People:An audience with the Duke
Friday, July 9th, 2010Desiring to be creative is among the many inspirations for Duke Special, whose latest work mimics a fictional silent movie actor’s testing times. Peter Cheney caught up with the alternative artist just before his second Belfast gig. A regular name at festivals and more intimate appearances in Europe and the States, Duke Special’s current tour took him home to his Belfast roots in early June. “I had an ancestor who was a highwayman and he was doing what he was doing,” he says of his name. “There was a carriage going past with a nobleman in it and he stole the title.” Asked...[full story]
People:Ian Cumberland
Friday, July 9th, 2010Rising artist Ian Cumberland discusses his work to date. Banbridge-born Ian Cumberland is currently best known for his portrait of Allen McClay, the benefactor of Queen’s University’s new library, unveiled at its naming in early June. He came to prominence when his self-portrait won the 2009 Davy Portrait Award but remains modest about his work and achievements so far. As he finished up at the University of Ulster’s Art College in 2006, the Arts Council bought an oil on canvas, the Mercy Seat, from his end of year exhibition. Showings of his work in Irish galleries followed, leading...[full story]
Politics:Pictured history
Friday, July 9th, 2010Posters of protest, warnings and calls for co-operation make up the Linenhall Library’s Troubled Images exhibition. Meadhbh Monahan reports. Seventy posters from throughout the Troubles feature alongside children’s stories about a romance across the religious divide, in the Linenhall Library’s ‘Troubled Images’ exhibition. “It’s a very hard exhibition in that it relays the story of a split community over 40 years,” librarian John Killen tells agendaNi. He has seen journalists, historical writers, academics and politicians come to the exhibition over the years to be...[full story]
Meet the media:Thomas Kane
Friday, June 4th, 2010A graduate in electronic and electrical engineering from Queen’s, Thomas Kane didn’t take the typical route to the TV screen. After a stint for NBC in California, he is now a regular feature on BBC Northern Ireland’s sports coverage. What is unique about sports journalism? I think it is the access. Let’s face it, every sports journalist is someone who grew up wanting to be a top level athlete, but wasn’t good enough! This job gives you a chance to get within touching distance of the action and talk to the stars of the sport. I particularly enjoy working pitch side at matches....[full story]
People:Photographer John McVitty on variety is the spice of life
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010Winner of last year’s BT Northern Ireland Regional Press Photographer of the Year award, John McVitty has been a lenseman for the Impartial Reporter for 28 years. Described by the judges of that competition as having “dedication, commitment and an intuitive eye for the perfect picture”, McVitty says the main challenge for a newspaper photographer is “creating different pictures for different stories.” He enjoys having “plenty of variety” in his job and contends that “in the media world, every day is different.” Since beginning his career 28 years ago as a darkroom technician,...[full story]
People:Stuart Neville on his dramatic debut
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010Acclaimed for “finally giving Northern Ireland the novel its singular history deserves”, Armagh author Stuart Neville speaks to Meadhbh Monahan about his debut which won the Los Angeles Times book prize for best mystery/thriller. Despite his initial aim to avoid writing about Northern Ireland and the Troubles, “it just so happened the story that came along was set in that [time].” Neville, who kept the fact that he was writing ‘The Twelve’ a secret until it was finished, began writing only four years ago. Prior to that, he had an eclectic mix of jobs including guitar teacher...[full story]
Telecoms:Digital disappointment
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010The wide-ranging Digital Economy Bill, introduced by Labour during the ‘washup’ period before Parliament was dissolved, means that the Government has the power to block certain websites, implement speed blocks and suspend the accounts of internet users suspected of copyright infringement by illegally downloading music, films, photos or software. Fines up to £50,000 could be imposed and Government would be able to install its own manager at internet domain name registries that are considered to be failing. Royal assent for the Bill, which is a follow up to Labour’s June 2009 ‘Digital...[full story]
2010 manifestos:Culture
Friday, May 14th, 2010Broadcasting remains a reserved matter, so any change over the water directly impacts on Northern Ireland. The crux of the culture remit is devolved to Northern Ireland but events such as the Olympics and Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games will have a local effect on sport. The DUP remains “unconvinced” on devolving broadcasting powers to Stormont and so would oppose any such move. The TV licence, the party says, should be cut from £142.50 to £50, with the remaining funding for the BBC coming through government grants. The SDLP commits to giving free TV licences to all pensioners while...[full story]
People:Ashes to Ash
Friday, May 14th, 2010Ash front man Tim Wheeler speaks to Ryan Jennings about paving the way for Northern Ireland music and the band’s musical journey into the digital age. It’s 19 May 1998 and Downpatrick act Ash are appearing in the ‘vote yes’ concert at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall. In four short years, Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray went from 17 year-old school boys leading a “weird double life” to sharing a stage with the great U2, pushing for peace in Northern Ireland. It’s fair to say that Ash have blazed a trail for bands from the province. A general rule of thumb is that...[full story]
