Hotels
John Doherty
The 17 best hotels in Ireland according to a ...

Condé Nast - On the steely shores of Lough Eske, with the Bluestack Mountains as a backdrop, this ranks right up there among Irish castles you can bed down in. Donegal has become one of Ireland’s worst-kept secrets in recent years, a wild and rugged county that quietly impresses with its knockout scenery – and slickly operated Lough Eske Castle plugs you right in.

The 17 best hotels in Ireland according to a local
People
John Doherty
Alastair Fullerton named executive chef at the ...

Alastair Fullerton has been appointed executive chef at the Titanic Hotel Belfast, which is part of the Harcourt Collection. 

He will oversee the 100-cover Wolff Grill restaurant, which takes its name from Titanic shipbuilders Harland & Wolff, who were previously headquartered at the 119-bedroom hotel. 

Fullerton has over 40 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, having been educated at Belfast Met before starting work under Paul Rankin in Roscoff.

Alastair Fullerton named executive chef at the Titanic Hotel Belfast
Hotels
John Doherty
Donegal is hot right now, and you can soak it ...

Food. Drink. Life - County Donegal is stepping into the international spotlight. With a steady rise in visitor numbers in recent years, Ireland’s northwestern corner is drawing global travelers in search of rugged coastlines, charming villages and open spaces far from the usual tourist trail. 

It didn’t take long for me to understand the appeal. There’s a rhythm to life up here that feels different. You’re not rushing to check sights off a list but lingering to take in the breath-taking views, pulling over because you spotted a castle ruin or a wool shop tucked into the side of the road. It’s spontaneous, a little daring and completely enchanting

Donegal is hot right now, and you can soak it all in by the sea
Hotels
John Doherty
5-star Lough Eske Castle leads the way in ...

Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal’s only five-star hotel, has taken a significant step forward in sustainable hospitality through a comprehensive suite of eco-conscious initiatives. Leading the way is the castle’s full transition to renewable energy, achieved through a long-term partnership with a leading green electricity provider. The historic estate is now powered entirely by clean, renewable energy marking a key milestone in its ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and aligning with Ireland’s national sustainability goals.

This move to renewable power is just one part of the castle’s broader mission to embed sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

5-star Lough Eske Castle leads the way in eco-luxury with sustainability overhaul
Art
John Doherty
Lucian Freud & me: The real 'Donegal Man' ...

Irish Examiner - A major exhibition of Lucian Freud's work is currently on at Titanic Belfast. Marc O'Sullivan spoke to two of the key people who were involved with the German/British painter

Pat Doherty has the distinction of having sat for three portraits – two paintings and a copperplate etching – by the legendary British painter Lucian Freud. 

Several copies of the etching feature in the exhibition, Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration, which has just launched at Titanic Belfast in partnership with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Lucian Freud & me: The real 'Donegal Man' on his encounters with the great artist

Citi acquires Gateway Offices building in Titanic Quarter

Citi acquires Gateway Offices building in Titanic Quarter

The Irish News - one of Belfast's most prominent office buildings, the Gateway Offices at Titanic Quarter, has been sold to sitting tenants Citi in a deal understood to be worth in the region of £35 million

The building comprises three accommodation blocks, central feature courtyard and underground car parking, and has been let to Citi since the building was completed in 2009.

James Eyre, commercial director at Titanic Quarter, said: "This sale is good news for Belfast. Having a high-quality occupier and employer such as Citi acquire its principal building, demonstrates its long-term commitment to Titanic Quarter and Belfast.”

Game of Thrones exhibition feels right at home as it arrives in Belfast

Game of Thrones exhibition feels right at home as it arrives in Belfast

Belfast Telegraph - Winter has been coming for seven seasons of fantasy epic Game Of Thrones - and with the final season due to start in the early hours of Sunday, it will finally arrive.

Rarely has a series gripped imaginations across the world, and the success has brought tens of thousands of tourists to Northern Ireland, where much of the show has been filmed.

From today fans can immerse themselves in the world of Westeros with Game Of Thrones: The Touring Exhibition running at the Titanic Exhibition Centre until September.

Offices in Dublin business park to be converted to apartments

Offices in Dublin business park to be converted to apartments

Irish Times - As property developers’ focus on residential development continues to surge, some are getting creative. Take Harcourt Developments, for example. The veteran developer, which is behind large-scale schemes such as the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, has secured planning permission at Park West Avenue in Dublin 12 to convert two existing office blocks, numbers 70 and 72, into apartments.

Here's what's happening on Bellingham's waterfront - VIDEO

Here's what's happening on Bellingham's waterfront - VIDEO

Bellingham Herald - The Port of Bellingham and Harcourt have completed several projects on the 137 acres of waterfront property. The team are now gearing up for a variety of projects for the waterfront district, including some construction work that could get going in the second half of the year. Here’s an update on what’s happening on the former Georgia-Pacific site.

Prime site in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter offers regeneration opportunities

Prime site in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter offers regeneration opportunities

Irish Times - A prime commercial development site in the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, next to the award-winning visitor attraction, Titanic Belfast, has gone on the market.

The latest site for sale – Plater’s Yard – occupies a waterfront location, and is positioned within an area that has already received outline planning permission and full planning permission for two hotels, 152 apartments, 12 commercial units and a 382-space underground car park.

Titanic Belfast seeks 150 temporary staff as huge summer looms

Titanic Belfast seeks 150 temporary staff as huge summer looms

Belfast Telegraph - The management company behind Titanic Belfast is seeking 150 new staff, some of whom will work at an eagerly-awaited exhibition on fantasy TV drama Game Of Thrones.

The exhibition on cult series Game Of Thrones, which is part-filmed in Northern Ireland, will make its first stop in the UK and Ireland at Titanic Quarter in April.

Multi-million pound Belfast office development project out to tender

Multi-million pound Belfast office development project out to tender

The Irish News - A MULTI-million pound construction contract in Belfast's Titanic Quarter has gone out to tender.

Expressions of interest are now being sought from building contractors for the construction of Olympic House, a 150,000 sq ft Grade A office development on Queen's Road.

A joint venture between Belfast Harbour Commissioners and the owners of Titanic Quarter, construction on Olympic House is due to start in the the spring and take around 18 months to complete.

Lough Eske Castle Hotel Appoints New General Manager

Lough Eske Castle Hotel Appoints New General Manager

Harcourt Developments, the proprietors of Lough Eske Castle Hotel in Donegal has announced the appointment of Donal Cox as the venue’s new general manager.  Cox has returned to Lough Eske Castle from sister hotel Redcastle Hotel & Spa in north Donegal, after having previously served as the former hotel’s operations manager seven years ago.

Cast Your Anchor at One of Belfast’s Most Unique Experiences – Titanic Hotel Belfast Review

Cast Your Anchor at One of Belfast’s Most Unique Experiences – Titanic Hotel Belfast Review

The Taste - I have to admit I was fairly sure Belfast had exhausted every Titanic related revenue opportunity conceivable. With thousands of tourists flocking to The Titanic Quarter in Belfast on a daily basis it seemed odd that this neck of the woods was poorly served however when it came to accommodation options.

The Titanic is a monument to Belfast’s maritime heritage on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in the city’s Titanic Quarter where the now infamous RMS Titanic was built. Being one of the busiest visitor attraction in Northern Ireland it makes perfect sense that when an opportunity to acquire an old shipbuilding office right next door presented itself the company behind this mammoth attraction saw it as a chance to really transform the space.

‘Log scramble’ and slide are the latest attractions at Bellingham’s waterfront park

‘Log scramble’ and slide are the latest attractions at Bellingham’s waterfront park

Bellingham Herald - For families looking for a new playground for their kids to conquer, Waypoint Park is ready.

The park is one of several projects happening as the city, Harcourt Developments and the Port of Bellingham work to redevelop the area. This includes a glass-and-steel structure being built near the Granary building by Harcourt for a potential fine dining restaurant; the construction of the waterfront district’s two main roads, Granary Avenue and West Laurel Street and a $32 million residential project west of Waypoint Park.

Historic Campaign Launched To Bring Titanic Artefacts Home

Historic Campaign Launched To Bring Titanic Artefacts Home

Belfast, Northern Ireland - National Geographic Pledges $500,000 Toward Effort Supported by James Cameron and Dr. Robert Ballard, Discoverer of the Titanic Wreck.

The Titanic champions pledged their support at the event which formally launched a $20m campaign by Royal Museums Greenwich, National Museums Northern Ireland, Titanic Belfast and Titanic Foundation Limited to bring home to the UK and Ireland 5,500 artefacts.

Harcourt hosts Late Late Show

Harcourt hosts Late Late Show

Harcourt recently hosted Sir Paul McCartney, James Corden and the Late Late Show production crew at the Titanic Hotel while they were in Liverpool filming the latest episode of Carpool Karaoke.

Described as 'one of the most extraordinary interviews he's ever done', James Corden spent a special day with Paul McCartney exploring the city of Paul's youth, visiting his childhood home where he wrote music with John Lennon, performing songs in a local pub and of course driving around singing a few of Paul's biggest hits.

Games of Thrones: Prequel will be filmed in Belfast after Superman and Star Wars epics

Games of Thrones: Prequel will be filmed in Belfast after Superman and Star Wars epics

Belfast Telegraph - The prequel to Game of Thrones will be filmed in Belfast’s Titanic Studios.

Filming on the Game of Thrones prequel will start in Belfast in October, it has been confirmed.

Staff at the Paint Hall studios in the city's Titanic Quarter have been briefed that their next major project will be a series set 1,000 years before the events of the fantasy drama.

Major tourism award for Titanic Hotel

Major tourism award for Titanic Hotel

After only 8-months of operation, Titanic Hotel Belfast has won the prestigious RICS Award for 'outstanding contribution to tourism and leisure facilities in Northern Ireland.'

The new hotel is situated in the original Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices & Headquarters, one of Northern Ireland's most important historical buildings. A location of global significance where over 1,000 ships were designed including the famous Olympic-class liners.

Good Friday Agreement signatories address Co-operation Ireland event

Good Friday Agreement signatories address Co-operation Ireland event

Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern and George Mitchell were the guests of honour at a special Co-operation Ireland event organised by the charity’s chairman Christopher Moran to mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of The Agreement. Hosted by Pat Doherty at Titanic Hotel Belfast on Tuesday, April 10, the event brought together business leaders and supporters of the peace building charity.

Titanic movie turns 20 today, and Belfast is celebrating in style

Titanic movie turns 20 today, and Belfast is celebrating in style

Irish Independent - Ready to feel old? It's hard to believe, but on this day 20 years ago Titanic: The Movie first premiered on cinema screens in the US.

The three-hour-long blockbuster, which set the love story of passengers Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) against the backdrop of the liner's tragic maiden voyage, premiered in the US on December 19, 1997.

It went on to become the top grossing film of all time, bagging some $2 billion worldwide (another James Cameron movie, Avatar, has since surpassed that).