Latest news with #TourismNI
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
New chief executive of Tourism NI announced
Mrs McCorry will be leaving her current position as head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens to take over from Mr McGrillen, who had been in post for a decade. She has worked for Tourism NI in the past as the director of product development, and, before that, as director of corporate development. She has also worked for National Museums Northern Ireland as public engagement director. Earlier in her career she specialised in inward development, working in the United States for Invest NI, the agency responsible for foreign direct investment in Northern Ireland, and also for the North England Inward Investment Agency. At Hillsborough, Mrs McCorry oversaw the conservation and management of the royal residence. She is also a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and board member of Tourism Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. She is the first woman to fill the role of Tourism NI CEO. News Catchup - Monday 9th June 2025 Mrs McCorry said: 'I am delighted to have been appointed as Tourism NI's new chief executive. 'Tourism NI is a fantastic organisation with a passionate team and I'm excited to work together to grow the tourism economy in a way that benefits communities, businesses and visitors alike.' Ellvena Graham, chair of Tourism NI said: 'I am delighted to welcome Laura as our new chief executive. 'Laura brings with her a wealth of experience in leadership in the tourism industry and her expertise will guide Tourism NI in our ambitious plans to support the delivery of the Minister's Tourism Vision and Action Plan. 'I would like to thank our outgoing CEO, John McGrillen for his exceptional leadership of the organisation over the past 10 years and wish him well in his next chapter.'
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Head of Hillsborough Castle named new CEO of Tourism NI
Mrs McCorry will be leaving her current position as head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens to take over from Mr McGrillen, who had been in post for a decade. She has worked for Tourism NI in the past as the director of product development, and, before that, as director of corporate development. She has also worked for National Museums Northern Ireland as public engagement director. Earlier in her career she specialised in inward development, working in the United States for Invest NI, the agency responsible for foreign direct investment in Northern Ireland, and also for the North England Inward Investment Agency. At Hillsborough, Mrs McCorry oversaw the conservation and management of the royal residence. She is also a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and board member of Tourism Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. She is the first woman to fill the role of Tourism NI CEO. News Catchup - Monday 9th June 2025 Mrs McCorry said: 'I am delighted to have been appointed as Tourism NI's new chief executive. 'Tourism NI is a fantastic organisation with a passionate team and I'm excited to work together to grow the tourism economy in a way that benefits communities, businesses and visitors alike.' Ellvena Graham, chair of Tourism NI said: 'I am delighted to welcome Laura as our new chief executive. 'Laura brings with her a wealth of experience in leadership in the tourism industry and her expertise will guide Tourism NI in our ambitious plans to support the delivery of the Minister's Tourism Vision and Action Plan. 'I would like to thank our outgoing CEO, John McGrillen for his exceptional leadership of the organisation over the past 10 years and wish him well in his next chapter.'
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
How to Train Your Dragon is all-fired-up family fun
Good news - on a Monday! The latest live-action remake of a family favourite is among the genre's best. There's plenty here for lovers of author Cressida Cowell's books and the animated movies they inspired, new arrivals to the franchise, and adults who find kids' films, well, a bit of an ask. Indeed, any grown-up whose factory settings see the Land of Nod beckon on a trip to the cinema should be pleasantly surprised by this summer treat, a gift on a plate for Tourism NI. The perfectly cast Mason Thames plays Hapless, the misfit son of Viking chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, now larger than life as he reprises his voice role from the original trilogy). Written off by his entire village, Hapless ends up teaching everyone a thing or two when he befriends Toothless, a downed dragon who shows the teenager that all is not as it seems. From the get-go, HTTYD gets right into the action and avoids Jenga-ing the story with endless details and exposition. There's as much heart here as there is excitement, and if anyone knows this IP and what to do with it, it's director Dean DeBlois. He co-directed the first Dragon outing with Chris Sanders and then helmed the two sequels. He also co-directed the original Lilo & Stitch with Sanders. That's a lot of feels for one CV. With over $50 million spent before filming even began in Belfast and along the North's coast, this is an adventure where you can truly see where the money went. The effects are excellent, the sets are stunning, and the real-life scenery is as much a star as the charming Thames, rowdy Butler, and winning supporting cast that includes Nico Parker - daughter of actor Thandiwe Newton and director Oliver Parker - as the effortlessly cool warrior Astrid. Top jobs in front of and behind the lens abound. How to Train Your Dragon could have done with a couple of more standout laughs, but that's the only niggle. They can right that in the recently announced sequel. Hurry up, June 2027!
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Former Masters champion delighted to sign up to new NI Legends event at Galgorm
The Welsh wizard, who was also World No.1 during a remarkable career, will headline a field of former Major champions and Ryder Cup players for the Legends Tour event held at Galgorm on August 29-31. It will be the 20th professional event hosted by Galgorm, which previously was the location for the ISPS HANDA World Invitational on the DP World Tour and LPGA Tour, as well as the NI Open which was held on various tours. And Woosnam, who captained Europe to Ryder Cup success in Ireland at The K Club in 2006, is thrilled to get the chance to come and play at the event in two month's time. 'I am delighted to be heading back to Ireland to compete in this new Legends Tour event. Golf in Northern Ireland is thriving, especially with Rory McIlroy completing golf's Grand Slam recently and The Open returning to Royal Portrush next month,' said the World Golf Hall of Famer. 'Galgorm enjoys a great reputation as one of the country's best tournament venues and I am looking forward to competing here in August. The Pro-Am format for the NI Legends lends itself to a great week where amateurs get the chance to compete alongside the professionals.' The Legends Tour, formerly known as the European Seniors Tour, is open to professionals aged 50 or over and its events regularly feature a wealth of talent including the likes of Miguel Angel Jimenez, Paul Lawrie, Paul McGinley, Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal. As well as the main tournament, the event will also feature a Pro-Am that will see several high-profile names compete alongside the professionals the day before the event begins. 'We are delighted to be bringing the Legends Tour to Northern Ireland and the wonderful Galgorm. It's a venue with a long history of hosting professional tournaments and I'm sure it will present a real challenge to all the players,' said Legends Tour chief executive Phil Harrison. "Northern Ireland is a superb destination for golf and we are looking forward to playing in front of such knowledgeable and supportive fans, who I'm sure will welcome the opportunity to watch legends of the game close-up.' Aine Kearney, interim chief executive at Tourism Northern Ireland, commented: 'We are excited to welcome the Black Desert NI Legends this August, in what is an incredibly exciting year for golf in Northern Ireland. The NI Legends Open, held at Galgorm's championship Castle Course, showcases that Northern Ireland is indeed Made for Golf. 'Tourism NI is proud to support this world-class tournament, which draws golf enthusiasts from across the globe. Events like this not only celebrate our rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes but also showcase the superb facilities we offer to golfers worldwide. We're looking forward to an unforgettable experience for players and spectators alike.' Gary Henry, group golf director at the Galgorm Collection, added: 'The Black Desert NI Legends is something of a tournament milestone as its the 20th professional event to be staged at Galgorm, dating back to 2010 and including the 2020 Irish Open. "We are delighted to be working with the Legends Tour and title sponsors Black Desert on this exciting new event where many household names and former Major champions will be on show at Galgorm in August. "With the Pro-am format we also look forward to welcoming a number of Northern Ireland soccer legends who will take on an All-Star legends team to compete for the Legends Cup.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Head of HR and Organisational Development at Co-Ownership goes under the Belfast Live spotlight
Louise Kearney, the Head of HR and Organisational Development at Co-Ownership – Northern Ireland's regional provider of shared ownership – has been instrumental in providing an affordable route to homeownership. Since 1978, this initiative has assisted over 33,000 individuals across Northern Ireland in purchasing their own homes. Here she tells us about her path to the role, her favourite spots in Northern Ireland and where she sees herself in 10 years time. In less than ten words, what do you do? I ensure a great employee experience for excellent service delivery. READ MORE: We live in the best place in Northern Ireland and here's why we love it READ MORE: Belfast commercial real estate opportunities showcased at global event What are the three main attributes required for your job? The ability to see the bigger picture for impactful support, knowing when to make the right decisions for our organisation and people, and the ability to influence both senior team and staff for mutual understanding. How did you get to your current position? My HR career began with gaining experiences in various industry sectors, aiming to join a 'big four' consultancy firm, which I did – PwC. From there, I decided to work towards a purpose, previously supporting the tourism growth agenda at Tourism NI with a fantastic team that delivered exceptionally. Excluding your current job, what would be your dream job? I would love to be a diplomat as I have a passion for travelling – experiencing different cultures, food, architecture and meeting new people is always exciting for me. What work achievement are you most proud of? When I joined Co-Ownership in 2019, it had an Investors in People (IIP) standard accreditation. IIP is recognised in 66 countries as the standard for leading, supporting and managing people. Having held the Silver accreditation since 2021, we advanced to Gold in December 2024 by showcasing excellence in our people and culture strategies. This accomplishment underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to flourish. What are you most proud of in life? Our four healthy and happy children – who are now all financially independent, thank goodness! It's wonderful to engage in adult discussions on a variety of subjects with your children. They are fantastic company and remarkable human beings. Who is Northern Ireland's brightest business brain? I would suggest that John Campbell, BBC NI's Economics & Business Editor, possesses a brilliant mind capable of conveying complex issues in an insightful and comprehensible manner. What do you wish you had invented? Affordable robots that handle domestic cleaning. As a working mum, it was truly challenging to balance work life with household chores and educating the children. It's such an unappreciated task - the kids don't value any of the effort involved - but this would free up time. Favourite App on your phone? Our eldest lad resides in Dusseldorf and our children are all off doing their own things so it's crucial to stay connected – Snapchat and WhatsApp assist us in doing this. Apart from Belfast Live and your own, what's your favourite website? Booking. com- no surprises there! If you were spending the day in Belfast, where is your dream breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks? That's a tough question! For a casual brekkie, I'd pop into either Harlem or Avoca and for a special treat, I'd head to the Great Room in the Merchant hotel. For a lunch or dinner treat, I'd go to Edo, Ginger, Howard St or Waterman. For drinks, I'd head to the Duke of York, the Dark Horse, the Spaniard, Bullitt, the Crown or Kellys Cellars. How would you describe Belfast to someone who's never been? Compact, quirky and friendly. Where's your hidden gem in Northern Ireland? The Mourne Coastal area is brilliant both for walking and driving. Tollymore Forest is a firm family favourite. Favourite place in the world? San Sebastian in northern Spain. It's a really quaint coastal city with cobbled streets and stunning architecture. I'm a foodie and this is one of the best gastronomic regions of Spain. In 10 years' time I'd like... .to be globetrotting! For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
