Re-commencing Thursday, 11th September 2008 and then the second Thursday of each month thereafter, our Chefs will be offering a roast carvery in addition to the regular menu.

This will encompass different meats each month, carved by our Chefs, accompanied by fresh market vegetables and potatoes.

                  

Format – Glass of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay from 7.15pm. Dinner will commence at 7.45pm, then enter our lavishly themed casino, complete with roulette & blackjack tables and see if you or one of your guests can win one the evening’s prizes!

Menu

Watercress, Pear & Blue Stilton Salad

With Parmesan Shavings & Lemongrass Oil

Supreme of Chicken

Filled with Tiger Prawns, Truffle & Basil Butter

Served on Saffron Mash with a Chilli Cream Sauce

Selection of fresh Market Vegetables & Potatoes

New season Summer Strawberry Tart

Glazed with Strawberry & Martini Jelly &

Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Freshly ground & brewed Coffee

£50 per person including  reception drink & dinner.

Dress: Black Tie

The Boer War lasted 3 years from 1899 to 1902 and was to become the most costly Britain ever fought at the time, not only from a monetary point of view, but also from the number of men lost. Almost half a million troops took part, of which 22,000 were to die, some 16,000 from disease.

David Humphreys has been one of the most talented and successful rugby players of his generation. As a pupil at Ballymena Academy he captained the Irish Schools’ team to a Triple Crown in 1990, and within three years he had played for Ireland at both Under 21 and "A" levels and made his senior Ulster debut in 1992, kicking his side to victory over Munster in Cork. Having graduated in Law from Queen’s University, he scored a record 19 points for Oxford in the 1995 Varsity game at Twickenham, and made his Irish debut against France the following February. Capped 72 times by Ireland, the most for an Ulster player, he scored 560 international points and played in the 1999 and 2003 World Cup tournaments, and captained Ireland in five internationals. He has played in more than 160 games for Ulster, a club record, and is Ulster’s top points scorer in both the Heineken Cup and the Magners League. His 37 points against Wasps in 2002 is a Heineken Cup record for an individual, and his last-minute drop goal against the Ospreys in Swansea gave Ulster the 2006 Magners League title. Awarded an MBE for his services to rugby, and an Honorary Doctorate by Queen’s University, David Humphreys cemented his place in Ulster and Irish rugby history when he captained Ulster to a European Cup victory on January 30th 1999 at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. Recently inducted into the Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association Hall of Fame, he has decided to retire after fifteen years at the top.

Our Past President Mr Leslie McAlpine has kindly arranged for Castleward Opera to perform at the Club.

Format-drinks reception from 7.15pm, in the Reading Room in front of a roaring fire. Dinner will commence at 7.45pm, after which Castleward Opera will perform.

Menu

Tian of white Crab & Prawns

with Avocado & Goats’ Cheese Mousse

& Compote of Tomato

Roast breast of Chicken

with Maple & Black Pepper Glaze

Carrot Thyme & Cumin Purée

Chef’s selection of fresh Market Vegetables & Potatoes

Vanilla and Orange Pannacotta

with Vanilla Shortbread

Freshly ground & brewed coffee

Dress: black tie, £40 per person, including musicians, reception drink & dinner

 ‘By ticket only’

Format-Members and guests sit down for luncheon at 1.00pm followed,

at approximately 1.50pm, by our guest Mr Eddie O’Sullivan in conversation with Mr Jim Neilly.

Lunch Menu

Whole-grain Mustard & Whiskey-cured Irish Salmon

with Avocado Cream & Wheaten

Roast Loin of Saddleback Pig

served on Champ with Clonakilty Black Pudding & Cepe Gravy

Chef’s selection of Vegetables and Potatoes

Freshly Ground & Brewed Coffee

£23.50 per person

‘By ticket only’

The President’s Dinner-Friday 7^th March

Format – A member’s only function and the highlight of the

Club’s Social Calendar!

Members meet at around 7.30pm and partake of a drink or two in the Members Bar, prior to moving into the Dining Room to enjoy Dinner followed by the President’s invited Guest Speaker, The Rt. Rev. the Lord Eames of Armagh.

Formerly the Most Reverend Robert Henry Alexander Eames LL.B, Ph.D, LL.D, D.D. Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan.

Robin Eames was born in 1937 in Belfast. He married Christine in June 1966. They have two sons Niall and Michael who are both surgeons in Belfast Hospitals.

He was educated at Methodist College, Belfast Royal Academy, The Queens University, Belfast and Trinity College, Dublin.

Whilst at Queen’s he was he was Chairman of the Law Society, was awarded the Austin Memorial (Jurisprudence) Prize in 1958 and 1959. He was the Research Scholar and Tutor, Faculty of Laws from 1960 to 1963. He was awarded the LL.B (Hons) in 1960 and his Ph.D in 1963.

He was appointed a Deacon in 1963 and subsequently served in the Parishes of Bangor, Gilnahirk and Dundela before being elected Bishop of Derry and Raphoe in 1975.

He was elected Bishop of Down and Dromore in 1980 and was then elected Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan in 1986. He retired from these positions on 31^st December 2006.

Lord Eames has held many posts in the Anglican Communion including: the Irish representative of the Anglican Consultative Council and Standing Committee, Chairman of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on ‘Communion and Women in the Episcopate’, Member of the Standing Committee of Anglican Primates and Chairman of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lambeth Commission.

He is a Member of the Northern Ireland Commission on Human Rights.

He was made a Life Peer in 1995.

Awarded the Order of Merit by Her Majesty the Queen in July 2007. A maximum of 24 people hold this award at any point in time.

In September 2007 Lord and Lady Eames were awarded the Freedom of Armagh City.

After dinner the Members’ Bar and Snooker Room are open for Members to retire to!

Dress: black tie, £50 per person, including reception drink, six-course dinner and wine with meal

‘By ticket only’

Guest Speaker Luncheon & Dinner on Thursday, 28^th February with the best-selling author Fredrick Forsythe, on behalf of the Gurkha Welfare Trust – Northern Ireland Branch.

Frederick Forsyth’s work needs little introduction; books such as The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, and The Fourth Protocol are familiar to all of us, but the man himself is a little more mysterious.   Born in Kent and educated at Tonbridge School and at university in Spain, he began his working life as a journalist, joining Reuters and then the BBC as a diplomatic correspondent.  He left the BBC following some controversy during his coverage of the Biafran War, and subsequently wrote his first book, The Biafra Story, in 1969.

His journalistic background is evident in the meticulous planning and factual accuracy of his novels, indeed so accurate have many of them seemed that they have resulted in searching and embarrassing questions for government.   He holds strong and sometimes controversial views on topics ranging from the monarchy to climate change, and is to this day still writing (most recently The Afghan), and broadcasting on political issues.

Luncheon Format

Members and guests sit down for luncheon at 12.45, and following a brief introduction by General Sir Sam Cowan, our Guest of Honour, Mr Frederick Forsyth, will speak about his life and work at approximately 1.45pm.

Lunch Menu

Cream of spiced Parsnip & Coriander Soup

with Curry Oil

Pan-fried Finnebrogue Venison Sausages

served on buttery Champ, with Juniper Berry & red Wine Jus

topped with crispy Onions

Freshly Ground & Brewed Coffee

£25.00 per person

‘By ticket only’

Dinner Format

Members and guests arrive at 7.30pm for a Drinks Reception, before sitting down to a six-course dinner with wine at 8pm.   The evening will conclude with an auction for the benefit of the GWT (to include a tailor made blazer, a day’s salmon fishing on the Mourne, and other exclusive items) then General Sir Sam Cowan, will introduce our Guest of Honour, Mr Frederick Forsyth, who will speak about his life and work.

Dinner Menu

Sautéed Scallops with Pea Pancake

served with Orange & Vanilla Sauce

Roast Tomato & Rocket Soup

with Basil Pesto

Char-grilled Beef Fillet on Garlic Pomme Purée

With a Pancetta & Spring Onion, Bushmills Sauce

Selection of finest Cheeses

Champagne Syllabub

With fresh Raspberries

Freshly ground & brewed Coffee

‘By ticket only’

£50 per person

Dress: Black tie

Admission to both the luncheon and the dinner is by ticket only; demand is likely to be high and a number of tables at both events have been reserved for the charity’s subscribers.

Format

Menu

Pan-seared Red Mullet Fillet

set on a roast Fennel Salad

with a Champagne & Sorrel Cream

Chablis 1 er Cru Les Vaudevey-Chablis

Roasted Plum Tomato & Red Pepper Soup

with Vodka, Crème Fraiche

L’Avenir Chenin Blanc-South Africa

Char-grilled marinated Rack of Lamb

spiced root Vegetables

served with a Lemon & Thyme Jus

Piedra Feliz Punto Alto Pinot Noir-Chile

Selection of Finest Cheeses

La Croix Chevaliere-South of France

Warmed Chocolate Fondant Tart

Balsamic Strawberry & Raspberry Sorbet

Brown Bros Late Harvest Muscat-Australia

Freshly ground & brewed Coffee, with hand-rolled Truffles

Dress: Smart Casual

£50 per person including reception drink, gourmet dinner and fine wines tutored and presented at each course by Laroche Wines & Direct Wine Shipments Wholesale.

‘By ticket only’

Format

followed, at approximately 1.50pm, by our speaker, President McAleese.

Mary McAleese was born in Belfast, educated at St. Dominic’s Grammar School, graduated from Queens University in 1973 and in the following year was called to the Northern Ireland Bar.  She was appointed Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College Dublin in 1975.

After working for some time with RTE as a journalist and presenter in both radio and television Mrs. McAleese returned to Queen University in 1987 to become Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies. In 1994 she became the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, the first woman to hold the position.

In 1997 Mrs. McAleese defeated the former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds to determine the Fianna Fail nomination for the Irish Presidency and in November after winning the Presidential election she was inaugurated as the eighth President of Ireland following President Mary Robinson.

In October 2004 President McAleese was reelected unopposed for a second seven year term of Office illustrating her widespread popularity with no party willing to bear the cost politically or financially in an election that would prove difficult to win.

President McAleese has themed her Presidency as “Building Bridges” and has a longstanding interest in many issues concerned with equality, justice and reconciliation.                        

Menu

Breaded Goats’ Cheese

set on Asparagus & sun-blushed Tomato Salad

with Tomato Chutney

Pan-fried Sea Bream Fillets

served on char-grilled Sweet Potatoes

with a roasted Red Pepper & Basil Cream

Chef’s selection of Vegetables & Potatoes

Freshly ground & brewed Coffee

£23.50 per person

‘By ticket only’

A Traditional Scottish evening in the Club, involving

Good Food, Pipers, a Soprano & a Baritone, musicians and Scottish Craic!!

Format

Supper Menu

Cock a Leekie Soup

served Piping Hot, with Selkirk Bannock

Finest Smoked Scottish Salmon

with a Caper & Spring Onion Dressing and Fresh Lemon

Whole Haggis, Neeps & Tatties

Cranachan

A Traditional Scottish Sweet with a rich blend of

Yoghurt, Oatmeal, Whisky & Raspberries, served with Butterscotch Biscuits

Dress: black tie, Supper 7.30pm for 8.00pm

£27.50 per person

‘By ticket only’

Re- commencing Thursday, 10^th January 2008 and then the second Thursday of each month thereafter,

An informal evening where members are welcome to bring family, friends and work colleagues to view and enjoy the existing and newly created facilities! Our Management Committee will be on hand to give tours and explain the services the Club now has to offer.

Canapés, wine & soft drinks reception, with the whole Building open from 5.30 through 8.30pm

Format

Members & guests meet and enjoy a pre-luncheon drink or two in the
Reading Room in front of a ‘roaring fire’, then sit down for our
Reform Christmas Luncheon at 1.00pm

Menu

Gateau of Walter’s Smoked Salmon & Prawns

with Tomato Vinaigrette & Irish Soda Bread

Winter Vegetable Consommé

Roast Stuffed Turkey & Co Antrim Gammon

with Bacon-wrapped Chipolatas and a Turkey & Port Wine Gravy

Chef’s seasonal Market Vegetables & Potatoes

Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce

or

White Chocolate Cheesecake with Blueberry Compote &

Vanilla Pod Ice Cream

Freshly ground & brewed Coffee

with Mince Pies

£23.50 per person including pre-luncheon drinks

‘By ticket only’

Format

Members & guests meet and enjoy a pre-luncheon drink or two in the
Reading Room in front of a ‘roaring fire’, then sit down for our
Reform Christmas Luncheon at 1.00pm

Menu

Gateau of Walter’s Smoked Salmon & Prawns

with Tomato Vinaigrette & Irish Soda Bread

Winter Vegetable Consommé

Roast Stuffed Turkey & Co Antrim Gammon

with Bacon-wrapped Chipolatas and a Turkey & Port Wine Gravy

Chef’s seasonal Market Vegetables & Potatoes

Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce

or

White Chocolate Cheesecake with Blueberry Compote &

Vanilla Pod Ice Cream

Freshly ground & brewed Coffee

with Mince Pies

£23.50 per person including pre-luncheon drinks

‘By ticket only’

FORMAT

Members and guests sit down for luncheon at 1pm followed, at approximately 1:50pm, by our guest Mr Ray Stubbs in conversation with Mr Jim Neilly.

BACKGROUND

A former professional footballer with Tranmere Rovers, Ray Stubbs joined the BBC in Manchester in 1986 from Radio Merseyside as an assistant producer and worked on A Question of Sport before beginning a successful network broadcasting career, starting as a reporter for Match of the Day and Football Focus. Ray has covered every World Cup Final and European Championship Final for the BBC since 1990, and has presented Match of the Day, Grandstand and Football Focus as well as producing and presenting a number of sporting documentaries. He has been the front man for the BBC’s coverage of the World Darts Championships, has competed in a number of London Marathons and Great North Runs, and revealed a talent for singing in the most recent series of Celebrity Fame Academy.

MENU

Shrimp & Crab Tian with Goats’ Cheese & Avacado Mousse

Chicken Supreme stuffed with Spinach & Wild Mushrooms, wrapped in Parma Ham & served on a Lemongrass & Basil Sauce

Freshly ground & brewed coffee

£23.50 per person ‘by ticket only’

FORMAT

Reception drink, 6 course dinner with former England Cricket International Mr Geoff Miller, wine with meal, auction and ballot all hosted by Mr Jim Neilly.

BACKGROUND

Geoff spent 20 years on the professional cricket circuit, representing Derbyshire, Essex, Natal and England. He played 34 Test Matches for England, 25 One Day Internationals and played in 7 overseas tours, travelling to all majorTest playing countries to play with or against some of the greatest players in the game. He amassed over 14,000 runs, and, as a genuine all-rounder he finished up taking over 1,000 wickets and holding over 300 catches. A former Captain of Derbyshire and a former England Vice Captain, Geoff is now an England selector, as well as being one of the most sought after speakers on the international after-dinner circuit. He had the significant pleasure of rooming with Ian Botham for five years, and has a wealth of wonderful cricketing anecdotes.

MENU

Warmed Tartlet of Poached Pear & Blue Stilton Cheese with a Fig & Walnut Chutney

Crab Bisque with freshly baked Tomato & Basil Bread

Raspberry & Cassis Sorbet

Char-grilled Irish Beef Fillet
Swede Fondant, Colcannon, Parisienne Potato & Asparagus with a rich Burgundy Reduction

Selection of finest Cheeses

Bushmills Whiskey Parfait with Baileys Chocolate Sauce & Vanilla Shortbread

Freshly ground & brewed Coffee  

DRESS

Black Tie - £50 per person – by Ticket Only

  FORMAT

7:30pm for 8:00pm at which time there will be an informal, fun introduction and tasting of the Torres range of wines, presented by Joan-Ramon Casals.

SUPPER MENU

Char-grilled Chicken Supreme in a smoky BBQ Sauce and fresh Monkfish Medallions coated in a spiced Chilli Batter with a roasted Plum Tomato & Red Pepper Sauce

Chef’s freshly prepared Salads & Breads

Freshly ground & brewed Coffee served with hand-rolled Truffles.

DRESS

Smart Casual

£20 per person including hot buffet supper - by TICKET ONLY

ROAST CARVERY

FORMAT

Format

Glass of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay from 7.15pm. Dinner will commence at 7.45pm, then enter our lavishly themed casino, complete with roulette & blackjack tables and see if you or one of your guests can win one of the evening’s prizes!

Menu

Watercress, Pear & Blue Stilton Salad with Parmesan Shavings & Lemongrass Oil
Supreme of Chicken filled with Tiger Prawns, Truffle & Basil Butter served on Saffron
Mash with a Chilli Cream Sauce
Selection of fresh Market Vegetables & Potatoes
New-season Summer Strawberry Tart glazed with Strawberry & Martini Jelly &
homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Freshly ground & brewed Coffee

£50 per person including reception drink & dinner
Dress: Black Tie
By ticket only

For Events listed, stating “by ticket only”, reservations will only be taken by means of selling tickets in advance. Members may pay for and obtain tickets in the General Office or by telephone giving your credit card number, whereupon they will be mailed out.
Early booking is essential for all events, cancellations within 72 hours of any event will be charged in full unless the place can be filled.
Normal Club dress code rules apply unless otherwise stated above.

with Mr Paul Clark UTV & Mr Paul Magennis, son of Leading Seaman James Joseph Magennis VC.

Format

Members and guests sit down for luncheon at 1.00pm followed, at approximately 1.50pm, by our speaker, Paul Magennis and MC Paul Clark.

Leading Seaman James Joseph Magennis VC.

Leading Seaman Magennis was born on 27th October 1919 at No.4 Majorca Street, Belfast and attended school on the Falls Road until 1935 when he enlisted in the Royal Navy. In 1941, whilst serving in the Mediterranean, his ship was struck by a mine off Tripoli with Magennis swimming to safety. In December 1943 Magennis then entered the submarine service and volunteered for special service on ’midget’ submarines, training as a diver. He was mentioned in dispatches having seen action in Kaafjord, north Norway.
In July 1945, when taking part in ’Operation Struggle’ Magennis clamped six limpet mines to the hull of the Japanese Cruiser, Takao, moored in the Jahore Strait protecting Singapore. It blew apart some five hours later. Exhausted after attaching the mines because he first of all had to scrape the area clean from deeply encrusted barnacles, Magennis insisted on leaving the midget submarine again to free it from the limpet carriers which had not fallen clear from the craft. Magennis displayed very great courage and devotion to duty with complete disregard for his own safety. For their part in the operation Magennis and his Commander of the submarine, Lieutenant Ian Fraser, were each awarded the Victoria Cross. Magennis is the only recipient from Northern Ireland and the last RN Rating, in the Second World War to be decorated with a Victoria Cross.
On Tuesday, May 29th at lunch, Mr Paul Clark will discuss with Mr Paul Magennis, a son of James Magennis, his father’s life both at home in Belfast and his wartime experiences. James Magennis left Belfast in 1955 to settle in Bradford, West Yorkshire, the home town of his wife Edna, where he died in 1986 at the age of sixty-six.

Menu

Gateau of White Crab, Tomato, Avocado & Prawn with a Gazpacho Dressing
Pan-seared Medallions of Prime Finnebrogue Venison Loin set on braised Red Cabbage with a Wild Mushroom & Pancetta Jus
Chef’s selection of Vegetables and Potatoes
Freshly Ground & Brewed Coffee

£23.50 per person
By ticket only