54 | THE LOCAL TOURIST


www.nitravelnews.com THE LOCAL TOURIST


SAVOUR A MEAL STEEPED IN HISTORY AT TITANIC HOTEL BELFAST


TITANIC Hotel Belfast have


launched a new menu in the Wolff Grill at Titanic Hotel Belfast. The menu exudes the rich tapestry of locally sourced produce for which the Wolff Grill has become synonymous, and diners can drop anchor to enjoy a contemporary selection of nibbles including smoked almonds, padron peppers and breads while starters range from soup and chowder to scallops and salad. NI Travel News had the opportunity to test out the new dishes on offer at


Titanic a Hotel stunning Belfast. dining From


first impressions, the Wolff Grill is


experience.


Centred in the restaurant is the Chief Draughtsman’s office, a significant piece of history synonymous with the hotel’s location, formerly the premises of Harland and Wolff. The Wolff Grill is a spectacular place


to enjoy a meal, a refined yet casual dining experience offering stunning views of the Titanic Museum through floor to ceiling windows. Artefacts and glimpses into the RMS Titanic cascade across the walls, you truly do feel as though you are enjoying a meal steeped in history.


The new menu at the Wolff Grill offers something for everyone, from prime cuts of beef, flavour-filled sea food, not to mention a range of unique vegetarian and vegan options! The options for starters, mains and desserts are diverse and offer something that everybody could choose from. On our visit, we opted to try the onion


French soup, alongside the


salt and chilli squid. Both were a hit! The French Onion Soup was warm and inviting, with an enviable crust. While the salt and chilli squid was fresh, and aromatic, a nice light dish in


June 2024


Northern Ireland’s Most Famous Filming Locations Revealed…


THE Giant’s Causeway has been named the most popular filming location in Northern Ireland, according to a new study. The experts at City


Tours Belfast analysed the top 50 films and shows with filming locations in Northern Ireland, according to IMDB.


Each location


was ranked based on the total volume of Instagram posts and Google rating to reveal the most famous filming spot in the region. Northern Ireland‘s only UNESCO World Heritage


site, With a the


Giant’s Causeway, topped the study as the region’s most popular filming location.


popularity score of 19.59 out of 20, the tourist destination


SAVOUR A PIECE


soared above every other spot on the list with 366,500 Instagram posts and a Google rating of 4.7. Known for its iconic hexagonal basalt stones and the legend of Finn McCool, avid film fans will also recognise its vista from Hellboy II: The Golden Army and Dracula Untold. The world-renowned attraction was spotlighted as one of the entrances to Hell in Guillermo Del Toro‘s Hellboy II, while it also doubled as a Transylvanian mountain for Universal’s Dracula


OF Untold.


The Mourne Mountains fell just short of the top spot in the study with a score of 17.63 thanks to 279,490 Instagram posts and a joint-highest Google rating of 4.9 out of 5. With Slieve Donard as its peak, the County Down mountain range


has proven popular


in TV and film productions worldwide.


Robert Eggers‘


Nordic epic The Northman used many locations across Northern Ireland, including the Mourne Mountains, where the sweeping backdrop sets the scene


anticipation for your main. For


main, we enjoyed the 6oz


Irish Beef Burger which was topped with mature cheddar, crispy bacon, beer battered onion rings, onion mayo, and a fried egg. This main was accompanied by a side of French fries with a dip of pepper corn sauce. As a main course, this was a fantastic option, the beef burger melted in your mouth and reaffirmed itself as one of the Wolff Grill’s staple dishes. Now for the star of the show! The


Creme Brûlée was the dessert of my dreams. From the crack of your spoon hitting the caramelised sugar to the last spoonful hitting your lips, it was indulgent but light, accompanied by a heavenly zing of lemon curd and melt in your mouth shortbread. Seeking a new dining treasure in Belfast? The Titanic Hotel Belfast’s Wolff Grill should be at the top of your list.


PAUL, 24 from Larne, has won a prestigious national Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx and Homesense Award. He scooped the L’Oréal Paris Rising Star award, which recognises a young person who, having built up their confidence and skills, has overcome barriers to secure and recently start employment, education or training. He has attended


a reception at


Buckingham Palace to meet His Majesty The King, Founder of The Prince’s Trust, who congratulated the award winners on their achievements Paul was honoured at the star-studded


awards ceremony, hosted by Ant and Dec, and attended by many celebrity supporters and Ambassadors of the youth charity. He was presented his award by Mia McKenna- Bruce and Roman Kemp. The Awards shine a light on the inspirational stories of young people, volunteers and those who support their wider communities. It showcases the impact of The Trust’s work building the confidence and skills needed to get into a job, education, training or self- employment. Many of the winners have overcome significant barriers to transform their lives and build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.


Ballygally Castle Staff Member Wins Prestigious National Prince’s Trust Award


Paul’s story Paul had a difficult childhood and was diagnosed with ADHD and a learning difficulty at the age of 7. His school days were a struggle, but he sought help from The Prince’s Trust Achieve programme and left school with some qualifications. After leaving school, he was struggling


with his mental health and found it hard to get work. He started to go down the wrong path and, at 22, was arrested and charged with theft. Paul’s partner was pregnant at


the time and Paul knew he wanted to turn his life around. His probation worker told him about a Prince’s Trust hospitality programme and he decided to sign up. During the programme, he did a placement at Ballygally Castle and, at the end of the placement, he was offered a temporary role in the kitchen. Ballygally were so impressed with his work ethic that they offered him a full-time permanent contract – a life- changing moment for Paul. He was finally able to provide for his family and put the past behind him. He has now been in the role for more than six months and has found a career he loves. On winning the L’Oréal Paris Rising Star award Paul said: “I really can’t believe I’ve won the national Rising Star Award, it means so much to me. I didn’t think people would believe in me but now I can see how far I have come. “I’m so grateful to the staff at Ballygally, The Prince’s Trust and my family for supporting me along the way. I hope I can show other young people who’ve had a difficult start in life that anything is possible, no matter where you’re from or what barriers you face.”


for a Viking ball game. Other productions that used the Mournes include Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves and Game of Thrones.


The Dark Hedges is the third most popular filming location in Northern Ireland, according to the new study. Accumulating around 126,993 Instagram posts related and a Google rating of 4.3, the famous route of intertwining beech trees placed third with a score of 12.24. Synonymous with Game of Thrones as the King’s Road, the Dark Hedges has become a popular location for fans to visit, featuring as one of the prime destinations on Northern Ireland’s Game of Thrones tours. While the 18th-century trees shot to worldwide fame via the HBO show, they also served as a filming location for the 2017 American blockbuster Transformers: The Last Knight.


The Salthouse Partners with Basalt Distillery to Launch its Own Drinks Range


THE Salthouse Hotel in Ballycastle, one of Europe’s most sustainable accommodation providers, has launched its latest venture in collaboration with Basalt Distillery, The Salthouse Spirits Range. This bespoke collection of spirits, including


Gin, Rum, Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, and Mezcal, embodies the venue’s commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and innovation in what is another investment at the five- year-old venue.


From sourcing local ingredients to implementing energy-efficient practices, every aspect of its operations reflects a dedication to minimising environmental impact, ensuring that every guest experience is not only luxurious but eco-conscious. And now, its new partnership with Basalt Distillery further solidifies this commitment, with


each sip of the exclusive spirits


reinforcing its environmentally focused ethos. Carl McGarrity, director of The Salthouse, explains: “At the heart of this partnership is a dedication to reducing environmental impact. With our innovative eco-refill pouches, The Salthouse Spirits Range is transforming the spirits industry, one pour at a time.”


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