The President’s visit on Thursday, May 29 is one of a number of events being organised over a four day period by Northlands, on the theme of recovery and change.

President McAleese will deliver a keynote speech on the theme of recovery; recognising the thousands of people who do recover from addiction and go on to live life to the full.

Also speaking on the night is singer/songwriter Francis Black, who will talk about her own personal struggle with alcohol addiction and how, as a mature student, she returned to college and qualified as an addiction counsellor.The night will finish with dancing and music provided by superb local 8-piece band Pure Fresh.

The four day series for the ‘Celebration of Recovery’ takes place from Wednesday 28th – Saturday 31st May, organised by Northlands, a community based charity that provides alcohol and drugs information and counselling.

The celebration will bring together individuals in recovery, their friends and families, professionals, and others who work with them, in a festive gala event with inspirational talks, music, art, dance, yoga, acupuncture, exhibitions, educational presentations and street performances.

The festival aims to highlight the benefits of treatment not only for the affected individual, but for their family, friends, workplace, and society as a whole.

Northlands believe that addressing and informing the public reduces the stigma associated with addiction and treatment.

A highlight of the week will be a one-day conference, also entitled a Celebration of Recovery, which will take place on Wednesday, 28th May from 10am-4.30pm in the Millennium Forum. The conference will provide an opportunity for the whole community to celebrate recovery from addiction. It will also give an insight and offer hope to individuals and their families who experience at first hand the consequences of addiction behaviour.

Guest speakers will include TV presenter and journalist William Crawley of BBC Northland Ireland who will speak on ‘Addiction As A Family Illness’. Chris Mordue, Director of Training and Education at the Tony Adams Sporting Chances Rehabilitation Clinic in Hertfordshire, who will discuss how alcohol and drugs affect the brain and behaviour and the recovery process for people in general and also those involved in sporting life. Writer and poet and winner of Northern Ireland's first BAFTA Damian Gorman will talk about his own journey of recovery while Barbara McNarry, sister of legendary footballer George Best will speak about alcohol and the impact on family life

Other guest speakers to be announced later will include contributions from alcohol and drugs rehabilitation units throughout Ireland and the UK.

Admission is free and all are welcome.

For more information on the Celebration of Recovery events please contact Nuala or Brian on 028 71313232.