Kids of all ages enjoyed the skating experience, whilst the younger ones had the opportunity to visit the Santa's Grotto up until Christmas Eve.  The event proved to be a huge success, smashing all targets with a massive 3,133 locals and visitors trying the new sport in Lisburn City Centre.

The Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Allan Ewart, said it was exciting that a skating rink had been brought to Castle Gardens for the very first time.  "This skating rink provided the ideal opportunity for families to try something fun, in the heart of the City, in the wonderful backdrop of the recently restored Castle Gardens."

“We wanted to inject some real Christmas atmosphere into the City’s Festive Calendar and we hoped that this attraction not only brought visitors to the City, but also provide some traditional Christmas cheer for our residents.”

Discussions will now take place for a Christmas event in Lisburn City Centre through the 2010 festive period.

For further information on the Skating Rink please contact the Lisburn Tourist Information Centre on 028 9266 0038.

Lisburn City Council is proud to present a Christmas Skating Rink during the festive season in Castle Gardens, Lisburn. The Council is sponsoring this perfect family treat over the holidays as part of its 400th Anniversary celebrations.

Christmas wouldn't be complete without a visit to Father Christmas himself and Santa will be in residence in his Grotto in Castle Gardens from the 11th December right up to Christmas Eve.

Make sure you, your family and friends visit Castle Gardens to enjoy the festive atmosphere to be found in Lisburn City this Christmas.

Skating Rink Opening Times:

(Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day) Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult Monday - Friday 10am - 9pm Saturday 10am - 7pm Sunday 1-6pm Skating Rink Admission Costs: 17 and under £4 18 and over £5 Senior Citizens £4 Family ticket £16 (max. 2 adults and 3 children) School Groups £3/child (block booking by prior appointment only) Santa's Grotto Opening Times: (11th - 24th December) All children must be accompanied by an adult Monday - Friday 1-6pm Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 1-6pm Santa's Grotto Admission Costs: £4 per child (includes photo and present) For more information please contact the Lisburn Tourist Information Centre on 028 9266 0038
Or click on the following link: Lisburn Skating Rink

Included in the cost of your rental is fully comprehensive insurance and unlimited mileage. Some touring bikes come with luggage and all bikes come with a cable lock, most bikes can be fitted with a tank bag if required. Naturally should you on that rare occasion suffer a mechanical breakdown you are covered with a 24-hour recovery breakdown service. If you are one of the frequent foreign visitors to use McCallens Motorcycle rentals they can arrange to collect you from Belfast International and City Airports or bus or train stations and transport you to the superb new showrooms in Lisburn.

For more information you can contact Phillips McCallen Motorcycle Rental.

Unit 10/11 Portman Business Park
Lissue Industrial Estate
Moira Road
Lisburn
BT28 2XF
Tel: 028 9262 2886
Web: www.phillipmccallen.com

This prestigious local attraction brings national and international racing enthusiasts and tourists together.

Down Royal Racecourse has achieved success in the last 10 years with the growth of ever-popular events such as the upcoming NI Festival of Racing and the Summer Festival of Racing. As a result of its continued growth, this local tourist attraction was able to improve its facilities to include new grandstands, corporate facilities and entrance turnstiles, which were unveiled in June.

Down Royal Racecourse has won numerous awards and continues to draw big crowds to the venue for each race meeting its holds. The racecourse continues to play its part in bringing substantial economic and tourism benefits to the Lisburn area through hospitality and visitors staying in the City area.

Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chairman of the Council's Economic Development Committee, said: "As a partner organisation Lisburn City Council would like to recognise the significant economic importance this major attraction is to the Lisburn area as a result of the high-profile events that it hosts throughout the year. The Council, looks forward to a continuing relationship with Down Royal over the next decade and hopes the facility continues to grow and further enhance its position in the local tourism industry and in the international racing sector.

As part of the lead up to the NI Festival of Racing the Chairperson of the Councils Economic Development Committee, Councillor Jenny Palmer, Vice Chair, Alderman Jim Dillon and Alderman Ivan Davis were all taken on a tour of the new developments by Down Royal Racecourse Manager, Mike Todd. Included in the new developments are state of the art corporate hospitality suites, function rooms and a new entrance.

Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chairperson of the Economic Development Committee, said of the event "I wish the Down Royal Racecourse the best of luck for the NI Festival of Racing next weekend and continued best wishes for the years ahead. The staff and management at Down Royal Racecourse continue to develop the facilities at Down Royal on the back of huge support from visitors, sponsors and race goers.'

Further recognition of the hard work of staff and management of Down Royal Racecourse will be recognised by a civic reception hosted by Councillor Palmer at Lagan Valley Island next Monday.

For more information on the NI Festival of Racing, please visit

http://www.downroyal.com

The Deputy Mayor, Alderman Paul Porter and Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, were there to welcome and congratulate all the finalists of the competition on their achievements.

Alderman Porter said: "The standard of entries for the competition was simply marvellous. There were stunning photographs of various aspects of the city; from landscapes to buildings, from city locations and well-known places within Lisburn, to beautiful seasonal photographs.

"I was delighted to meet all our guests on the evening; young and old and from all walks of life and to hear about the photographs they submitted; what inspired them and to learn a little bit of background about the photographs displayed in the Arts Centre. Each and every person who submitted an entry is a winner in terms of their photography skills," he concluded.

Councillor Jenny Palmer, wholeheartedly endorsed Alderman Porter's views.

She commented: "Our judges, Felicity Graham from the Lisburn Arts Advisory Committee, George Scott, Lisburn Historical Society and Andy McDonough, Eclipso Pictures, certainly had a difficult job to appraise each entry as the overall standard was so high.

The variety of entries and the effort local people put into the competition is very pleasing to see, and like the Deputy Mayor I was really pleased to be a part of the evening. Well done to everyone," Cllr Palmer said.

All the entries were displayed in the Island Arts Centre. The event concluded with the presentation of awards to the winners of the competition categories.

Pictured at the Council organised Photography Competition Awards event are (l-r) Mrs Felicity Graham, Lisburn Arts Advisory Committee (Judge); Mr Robert Wilkinson; Mr Mark Douglas; Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chairman of the Council's Economic Development Committee; Miss Lucy Hewitt; Alderman Paul Porter, Deputy Mayor; Miss Emily Lester; Councillor Andrew Ewing; Mr Andy McDonough, Eclipso Pictures (Judge); Mr David McDonald and Mr Andrew McCoy.

The festivities organised by Lisburn City Council as part of the Lisburn 400th Anniversary celebrations; saw the Police Male Voice Choir sing carols and the Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Allan Ewart carry out the official count down for the switch on of Lisburn's Christmas Lights.

The impressive 'Christmas Past, Christmas Present' Parade weaved its way through the crowds lining the streets, leading from Christ Church to Bow Street and Market Square. The Parade featured Victorian costumed performers, the Journey of the Magi and other performers in spectacular costumes from traditional and modern eras.

To help celebrate the 400th Anniversary and the 'Christmas Past, Christmas Present' Parade over 150 local schoolchildren from across the City took part in a lantern parade, which proceeded up Bow Street. The schoolchildren were dressed as kings, shepherds, angels, Victorians, chimneys sweeps and Santa's little helpers. Each school child carried a handmade lantern crafted by them.

Santa travelled in style to Market Square on his sleigh pulled by a traditional style snow train. He addressed the boys and girls from beside the wonderful Christmas Tree before heading back to Lapland to continue preparations for Christmas Eve.

Lisburn City Council would like to thank all of the local schools, groups and spectators for braving the cold and helping to get the festive season officially underway in the City.