Thomas Devlin Fund News

LONGEST PIECE OF BUNTING WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

2010-08-12T15:41:09Z

Following the successful launch of the Belfast Flags of Hope Project in June 2009, the artist Raymond Watson together with the Thomas Devlin Fund launched the Guinness World Record for the longest piece of bunting using flags in the style of the project on the 3rd June 2010. Anyone interested making flags for the world record attempt should email flags.worldrecord@gmail.com or visit: www.belfastflags.blogspot.com “Belfast Flags of Hope” a publication about the Belfast Flags of Hope Project was also launched on the same day. This book describes the project itself and includes a photograph of the flags created by the boys involved in the project together with their reasons for their designs. The publication can be downloaded from: www.thomasdevlin.com

2010-08-12T15:15:00Z

Gerry Kelly representing OFMDFM presents two students with a framed flag from each other`s school

Flags are often a focus for division in Northern Ireland, but north Belfast students hope to change this forever. Year 9 students at St Patrick’s College on the Antrim Road have joined with peers from Ashfield Boys High School to produce a display of flags which they created and which demonstrate that their hopes and aspirations are the same irrespective of background. Special flags have been produced by the students in each school, helped by artist Raymond Watson, which have been swapped and put on public display in the school grounds. A special ceremony to unveil the Flags of Hope took place at St Patrick’s College on the Antrim Road on Thursday, June 25 at which Gerry Kelly representing OFMDFM and the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Naomi Long MLA, officiated.

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Bursaries awarded 2008

2008-10-04T00:00:00Z

Mary Black of CFNI and Penny Holloway with the winners of the Thomas Devlin Bursaries 2008 in the Europa Hotel. Winners were presented with their awards at a fundraising Gala Dinner attended by over 250 guests in the Grand Ballroom of the Europa Hotel. Gerard McCarthy,a young Belfast born actor presented the awards to the young performing artists and in his speech Gerard commented that this type of support was very important to young aspiring performers. Dan Gordon was an excellent MC and Sean Crummy provided the guests with his political overview based on the Folks on the Hill. Auction items included a Trevor Brown painting, a Tulip Bouquet Annual Basket donated by Belleek Pottery, and tickets for the Cliff Richard concert! Music was provided by The Silver Fish who had everyone up dancing.

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Golf 4 Ball Competition Fortwilliam Golf Club 2008

2008-07-31T00:00:00Z

Winners of the annual 4 ball competition held on a rain soaked day at Fortwilliam Golf Club in one of the wettest years on record.

The youngest team won and are looking forward to their trip to Druids Heath Golf Course. The prize was presented by the Captain Mr Michael Graham. The golfers who turned out for the competition all deserve special thanks for braving the elements and a very special thank you to those who did the 18 holes instead of the 13 they were expected to do - no prizes for this though. Thanks to Kevin McCourt for providing meals all day for entrants. The day was rounded off with music from Network and a raffle. We sincerely hope that the 4 ball in 2009 will have sunnier weather.

BBC Club runs charity quiz night.

2008-06-20T00:00:00Z

Bridget on behalf of the BBC club and Joanne hand cheque to Ward.

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Table Quiz Landsdowne Court Hotel 2008

2008-05-21T00:00:00Z

The quiz master poses the questions for quiz teams at the annual table quiz in the Landsdowne Hotel Belfast. The teams were very competitive and the academics from South Belfast were the eventual winners. Having a mixed age group helps especially with the music questions!! Local businesses generously donated gifts for the Tombola which was as usual a great success. Despite the European Cup Final we had a great attendance but took a break so that the football fans could watch the penalty shoot out.
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Belfast Marathon May 2008

2008-05-05T00:00:00Z

The stalwarts of the Belfast marathon took to the streets again in aid of the Thomas Devlin Fund. This year the Fund had a relay team, walkers for the 9 mile walk and fun run entrants with our youngest entrant being Layla at just under 2 years old. if anyone wishes to enter the marathon events in 2009 contact Belfast City Council - we will supply the t shirts!

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Belfast Community Safety Partnership - Young Peoples’ Awards April 2008

2008-04-21T00:00:00Z

The Young People’s Awards is a community safety project which highlights the positive contribution of young people striving to make their communities safer places. All too often young people do not get the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication in making a positive difference in their communities. The aim of the awards is to act as a platform providing recognition to young people for their outstanding work in addressing community safety issues.

The awards evening was held in the Waterfront Hall on Monday the 21^st April and was attended by the Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers, as well as local personality Gerard McCarthy ( Kris from HollyOaks).

The winner of the Thomas Devlin Gold Award was a group of young people from Alternative Futures who have been involved in a safety project with the Knock Fire Station in East Belfast. The boys created a mosaic with the help of a local artist which is on display in the fire station

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OMAC TO new MAC

2008-02-29T23:55:27Z

Artist impression of the new MAC

Following discussion between the Thomas Devlin Fund and OMAC it has been agreed that the artwork in memory of Thomas will be part of the new museum and arts centre planned for the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast.

The intention of the Fund is for the artwork to symbolise the hopes and aspirations of young people. The artwork will also focus people's minds on the futility of violence.

The trustees of the Fund will engage young people in the development of the artwork.

First Bursaries awarded

2007-10-12T00:11:00Z

Winners of Young Musicians Bursaries

Nine young musicians received the first bursaries awarded by the Thomas Devlin Fund at a fundraising gala Dinner held in the Europa Hotel.

The young winners were all planning to use the bursary to develop their musical skills in a variety of ways - from taking masterclasses to a study tour in Brazil to going to colleges of music and buying an instrument- all of the winners will benefit from the financial support provided by the bursaries.

Over three hundred guests attended the gala Dinner and enjoyed the comedy of Sean Crummie, the raffle and auction and music by the backbone Blues Band. Special guests included Susan Elliot the U.S Consul in Belfast and Gary Ansbro from the Irish Government; Bernie Kelly the Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.

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Summer Wine Fair June 2007

2007-06-10T01:02:00Z

A fine selection of wines

Gap Wines - UK Off Licence of the Year 2006 - donated a proportion of the ticket price for the Summer Wine Fair in June 2007 to the Thomas Devlin Fund. The Summer Fair took place in Belfast Castle on a beautiful sunny afternoon with a wide range of fine wines to taste. Everyone who attended had a very enjoyable time tasting wine and chatting to friends

Golf 4 Ball Competition Fortwilliam Golf Club

2007-05-31T00:00:00Z

George takes aim

Over 30 teams of very keen golfers took part in the very first 4 ball competition in aid of the Thomas Devlin Fund. It was a glorious day with George Jones teeing off first. The greens were in excellent condition and a lot of very high scores were achieved. The team of schoolboys from Belfast Royal Academy did well and enjoyed the competition. The highest overall score was achieved by Paddy Dobbyns's team - they won excellent first prizes. All players enjoyed their meal provided by the caterers in Fortwilliam Golf Club and a good night's entertainment was had by all. The event will be held again next year.

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Table Quiz

2007-05-16T00:00:00Z

A table quiz was held in the Landsdowne Hotel, Antrim Road and despite the torrential rain there was a good turnout. Everyone had a great time and the competition between the teams was very keen indeed. There were a number of tie breakers to decide the prize winners and congratulations are due to the winning teams. The spot prizes were well received and the tombola was well supported and the night was a great success. Thanks to everyone who supported the event especially the local businesses who provided the tombola prizes.

Belfast Marathon May 2007

2007-05-01T00:43:00Z

A number of supporters of the Thomas Devlin Fund took part in the marathon, the relay and the walk on a cool Mayday event and raised a significant sum of money for the Fund. The relay team improved on their race time from 2006 and came in at number 66.

This is a great fun event and anyone who wishes to participate on behalf of the Fund is really welcome to do so.