By Barry Coughlan
The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is committed to bringing opera to everyone with its accessible and imaginative program of events over a week from May 29 to June 5.
With 21 events at 12 venues across the Blackwater Valley, the intent is to reach out to all ages and will be inclusive of school programs entitled ‘Discover Opera’ and ‘Discover Singing’.
These are intent on providing inspiration for young minds and will feature exciting workshops and a night at the opera, while the Open Air Lunchtime Recitals offer music for free in an outdoor setting for 8 month olds or 80 year olds!
Ireland’s Summer opera festival’s four free BVOF Open Air Lunchtime Recitals to take place in Youghal, Fermoy, Lismore and Dungarvan will be performed by various members of the 24-strong festival chorus, and each performance will be different, offering classical and operatic repertoire in a less formal way. Suitable for young and old, tickets are free, but must be pre-booked to guarantee a seat.
‘Discover Opera’ and ‘Discover Singing’ are exciting singing initiatives presented by Blackwater Valley Opera Festival in partnership with Music Generation Waterford and supported by the Tomar Trust.
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival’s Director, Eamonn Carroll, said it was exciting to offer an inclusive program of music and culture for everyone to enjoy.
He says: “We are so proud to bring the joy of opera to everyone with our imaginative program of classical music. We want to engage the young through a creative and imaginative program of opera and classical music. Our school programs and outreach work are central to our mission.”
The dates and times of free open-air lunchtime recitals can be found and booked at blackwatervalleyopera.ie/recital-performances:
LISMORE: Millennium Park
– Tuesday 30 May at 1pm
DUNGARVAN: Walton Park
– Friday 2 June at 12 noon
YOUGHAL: Green Park
– Saturday 3 June at 12 noon
FERMOY: Town Park
– Sunday 4 June at 12 noon
The Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, has launched a new tasting menu by executive head chef Damian Tumilty at its acclaimed Seahorse Restaurant.
The restaurant, which has a prestigious AA Rosette award, is now offering foodies an unforgettable culinary experience with its new eight-course tasting menu, priced at £75 or £125 with wine pairings (approximately €86 and €144 or $92 and $155).
With seasonality, sustainability and the very best of local provenance showcased throughout, the new menu features a range of dishes that highlight Damian’s passion for bold flavors, exceptional locally sourced ingredients and inventive presentation.
Guests can look forward to courses featuring some fancy names such as Conway Farm Asparagus with Crispy Quail Egg; Spring Pea Panna Cotta, Crab and Caviar; Roast Sirloin of Moiled Irish Beef; Smoked & Peppered Brisket with Marrow Mash Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Waggle Dance Honey Parfait Bushmills Whiskey Sauce and Sheep Yoghurt Sorbet.
Winning an AA Rosette has been Damian’s ultimate goal since joining the hotel, and now with this new tasting menu, he is hoping to push new boundaries.
“Our eight-course tasting menu is a carefully crafted selection of some of our most innovative and unique creations,” he said.
Stephen Meldrum, General Manager of the Grand Central Hotel said that the new tasting menu means allows people to savour some of the best cuisine Belfast has to offer.
“The new tasting menu will provide for a memorable dining experience,” he enthused. Visit grandcentralhotelbelfast.com for more information.
Air Transat has launched its 2023 Summer Vibes promo, offering Irish passengers deals on flights to Toronto from Dublin, those domiciled in Ontario overseas might want to help or encourage family and friends take a trip west!
The sale runs until June 8 offering passengers special promo fares on return flights with Air Transat traveling between up to October 31 and prices start from US$345 or Can$465.
The promotion comes as Air Transat increases its services from Dublin for the 2023 summer season offering passengers a choice of up to six flights per week, compared to five last year.
Visit airtransat.com or contact a travel agent.