Other News In Brief

New 'One Giant Adventure' Tourism Campaign Launches

The Boulevard, Game of Thrones and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council have joined forces for the launch of 'One Giant Adventure' – a summer tourism campaign designed to showcase a 1-2 itinerary with leisure, retail and heritage attractions with a strap line of 'where dragons, drama and designer outlet meets'.

The joint campaign, which is a first for all three parties, features bespoke artwork by artist Danni Simpson and will run until September across Out-of-Home, Radio, Paid Social and PR channels to communicate to audiences and drive visits.

Chris Nelmes, Centre Director at The Boulevard, said: "There has never been a more exciting time to visit the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area. The arrival of Game of Thrones last year has created a standout attraction that speaks to local and international visitors. The Boulevard is Northern Ireland's only designer outlet so for shopping enthusiasts, it's really the place to be. And the council area is famous for its apple orchards, museums, galleries, living history tours and heritage, and green spaces to explore, so there really is something for everyone.

"With the Park n Ride facility for Game of Thrones stationed at The Boulevard, we've been seeing and hearing good things from visitors in terms of the variety on offer – there really is something for the whole family to do here locally – and so we came up with the novel idea of working in collaboration to pool resources, creativity, skillsets, network and go out with a strong tourism campaign of our own that equally supports and reinforces the excellent work being done by Tourism Northern Ireland in promoting the region to domestic visitors north and south of the border."

Sherryl Murphy, Marketing Manager at Game of Thrones Studio Tour said: "As the newest visitor attraction on the island of Ireland, it is important to us that we promote and highlight the vast tourism offerings in Armagh and Banbridge.

"We are proud to be a part of this beautiful and historic landscape, and to be partnering with The Boulevard and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, to establish the region as a world-class tourist destination."

SF Calls For Executive To Further All-Ireland rail Review

The Executive is needed now to publish and consider the all-Ireland rail review, Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has said.

The Newry/Armagh MLA said: "An efficient, reliable and frequent rail service is key to delivering a first-class transport system and to connecting towns and cities across the island, as is the norm across Europe.

"The publication of the draft review today is a step in the right direction and highlights the need for increased investment in rail infrastructure.

"We need to develop our rail network in the north, particularly in the north-west, to unlock economic opportunities and ensure workers and families have better public transport.

"But ultimately, we need an Executive formed now to ensure this rail review is fully published and to consider its recommendations."

DUP Raise Concerns Over Investigatory Powers Tribunal

DUP Policing Board member Trevor Clarke MLA has said if the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) is finding the PSNI broke the law, then this will have seriously damaging implications for the reputation of policing.

Mr Clarke said: "The police have a duty to uphold the law. If the police are then proven to have broken the law then that’s incredibly serious and damaging for democracy.

"Action must be taken to ensure there are protocols in place to guard against a similar situation developing in the future.

"We all have a duty to protect the integrity of the police and the freedom of the press."