Lisburn to celebrate Community Relations Week

LISBURN City Council will be offering a series of events in the Lisburn area during Community Relations Week, 14th–20th May.

The theme of this Northern Ireland wide week, organised by the Community Relations Council, is ‘No More Them and Us?’ Throughout the course of the week Lisburn Council has arranged an exhibition, a concert and events for the young people of the city.

The Mayor, Councillor Brian Heading, said: “The Council is very pleased through its Good Relations Unit to be funding these local events that will bring together people for all communities in our city. It is very important that everyone can experience the traditions of others and the Council has organised a schedule of events that will allow this to happen.

“For the young people of Lisburn there will be a school’s quiz held on Tuesday 15th May in the Studio Theatre at the Island Arts Centre; and I hope that those attending will enjoy this cultural quiz and will gain an invaluable insight into all cultures including ethnic minorities.

Sport will play its part in celebrating Community Relations Week with an open basketball competition on Saturday 19th May at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex between 1.00pm and 5.00pm. Local players and teams can enter this three-on-three open ball basketball competition and enjoy the friendly competitive atmosphere,” he concluded.

On Tuesday 15th May the ‘Amra Choluim Chille’ Exhibition will be opened in the Assembly Rooms of the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum. This exhibition of historical background, images and paintings celebrates the oldest known poem in Gaelic - a 6th eulogy to St. Colm Cille of Columba. It will be open to the public from the 15th May to 29th May between the hours of 10.00am and 5.00pm.

Thursday 17th May will see accomplished singer Gráinne Holland hold a concert in the Studio Theatre, ISLAND Arts Centre, Lisburn. With her versatile and haunting voice Gráinne will entertain the crowd with an exquisite range of lullabies and laments. As a pioneer in forging new territory for Gaelic song both Scottish and Irish, Gráinne’s exquisite lyrical charms refresh and revitalise the Gaelic verse of old.

Tickets for the concert are priced at £10 each and can be purchased from the ISLAND Box Office on 9250 9254. For further information on the Council’s involvement in Community Relations Week please contact its Good Relations Officer, David Mitchell on 9250 9492 or email [email protected]