The Crosskeys Inn

*Calling all musicians*
Friday 2nd October 9pm

Charity session in aid of the The Rise and Shine Trust - all musicians are welcome!

Rise and shine is a volunteer led charity that brings around 400 children and young people with additional needs on a week-long, life-changing holiday to Lourdes every Easter.

The Trust started in 1972 when a group of volunteers brought 14 young people with special needs on a pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes in France. The Trust has travelled every year since.

I had the pleasure of joining the group during Easter 2026, and witnessed firsthand the support and care offered to all guests. Creating value able memeories for carers and guests alike.

We would appreciate your support for this worthy charity.

We had the pleasure of welcoming the Wh***ey bus to the Crosskeys. Gareth Irvine from Distillery along with Barry Chandler Stories & Sips. and from Irish Wh***ey Experiences treated the guests to a fabulous range of whiskeys from Copeland distillery.
Irish Wh***ey Tourism at its best.

The Rise and Shine Trust
Charity Session
All musicians welcome.

Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary B**r Group, visiting the iconic Cross Keys Inn as part of her visit to Northern Ireland hosted by Hospitality Ulster.

The Cross Keys is a fantastic example of the vital role our pubs play in supporting local communities, preserving heritage, creating employment and driving tourism. Visits like this provide an invaluable opportunity to showcase both the strengths of our industry and the challenges facing hospitality businesses across Northern Ireland.

Thank you to Ciara and Vincent Hurl for sharing their experiences from the frontline of our industry.

One Industry. One Voice.

Congratulations to all of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Winners of 2026 from all of us at The Crosskeys🪉

In the years gone by, we have had the honour of welcoming several of the recipients to The Crosskeys Inn 🎶

We are beyond complimented that these top musicians have graced us with their talent both on our stage, and in the many impromptu sessions over the years.

Comhghairdeachas libh!
🏆Gradam Ceoil (Musician of the Year): Cathal Hayden
🏆Amhránaí (Singer): Pauline Scanlon
🏆Gradam Saoil (Lifetime Achievement): Mickey Dunne
🏆Gradam Comaoine (Outstanding Contribution): Jim Corry from The Tulla Céilí Band
🏆Cumadóir (Composer): Niall Vallely

Anocht tabharfar omós, aitheantas agus buíochas dóibh siúd a bhfuil éacht déanta acu ag cothú, ag neartú agus ag buanú an cheoil traidisiúnta! ✨

https://nasc.tg4.tv/Gradam-Ceoil-TG4-2026

Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026 🏆
Anocht | Tonight 🕤 21:30

Ar an Aer, ar TG4.ie & ar YouTube Trad TG4 💻

Cherish the Ladies Niall Vallely Music Pauline Scanlon Séamus & Caoimhe

A strange industry, now a fast fading memory.................The first uses of diatomite in Northern Ireland, can be traced back to c1855 in the townland of Ballynease. It was then known as Bann Clay, used to make Culbann Bricks for the building of houses. However, a diatomite factory at Newferry, Bellaghy, was built in 1906. For over a century, diatomite was extracted, made into bricks locally, or exported for other uses, such as making insulating bricks, abrasives (car polish, tooth polish, etc), and filters (c***r, b**r production). Also, during WW2 large quantities of diatomite were exported to English mu*****ns factories to act as an absorbent for explosives (nitro glycerine), which originally I thought was the only use. This period was a high point for the local industry. The diatomite extractions at Newferry had a different composition, with more impurities than at Toome. This meant it took a lot more effort, and cost, to bring it up to commercial quality. The diatomite under the peat of Ballymacombs More was greyish, and process commenced with an initial period of drying, followed by heating in a sealed kiln for one week. Only saving grace was that the kiln was used to heat courtesy of peat from the bog. However, ever decreasing sales and costs, saw commercial extraction virtually cease in the 1960s, and finally end mid 1990s. Below, is an image of the disused diatomite factory at Newferry, showing tanks used in processing of the product.................(is it still evident?)