For 75 years this weekend, guests on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs have been picking eight records and one book other than the Bible to take on their solitary retreat. We asked four well-known NI personalities to choose theirs - with some fascinating results.
What's in a name? Quite a lot, in fact. Some years ago, the theologian Joseph Haroutunian was talking with some friends. Born in Turkey, and nurtured in the Armenian Evangelical Church, he'd come to the USA and become a Presbyterian and university professor in his new setting.
Following its unveiling in America last year, Instagram has introduced live video in the UK. Part of "Stories" mode, which lets users post photos that are deleted after 24 hours, the feature is accessed by scrolling to video mode in the Stories camera, then tapping "Start...
Star baker Nadiya Hussain has an unusual method of managing panic attacks. "When I was on Bake Off, I used to have an elastic band around my wrist and used it for shock therapy, where you ping the elastic band which reminds you of where you are and that you'll be...
Irish broadcaster Laura Whitmore (31), who shone briefly in Strictly Come Dancing before stumbling in the samba and being voted out, is coming to the Grand Opera House in Belfast in a play with a curious title. Tickets go on sale today at the box office for the murder-mystery Not Dead Enough, which is scheduled to be on stage from June 26 for a week-long run.
The towering statue in honour of engineer John Rowan, which dominates the centre of Doagh in east Antrim, has been looked on for years by villagers as their lucky mascot.
We are now halfway through the Decade of Centenaries. The Home Rule crisis, the Ulster Covenant, the Battle of Jutland, the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme: all these historical events have been marked, acknowledged and commemorated, some with more dissent and debate than others. But there's still another five years of the Decade of Centenaries to go.
When Matthew McConaughey dropped over three stone for his show-stopping portrayal of AIDS sufferer Ron Woodroof in 2013's Dallas Buyers Club, it was a make-under that drew gasps.
The Illegals Empire Music Hall, Belfast Tomorrow, 8.30pm: Expect plenty of smooth Californian sounds tomorrow night as The Empire hosts seven-piece band, The Illegals. Fronted by The Commitments/Eurovision star Niamh Kavanagh, the tribute outfit take it to the limit by faithfully reproducing The Eagles' trademark Seventies vintage sound by playing authentic and original instruments from the era.
Sean Hillen: 100 Works Golden Thread Gallery, Belfast. Until Saturday, March 11: This is the first major solo exhibition by the artist in Northern Ireland and focuses on his practice as a collagist, with works dating back to the Eighties.
The Orb - Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld: Back in 1991, The Orb released their album, Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld. With its, trippy beats, it changed the way clubbers listened to music. The duo celebrate the album’s quarter century with this anniversary show.
If you've got tickets for Elbow's tour, don't worry - they have been busy rehearsing. It's not frontman Guy Garvey's favourite part of being in a band, but he knows it's necessary, and they've been practising for a month, which he says is just right.
Following an acrimonious divorce from her cheating husband Tom (Justin Theroux), Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) takes regular train journeys past her old house where he is now settled with his mistress Anna (Rebecca Ferguson) and their baby.
Desmond (Andrew Garfield) is born and raised with his brother Hal (Nathaniel Buzolic) in Lynchburg, Virginia, against the picturesque backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Hamlet Millennium Forum, Londonderry Today 11am and 8pm: It's being billed as Shakespeare for the Game of Thrones generation. A company of seasoned classical actors embrace the brutality of the most famous drama written. This production captures the spirit of a murdered king, the wrath of a vengeful son, and the turmoil of Denmark, blending traditional and physical theatre with a musical score. Bold, action-...
Fairport Convention, Black Box, Belfast Tomorrow, 2pm: Although tonight's performance is sold out, you may still be able to get a ticket for tomorrow afternoon's show by this legendary band as part of their 50th Anniversary Tour.
The Belfast Music Society and Moving on Music continue their close association with this season's episodes of Night Music - a chance to hear contemporary music in detail and discuss it with the players. The quartet are currently Ireland's national television and radio broadcaster's quartet-in-residence and are also resident quartet on the west coast of Ireland in the Galway Music Residency.
Marcia Kilgore is a pixie-ish character with a voice like candy floss and what she describes as a "Tweetie Pie" forehead. So to look at she's perhaps not the most obvious person to "drive a truck through" the luxury cosmetic industry.
Young people working with Youth With a Mission in Rostrevor witnessed shocking scenes after they travelled to refugee camps in France and Lebanon, bringing clothes and medical supplies.
If the recent events in the White House haven't been exciting enough for you, or if you need an escape from real-life politics, a new instalment of political thriller Scandal will soon be back on screens.
When Amal Alamuddin, a distinguished human rights lawyer, married actor George Clooney and said she would forthwith be known as "Mrs Clooney", some feminists felt this was a betrayal of female identity. Surely Amal didn't need the traditional moniker of a man?
Sulking is an indulgence. Unlike the corrosive fury of rage, or the distraction of anxiety, sulking is silly and selfish. And obviously it never works, because sulking is not convincing. In fact, it is pointless: no one will handle you until the grimace clears and that plump bottom lip...
Sarah Gilbert, (48), from Newry couldn't get a story which had been handed down from her maternal grandmother out of her head.
Are rashes, itchiness, blotchiness or stinging all too common whenever you try out a new skincare product, or do they flare up with environmental changes or stress?
In the weird world of alternative therapies, it can be difficult to distinguish between the genuinely useful and the patently bogus. For Gareth Toner, a 37-year-old sports nut plagued by chronic back pain for 15 long years, the road toward blessed relief split off in many...
The 70-year-old DUP Alderman was appointed High Sheriff of Belfast at Belfast City Hall at the weekend. He lives in east Belfast representing the Ormiston Ward.
1. Freya Sonic Storm Moulded Sports Bra: £38, Freya Lingerie
When people find out what I do for a living they sometimes ask me about mind control. People even ask me jokingly if I can make their wives or husbands do more housework.
Life changed dramatically for Julie McCullough 10 years ago when she gave birth to her son Lucas. Not only was she coping with the stresses and strains of motherhood, she was also battling cruel post-natal depression and past behaviours which had niggled at her since she...
The 35-year-old is a member of the Jack Pack, the swing vocal group that came fourth in the final of Britain's Got Talent 2014. Originally from Londonderry, he now lives in London
Dropping children off at the school gates is as much contact as some parents get with their child's education. But parental participation in education has a direct impact on how well children do at school, whether that be primary or secondary. And that's why PTA UK, the...
A Downpatrick couple are combining all their passions to create a new business making dreams come true for local couples planning to get married. Ed and Rachael Lindsay are bringing together the experience and knowledge they have gained from their respective careers in...
The Very Rev John Mann, Dean of St Anne's Cathedral since 2011, talks about his career, including the annual Black Santa charitable sit-out at Christmas, and his hopes for the forthcoming Stormont elections.
Yesterday, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States of America. Many will be aware of Mr Trump's Scottish connections.
During the Stormont crisis the Church leaders have been urging the politicians to work together better. We routinely expect this advice from church leaders, but there was no reflection of the righteous anger felt by people who are furious that our politicians have brought us...
Starting this month, four UK internet service providers (ISPs) will start sending emails to customers they suspect are guilty of online piracy. Sounds a bit scary, doesn't it?
There's a genre of fiction that goes something like this - boy with learning and/or physical disability, or mental illness, spots, or solves, a crime.
Cathy Bramley has done it again. The author of The Plumberry School Of Comfort Food has returned with a light, but inspirational tale.
At its heart, the hotly tipped debut from Nathan Hill is the story of an estranged mother and son.
Soon in danger of becoming Ireland's most talented family, the Gleesons offer up yet another of their number for widespread admiration in the arts. Now, it's the turn of 27-year-old Rory, a younger brother to big-league star Domhnall and rising fellow actor Brian.
The Book of Mirrors comes with a backstory almost worth a novel in itself. This mystery is the English language debut of EO Chirovici, a bestselling author in his native Romania.
At the tender age of 28, Veronica Roth is among the world's richest authors, thanks to her Divergent trilogy - yet the bestselling writer isn't as self-assured as you might expect.
Dogs are so much more than just man's best friend.
Exactly 150 years ago, in 1867, shipowner Joseph Fisher set up business in the port of Newry with his sons, Joe jnr and Frank, and they established a quaint way of giving their vessels names.
Tristan Bridges, the sociologist who concluded that Donald Trump's man cave is "dominated by him in every respect and appears as if it is designed to intimidate" is probably right.
Type 'man caves' into your internet search engine and you will find a whole series of sites devoted to creating the perfect all-male retreat, the place where men can be men at their most primal if the psychologists are to be believed.
Images of Mr Trump's office in Trump Towers, New York, show that the wall beside his large desk is decorated with The Nathan Hale patriot Award musket; an America's Cup yachting foundation award; the Tree of Life humanitarian award from the Jewish National Fund in 1983; and his Sholom humanitarian award from the Jewish community.
The last time I met Dan Stein - better known as DJ Fresh - he had short, tidy hair and a smart sweater. We had a nice, not particularly memorable, chat about his rise from underground drum and bass DJ to pop hitmaker of the moment.
It's been another remarkable week at Stormont, but for once the politicians haven't been the only ones making the headlines. Instead, we've been talking about those mysterious, shadowy figures who lurk around trading wicked whispers on the hill.
I've always been somewhat dubious about the idea of a man cave, since it seems to imply that a man has some God-given right to barricade himself away from the world. Sure, we all need some time alone now and again, but constructing an actual room for that purpose? Such a...
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