Upcoming shows at the Solstice Navan

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EXHIBITION: LUX: Light Art in Ireland

From: 10 Nov 2018
To: 21 Dec 2018
LUX is a group exhibition of sculptural and installation works that use artificial illumination as their primary medium. The participating artists are five of the finest practitioners currently working within this field of artmaking in Ireland.


SOLD OUT – Snow White – SMMS Panto

From: 13 Dec 2018
To: 06 Jan 2019
Following last year’s sell out run of Beauty and the Beast, St. Mary’s Musical Society are back for another action-packed, joke-filled night of fun for young and old! Snow White lives with her Mother in the forest of Fairy Green – a magical place filled with magical creatures, where magical things can happen. When she blindly follows the handsome Prince through the forest, she stumbles upon seven interesting individuals… With the Evil Queen attempting to interfere with fate, how will Snow White ever find her true love, and true love’s first kiss?


SOLD OUT – The Nutcracker – Ballet Ireland

From: 19 Dec 2018
To: 20 Dec 2018
This Irish production of the festive classic, performed by an international cast of world-class dancers, appeals to audiences of all ages with its fairy-tale magic, beautiful costumes and Tchaikovsky’s beloved & sumptuous score. A tale of wondrous adventure that combines to form one of the most delectable Christmas confections imaginable.


SOLD OUT – Eimear Quinn – O Holy Night, A Christmas Concert

From: 21 Dec 2018
To: 21 Dec 2018
In this intimate and spiritual night, Eimear Quinn brings her own special rendition of Christmas songs and carols to Solstice for a memorable musical experience where her ethereal voice will blend beautifully with string quartet and guitar. Allow yourself to sit back and let the hustle and bustle fade away. The Christmas season begins right here, let your spirit be moved!


SOLD OUT – The Lost Brothers

From: 23 Dec 2018
To: 23 Dec 2018
Solstice once again welcomes The Lost Brothers for their famous annual Winter Hootenanny. Since the release of their highly acclaimed 5th album Halfway Towards A Healing in early 2018, The Lost Brothers (Oisin Leech from Navan and Mark McCausland from Omagh) have been on a non-stop world tour, taking in sold-out theatre shows in Ireland and the UK, a stint in America, and their first Australian tour. They now return home with new songs and tales from their travels for this special yearly December concert. Expect songs from all five albums and some festive surprises on the night.


Silver Swans Over 55s Ballet

From: 07 Jan 2019
To: 11 Feb 2019
Silver Swans classes have been specifically designed for the over 55s. Whether you’ve never danced before or want to get back into the swing of it, Silver Swans classes have something for everyone. Classes are taught by RAD and Silver Swans licensed teacher Caroline Kennedy.


EXHIBITION: Surveillé·e·s

From: 12 Jan 2019
To: 01 Mar 2019
Since the beginning of the 20th century, surveillance and spying capacities have accelerated in line with technological advances. Now, at a time when the world is waking up to what is at stake, the Surveillé·e·s investigate both the visible and invisible mechanisms in operation.


Surveillé·e·s – Curator’s Talk with Exhibiting Artists

From: 12 Jan 2019
To: 12 Jan 2019
To mark the opening of the exhibition, join curator Nora Hickey M’Sichili of Centre Culturel Irlandais to discuss the ideas behind the exhibition and talk to some of the exhibiting artists in Surveillé·e·s.


A Star Is Born (2018)

From: 16 Jan 2019
To: 16 Jan 2019
Bradley Cooper plays seasoned musician Jackson Maine who discovers, and falls in love with, struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.


First Fortnight | Two Days, One Night (2014)

From: 17 Jan 2019
To: 17 Jan 2019
Oscar winner Marion Cotillard gives a rousing performance in this profoundly affecting film. Sandra returns to work after suffering from depression, only to find out that her colleagues have chosen to take a yearly bonus at the expense of her job. She has just one weekend to convince them to change their minds in order to regain her position.


Children’s 6-Week Craft Classes

From: 18 Jan 2019
To: 18 Jan 2019
Our children’s craft classes continue with prop maker, crafter and artist Trisha from Creative Genie! Children will learn a broad range of creative skills, producing artwork from seasonal to general crafts over a 6-week period.


The FitKid Ireland Show

From: 20 Jan 2019
To: 20 Jan 2019
Get an insight into the amazing and unique combination of dance, acrobatics, strength and flexibility in The FitKid Ireland Show, coming to Navan for the very first time, featuring talented children between 3 – 16 years old. Also on display will be routines from children who arrive from the XVI FitKid European Championship from Italy just two weeks before the show. Come and see how fantastic and gifted children live among us!


An Evening With Aonghus McAnally

From: 25 Jan 2019
To: 25 Jan 2019
Following on from his sold out tours celebrating the music of Christie Hennessy in 2016 and 2017, Aonghus McAnally is back with a brand new show. All the songs in the show have personal stories attached to them from humorous to poignant, each delivered in his unique style. An entertaining evening not to be missed.


FREE SCREENING: Spy Kids (2001)

From: 26 Jan 2019
To: 26 Jan 2019
The children of two of the greatest secret agents the world has ever known must take matters into their own hands and work to save their kidnapped parents from danger. This free screening runs in conjunction with our visual arts exhibition Surveillé·e·s which is on display in our Level 3 Gallery until 1 March.

 

Navan mining company wins Welsh mountain metals deal

tara mines

Navan mining veteran Peter McParland has won a joint venture deal to first investigate, and then possibly develop, a Welsh mountain prospect that is believed to have potential for copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver.

The deal struck with Anglesey Mining is seen as a big step forward in that company’s advancement of its Parys Mountain copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver project, located on the island of Anglesey in North Wales.

Anglesey Mining is already carrying out feasibility and development work at the site, which has a reported resource of 2.1 million tonnes at 6.9pc combined base metals in the indicated category.

McParland’s mining services company QME, based in Co Meath, is to carry out an agreed programme of design, engineering and optimisation studies relating to the future development of Parys Mountain. Between now and next June, QME will carry out a detailed review of various development and mining alternatives to determine the optimum production plan for Parys Mountain,

Should Anglesey decide to proceed with the project, QME will be awarded, on an exclusive basis, contracts for the development of an underground mine, including the rehabilitation of an old mine at the site, at its own investment. In consideration of this, QME would earn a 30pc undivided joint venture interest in the Parys Mountain project.

“We consider this to be a very important and positive step forward in the development of the Parys Mountain mine,” said Anglesey chief executive Bill Hooley.

“QME is experienced in underground mine development and has developed and recruited the necessary skills in mine planning to deliver local and relevant underground mining expertise to Parys Mountain that will assist Anglesey to move forward with the development of the Parys Mountain project at no direct cash cost to Anglesey or dilution of its shareholders.”

QME Limited was founded in 1987 by its current managing director, Peter McParland, and is based in Navan.

It operates several divisions and provides a wide range of services in the fields of both mine development and operations to the local and international mining community.

QME has worked with a wide range of clients including Boliden Tara Mines, Dalradian Gold in Northern Ireland, the Tynagh and Gortdrum mines, and on a number of Canadian projects.

Its equipment division is a large provider of new and re-manufactured underground and open pit mining equipment to the international mining industry worldwide.

Biotechnology firm opens in Dunboyne

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Ministers Doherty and McEntee with Susan Hynes of Shire.

Global biotechnology firm Shire today held what it called an ‘official site dedication event’ at its new state of-the-art biologics facility in Dunboyne.  The event was held “to celebrate the significant milestones achieved in the construction of the new facility”.

Shire Dunboyne welcomed Meath East TDs, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty and Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee, to the event attended by Shire Global Leaders, the IDA, local county councillors, members of Meath County Council, external business partners supporting the Dunboyne facility as well as invited guests from the local community.

Development of the 120-acre site has been underway since November 2017. Currently there are over 1,000 people supporting the construction activities on site, and significant progress has been made in the last 12 months. Shire currently has 60 people employed in Dunboyne and the site is on track to be operational by 2020.

Approximately 400 people will be employed at the facility when it is at full capacity. Today, recruitment is underway across multiple functional areas including manufacturing, quality assurance, quality control, engineering, finance, supply chain, automation, human resources and environmental health and safety.

The $400 million investment into the new biotech manufacturing facility will help Shire to meet the rapidly growing demand for its innovative medicines for people with rare diseases. The state-of-the-art facility will adopt single-use technology, will be highly automated and will also be the European Quality Control Hub for Shire’s biologics portfolio.

Susan Hynes, site lead for Shire Dunboyne, said: “Today’s site dedication event is a celebration of the critical milestones that we have reached in just 12 months at our new biologics manufacturing facility here in Dunboyne. At Shire, we are championing people with rare diseases every step of the way.  Our ambition is a bold but simple one – to help people with rare diseases live better lives. We are immensely proud to be building our new facility in Co. Meath and that the pioneering medicines we produce here will help more patients around the world who need our innovative medicines.  That drives us here at Dunboyne to achieve these critical milestones on behalf of our patients. We have received a great welcome from the local community and look forward to welcoming more people into our organisation as we continue to build our team for the future.”

Regina Doherty commented: “The $400m being invested in a new state of the art facility in Dunboyne is an incredible vote of confidence in this county and reflects what will be a long-term benefit for the community. A hi-tech facility like this provides the type of jobs for the future which will sustain local employment, develop a skilled local workforce and generate economic activity within the local economy which will have a knock-on effect on other local businesses.”

Helen McEntee, Minister of State for European Affairs, commented: “Today’s event is a timely reminder of Shire’s commitment to Dunboyne and to County Meath.  Shire’s investment in Meath totalling almost $400 million, and when the site is complete and fully operational it will employ 400 people.  This shows that the Action Plan for Jobs is delivering for Meath and the North-East Region as a whole.”

Meath Business & Tourism Awards Finalists Announced!

Fifty-one Meath companies and organisations were celebrating this week after receiving word that they have been shortlisted for Meath Business and Tourism Awards for 2018. There was a massive number of entries this year with honours in 12 categories up for decision.

The Meath Chronicle, which hosts the annual award ceremony to recognise the outstanding achievements of our local business community, received hundreds of entries with submissions for the Best Customer Service and New Business categories particularly strong this year.

Celtic Media Group Marketing Manager, Mary McGuigan, said the calibre of entry this year was extremely high and presented the judging panel with some difficult choices. The judges are: Kevin Stewart, Meath County Council, Noel Moran, eComm; Joe English, Meath LEO, Gary O’Meara, Meath Enterprise; John Keogan, Meath Chronicle/ CMG and Conor Corry from AIB, Navan.

“We’re so looking forward to our ninth Meath Business & Tourism Awards which will be held in the Newgrange Hotel on 23rd November. It’s always one of the most anticipated nights of the year and great occasion where we celebrate the best of local businesses and organisations making a real difference in the County,” said Mary McGuigan.

Commenting on the selection of this year’s final shortlist, Kevin Stewart, Director of Planning Services at Meath County Council said the standard of entry was “exceptional” and the process had been a difficult one for judges.

“The Meath Business & Tourism Awards is a fantastic event and we had our work cut out for us with the standard of entries this year. We were particularly delighted with the number of submissions for Best New Business and Customer Service while Social Media was also very strong.

Ahead of the glittering awards ceremony – which will once again be MC’d by Athboy native Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh – shortlisted business owners will appear at a special ‘Pitch Night’ event which will give the nominees a chance to wow the judges and their fellow finalists with a special three-minute insight into their business. That event will be held in AIB’s Navan branch on November 12th. AIB is a proud partner of the Meath Business and Tourism Awards alongside Meath County Council and Discover Boyne Valley.

The full short list can be found below and a huge thank you to all the businesses who entered the awards this year.

TOURISM AWARDS

Outstanding Boyne Valley Festival
Dowth Point to Point
Royal Meath Show
Moylagh 50 Mile Challenge

Outstanding Boyne Valley Welcome
Dunboyne Castle Hotel
Cusack Hotel Group
Decoy Country Cottages
Hideaway At Foxhollow

Unique Small Tourism Business Initiative
Martry Mill
Slane Castle
Highfield House

Best Boyne Valley Tourism Experience
Navan Adventure Sports
Beautiful Meath Tours
Boyne Boats

BUSINESS AWARDS

Best New Business
Slane Distillery
Greenline Plumbing
Fire & Salt Restaurant at the Johnstown Estate
Time Bar & Restaurant

Best in Social Media and Marketing
Conyngham Arms Hotel
Tayto Park
Brogans Butchers

Best Customer Service
Navan Dental
Knightsbrook Hotel
Bodyworks

Best Local and Artisan Food Producers
Farmers Daughter
Finnegans Farm
Hugh Maguire Butchers

Best in Retail
Topline Murtaghs
Nallys Supervalu Trim
Gleesons Butchers

Not For Profit and Community Spirit Award
Moylagh 50 Mile Challenge
Special Hands Activity Group
Athboy Hub
Trim Tourism Network

Local Enterprise Office Award
European Industrial Coatings
Bearded Man
Durnins Fruit & Veg

Young Entrepreneur Award
DGPT
Room 8
The Pop Box
Bearded Man

Other events over Christmas

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Oh Night Divine, at Tankardstown House

20 Dec 2018

Oh Night Divine, Thursday 20th December, Brabazon Restaurant. Dine to the dulcet tones of Italian…

Christmas At Bennett’s Bar and Lounge

20 Dec 2018 to 31 Dec 2018

Live Music throughout Christmas at Bennett’s pub in Ardcath, Co. Meath.

Christmas at Loughcrew House

20 Dec 2018 to 26 Dec 2018

Loughcrew House is a stunning location just an hour drive from Dublin. A perfect backdrop for…

Work breakup party night with Eamon Toal and band

21 Dec 2018

Work Breakup Party with Eamon Toal and Friends! Christmas Buffet Dinner & Show €35.00 per person.

Uproar over charges into town’s Christmas market

xmas market

A furious backlash on social media over plans to introduce an admission fee for next month’s Trim Christmas Market has led to the organisers rowing back on the intended €5 charge for adults and €3 for children.

Instead, Bespoke Advertisting, the company behind the market, is to waive the adults charge and charge €5 per child to cover access to the children’s activities on the day. On Friday children can visit Santa’s grotto and receive a present while there will be six performances of the Spectacular Singing Santa Show and Puppet Panto Shows on Saturday and Sunday.

This is the third year of the market but the first where the council will not be providing any funding and Bespoke Advertising say they had no choice but to introduce an admission fee to cover the huge costs associated with running the event.

For the past two years, the event took place on Market Street, which was closed to traffic, but this year it will be in a new location in the Emmett Street Car Park from 7th to 9th December.

The vintage carousel will be returning along with other funfair attractions to bring the Christmas festival atmosphere with stalls selling everything from hot food to candles, and Christmas decorations to personalised gifts to knitwear.

Stuart Montgomery of Bespoke Advertising explained the cost was necessary to cover the cost of running the event but admitted that adults and families with older children may not see the benefit in paying in to shop at the market and they had decided to waive the adult charge. He added that the children’s charge was “well below  what you would expect to pay at any santa’s grotto or santa experience at a Christmas event around Ireland”.

“I can understand why people are concerned about the introduction of a fee but we feel it is exceptional value for money given the range of activities we have lined up over the weekend,” he said.

Explaining the rationale behind introducing a charge Mr Montgomery said: “We are not getting any funding from the council this year and we had to make a decision as to whether to go ahead. We built it up to be the success it is over the last couple of years and the market has been very beneficial for local businesses and in bringing people outside the town in to do their festive shopping.

“In light of not receiving funding, we have no choice but to introduce a small fee to off set the huge costs involved in running this event such as the marquee, lighting, sound, staff, advertising and insurance.

“We have moved to a smaller location so will have less exhibitors which has reduced our revenue stream for the event. Between the lack of funding and the smaller space, for it to work we had no option but to ask for  small admission fee at the gate.”

Causey farm this Christmas

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For Children, Young and Old, Who Love Christmas!

All the sheds have different Christmas-themed events and everyone moves from place to place to sample each new experience.

Causey Farm comes alive with a festive atmosphere – as we celebrate Christmas with all the traditional charm and magic you’d expect. There’s a chill in the air. The farm animals are in for the winter and the baby lambs will soon be born. We hear laughter and “Wows” across the old farmyard – the time has come to celebrate and we do it in style here at Causey Farm.

Christmas at Causey Farm Includes:

Prices

Children (aged 2-12 yrs) €22.00
Toddlers (1 year olds) €8.00
Adults €14.00
Babies (0-11 months) Free

Note: All booking changes are subject to a €5 administration charge

  • Visiting Santa’s house and help Mrs Claus pack his bag for the big journey.
  • Slide down into the toy workshop and play with the toys Santa has ready for packing.
  • Make your way through the Elves’ door to Santa’s Parlour.
  • Listen carefully, is that a noise on the roof? You’d never know who might arrive down the chimney – and of course he has a gift for all the children – Hope your name is on one of his parcels!
  • Follow the Bethlehem Trail to the stable where Mary and Joseph take care of their new arrival, watched over by the cows, donkeys, sheep and lambs.
  • Visit Christmas Cottage to experience an old Irish Christmas; Make a wish as you stir the pudding!
  • And of course don’t forget to Visit the reindeer as they relax before their big night.
  • Causey Christmas Experience lasts one and a half hours!

History of James Griffin pub in Trim

Michael and Thomas Lenihan

Michael first stood behind the counter in 1948 when legend has it he left Delvin in County Westmeath as a young man seeking his fortune in Dublin, but he mistook the statue of Wellington as Nelsons Pillar and landed in Trim instead.

The pub is one of the oldest and the last remaining traditional pubs in Meath, having opened its doors first in 1904.

leihans

(Thomas and Michael Lenihan)

Today the pub is operated by his son Tom who masterminded a refurbishment to the premises in 2006, while still maintaining the ‘olde world charm’ of the pub.  There are many nooks and corners where one can enjoy that quiet drink or meet friends old and new to either enjoy traditional Irish Music or their favourite sport on the many screens throughout the pub.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Quintessential Irish Pub, where there are no strangers – just friends who have not met yet!

Sláinte

Michael and Thomas

Ryans of Navan

ryans navan

The Heart of the Action…

For fantastic nights out, the finest food, top-class entertainment, superb private parties, after-wedding parties and exciting sports viewing, Ryan’s Bar Navan is your premier social hub!

Why not start your day with our delicious homemade scones and freshly-brewed coffee? Or treat yourself to a flavourful lunch made with fresh, local ingredients? Described by food blogger Carmel Corrigan as the “best lunch in Navan”, the varied menu includes our famous chowder, which placed 3rd at the National Chowder Competition in Kinsale in 2013!

Nominated for Best Local Bar of the Year 2016, this is a family-run pub captained by former Meath footballer Mick Ryan. Therefore it’s no surprise that this vibrant bar has nine HD screens so you never miss a ball being kicked! You can enjoy a terrific range of beers, whiskeys, gins and cocktails with your friends. There’s live music on Saturday nights and a DJ on Fridays for your entertainment. Occasionally we have live music on Sundays – Keep an eye on our Event Guide for updates!

Our attractive award-winning garden has full bar facilities, accommodating up to 100 people, is fully heated and has two widescreen TVs. It’s an ideal venue in which to unwind and socialise. It’s also one of several areas which you can reserve for private parties and special occasions such as after-wedding parties.

Ryan’s Bar Navan is delighted to sponsor local teams such as Navan O’Mahonys GAA and Navan Town Football Club.

Local weather

REGIONAL FORECAST – LEINSTER

17 December 2018 12:00

Today

Cloudy today with scattered of rain and drizzle spreading from the west this afternoon. Highs of 9 to 12 Celsius in moderate to fresh and gusty southerly winds, which will increase fresh to strong and gusty as the afternoon wears on with near gale force winds developing near the coasts.

Tonight

Cloudy overnight with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle at first but more persistent and locally heavy rain will spread from the west overnight leading to spot flooding. Windy overnight also in strong to near gale force and gusty southerly winds, which will reach gale force at times near coasts. Relatively mild with lows of 8 to 11 Celsius.

Tomorrow

Cloudy, wet and windy at first on Tuesday with further heavy rain but the rain will clear eastwards during the morning. The rest of the day will bring a mix of bright spells and scattered showers. The strong to near gale force and gusty southerly winds will veer southwest with the clearance and moderate. It will turn cooler with afternoon highs of just 6 to 9 Celsius