Sophie Clarke

1 week ago | irishnews.com | Sophie Clarke

Northern Ireland’s oldest operating professional theatre outside Belfast - where James Nesbitt cut his teeth as an actor - will close this summer. The Riverside Theatre which has been based on Ulster University’s Coleraine campus since 1976, will cease theatre operations from August. In an email distributed to university staff, which has been seen by The Irish News, UU Vice Chancellor Paul Bartholomew said the venue had come to “the end of its life”.

1 week ago | irishnews.com | Sophie Clarke

A Belfast artist has told of his “unexpected” surprise selling one of his paintings to U2 band member The Edge. Stephen Whalley was commissioned to give a live painting performance as part of a charity auction at the Titanic Museum on May 24. Organised by Callow Events, the evening was part of a major fundraising drive spearheaded by Belfast tech entrepreneurs Mark Dowds and Roger Johnston, who are aiming to raise £1 million for the Cancer Fund for Children.

1 week ago | msn.com | Sophie Clarke

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1 week ago | irishnews.com | Sophie Clarke

LAST weekend I watched the entire Eurovision Song Contest final for the first time – we were slightly invested since my Mum had drawn Portugal in her office sweepstake. I was aware that there was some disappointment that the Irish entry had failed to qualify. Laika Party by Emmy was placed 13th out of the 16 countries participating in the semi-finals. I heard the song during the build-up and thought it embodied the kind of bouncy Euro-pop style that usually does well in the competition.

2 weeks ago | irishnews.com | Sophie Clarke

A “boundary pushing” Belfast cocktail bar has been named the best in Northern Ireland in a national competition. Rattlebag, an innovative late-night cocktail spot which is part of Belfast’s Bullitt Hotel, claimed the title at the CLASS Bar Awards held on May 21 at London’s Battersea Arts Centre. Speaking to The Irish News, Rattlebag manager Chris Wareing said the award was a testament to the bold innovation and unwavering commitment to exceptional hospitality.