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NI News & Events: GCSE Success, Hotel Plans & End-of-Summer Events
NI News & Events: GCSE Success, Hotel Plans & End-of-Summer Events
Top grades rise across NI, Bangor Castle’s next chapter revealed, and two great events to squeeze the most out of August.
News & Events NI
Aug 21, 2025
The nights are still long, the ice cream vans are still roaming, and Northern Ireland is full of life. As always, we’ve packed this edition with a little bit of everything |
Trivia Question❓In Northern Ireland, what popular breakfast food is known as "fadge"? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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📬 Write a Postcard to Your Future Self |
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Grab a postcard (or any card you like), and take five quiet minutes today to write a note to future you. It could be a reminder, a goal, a few kind words, or a snapshot of how you’re feeling right now.
📮 Pop it in a drawer, a journal, or even post it to yourself to open in a month.
🧠 It’s a grounding wee activity that helps you pause, reflect, and reset. Especially useful as summer starts winding down. |
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More than 32,000 students across Northern Ireland received their GCSE results, celebrating a rise in top A/7 grades to 31.6%, up from last year’s 31%.
Overall, 83.5% secured grade C/4 or above, reflecting growing academic strength region-wide.
Education Minister Paul Givan praised student achievements, noting Northern Ireland continues... Read More... |
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Bangor Castle in Northern Ireland is set for a major redevelopment, as the Ards and North Down Borough Council unveils plans to transform the iconic Victorian building into a boutique hotel and event center.
The chosen proposal promises to boost the local economy by over £64 million and generate more than... Read More... |
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With the new school year on the horizon, ensuring children’s eye health is more important than ever for their academic success and everyday well-being.
Clear vision plays a central role in children’s learning, from reading the whiteboard to enjoying sports and classroom activities.
Yet, many vision issues go undetected because... Read More... |
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🧼 Why You Should Clean Your TV Remote (Seriously) |
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Your TV remote might be one of the most-touched and least-cleaned items in your home.
🧽 Quick fix: Use a slightly damp cloth with rubbing alcohol or anti-bac spray, and gently wipe down the buttons and sides. Do this once a week to keep things clean.
📺 Bonus tip: Works for game controllers, light switches and door handles too. |
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This Weeks Featured Event: Ould Lammas Fair |
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Venue: Ballycastle Date: 25-26th August 2025 (lead up events 23rd-24th) Time: All Day
Ireland’s oldest traditional fair, where heritage meets community spirit in an unforgettable celebration. Meet the warm and welcoming people of Ballycastle, who give the fair its charm and heart.
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🎟️ What’s On – Events (Aug 22nd - Aug 28th) |
Vibrant, week-long celebration at Belfast Mela, transforming the city into a global stage of colour, rhythm, and flavour.
The beautiful seaside of Bangor, County Down. The festival's eclectic programme includes music, comedy, film, theatre, boat trips, food and drink, talks and tours, and crafting events.
Belfast’s Waterfront comes to life every Sunday with free pop-up music and animation for all ages.Enjoy toe-tapping traditional music, jazz and DJ sessions, pop-up science demonstrations, mini-golf and more.. |
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Kristian Nairn, famed for his role as Hodor in Game of Thrones, has withdrawn from the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected health concerns.
The Lisburn-born actor and DJ had just been announced as the fifteenth contestant for the 2025 series, generating excitement.... Read More... |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Potato bread |