will be joined together to form a snake like procession. They are hoping that many other individuals, groups, schools and associations will come forward to participate in this and more information can be found on our facebook page, details below or contact Kiera McCluskey on 07725 945592. Everyone taking part in the World Record Attempt will receive a certificate if successful.

On that creative note the committee have also been lucky to secure PEACE III funding courtesy of Fermanagh District Council for Community Groups to access Professional Artist's tuition and guidance over several cross-community arts workshops that will culminate in participation of the parade. Please contact Bryony on 07710672502 to see if places are still available.

As always the committee rely on local businesses to lend their support and recognise the harsh economic climate, however part of their goal is to retain and bring new people into the county town by providing a great day out. The committee will be writing to registered businesses asking if they wish to place an advert in the parade leaflet (over 30,000 will be produced) in return for a donation of £50 which must be submitted before the 17^th February in order to secure a spot. Please contact the committee's Chairperson, Feargal Shannon on 07792 410028 if you do not receive a letter or perhaps you have an idea how your business could add value to the day by getting involved in the free entertainment at the Broadmeadow.

Building on the success of last year the free activities will start at 1.30pm to allow parading scouts to get in on the action and as well as face-painting, balloon modelling, inflatable fun and other delights to tempt the sweet toothed amongst you, they have lots planned in the water. Returning will be the popular wakeboarding leprechauns, the RNLI as well as some new Hovercraft, Jet Skiing and Jet Pack action on display as well as a few 'hush-hush' surprises up our soggy sleeves. There will of course be lots of traditional music and dancing and also the surprise of how St Patrick will arrive this year!

The parade proper starts at 3.30pm with traditional and not so traditional bands, floats, steam trains and all those things you've asked the committee to bring back this year.

The goal is to make 2013 bigger and better and to do Fermanagh proud so we hope you can think of ways of getting involved, the organising committee would love to hear from you.

And Finally...the committee are concentrating on one major fundraising event this year and so have turned their efforts to a mammoth pub quiz and hope you'll show your support. Please bring yourself or a team along to the Crowe's Nest at 8.30pm on Thursday 21^st February, as always all proceeds go directly to the parade itself.

Please keep an eye on the Parade's facebook page for exciting developments: facebook.com/ProjectStPatrick

TripAdvisor reveals the best accommodation for 2013

Northern Ireland has cause for double celebrations

 

LONDON, U.K. – 15 January 2013 - TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site*, today unveils the winners of its 2013 Travellers’ Choice® Hotels Awards, often dubbed the ‘Oscars of the hotel world’. 

 

Now in its 11th year, it is TripAdvisor’s biggest-ever Travellers’ Choice campaign with the awards identifying the most outstanding properties worldwide, in the categories of Top Hotels, Luxury, Bargain, Service, Small Hotels and B&Bs. Unlike any other hotel honours, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on millions of reviews and opinions covering more than 650,000 hotels collected in a single year from travellers around the world.

 

Northern Ireland has double reason to celebrate – two hotels have won a Travellers’ Choice award this year.

 

“For the eleventh year running, these awards recognise the cream of the crop when it comes to hotels both in the UK and across the globe, according to those that really matter - travellers themselves,” commented TripAdvisor spokesperson, Emma Shaw.

 

Northern Ireland’s Star

Tara Lodge in Belfast ranks number 12 in the UK’s Top Hotels category, and follows similar success in last year’s Travellers Choice awards.

 

As one recent TripAdvisor traveller comments. “Friendly and helpful staff, great location and a fantastic breakfast.”

 

“Tara Lodge should feel very proud, winning another TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award this year is a great achievement,” commented TripAdvisor’s Emma Shaw.

 

Bargain Belmore

Another winner in Northern Ireland is Belmore Court & Motel. This Enniskillen hotel has ranked number 15 in the UK’s Best Bargain category. With rooms from just £39 a night and glowing reviews from guests it’s a worthy winner.

 

2012 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards Highlights:

UK’s Top Hotels

1.    Rudding Park Hotel, Harrogate – North Yorkshire  - England

2.    The Milestone Hotel, London  - England

3.    Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham – Gloucestershire - England

4.    Casa Hotel, Chesterfield – Derbyshire  - England

5.    Corinthia Hotel, London - England

6.    51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences, London - England

7.    Swinton Park, Masham – North Yorkshire - England

8.    Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk - England

9.    The Green Park Hotel – Pitlochry – Scotland

10. Staybridge Suites London-Stratford City, London – England

11. Skene House Whitehall – Aberdeen, Scotland

12. Tara Lodge – Belfast, Northern Ireland

 

UK’s Best Bargain Hotels

1.    Lauriston Court Hotel, Llandudno, North Wales

2.    The Caribbean, Doncaster, Yorkshire

3.    Grimscote Manor Hotel – Coleshill, Warwickshire

4.    Cragwood Country House Hotel – Winderemere, Cumbria

5.    Castlebank Hotel – Conwy, North Wales

6.    Premier Inn Kidderminster – Kidderminster, Worcestershire

7.    Pollaughan Farm – Portscatho, Cornwall

8.    Oak Bank Hotel – Grasmere, Cumbria

9.    Dingley Lodge Hotel – Market Harborough, Leicestershire

10. Hambledon Hotel – Shanklin, Isle of Wight

11. Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk – England

12. Merewood Country House Hotel, Winderemere, Cumbria

13. Fairheaven Country Guest House – Goathland, Yorkshire

14. The Lynch Country House – Somerset

15. Belmore Court Motel – Enniskillen, Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

Notes to Editors

 

TripAdvisor has named 6,297 award-winning properties around the world this year, with dedicated lists now covering 82 countries and 9 regions worldwide.

 

Belmore Court & Motel welcomes international competitors for 2013 WPFG

  

Pictured above is Sam Gray, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department; Joanne Cunningham, Firefighter Enniskillen District; Jim McClintock, Station Commander for Enniskillen District; Steve Gill, Northumbria Police Service; Conny Siefarth, German Police Service; Mike Cannon, Toronto Police Service; Jose Gomez Milara, Madrid Fire Service; Stephen Vance & Barry Rodgers, Firefighters, Enniskillen District.

An advance party of international competitors for the 2013 WorldPolice and Fire Games has arrived in Fermanagh as they embark on a tour of Northern Ireland hosted by Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland.

The group includes Sam Gray, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department; Mike Cannon, Toronto Police Service; Conny Siefarth, German Police Service; Jose Gomez Milara, Madrid Fire Service; Steve Gill, Northumbria Police Service.

While in Fermanagh the group spent an overnight at Belmore Court& Motel, dined at Café Merlot and enjoyed local entertainment at Blakes ofthe Hollow. Here they met representatives from their Fermanagh hosts - Fermanagh District Council and Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism. The following day they had the opportunity to canoe Lough Erne and tour Castle Coole, where they were joined by local fire-fighters to compete in a friendly hose pulling competition. During their visit the athletes were filmed for a promotional DVD for the upcoming Games.

  

Pictured above is Terry McCartney, Owner of Belmore Court & Motel

(far right) with the 2013 WPFG Competitors.

Welcoming the visitors, Tanya Cathcart, Fermanagh LakelandTourism, said "I would like to extend a warm welcome to the WPFG competitors. This is a great opportunity to showcase Fermanagh internationally. We hope that their visit will encourage other WPFG competitors to extend their stay in Northern Ireland and visit Fermanagh while they are here".

The 2013 World Police and Fire Games will be hosted by Northern Ireland from 1^st-10^th August and will feature 57 sports at 42 venues. It is a biennial event, commonly referred to as the 'Olympics' for serving and retired police, fire, prison and border security officers.

For further information contact:

Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism

Wellington Road

Enniskillen

Co. Fermanagh

BT74 7EF

T: +00 (0) 28 6634 6736

E: info@fermanaghlakelands.com

Creative Pay-It-Forward 2013

January is always a difficult month and we wanted to spread some good feeling around. There's a Facebook viral going around at the moment based on the 2000 film with Kevin Spacey "Pay it Forward"

We put a messge on our Facebook page Facebook.com/BelmoreCourt stating that we were willing to give-away FIVE 1 night stays in a Superior Room to fans who were willing to "Pay-It-Forward".

The jist of this idea is that Belmore Court & Motel are paying it forward by giving 5 people the chance of staying in their Motel, those 5 people are then supposed to pay it forward to 5 other people ( not 1 ) it should really be things that those people can't do for themselves or cant afford to do for themselves ( it does not have to be a lot of money ) but should be something that will make a difference to their lives in some way. Those 5 people should then pay it forward to 5 more.

It was great fun responding to all the communications and within minutes we have 5 worthy winners. These are their "Pay-It-Forwards".....

Sharon E Rooney is paying if forward by by organising a collection jar at work, for her and her colleagues to put any spare change etc and dontaing the money she raises to make a wish foundation. She is also making 4 additional delicious cheese cakes for 4 other people who are going to pay-it-forward.


Emma Marley is going to give the night to her sister and bake four yummy pavlovas for her facebook friends that pay-it-forward. She might even do one for us.


Samantha Baker-Read is going to pay it forward by giving it to my mum and dad who have 8 children 13 grandchildren and in 34years never had a night in a hotel!!


Lynsey McCracken will pay it forward by making a paella for first 5 facebook friends to reply and then ay-it forward


Bronagh Keenan wIll crochet 5 things for 5 of her facebok friends who replied to her status and then pay-it-forward.


NOTE: Sharon then contacted us to say "I will give my stay to leeanne, I know her and know that her mum is very ill at the minute and I think that she deserves this more than me. I will still carry out my pay it forward though."

We got some great comments and suggestions but we loved this one from Margaret who didn't even win...

"thank you so much for doing this belmore court, as your publicity will probably give it legs, there a few different versions of this going on and i was having difficulty getting people to sign up to one, it's a great idea .. and the movies of the original amazing - if you haven't seen do try to"

There's still time for the rest of you guys to stay with us as part of the winter sale with rooms from £39/night. Click here to check availability....

BBC Blandings from Crom Castle in Fermanagh

Once again Fermanagh is centre of the universe when the brand new BBC TV series kicks off -  "Blandings" - Sunday 13th January 2013 @ 6.30pm. The celebrated stories of PG Wodehouse will be coming to life on BBC One as Timothy Spall and Jennifer Saunders star in Blandings, a new comedy series written by Guy Andrews and based on Wodehouse's work.

PG Wodehouse is hailed as one of the greatest comic writers in the English Language, Describing the series Guy Andrews said: "Blandings Castle is dysfunction junction, the home of a chaotic family struggling to keep itself in order. Clarence Emsworth, ninth earl and master of Blandings Castle, yearns with all his soul to be left in peace; preferably in the company of his beloved pig, The Empress. But he never is. There is always someone who wants him to do something. Presiding over the blitzkrieg on his equilibrium is the baleful figure of his sister Connie, with whom he shares the house; at her shoulder is Clarence's brainless younger son Freddie and a panoply of friends, enemies, servants, spongers, private detectives, bookies and confidence tricksters.

The six self-contained episodes will be set 1929, and will be filmed on location in Northern Ireland at the fabulous Crom Castle with the support of Northern Ireland Screen. Timothy Spall will play the amiable and befuddled Lord Emsworth (Clarence to his friends), with Jennifer Saunders as his indomitable sister Connie.

Crom Castle is set with a 1,900 acre estate on the shores of Lough Erne and the exisiting was built in 1820. This has been home to Crichton family for many years. The house is owned by the family while the estate is managed by the National Trust.

Episode 1 of 6

DURATION: 30 MINUTES

Clarence has to get his pig eating again or he will lose the Fattest Pig prize to his fiendish rival. Meanwhile, Connie demands he put a stop to his niece Angela's love affair with cowboy Jimmy.