THE CELTIC CONNECTION • MAY 1996
Page 9
You'll Never Know Comhaltas One Big Ceili
Until You Go
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER — I have had the pleasure of attending a few functions sponsored by The Northern Ireland Tourist Board and I have always been impressed by the professional and informative aspects of these meetings. This has been largely due to the work of Alison Metcalfe and Barbara Hicks of the Toronto office.
On March 26, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board sponsored a breakfast press conference at The Sutton Place Hote. On the panel of representatives, there were six speakers who described every aspect of tourism and hospitality in Northern Ireland.
For Derry City Council, Gerry Henry spoke, Mary Harris of the Malone Lodge Hotel represented the City of Belfast and Angela Gilchrist was the rep for the Coast of Down, in Downpatrick. Also attending were Aileen Martin of the Hastings Hotel Group, Belfast; Colin McClean of the Magheraboy House Hotel, Port-rush, County Antrim; and Karen Houlahan of Linen Homelands in Banbridge, County Down.
Those of us attending heard that tourism to Northern Ireland has increased by 20 percent over the previous year, with a total of 1.5 million visitors last year and all indications of an even bigger increase this year. Of this increase, 67 percent were holiday visitors and 52 percent more were Canadians.
Alison said that with the increase in tourism, Northern Ireland will require more tourist accommodations and many of the large hotel chains are now opening more hotels.
Throughout Northern Ireland, there is a wide variety of accommodations, from hotels to bed and breakfasts, plus hostels and farm house stays and camping.
Some of the increase in tourism is a direct result of the recent visit by U.S. President Clinton to Northern Ireland. Also, shoppers from The Republic of Ireland are heading North in increasing numbers to take advantage of great quality and prices, with the Castle Court shopping centre in Belfast being a hub of activity.
Belfast has many beautiful parks and there is a lively night life, as well as the waterfront which has just been re-opened. For those looking to trace their roots, there is a public records office just waiting to help locate ancestors.
The North is also noted for the quality of the linen produced. It is here where the oldest hand linen weaver in the country still lives. Linen Homelands, on the Ban and Lagan Rivers, have Irish Linen coach tours available that take you from the scutch mills to the finished linen product.
Derry is the cultural city of the North. Situated on the banks of the River Foyle, Derry is the regional capital of the northwest. It is also the only completely walled city in the British Isles. The acclaimed Tower Museum has won four major awards. This museum tells "The Story of
Derry" through traditional artifacts and a series of audio-visual displays. A visit is highly recommended.
A new Genealogy Centre just opened in Calgach Centre, where all the official records are now on disk.
Derry City boasts the only Visitor and Convention Bureau of its kind in the North or South of Ireland.
The city will also be a cruise ship destination with the first cruise ship in 40 years to Northern Ireland expected this year. Eventually, 80 ships a year are expected from all over the world.
Mayor John Kerr of the City of Derry invites visitors to drop in to see him at "The Mayors Parlour" in The Guildhall, where they will see true northern hospitality at its best.
The scenery in Northern Ireland is beautiful and there is no shortage of activities. Golf is very big and Portrush and County Down golf courses are a golfer's paradise. There is also cycling, fishing and climbing. At the Ulster Folk Park, visitors travel back in time on a historical journey to life in another era.
There is so much to see and as the slogan for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board says, "You'll never know until you go."
We will be continuing this special series of articles on Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in our June and July/ August issues.
By JAMIE MARRIN At the main banquet, SiTe De on the Friday evening and seem
The Irish culture is a living tra- Valerta, the TD from County ingly to run all weekend, inter-dition and Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Clare, represented the Irish Gov- rupted only by meals, the ban Eireann (CCE) is a major force in ernment in thanking CCE for its preserving and celebrating its continuing work in Ireland and music, dance and language. abroad to encourage the Irish Our North American Conven- language and traditional music, tion, held this year (April 12-14) President Padraig O'Ceallaigh in Toronto, was a great example (also from County Clare) praised of organization, learning and the North American division for "craic." its continuing growth and dyna-
mism.
The business meetings gave time to share information and make some policy decisions, but most of the activity was elsewhere.
Two sets of Saturday workshops gave young players training on all their Irish instruments and instruction in the Irish language,
quet and Mass.
The sessions had even fewer interruptions, some going arouna the clock. At one point, in the hotel lobby, there were 12 fiddlers, several button accordionists and an assortment of players gathered around the grand piano.
The highlight of the banquet (besides me winning a new bodh-ran!) was a wonderfully choreographed dance, celebrating our survival of the Famine 150 years ago.
This was followed by a grand and two Ceili worshops Taught ceili, or rather the continuation steps to hundreds of dancers. of a ceili begun in the ballroom
Here at the local level, Vancouver Branch Comhaltas works to bring this excitement to our community. A prime part of this commitment to Irish culture is the touring CCE company which will present the best of Irish music and dance here on October 20. Plan to join us for a great evening
1W« Ftmm
Demerara
Rum
Fully Matured 57.l%a1c.lvol.
Imported From Guyana Represented by Network Agencies
From Guyana YOUNG'S
F. Rum
i "oi, fcng]and
40o/o alc/voL
If you're thinking of moving back home you'll already know what Northern Ireland has to offer - a better quality of life all round.
LEDU, the Small Business Agency for Northern Ireland, invites enquiries from ex-Northern Ireland residents who are considering returning home to start a small business*
it
Tl
LEDU can help with the following:
- Marketing and technical support
- Professional business counselling
- Business start financial assistance
- Relocation advice
For further information
on how to
Make-lt-Back^Home
I
please contact our local representative-Brad Chappell Tel:604 738 5715
*LEDU can help with activities including manufacturing and tradeable services. We cannot help with retailing, wholesale, tourism and agricultural based business ideas.