Fermanagh for the Famous

Forget about Hollywood, well known celebrities and sports people have popped up all over the county over the last weeks.

Colin Farrell and Jessica Chastain are currently shooting a movie adaptation of Strindberg's groundbreaking play - Miss Julie. Oscar-nominated Zero Dark Thirty star Jessica Chastain has been lined up for Miss Julie, to be directed by Norwegian actor-director Liv Ullmann. Colin Farrell has been cast alongside Chastain, and Samantha Morton is also due to take a role.
Strindberg's play was written in 1888 and first performed a year later, and pioneered the use of theatrical naturalism to tell its parable of class and power. Miss Julie is a count's daughter who finds herself attracted to her father's footman, Jean. It is not know if Ullmann plans to stick to the play's original setting – a Swedish country house in 1874 – or rework it for a different period. The last significant film adaptation was the 1999 version directed by Mike Figgis, with Saffron Burrows and Peter Mullan in the lead roles.

Lilley's Centra on the Shore Road, Enniskillen have even made some special new flavours for Colin Farrell (Cola Farrell) and Ulster Rugby (SUFTUM Baby)

The Ulster Rugby team have also been training in the area. Staying at the 5 star Lough Erne Resort, Coach, Tony Anscombe and his team have been trainning on Portora Royal School Rugby pitches and using the spa facilities at the resort in preparation for this weekends European Cup Quater-final in London against Saracens.

I've been lucky enough to meet a Colin Farrell and a few of the rugby guys. They have all been very approachable. I found a few tips for you to remember if you meeth celebrities when in Enniskillen.

1. Find the right time to approach them. You would not want to be bothered by a stranger if you were in the middle of an important conversation, would you? Try to wait until the person is unoccupied or until they finish a cell phone call.
2. Approach politely. Smile and introduce yourself gently.
3. Open with a compliment. Do not overly flatter a celebrity, or you will sound phony. Be specific. For example, tell them you thought they were great in a certain role or that you appreciate their work for a certain charity. Do not give a generic compliment, such as “I’m your biggest fan,” and do not critique the person.
4. If you have something obviously in common with them, share this information. Building a rapport through similarities is a great way to get anyone talking to you.
5. Explain what you want. If you just want to chat and enjoy the moment, fine. If you want an autograph or picture with them, politely and quickly ask. Be prepared and make sure you have a pen and a paper to autograph handy before you approach them. If they consent to give you an autograph, hand them the notepad; do not make them wait. As well, make sure your camera is ready if you want a picture and never approach them by sticking your notepad or camera in his or her face.
6. Watch their body language. Body language can clue you in on how they are feeling about the interaction. If they appear rushed or if they keep walking as you are talking, or if they glance at their watch, be sensitive to that time crunch. If they seem distressed, this probably is not a good time to talk.
7. Converse with them if they appear to like you, but remember they may just be trying to be polite. Try not to drag the conversation on.
8. Avoid overly gushing. Some celebrities cannot get enough compliments; they like to hear how great you think they are. In general, too much enthusiasm on your part may embarrass them, or scare them off.
9. Be a good listener. If they actually engage in a conversation with you, pay attention to what they are saying. Do not interrupt them, but build upon their statements as you would for any good conversation.
10. Stick to talking about their public life. Unless the celebrity brings it up, it is usually best to avoid conversing about his or her family or other private issues. At the extreme, this can seem very creepy.
11. Be discreet. Do not draw attention to a celebrity if other people have not recognized them. While one fan may be tolerable, ten or fifteen fans crowding around is certainly not.
12. Take pictures discreetly. If your camera is handy, either take the picture from a certain distance, or ask them if they would mind if you snapped a quick photo. However, if the celebrity is in disguise, it would be much better to photograph him or her from away, as you should not draw any extra attention to them. Do not take a picture of you and the celebrity, without asking for permission first. But, if the star is friendly, you could ask if they would let you have a picture taken with them.
13. Wrap up nicely. Be sure to thank the celebrity for his or her time or for an autograph or photo, and say something like, “It was great to meet you.”
14. Accept rejection. It is okay for you to ask quickly for an autograph or photo, but it is also okay for him/her to decline. If your request is turned down, do not force the issue. They are allowed to have their personal space. Don’t be pushy.
15. Try to call them by their public name. Do not call them by a nickname, as that is too familiar! You do not know them, they don't know you. Do not call their names out loudly, unless in a meet or greet situation, where it is expected.

For more information visit http://www.wikihow.com/Know-when-to-Talk-to-a-Celebrity

Can we help with your wedding accommodation requirements?

Your wedding is the most important event in your life. To make sure your wedding plans stay on track, you’ll want to source the best venue.  Enniskillen is popular for weddings with excellent venues within Fermanagh. 

With summer and a new wedding season quickly approaching, we couldn’t help but feel it is the perfect time to advise at the Belmore Court and Motel, we can't help with the ballroom and wedding dinner, but we can offer you a low cost accommodation for your guests. We know that your wedding day will be the most memorable moment of your life and we want your guests to cherise the day as well.

A recent survey carried out by WeddingsOnline.ie came up with the following results

Releasing results of over 1700 WeddingsOnline.ie users in Januuary 2013

• 4 out of 10 couples spend over £20,000.00 on their wedding
• over 25% of those planning their wedding have childrfen already
• More than hlaf of the brides are over 30 years old
• August is the most popular month for weddings

To see full results http://www.weddingsonline.ie/article/859/weddingsonline-ie-bridal-survey-2013-results/


 We understand that not only is a wedding an expensive venture for the bride and groom and families it can also become expensive for guests of the wedding.

We recently designed the following flyer, with distances from local wedding venues to the Belmore Court and Motel, offering a lower cost accommodation rate for your guests attending your wedding locally. 
  

Contact our reception team on 028 6632 6633 for further information.

Enniskillen Celebrates Purple Flag Renewal

In November 2011 Enniskillen was honoured to be one of only four recipients from Northern Ireland and nine in the whole of the UK who were awarded a Purple Flag. This is the new “Gold Standard” that recognises towns and cities that provide great entertainment, hospitality and a safe night out.

Purple Flag has been developed by the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) and is backed by Government, Police and Businesses and supported by Diageo GB. It has become established as a quality standard that recognises excellence in entertainment and hospitality areas at night. Purple Flag has been designed as an objective assessment of five key elements of a town’s night time offer, between the hours of 5.00pm and 5.00am. It also aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town/city centres during the evening and night.

Having achieved the Purple Flag in 2011, the local Working Group, led by Fermanagh District Council, had to prove that the town continues to offer a positive experience to night time visitors and users. Just as Blue Flag is an indicator of a good beach and Green Flag a good park, Purple Flag is the indicator of where to go for a good night out.

Fermanagh District Council continued to lead the Enniskillen Purple Flag Working Group, which includes Council Officers and representatives of Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, PSNI, Dept of Social Development and Fermanagh Retail Licensed Trade. The Working Group were delighted to receive notification from ATCM that Enniskillen’s Purple Flag would be renewed for another year. Welcoming the news of Enniskillen’s success, a spokesperson for the Enniskillen Purple Flag Working Group commented:

“We are delighted that Enniskillen, our County town, continues to be recognised as a quality evening destination and awarded the Purple Flag for another year. Our evening and night time economy has always been an important aspect of our tourism product, but we will not be standing still and will continue to work with our partners to develop and improve Enniskillen’s visitor experience”

For further information contact:

Mr Eddie McGovern	Fermanagh District Council	+ 44 (0)28 6632 5050

New breakfast - Hot options

Following our coninuous guest feedback we introduced a number of hot options to our popular healthy continental style breakfast at Belmore Court & Motel.

A continental breakfast is a light morning meal that is provided by many hotels and motels. It traditionally includes bread products, fruit juice and hot beverages. The Belmore Court & Motel also include other types of food, such as cereal, and fruit. Our breakfast is presented in a buffet, from which guests can help themselves, rather than being served to the guests like it would be in a restaurant.

Origin of the Term

The term "continental breakfast" refers to the continent of Europe and distinguishes this simple breakfast from an English breakfast, which typically consists of more food and often includes meats, cereals, fruits and even vegetables in addition to bread products, juice and hot beverages. It also is convenient for travelers who might not have time for a sit-down meal in the morning before needing to continue on their journey.

Serving Procedure

Our continental breakfast is provided in our breakfast room, from 7am to 10am during the week and 7.30am to 10.30am at the weekend. The food is placed on a large table or counter, and amenities such as plates, bowls, forks, spoons and knives are made available. There are tables and chairs where guests can sit and eat.

Breads

The bread products that are included in a continental breakfast include toast, croissants, scones and wheaten. Pancakes or buns maybe included seasonaly. Butter, assorted jams and marmalades and other toppings, such as chocolate spread, are available.

Beverages

Juices and hot beverages are included in our continental breakfast. Orange juice, apple juice and cranberry juice are chilled. Espresso, Capuccino, black coffee and tea usually are also provided. Hot chocolate is be available for children or for guests who do not drink coffee or tea.

Fruits and Cereals

Belmore Court & Motel provides fruit such as bananas, apples, oranges and kiwis. Grapefuit segments, prunes and fresh fruit salad is also available. 12 different types of breakfast cereal and milk are provided. Varieties of instant porridge satisfy most tastes.

Hot Options

Recently we have added 'Hot Options'. These include boiled eggs, pork sausages and back bacon. Floury buns with these items make a tasty sausage or bacon bap.

Tips for Guests

The busiest times for breakfast is from 9.30 - 10.30. The tables and buffett area will be extermely busy when the accommodation is full.

We really hope you enjoy your breakfast with us.

Find out what makes Michelle tick.

Michelle has been with Belmore Court & Motel for 3 years, initially as a full-time Receptionist and for the past 18 months, as  Reception Supervisor.

 

Michelle was born in Belfast and spent the first 20 years of her life there. In 2001, as part of her diploma in Communications, Advertising & Marketing, she spent the year living in the United States before returning to Northern Ireland in 2002.

During her time away, Michelle’s family had relocated to Co. Fermanagh to purchase a small retail business. After spending a summer with them, she decided that this is where she could see her future and made the decision the leave the big smoke and join them. For the next 7 years, she worked alongside her family to build the business.

In 2010, following her parent’s retirement, Michelle decided that she needed a new challenge. Despite not working in the hospitality industry before, she embraced the idea and took up a position with the Reception team in Belmore Court & Motel. Since then, she has been part of the team that has been both finalist and runner up in Northern Ireland Reception Team of the Year. At the moment, Michelle leads a team of 6 Receptionists and her primary role is to ensure that the front desk runs smoothly and that our guests get the best possible customer care.

Michelle currently lives in Lisnaskea and has just recently got engaged to her fiancé Tommy.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy reading and television, especially the soaps. I’ve always loved travelling and love my weekends away, seeing how other places compare to Belmore Court!

What’s your favourite holiday destination?

 I would have to say Lanzarote. I’ve been there on separate occasions on family holidays, with a group of girls and with my boyfriend so I have lots of lovely memories of the place.

What in life do you dislike?

 People who share every single little thing about their life on Facebook.

What in life do you like?

I love spending time with my two nephews and my niece and the drive to the airport when you’re going somewhere nice.

What is your favourite book?

At the moment it’s ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’. I very nearly gave up on it but was very glad I stuck with all those long Swedish names.

What is your favourite quote?

You’re never fully dressed without a smile.

What is your greatest achievement?

I would have to say climbing Ben Nevis for the Ulster Cancer Foundation and raising over £1000. If I had known what lay ahead, I don’t think I would have got on that boat but what an amazing experience.

How would you describe yourself?

Sensitive, loyal and happy.

 

 

Jan/Feb Competition Winners

Congratulations to the following compeition Winner:

January 2013 Comment Card Draw - £50 Voucher for Belmore Court & Motel, Enniskillen
Ruth Callaghan, Limavady

February 2013 Facebook Valentines competition - 2 Night Break with Chocolates at Belmore Court & Motel, Enniskillen
Jackie Barry, Dublin

February 2013 Bow Street Mall draw - 2 Night Break at Belmore Court & Motel, Enniskillen
Olive Simpson, Lisburn

Keep an eye out for further competitions on www.facebook.com/BelmoreCourt and www.twitter.com/BelmoreCourt or in your local shopping centre.

Let's get up close and personal....... Nina Kelly-Kleine

Lets get Up Close and Personal with Nina Kelly-Kleine, the Sales and Marketing Manager, who we hope will reveal bits and bobs that we may not know.

Nina Kelly-Kleine   Sales & Marketing Manager

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
My name is Nina Kelly Kleine, I am 41 years old and live in Lisnaskea with my 6 year old son Finley.  I have worked at the Belmore Court and Motel since March 2009 as Sales and Marketing Manager on a part time basis. Born in Coventry to Co. Monaghan parents, I moved to Newtownbutler at the age of 9 attending primary school in Newtownbutler and moving on to Lisnaskea High School until 16 when I first entered the workforce.  Working for a local firm until the age of 22, I decided that the bright lights of Belfast was the place I wanted to be, so with another friend we applied for jobs and I was successful in my application and started at the Europa Hotel on a day John Major arrived I really thought I had hit the big time!  My friend never made it to Belfast and I stayed there for a further 14 years working for a variety of hotels in different positions.

What do you do in your spare time?
What spare time? With a 6 year old there is very little time to myself, but I do squeeze time in to have my nails and hair done every couple of weeks and I am known to do a bit of travelling every second weekend.

Where is your favourite Holiday destination?
My favourite place to visit is the small Greek island of Kos, I haven’t been there in about 15 years but travelled there on a couple of occasions in my single life, I loved every minute of it.  When I visited the island it wasn’t a hot spot for the Irish and English but was very popular with the Scandinavians, I can't work out if it was the island I was attracted to or what the island attracted.... it was all good.

What in life do you dislike?
I have recently realised I absolutely hate flying; I have no fear of it until I sit on the seat and then I hate it, its like a white knuckle ride!

What in life do you like?
I really like my network of friends both within the industry and my personal friends.  I meet my group of 5 girl friends at least once a week for a morning coffee.  The world is put to rights within an hour in Millers coffee shop.

What is your favourite quote?
I have a couple; 'a lady never loses composure' is probably my favourite and one that has been used many times in my lifetime

So is it shoes or bags?
It is both; I cannot resist either shoes or bags.  I love something a little bit different and my favourite shoe shop is Shuzella in Monaghan, it’s very expensive but very different.

Savoury or sweet?
Again I love both but if I really had to choose it is savoury

What is your favourite Movie?
Topgun and I hear it is being released soon in 3d, I can’t wait to see it

What sort of music do you like?
I love most music but draw the line at country, I just don’t get the drones and the whines.  Emeli Sandi is the latest album added to my ipod

What is your favourite book?
A 1000 Splendid Suns, it is an excellent read and was recommended by Michelle our Front Office Manager

So now we know a bit about your personal life tell us what you do in work
It is my responsibility to get bums in beds.  In the current climate not the easiest job but I find it rewarding.  Special offers are set in place and then it's all about letting everyone know what special offers we have available and how to book.  This is done in a variety of ways from the Internet, postcard drops, exhibitions, ezines and face to face. No day is the same, it important to have the marketing plan innovative and be fast moving in this very competitive industry.

How would you describe yourself?
Full of fun and love the craic

What are your greatest achievements?
My greatest personal achievement is having Finely my son and my greatest working achievement is the awards we have won especially the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ireland Excellence Award 2012.