June 2 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Anger among parents as Minister refuses extra places at Markethill High School

The Minister for Education, John O’Dowd, and MP Mickey Brady have caused outrage over decisions and comments about school admissions.

Parents, pupils and the Board of Governors are furious that the Minister refused Markethill High School an additional seven places but awarded another school an extra 24 places. Parents are reeling also over comments made by the area’s new MP. The school is encouraging parents to take action. Here’s the full story:

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May 27 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Eleanor McGillie interviews 12th May 2015 Brent Marris, at a Brent Marris Wine Tasting Evening at Uluru Bar & Grill, Market Square, Armagh City. Picture Oliver McVeigh Strict Copyright of Oliver McVeigh

Grape grower tells Eleanor McGillie his story of the ‘next generation’ wine legacy

Uluru Bar & Grill in Armagh recently hosted a wine tasting evening with Brent Marris – the founder of the iconic ‘the Ned’ label who travelled from New Zealand.

Brent Marris is no stranger to Northern Ireland. The famous wine maker says Northern Ireland holds a special place in his heart because of our humour, our connection with our land and the infectious culture which makes him feel at home. Brent has plans to return next year when we are celebrating our year of Food Tourism.

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May 27 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Emerson's Supermarket in Armagh has been serving the district for over 125 years. Now it's the UK's Most Sustainable Independent Retailer of the year

City centre boosted with Emerson’s Supermarket refurbishment complete

The new look Emerson’s, Uluru Bar & Grill, The Wine Store and the Post Office have added life and a new buzz to Armagh’s historic city centre.

For two years, the planning and implementation of a £2million refurbishment programme has been strategically rolled out. But with the programme of works well and truly completed, owner Gavin Emerson reflects back on what has been achieved for the local community, and how the city centre has been given a huge boost.

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May 7 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Chris Martin, left, and Ricky Martin, right, are campaigning to Pitch to Rich

Surfing brothers step it up a gear as they top the table in Pitch to Rich bid

Two brothers who started a campaign to secure votes to get them through to the next stage of Pitch To Rich have come out on top at the first hurdle.

Ricky Martin and his brother Chris, two well known surfing brothers from the North Coast, are competing to pitch The Skunkworks Surfboard Company to billionaire Richard Branson in the Pitch to Rich initiative which, if they win, could secure their company £50,000. Good luck to Ricky and Chris. Here’s the full story:

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May 4 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Dowling crowned the 2015 AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster champion

Mark Dowling, of DID Dunboyne, has won the overall 2015 AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster trophy, in partnership with SDS Energy Group and Saltmarine.

Dowling, who raced from Belfast to Cookstown in 6hrs 17minutes and 32 seconds, beat Eoin Morton by three seconds in the battle to win the pink jersey. The Tour of Ulster 2015 was organised by Garry Nugent of BGN Management and plans are already underway for the Tour of Ulster 2016. Here’s the stage 4 story:

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May 3 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

PR agency MGMPR - 3 May 2015; A general view of the action as the peloton approach Killylea, Co. Armagh, during the third stage. 150 elite cyclists from Australia, Holland, Belgium, France, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland compete in Stage 3 of the AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster in partnership with the SDS Group and Saltmarine Cars. Stage 3 takes the cyclists from Newry - Camlough - Newtownhamilton - Keady - Markethill - Hamiltonsbawn - Richill - Armagh - Caledon - Aughnacloy - Ballygawley (Whitebridge Road) - Pomeroy - Donaghmore - Cookstown. Picture credit: Stephen McMahon / SPORTSFILE

Tour of Ulster Stage 3 ends with Laverack victorious after 92.3 mile battle

Sunday’s stage 3 of the AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster got off to a great start after Saturday’s washout in Co Down which resulted in the stage being postponed.

The teams battled it out for the pink jersey yet again as they raced from Newry to Cookstown with crowds cheering along the roadsides as they sped through towns and villages. It was Edward Laverack (Cheshire JLT Condor) fought the battle hard to win the Homecare Independent Living sponsored stage 3 which finished on Cookstown.

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May 2 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Tour of Ulster - 1 May 2015; Michael Devins, Stamullen M Donnelly/Fast Shipping, in action during the time trial stage. 150 elite cyclists from Australia, Holland, Belgium, France, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland compete in the Time Trial stage of the AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster in partnership with the SDS Group and Saltmarine Cars. The Time Trial took place at Belfast's Stormont Estate from the entrance, past Carson's Monument to the top and back to the bottom of the avenue. Picture credit: Stephen McMahon / SPORTSFILE

Tour of Ulster stage two called off as cyclists battle snow, rain and high winds

Stage Two of the AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster has been called off today as cyclists battled their way through snow, sleet and high winds.

Organiser Garry Nugent said calling off the gruelling road race was the right thing to do in the interests of safety. The race, which is Ireland’s longest established road race, has attracted teams from Australia, Holland, Belgium, England, Scotland and from the north and south of Ireland. Here’s the full story from today:

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May 2 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

PR agency MGMPR - 1 May 2015; Colin Robinson, Stamullen M Donnelly/Fast Shipping, in action during the time trial stage. 150 elite cyclists from Australia, Holland, Belgium, France, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland compete in the Time Trial stage of the AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster in partnership with the SDS Group and Saltmarine Cars. The Time Trial took place at Belfast's Stormont Estate from the entrance, past Carson's Monument to the top and back to the bottom of the avenue. Picture credit: Stephen McMahon / SPORTSFILE

Shaw wins stage one as Tour of Ulster cyclists prepare for gruelling road race

Today marks Stage 2 of the AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster after Damien Shaw won last night’s gruelling climb up Stormont’s avenue at the time trial.

Crowds gathered last night for Stage 1, sponsored by Homecare Independent Living, to watch elite cyclists from across Europe compete for the coveted pink jersey, sponsored by AmberGreen Energy. The cyclists have departed from Belfast and are now on the road to Newry via the beautiful Spelga Dam, Mournes and Warrenpoint.

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May 1 Brand Journalism Newsfeed PR Northern Ireland

Colourful May Day Parade shows solidarity of unions as thousands set to parade

The annual May Day Parade (MAY 2) which celebrates solidarity among trade union members will be led by INTO.

THE Irish National Teachers’ Organisation has been chosen by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) to lead the colourful and festival style parade Writers Square and continue through Belfast city centre from 11.30am. The May Day Parade is an annual event which joins trade unions together to celebrate the work being carried out. Thousands of people are expected to join in.

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May 1 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

The battle for pink begins as elite cyclists gear up for the Tour of Ulster

Today begins the 2015 AmberGreen Energy Tour of Ulster with the welcome of 150 elite cyclists from across the globe to Northern Ireland.

The race starts with a time trial at the Stormont Estate this evening with people gathering at 6.30pm. Tomorrow, they will leave Belfast from Malone Playing Fields before racing to Newry. On Sunday, they leave for Cookstown and on Monday, a circuit race takes place in Cookstown. Come and cheer them on.

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April 30 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Surfing brothers have Richard Branson in sight in campaign for Pitch To Rich

The clock is ticking as two brothers from the North Coast are campaigning to win the chance to pitch to billionaire Richard Branson.

The Pitch To Rich initiative offers businesses, with a new idea, the chance to pitch to the billionaire to compete to be a part of a £1,00,000 prize fund which the 10 best pitches will win. The Skunkworks Surfboard Company strives to make the most robust, high performance surfboards and stand up paddle boards in the world.

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April 28 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

Markethill High School

BBC News School Report gives Markethill pupils the chance to make the headlines

The BBC News School Report project is a programme, which is hosted by the BBC UK wide, which gives pupils the opportunity to make their own news.

The collaborative programme, which is run by BBC News and BBC Learning, helps students develop their journalistic skills to become school reporters. Markethill High School is one of 1,000 schools UK wide to have taken part in the biggest ever School Report News Day. Here’s the full story:

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April 21 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

INTO launches scathing attack at ‘ostrich’ ministers over education system breakdown

INTO is calling on parents and business leaders to stand up for education in Northern Ireland as it launches a scathing attack on ministers.

Gerry Murphy, the Northern Secretary, has described ministers as ‘ostriches’ who are burying their heads in the sand instead of dealing with the negative economic impact of dismantling the education system in Northern Ireland. INTO members are working to rule this week over budget cuts.

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April 20 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

NI races for pink again as 150 elite cyclists prepare for the Tour of Ulster

The countdown is on as 150 elite cyclists prepare to travel to Northern Ireland to take part in this year’s Tour of Ulster.

The race around Ulster’s roads, from Belfast to Newry, through Armagh and finishing in Cookstown, is Ireland’s longest established road race. The organisers are encouraging people to come out and line the roads to cheer on the cycling elite from Australia, Holland, Belgium, France, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

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April 20 Brand Journalism In the Press PR Northern Ireland

HMRC pays out £20million to innovative NI companies in R&D Tax Credit claims

Businesses in Northern Ireland have claimed over £20million in R&D Tax Credits according to the latest figures revealed by HMRC.

The scheme was introduced in 2000 for SMEs, with a separate scheme for larger companies launched in 2002, to increase the R&D base by helping to reduce the cost of corporate research and development. Tom Verner helps identify R&D activities and submits claims on behalf of companies.

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