Plans for a first air dome in Northern Ireland close to the banks of the River Foyle are moving forward.
A few names for the venue are already floating around, including the Foyle Bubble — a nod to the oft-heard refrain: “You must think I came up the Foyle in a bubble.”
Another suggestion is Dome Alone. If the public are allowed a say, options may have to be narrowed down to avoid a Domey McDomeface scenario.
On a more serious note, with the destruction of Connacht GAA’s multimillion euro Air Dome in Co Mayo during Storm Éowyn at the weekend, there may be some concern for the structural integrity of such facilities, considering extreme weather events are expected to increase in the future.
When complete, the site will have playing pitches, changing facilities and ancillary accommodation for Ulster University. It is on old grounds vacated by Foyle College when it relocated from the Cityside to the Waterside.
The land was bought by UU in 2019 but has remained untouched ever since.
Funding comes from the PeacePlus programme and stands at £9.05m, with the university promising to match this figure.
Steinbeck Festival made of write stuff
Limavady’s annual Steinbeck Festival is fast-approaching, with a range of cultural events celebrating the area’s ties to John Steinbeck. The acclaimed American author’s grandfather was from Ballykelly. The writer, who was fascinated by his Irish roots, visited the area in 1952. Now in its seventh year, the festival runs throughout February and promises to entertain with music, photography, poetry, theatre and storytelling. This year features Fergal Keane in conversation with Mark Carruthers (February 7), gifted young blues artist Muireann Bradley (February 15), and much, much more.
Weller’s Friel Tribute
Paul Weller has paid homage to late Derry musician and broadcaster Eamon Friel by recording one of his best-known songs. He recently finished work on his version of El Dorado, a plaintive piece written for Joe Mahon’s 1986 film The Best Man, which starred Seamus Ball. Weller was sent the song by Mark Holden, manager of Derry punk outfit Touts, who knows The Jam and Style Council legend through the music scene. Mr Friel’s family are immensely proud the talented songwriter is getting wider recognition almost six years after his death.