February 2025


Redevelopment of Strand Arts Centre Begins in its 90th Anniversary Year


RESTORATION work has begun on Northern Ireland’s Strand Arts Centre – with the venue celebrating 90 years of big screen action in 2025. The £6.5 million redevelopment will preserve and enhance the cherished cinema, which dates back to 1935, and create a new home for the arts in east Belfast. The work


is


Government, Belfast alongside


sponsorship


funded by the UK City Council


and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, public


corporate and


Strand team. Once completed in summer 2026, the revamped venue will include state-of-the-art cinema facilities, a licensed


café, creative learning


studios and new performance spaces within the current balcony screen and front stall areas. There will also be an interactive exhibition where guests can experience the cinema as it was in pre-war Belfast and learn about the Strand’s unique place amongst the city’s other iconic picture houses. Original including


architectural the famous


features, façade,


entrance and foyer, will all be


retained, along with improvements to disability access to cater for a diverse range of audiences and multi-purpose spaces available for community and charity hire. Lord Mayor of


Belfast, Councillor


Micky Murray, said: “It is so positive to kick off 2025 with work to restore one of Belfast’s most striking and beloved buildings, coinciding


with


Heritage Treasures Day. “Council is pleased to have helped Strand


Arts Centre secure driven by the funding needed to preserve


the this


treasured asset for future generations and to deliver this project which will boost both our arts sector and the local community,


though outreach


programmes and job and training opportunities. “Finding sustainable


uses for our


city’s built heritage is so important, and other council-led projects, including


Baths, show what’s possible with vision and


the nearby Templemore commitment. I


look


forward to catching a movie in the new look Strand when it reopens next year.”


Guinness Storehouse Celebrates 25 Years in 2025.


THE Guinness Storehouse marks its 25th anniversary, hot on the heels of welcoming its 25 millionth visitor in 2024. In the last 12 months, the Guinness Storehouse saw a


10% increase in total visitor numbers, welcoming 1.65 million visitors to Dublin from across the world.


1.5


million pints of Guinness and Guinness 0.0 were served, an impressive 102,000 new pint pouring experts were certified by the Guinness Academy. Romance was in the air as The Gravity Bar witnessed 12 proposals (they all said yes) as well as welcoming its most senior guest at 98 years young. “This year, we were incredibly proud to have


welcomed 25 million visitors since opening in 2000, which is testament to the world-class experience, innovation, and enduring appeal of


the Guinness


Storehouse, as well as the power of Irish hospitality,” said Catherine Toolan, Managing Director, Diageo Irish Brand Homes.


Luxurious Spa Unveiled at New Five-Star Dunluce Lodge


www.nitravelnews.com


THE LOCAL TOURIST | 55


Translink Launch Self-Service Ticket Machines for Ulsterbus Stations and Park and Ride


TRANSLINK has announced the roll out of new self-serve ticket vending machines (TVMs) at bus stations across the network, and to additional Park and Ride locations. The new tech is being used to make it faster, easier and more convenient for passengers to buy their bus ticket before they travel. This follows the successful introduction of


TVMs at all train stations and Glider stops as well as other key locations including the two Belfast Airports, marking a further step in the implementation of Translink’s digital- led Future Ticketing System. Adding to the successful installation of


TVMs at Cairnshill and Ballymartin Park and Ride, they have now also gone live at Millbrook, Sprucefield, Tamnamore, Maghera and Castledawson Park and Ride sites. David Cowan, Head of Commercial


Operations at Translink said, “These new ticket machines, incorporating


the latest technology offer passengers more choice and flexibility alongside a faster and more convenient way to buy tickets or top up smartcards before boarding their train or bus, whether using contactless credit/ debit card, Apple Pay/Google Wallet or cash. “There has been high passenger interest


in the machines since we started the installation process and we have seen steady growth in ticket sales using


the


TVMs since their roll-out across our bus and rail network. “The new machines are equipped with


modern touch screen interfaces, as well as offering adjustable screen height, voice commands and braille stickers to help guide customers through the purchasing process. Passengers can simply top up smartcards or buy local Adult and Child paper tickets or use their yLink and 24+ student railcard to get discounts. “Alongside these new TVMs other popular


NORTHERN Ireland’s newest five- star hotel, Dunluce Lodge, has shared fresh details of its exclusive spa. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, The


Spa at Dunluce Lodge offers a dynamic treatment and wellness menu designed to restore balance to the body, skin, and psyche.


Members of the public and guests alike


can expect an intimate space where the expert team will offer purposeful yet deeply restorative spa rituals in four treatment rooms with names that have been inspired by the natural landscape of the Causeway Coast. For


the products that


throughout, Dunluce Lodge has partnered with Irish science-based health and beauty brand Seabody, which harnesses bioactive compounds from seaweed to support skin health and holistic wellness. Treatments featuring globally recognised


brands KLORIS, with its ethically sourced CBD, and the multi-award-winning skincare brand Natura Bissé will also be available. Following their treatment, guests will


be invited to the relaxation space where breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean ensure it is the perfect spot to meditate and reenergise. Outside of the spa’s walls, guests staying at Dunluce Lodge will also be


able to enjoy a selection of specially curated wellness experiences including sound healing, sunrise and sunset beach walks and personalised private and group movement sessions. Stephen Meldrum, General Manager, Dunluce Lodge said: “When Dunluce Lodge opens its doors,


it will deliver an unrivalled, refined experience that builds on Northern Ireland’s world-renowned reputation for sincere hospitality.” Meldrum continued, “This hotel is


will be used


intrinsically linked to its surroundings and our spa is no different. It will feature the best in Irish health and beauty products, treatments and


practitioners. “The Spa at Dunluce Lodge is the perfect


place to relax and unwind. Locals and visitors alike will find


soothing therapies inspired by the sea and the stunning landscapes that surround the hotel.” With 35 luxury suites across Dunluce


Lodge and its private annex, The Stookan, guests


enjoying its impeccable Irish


hospitality will have the definitive five-star experience on the Causeway Coast. Dunluce Lodge is operated by the global


full-service hotel management company, Valor Hospitality Partners, in partnership with the US based Links Collection.


highly skilled local


prepaid tickets will remain available such as mLink mobile tickets and online ticketing options. We are encouraging passengers to buy their tickets in advance where they can, however, we will continue to offer passengers the option to purchase tickets at bus and rail ticket offices and on-board trains” David concluded.


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