Stars rolled into Belfast to walk the red carpet at one of the hottest nights of the year at Titanic Belfast on Friday 27th April. Northern Ireland’s number one life style and entertainment awards The Titanic GO Awards 2012 turned out a huge success for NI businesses with Belfast night club El Divino striking Gold at this years GONGS.
El Divino one of Northern Ireland’s newest and most stylish night clubs picked up the top award at this year’s Titanic GO Awards. Based on the banks of the river lagan, El Divino won the Golden GONG for 2012, which was sponsored by Victoria Square. Belfast’s newest night spot also picked up the Best Newcomer of the Year accolade sponsored by Northern Ireland’s Visitors Journal.
High street retailer New Look won Fashion Retailer of the Year, whilst the Café of the Year GONG was presented to Mange Tout. Lisburn Road restaurant Shu picked up Restaurant of the Year with Best Pub going to the ever-popular Malone Road based Botanic Inn.
One of Northern Ireland’s most iconic tourist destinations the Giants Causeway picked up the Visitor Attraction of the Year and Northern Ireland’s most famous golfer who will be no stranger to that part of the world at the Irish Open in June, Rory McIlroy was named Sports Star of the Year.
Northern Ireland’s favourite presenter UTV’s Julian Simmons picked up the award for Media Personality of the Year, whilst the Cathedral Quarter’s most trendy bar and nightclub 21 Social received the accolade for most stylish bar. Best Live music bar went to Dublin road based The Empire.
The Hair Salon of the Year trophy was given to Zuni Hairdressing whilst the Hotel of the Year GONG was presented to Galgorm Resort & Spa. Newly revamped night spot, Sense in Cookstown won Best Night Club of the Year and best Festival/Event of the Year was presented to this year to the highly successful Belsonic, which is held in Custom House Square.
Host for the gala evening, TV Funny man Rufus Hound made it a night to remember as Northern Ireland’s top retailers, restaurateurs, hoteliers and brightest entrepreneurs turned out for a dazzling night of entertainment with X Factor finalist Misha B, ex Snow Patrol band member and now solo artist Iain Archer, Irish Band KÍLA and swing and jazz sensation Danny Conlon Jnr. And once the formal proceedings were completed, guests and celebrities partied along to Cool FM’s DJ Hix.
VIP guests strutting their stuff at the evening bash included Big Fat Gypsy Wedding Star Paddy Doherty, local actress Jayne Wisener who starred in Sweeney Todd and the hit channel 4 series ‘The Inbetweeners’ and more recently the local BBC NI drama 6 Degrees. MTV’s Laura Whitmore along with boyfriend – Corona’s front man Danny O’Reilly, star of the West End Niamh Perry, former Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy, presenter Zoe Salmon, 6 Degrees stars, Niall Wright, Georgia Maguire and Cillian O’Sullivan alongside local celebrities from press and broadcast media including Cool FM DJs Pete Snodden and Kirsty McMurray and of course no one could forget the fabulous Captain Morgan, who worked the red carpet with this quirky poses.
Bill Penton, Publisher, GO Magazine said it was an absolutely fantastic evening for everyone: “Titanic Belfast was buzzing on Friday night and we’re delighted that so many guests and celebrities, some from across the water, were able to attend The GONGS. And the good news is we raised a fabulous £2440 from our ballot, for Cool FM’s Cash for Kids charity. This money really will make a difference to local disadvantaged children.
“I would just like to congratulate all the winners and of course all the finalists who joined us for such an amazing night. Titanic GO Awards were voted for by GO readers across Northern Ireland and overall we received 25,000 votes covering all 14 categories.”