Pilot journey begins for NI's first driverless bus
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BreakingNews.ie
9 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Arts and culture boost will create more island-wide productions, Taoiseach says
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has pledged to fund new arts and cultural programmes that will see more island-wide productions, tours and exhibitions on both sides of the border. Mr Martin said programmes will be launched later in the year to help communities celebrate the diversity across the island. Advertisement In the annual Seamus Share Home Place lecture at Navan Fort in Armagh on Tuesday, Mr Martin spoke of conversations he had with the former deputy first minister of Northern Ireland and a founder of the SDLP. Mr Martin said Mr Mallon's 'wise words' inspired him when he announced the Shared Island Initiative some five years ago. Orla Mallon, daughter of Seamus Mallon said; 'It is an honour that Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, a good friend of my late father, will deliver the annual Seamus Mallon Lecture. — The John and Pat Hume Foundation (@humefoundation) July 22, 2025 'Then, as now, I drew on Seamus's wise words to encapsulate why we need to do more to accommodate and understand each other across the different and often interwoven communities of this island,' Mr Martin said in his speech. The Fianna Fáil leader listed projects and initiatives to connect both sides of the border, including an hourly train service from Dublin to Belfast, which he said brought a 50 per cent increase in passenger numbers. Advertisement He also cited the Narrow Water Bridge project, a Shared Destinations tourism programme, the Ulster Canal restoration and island-wide enterprise and biodiversity programmes as ways of connecting different communities. 'Because, as Seamus perfectly described it, this is and will always be our 'shared home place',' Mr Martin added. 'Our focus on fostering people-to-people interaction is also now moving to a higher level. 'To meet the scale of the demand and the potential there is now, to foster connections in every domain, and to involve and benefit every town and community on this island. Advertisement 'We are continuing and expanding the Shared Island Civic Society Fund and island-wide Creative Ireland programming. 'We are this year initiating major new arts and cultural heritage programmes, backed with more than €20 million from the Government of Ireland out to 2030. 'This will see more island-wide productions, tours and exhibitions across all arts spheres and a new Ireland-UK cultural partnership for institutions and audiences to engage more with the culture and heritage of both our countries.' Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Martin visited the Middletown Centre, which works with children and young people with autism and is funded by the Irish Government and Stormont. Advertisement 'The centre is doing excellent work, not only through providing services and supports, but also in terms of contributing to the broader body of knowledge on autism, through their essential research,' he added. Ireland Micheál Martin rejects idea that Shared Island fun... Read More 'It is also a shining example of practical North-South co-operation in action. 'It was established by the two departments of education, north and south, in 2007, and is funded by both departments. 'It demonstrates the strength of collaboration on this island, and what can be achieved by working together.' Advertisement
Times
16 hours ago
- Times
‘My favourite round of golf of all time'
'I could take out of my life everything except my experiences at St Andrews and I would still have a rich, full life,' Bobby Jones, the legendary American golfer once said. Standing in the window of Rusacks Hotel with the 18th green and first tee of the Old Course to my right and, below, waves crashing in on West Sands beach under the spring sunshine, it's not hard to see where Jones was coming from. I'm at the home of golf, the place where it all began, on the first day of my Marine & Lawn Grand Tour — a customisable experience that allows golfers to combine fine hotels and food with the most iconic courses across Scotland and Northern Ireland. On this there's no need to consider logistics — everything is arranged, from tee times to dinner reservations and transfers to caddies. The only thing I need to worry about is getting the ball around 18 challenging holes of links golf without being distracted by the natural beauty. The company offers six hotels and resorts to choose from, including Dornoch Station, Marine North Berwick and Slieve Donard. My playing partner and I visit three: Rusacks St Andrews and Marine Troon in Scotland and the newly opened Portrush Adelphi in Northern Ireland, a short stroll away from Royal Portrush Golf Club, the venue for July's Open Championship. Having never visited the Old Course on which the sport was born more than 600 years ago, St Andrews seemed like the perfect place to start our four-night adventure. Just an hour's drive from Edinburgh airport, the little coastal town is a delightful mix of traditional windswept stone buildings and natural beauty. It's also a temple to golf, with endless parades of golf shops, statues, pubs and plaques commemorating Tom Morris, the godfather of modern golf. At the heart of the town, a few feet from the final green of the Old Course, is our first stop-off: the outstanding Rusacks. First opened in 1887, the original towering townhouse mansion has been sympathetically extended to create a luxurious yet relaxed country-style boutique hotel. Interiors are rich with wood panelling and bookshelves, framed pictures of golfing adventures, chandeliers, intricate wooden floors and heavy-piled patterned rugs. Our room, at the front of the hotel, has views over the beach on which the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire were filmed, and is a wonderful place to rest and relax after a round of golf, with a big bathtub and walk-in shower. The staff, who genuinely seem to love the town, the hotel and its history, recommend lunch at One Under Bar, which feels like a cross between a traditional brick-walled pub and smart clubhouse — and serves a delicious Scottish charcuterie board. We're keen to get playing, though, so having picked up our Titleist rental clubs (we wanted to travel light — but you can take your own) and got instructions on where to pick up our caddies, we were off in our hire car. The Grand Tour organisers have matched our golfing abilities (an 18-20ish handicap) with courses that are both challenging and enjoyable. First stop, Dumbarnie Links, about 20 minutes away — a beautifully designed modern golf course that occupies 375 pretty acres overlooking the Firth of Forth. After a wee dram on the first tee with our caddies, we enjoy a testing but exhilarating 18 holes under the spring sun: a glorious introduction to links golf (please don't ask my score). Then it's time for a delicious seafood dinner at Rusacks, with sunset views over the Old Course. The next day it's time to play the famous St Andrews links. The New Course, designed by Tom Morris in 1895, is the oldest 'new' course in the world, and runs parallel to the hallowed turf where golf began. With the wind behind me I manage a birdie on the par-five 3rd. I'm Tiger Woods, I think, or Rory McIlroy. Alas no. I finish with 91, but will never forget that birdie. Things get even better at our next stop, Room 116 at Rusacks, an intimate lounge and bar that celebrates two of Scotland's greatest gifts to the world — golf and whisky. After a tasting experience of the Glendronach Highland Single Malt amid pictures of golfing legends, and seafood and steak at 18 Rooftop Restaurant, set high up above the golf links, we drive two and a half hours to Marine Troon. The light and airy hotel on the Ayrshire coast, with views over the Isle of Arran, is just feet away from the 18th fairway of the Royal Troon Golf Club, nine-time host of the Open. The building, originally a manor house from 1894, has plenty of period charm, with rich woods and chandeliers, floral wallpapers and deep carpets — and views from every window of the coast and the course. After a delicious lunch at the Seal Bar (named after the first hole at Troon), it's time to try Dunbonald Links, which has hosted the Scottish Women's Open and the final qualifying for the Open Championship. Here we are kept on our toes by water, cauldron bunkers and some spectacularly undulating greens, then soothed by Marine Troon's comfortable and relaxed restaurant, the Rabbit, where we feast on delicious fresh trout and pork belly. Sadly there's little time to visit the hotel's large pool and spa, because the next morning we have a half-hour flight to take from Glasgow to Belfast and an hour's road trip to the charming seaside town of Portrush. As we drive past Royal Portrush Golf Course, the stands have already been put up for this summer's Open Championships and the area is buzzing with activity. Our hotel, the Adelphi, converted from a grand townhouse, is a block away from the beach and, like the others, has dark polished woods and leather furniture to sink into and a plethora of golfing and nautical touches to remind you where you are. Although the room is spacious and comfortable, the sunshine and nearby seashore lure us out — as does more golf. Our final 18 holes are 15 minutes' away, along the coast road, at Portstewart Golf Club, host of the Irish Open and rated one of the top 100 golf courses by Golf Digest. We've been told the views are impressive, but nothing can prepare us for the majesty of the opening nine holes. Framed by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the moody sky, rolling dunes and tricky manicured greens, this is a course that assaults the senses (in a very good way). It is also extremely challenging. Without our incredibly patient caddies, we might still be on the course. But after Guinness on tap at the halfway house, and a back nine offering us a few more chances for par, we make the final hole before dark. Afterwards, on the clubhouse balcony overlooking the beach, we agree: this is our favourite round of golf — not just on the tour, but of all time. Hosted by the Adelphi's friendly, chatty staff, we celebrate with more excellent seafood (ranging from cured sea bass and crab linguine to risotto di mare) and a cocktail in the bar. I did get around Portstewart in double digits — and that has to be worth celebrating. As we drive back to Belfast the following morning, I reflect on the lessons I've learnt. I probably need to have some golf lessons in a bunker. Apparently it's not always 25C and sunny on these links courses. But, most of all, the Grand Tour is most worthy of its name. A four-night golf trip with Marine & Lawn costs from £5,000 per person, including accommodation, golf and transfers (but not flights and food),
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Self-driving shuttle bus launched in Belfast Harbour
The Harlander shuttle has entered into general service today, with the eight-seater shuttle bus connecting the train station and the Catalyst Campus, just off Queens Road. There is no driver on board the bus, although there is a "safety operator' sitting behind a wheel that turns itself. Belfast Harbour say the goal of the project is to offer 'last mile connectivity' between the train station and the rest of the harbour estate, connecting 'transport networks to businesses, tourist attractions and education and leisure facilities'. During a pilot period between now and September, the bus will be entirely free to use for members of the public. The Harlander was developed by the Harbour along with several other companies, including eVersum, Oxa, Angoka, BT and Horiba Mira. A special right-hand drive version of an electric bus was created specifically for the Harlander service by the Austrian firm Hobira Mira. Oxa are behind the self-driving technology, while safety testing was carried out by Hobira Mira, a Coventry-based company. In May, Belfast Harbour said the vehicle was 'tested to death' by Hobira Mira in order to ensure its safety. Mike Dawson, people and digital transformation director at Belfast Harbour, said: 'Following eight weeks of testing, we are delighted to launch the Harlander to the public to offer last mile connectivity on the Harbour Estate. 'This is a groundbreaking project for Northern Ireland and is a step towards fully driverless transport. 'Belfast Harbour has a strong track record of supporting innovation and this project supports our Smart Port ambitions, utilising cutting-edge technology to support our tenants and the public. 'We're excited to see the public reaction and utilisation of the service.' In May, Mr Dawson described the shuttle as an attempt to 'incentivise' people to use public transport by more seamlessly connecting the train and Catalyst. He described the current loop of four stops as a 'model and a blueprint' that will be used to find what is 'viable for other services'. 'What we'd like to do is have this run, learn from it, particularly the passenger experience and customer experience. 'What does that look like? What does that feel like? What needs to be tweaked, improved? How do you make sure there are no barriers to entry for people to be able to get on and access it?' The Harbour plan for the Harlander to be a first step towards an increasing amount of autonomous vehicles being used in Northern Ireland's transport network. Mr Dawson said that he would 'like to see' self-driving vehicles across the city: 'We would like to see more of these, where you can create connectivity on the estate itself. 'We see this as a much bigger play regionally, not just for Northern Ireland, but also for GB, where you can get connectivity to those main routes. 'Imagine you had estates in the city where you had these types of routes feeding the Glider route. 'It doesn't replace bus drivers, it augments what we have in place today.'
