Sophie Clarke

5 days ago | irishnews.com | Sophie Clarke

Ahead of annual fundraising event Darkness Into Light a local mental health charity has told of the importance of having “open and accessible” mental health services across the north. PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland provides counselling services and crisis support to members of the community who have experienced suicidal ideation, self-harm or who have lost loved ones through suicide.

6 days ago | irishnews.com | Sophie Clarke

BELFAST’S oldest tavern, which has been described as the city’s equivalent to “Noah’s Ark”, is planning a historic new chapter with a boutique hotel expansion. White’s Tavern, located in Winecellar Entry, has been a part of the city’s rich history for centuries. While McHugh’s is the oldest building and The Crown is the oldest saloon, White’s is the oldest tavern. The establishment was the first in the city to be granted a liquor licence in 1630 in the alleyway where the modern-day pub is situated.

1 week ago | irishnews.com | Sophie Clarke

A west Belfast daycare has partnered with a local nursing home in a bid to bring the young and old together through intergenerational learning. Aisling Daycare, set up by sisters Bronagh McAllister and Una Dougherty, opened in 2006. Inspired by the Channel 4 programme Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, a social experiment which follows nursing home residents and pre-school aged children as they spend time together, the pair decided to create their own version in 2018.

1 week ago | irishnews.com | Sophie Clarke

TWO local breweries have told how they overcame “significant barriers” to help transform east Belfast into the “craft beer capital” of Northern Ireland. Bullhouse Brewery was established by William Mayne in 2011 who first got a taste for the brewing business after taking a road trip around the west-coast of the US with his brother.

1 week ago | irishnews.com | Sophie Clarke

AFTER scaling Mount Everest, Co Armagh woman Linda Blakely promised her mother that she wouldn’t climb any more mountains… but she never said anything about not rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. Last year Lurgan-born Linda set out to row 3,000 miles from Gran Canaria to St Lucia in her Rannoch 10 boat, appropriately named the Ulster Warrior, aiming to raise funds for the charity Action Medical Research; 54 days, two close calls and one birthday later she finally reached her destination.