Pacemaker Press

Officials of the Briggs Equipment North West 200 met with Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons and Stephen Dunne MLA, at Parliament Buildings, Stormont this week with planning now well under way for the 2025 Race Week on May 5-10. @briggs_niroi #NW200 #northwest200 #planning

Communities Minister @GordonLyons1 hosted an Arts Roundtable with leading figures in the local arts world at the Lyric Theatre this morning. @GarySnowPatrol was among the voices discussing the positive impact of the arts and music on society and the economic, health and creative opportunities participation in the arts can deliver.

Great to find out more about the work of @newgatearts and the @ExecOfficeNI Urban Villages initiative in Derry/Londonderry with our delegation from the Baltics exploring different models of social cohesion. #GRW2024

Visiting the home grounds of Dungannon Swifts FC at Stangmore Park, Minister @GordonLyons1 viewed the clubs’ facilities and heard more about their plans for the future. The Minister also discussed the significant benefits that clubs like @DgnSwifts can offer communities by providing local people with the chance to participate in sport and physical activity.

Minister @GordonLyons1 visited the Moravian village of Gracehill in County Antrim to celebrate its recent designation as a @UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Minister met with representatives from the Gracehill Trust and @mea_bc and took a tour of the village to see the unique features of the 18th century settlement. Read more 👉 communities-ni.gov.uk/news/communiti…

🎵 Bridging cultures through music! Iraq's Mshakt Collective are in exchange with Marty Coyle & North West Folk Collective. Blending musical traditions at the start of a year-long creative journey! Hear them chat with @markyptweets for @BBCRadioFoyle: buff.ly/4ddbidR

Great to have been able to support this international music collaboration with the Mshakt Collective and watch them perform last night in collaboration with Marty Coyle & the North West Folk Collective. Looking forward to seeing this partnership grow.

Minister @GordonLyons1 visits the Museum of Orange Heritage in Schomberg House. The Minister met representatives of @OrangeOrder Grand Lodge to hear about their work in the museum and in community outreach.

✨Congratulations to the 30th cohort of #StudyUSA students heading off on their US adventure! 52 students from @NRCCollege @mynwrc @QUBelfast @StMarys_Belfast @stranbelfast & @UlsterUni will spend the next year studying in the US. Read more 👉nireland.britishcouncil.org/about/press/no… @Economy_NI

Communities Minister @GordonLyons1 has visited Ards Football Club for a tour of the new site and to discuss potential future opportunities for growth and redevelopment. ⚽️

Congratulations, Adam! ⭐ Another close vote this week, thanks to everyone who nominated and took the time to vote 👏🏻

At Parliament Buildings today, Communities Minister @GordonLyons1 attended a familiarisation event for Deaf people. The pilot programme is funded by the Department and aims to familiarise the Deaf Community with the work and the processes of the @NIAssembly, particularly with regard to legislation in preparation for the introduction of a Sign Language Bill.

Communities and Wellbeing Chair, Cllr Craig caught up with some of the entertainers involved in our 2024 Park Life programme this summer. Park Life is taking place from 6 July to 1 Sept in Wallace Park, Moira Demesne, Moat Park & Castle Gardens. This year there will a few Wednesday events for those looking for some mid-week family fun. Cllr Craig said: “We work hard to bring events throughout the year close to the doorstep of our residents. Park Life is no exception and inclusion is a priority for us. We hope our residents enjoy our Play Away Sensory Days along with other family events & musical performances." 💻lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/w/summer-fun-r…

First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly and Pam Cameron attended the Crescendo end of year concert at the Ulster Hall today to hear the children perform with the Ulster Orchestra. The Junior Ministers presented the Michele Strong Award to four pupils and congratulated everyone involved in the project.

@sdbikephoto Happy Birthday aul fella

The best part of going away is coming home.

Communities Minister @GordonLyons1 launched a three part lecture series from @PRONI_DFC and @NIWarMemorial to mark the 80th anniversary of #DDay. The Minister paid tribute to all those who fought at #DDay and their tremendous heroism and sacrifice which ultimately changed the course of the war.

Communities Minister @GordonLyons1 hosted a reception at Parliament Buildings for Tug of War competitors who participated in the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Sweden. The Minister congratulated the winners who also took the top accolade in 2023 when the World Indoor Tug of War Championships were held in Templepatrick.

Communities Minister @GordonLyons1 has launched an innovative new loan scheme aimed at helping the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector develop capital projects which will tackle social need in communities across Northern Ireland. The £13 million Social Capital Loan Scheme is funded by @CommunitiesNI and managed by @ComFinanceIrl. The Minister met players and officials @CrusadersFC at the launch and heard their plans to install a new 3G pitch at the club’s Loughshore Road Recreation Facility through the scheme. Read more 👉communities-ni.gov.uk/news/minister-…

A long-term programme of investment in local footballing facilities at all levels of the game has been unlocked by Communities Minister @gordonlyons1 today. More info: communities-ni.gov.uk/news/minister-…

Great to be at Parliament Buildings @niassembly yesterday and meet with MLAs. Thank you to Speaker of the NI Assembly @edwinpootsmla for hosting and chairing an insightful MLA session about opportunities for connecting NI globally and to all involved for their contributions.