June 2024


www.nitravelnews.com


Clandeboye Lodge Wins Prestigious Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024


Get Ready to Celebrate and Take A ‘Shot’ of Belfast Whiskey Week 2024


THE 6th Belfast Whiskey Week, Ireland’s largest whiskey festival sponsored by ABL Group Insurance Brokers and Risk Advisors, part of Brown and Brown (Europe) Ltd, returns Friday 19th July – Saturday 27th July.


spanning 9 days in partnership with a wide range of venues city wide and delivering sessions with over 40 brands and distilleries. Belfast Whiskey Week celebrates whiskey and Belfast’s deep-rooted history and connection in the production of whiskey spanning centuries, as well as providing experiences for all levels of whiskey drinker, and even those who don’t!


Designed to cater for a wide range of festival goers, there are events across a variety of levels including introduction, intermediate and masterclass, through various experiences that will appeal to both whiskey enthusiasts and novices. The programme includes, tastings,


whiskey cocktail events, experiences, distillery tours, walking tours,


theatrical sensory


and fine dining experiences, exclusive dining and drink collaborations with well-known Belfast bars & restaurants, heritage


food sessions and much more.


Join the whiskey Expo at St Comgall’s and meet the brands and distilleries pouring their whiskies for festival attendees to explore. Party with Belfast Whiskey Week at this year’s


pairing


THE LOCAL TOURIST | 55


CLANDEBOYE Lodge have announced that it has once again been recognised as one of the best places to stay in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’


Choice Awards for 2024. Featuring 100 events,


The award honours businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placing them among the top 10%of properties around the world on Tripadvisor. Already holding the top spot as the best hotel in Bangor on Tripadvisor with an impressive average rating of 4.5 out of 5, Clandeboye Lodge’s latest award is a testament to its


unwavering commitment to excellence.


Nestled in the woodlands of the Clandeboye Estate, the hotel offers guests a tranquil retreat to relax and reconnect with nature. The hotel’s curated staycation packages cater perfectly to guests, whether they are seeking pampering relaxation or active breaks. Guests can enjoy


the nearby North Down coastal path and scenic woodland walks, and of course there’s Belfast city centre just a short drive away. The renowned Coq & Bull brasserie, famed for its local and seasonal cuisine, provides a true taste of Northern Ireland, while the venue’s picturesque setting and all-inclusive


Belfast’s night-time economy is set to receive a significant boost as the city’s three Business Improvement Districts (BID) begin the search for Belfast’s Night Czar. The appointed Czar – funded


cocktail


takeover at Trade Market. Celebrate with those making their mark in the whiskey world at the annual Irish whiskey industry awards.


Festival venues were selected for their


strong whiskey links and their love of showcasing whiskey, these include Duke of York, The Deer’s Head, Angel & 2 Bibles, Holohan’s Pantry, Dark Horse, Maddens, The Morning Star,


Hearth,


Trade Market – to name but a few. Belfast Whiskey Week has welcomed


ABL Group as festival sponsors and is proud to partner with Whiskey Club NI, Echlinville Distillery, The Friend at Hand and the Duke of York, Urban Bar, Serac Ice and Three Cents to deliver Ireland’s Largest Whiskey Festival.


Belfast


Whiskey Week is also delighted to once again collaborate with Belfast Hidden Tours who will provide whiskey themed walking tours throughout the city and Irish Whiskey Magazine. Belfast Whiskey Week is a community led initiative driven by a group of enthusiasts from Belfast Whiskey Club*. It was created as a platform for Belfast to reclaim its whiskey heritage, celebrate its distilling history as well as look forward to the exciting innovations and growth within the region.


KILLEAVY Castle Estate has been named Sustainable


Killeavy Castle Estate Clinches Sustainable Tourism Award


Business of the Year at the prestigious Business Eye Sustainability Awards which took place on Thursday 9 May 2024. The


Awards honour businesses and leaders in Northern Ireland who are driving impactful sustainable change within their sectors.


Business Eye Sustainability Hospitality & Tourism


TITANIC BELFAST HITS A HIGH NOTE WITH CAPPELLA CAECILIANA PARTNERSHIP


TITANIC Belfast has launched a unique event that is set to take guests on a journey of emigration and exploration through an eclectic and exciting mix of choral music in partnership with Cappella Caeciliana. Some Distant Shore, on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June, will give people the opportunity to experience three of Titanic Belfast’s immersive themed spaces in one event for the first time as it takes place across The Grand Atrium, The Ship of Dreams and the Titanic Suite featuring the Grand Staircase.


Northern Ireland chamber choir Cappella Caeciliana, under the musical direction of Matthew Quinn, will take guests on a physical and emotional journey with the performance drawing on music and poetry from Celtic, Scandinavian and American folk traditions as well as from traditional choral repertoires. This extraordinary event begins in The Grand Atrium and explores the hopes and aspirations of emigration while considering what or who you leave behind. Continuing the journey, guests will move to the spectacular Ship of Dreams gallery, part of the reimagined Titanic Experience, which


explores the hopes and dreams of passengers onboard heading to New York to start a new life.


Guests can enjoy a short interval and take in the panoramic views over the iconic Slipways, before the evening reaches a crescendo by the famous Grand Staircase in the Titanic Suite. Eimear Kearney,


Associate Commercial


Director of Titanic Belfast said: “We are thrilled to launch Some Distant Shore, an intimate event that will take people on a unique, musical journey through three of Titanic Belfast’s iconic spaces. It promises to be an emotive evening exploring the story of emigration and the hopes and dreams of people on their way to start a new life.” Matthew Quinn,


Musical Director of


Cappella Caeciliana added: “As a choir, we are very proud to partner with Titanic Belfast and have the opportunity to create an event that explores such an important part of history through song.”


Tickets are priced at £30pp and £20pp for Under 25s and include a complimentary drink on arrival.


For further information, or to


purchase tickets, go to www.titanicbelfast. com


wedding packages make it a sought-after location for couples tying the knot. “We are incredibly honoured to be consistently recognised among the travellers’ top favourites,” said Pim Dalm, Managing Director of Clandeboye Lodge. “This award is a testament to our dedicated staff and the wonderful guests who have shared their positive experiences. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this achievement. At Clandeboye Lodge, we are


committed to continually enhancing our property and services.”


“Congratulations to Clandeboye Lodge on its recognition in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2024,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “Travellers’ Choice honours businesses that


NIGHT VISION: BELFAST CITY BIDS TO APPOINT A NIGHT CZAR


by Linen Quarter BID, Belfast One and Destination CQ – will further enhance, co-ordinate, and advocate for the city’s night-time strategy in terms of safety, transport, and business.


consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence. This means you have made such a memorable impact on your visitors that many of them took the time to go online and leave a great review about their experience. People rely on Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice seal to help them navigate the myriad of things to see, eat and do across the globe. We hope this recognition continues to drive business to you in 2024 and beyond.”


Europa Hotel Sees £15 Million Renovation Completed


HASTINGS Hotels has announced the completion of renovations at the renowned Europa Hotel in Belfast. Over the past several years, hotel group has dedicated substantial resources, totalling £15 million, to enhance the historic building and guest experience.


The extensive renovation project encompasses upgrades to all 272 guest bedrooms, as well as improvements to The Lobby Bar, the Piano Restaurant, all conference rooms and the penthouse function room. Hastings has also introduced a brand new workspace area for guests.


TITANIC BELFAST NAMED A GREAT PLACE TO WORK AS IT WELCOMES 8 MILLIONTH VISITOR


TITANIC Belfast has been certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ following an independent employee survey as the world-leading visitor attraction announces that it has welcomed its eight millionth visitor. The certification, which is backed by validated and anonymous feedback from staff, measures employee satisfaction from company culture to business practices and is collected through the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work.


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