Latest news with #TourismNorthernIreland
Belfast Telegraph
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Rory McIlroy presented with drawing of himself by young fan at the Open
Rory McIlroy was presented with a drawing of himself from a young fan at the Open in Portrush today. Teenager Lucia Heaney gave McIlroy a copy of her drawing before the golfer signed a portrait for Lucia to keep for herself. The 15-year-old from Magherafelt won Tourism Northern Ireland's art competition with her portrait of the Grand Slam winner. Lucia's winning design featuring the Harland and Wolff Cranes and the Giant's Causeway. Holywood star McIlroy, who sealed the career Grand Slam when he won the Masters in April, is one of the big draws at this week's Open. Speaking on Monday, McIlroy admitted he would take a different approach at Royal Portrush after the disappointment of missing the cut at The Open there in 2019. "I spoke at the Masters, the battle was with myself. Whenever you get put in environments like that, it's you trying to overcome your mind and give yourself that clarity to put together a really good performance," he said. Who is Rory McIlroy and what is golf's Career Grand Slam? "In 2019 I probably tried to isolate and it's better for everyone if I embrace it. It's better for me because it's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle to accept it sometimes, but it's also nicer for the person because it's a nicer interaction. "I'm going to embrace everything that comes my way this week and not try to hide away from it and that will make it a better experience for everyone involved."
BBC News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Teenage artist meets McIlroy at Portrush
A lovely moment here at Royal Portrush as local teenager Lucia Heaney has her portrait of Rory McIlroy signed by the man 15-year-old from Magherafelt won Tourism Northern Ireland's art competition with her portrait of the Grand Slam winner with Lucia's winning design featuring the Harland and Wolff Cranes and the Giant's Causeway.
ITV News
14-07-2025
- Business
- ITV News
World's top golfers descend on Portrush as The Open practice gets underway
Golf's Open championship is finally back in Northern Ireland as the world's top golfers descended on Royal Portrush before the 153rd edition of the tournament tees off on Thursday. One of the biggest events in the golf calendar is back in the seaside town after just six years. Normally a venue has to wait 10 years before the competition returns. Portrush has hosted the Open three times - the first in 1951. The first of four official practice days got underway on Sunday. Around 270,000 people are expected to hit the famous fairways of Portrush to get close to the action. The competition draws golf's greatest stars. All local hopes will be pinned on Holywood's Rory McIlroy. His first public appearance on a NI golf course since his historic Masters triumph which saw him complete golf's career grand slam. Rory's feat was the first time in 25 years someone had won all four of golf's majors and made him just the sixth man to complete the set. The Grand Slam winner said: "After the 18th and seeing all the kids and signing autographs, it's really really nice and I'm sure that will just build and build as the week goes on". The excitement around the fairways has boosted the numbers of domestic and international tourists, who in turn are spending money in local shops and the hospitality sector. The 2019 Open at Royal Portrush generated over £100million in economic benefits for Northern Ireland. Six years on, the Causeway Coast and Glens area and beyond looks set for another boost. More than a quarter of a million golf fans are expected to flock to the north coast for the championship. The head of Tourism Northern Ireland, John McGrillen, said: "The people who come here they don't just play golf, they visit all of the visitor attractions and they spend their money in local bars and restaurants. They make a huge contribution". All roads may lead to Portrush this week, but with tens of thousands of spectators imminent, organisers have recommended the use of public transport. Extra buses and trains are in place, but an industrial dispute at Translink could lead to services being suspended on Friday and Saturday. The transport network is expected to be "very busy" but it is hoped that the provision of 115,000 additional seats will ease pressures. There is a dedicated walking route set out for passengers from the course to Portrush station. For those with sea legs, water taxis will be on hand to ferry fans to the fairways, making upwards of 40 crossings daily from Greencastle. The Open Championship first took place at Royal Portrush in 1951. Brian Twite, 98, is believed to be one of the last surviving players. Now, 74 years later, he is reflecting on the magic of The Open. From his home in Australia, he told UTV that Royal Portrush is the 'most magnificent' course he has ever seen. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘The paintings come alive': How Co Down artist's unconventional painting method is mesmerising TikTok
Kathryn Callaghan created a portrait in honour of the Holywood star completing golf's grand slam earlier this year with victory at the Masters — and her unique technique is earning her thousands of views on TikTok. Instead of using a paintbrush or a palette knife, Kathryn pours an inky mixture directly onto the canvas from a height, something she picked up almost by accident in college and has since made her own. While retaining poise and control as the ink falls into place, there is inevitably indiscriminate splatter as the liquid meets the canvas. Kathryn says: 'It might seem strange, but this technique allows me to work fast and gesturally, freeing me from the constraints of a sub-sketch. Gravity has as much to do with the process as anything. 'There is energy harnessed as the ink falls from bottle to the surface and just enough of an element of losing control to allow the ink to make its own unplanned marks. 'The paintings come alive from this raw beauty and the real energy that is injected into each piece.' In 2009, Kathryn returned to education at Belfast Metropolitan College to study fine art, and it was here that she embraced the pouring technique. She adds: 'Someone had donated some art supplies to the college, and I was rummaging through the box to see what was in there. 'I decided to pour some ink onto wax paper to try to create a painting of a damselfly. 'When I took the painting to my tutor, she immediately recognised it as a damselfly and, since then, after some experimenting to ensure the right consistency, I have been using this technique.' ADVERTISEMENT Kathryn's love of golf courses was the catalyst for one of her recent roles as a judge for Tourism Northern Ireland's art competition for primary and secondary pupils. The young people were encouraged to come up with original artworks that represent what the people and places of Northern Ireland mean to them, and how they want their home to be seen by global golf fans. Kathryn was joined on the judging panel by Naomi Waite, Tourism NI's director of marketing, Fran Porter, arts and cultural facilities officer with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, and Miller Cornelius, brand manager at The R&A. The winning designs will be on public display in Belfast and Portrush and used as part of Tourism NI's welcome for visitors to the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush later this month. Kathryn said it was a privilege to be able to judge the competition, with the quality of the entries consistently excellent. She says: 'There was so much talent. It was clear that the young people put their heart and soul into the competition and the standard was outstanding. 'The creativity was incredible and what stood out was that the entries were a real celebration of Northern Ireland, representing all that is great about this place. 'Displaying the winning artwork will be a lovely way to welcome visitors to the 153rd Open, while the competition has helped stir a real interest in the event with young people.' Kathryn has also just completed a series of works celebrating Northern Ireland's rich golfing heritage which will be on display at The Bushmills Inn throughout July as The Open takes place at Royal Portrush. The series of 13 paintings features scenes from Royal Portrush, Royal Belfast, Royal County Down, Ardglass and other courses. In addition, the six winning artworks from the Tourism NI competition will be on display to showcase the tremendous talent of our young people and excitement for the return of The Open. Kathryn says: 'I would have loved to be a golfer, I've taken several lessons, but I have had to accept that my talents lie elsewhere. 'Travelling to the courses throughout last winter was a brilliant experience. 'There was always someone there to give you a warm welcome and explain what was special about each place. For me, it was about trying to capture the essence of each course — that's what I want to put onto the page when I am pouring. 'I want people to be able to look at the painting and be able to close their eyes and feel transported to that place. We have so many stunning courses, especially our links courses. They are just beautiful places to be and visitors coming here for the first time just can't believe what special places they are. 'For example, when you think of Royal Portrush, it's that mix of the wild ocean and seagrass set against the contrast of the manicured greens. 'Golf courses in Northern Ireland are like a basket of treats for visitors; you can select a different world-class venue to play every day and you aren't travelling for hours to get there — they are all in close proximity.' Northern Ireland has provided the inspiration for a number of Kathryn's works and last summer she launched the Kathryn Callaghan NI Art Trail which encouraged fans of her work to travel to various locations to view the original pieces. The paintings included scenes from Bloody Bridge just outside Newcastle, the Mournes from Murlough, Strangford village, Bangor Pier, the Glens of Antrim, Ballintoy Harbour, Causeway Rocks and White Rocks from Magheracross Viewpoint, West Strand, Portrush and Benone Strand. Kathryn adds: 'From memories of childhood holidays to inspiration for adventures to come, the paintings encouraged people to get out and embrace Northern Ireland's giant spirit.'
Belfast Telegraph
06-06-2025
- 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.'
