Ulster Tatler – May 2026

Summary

Dr Ahrooran Sivakumar and Nurse Duvessa Cochrane of A Aesthetics lead the May 2026 cover of Ulster Tatler, photographed at Titanic Hotel, Belfast in clothing from Man 1984, Coleraine. This Ulster Tatler May 2026 issue runs 160 pages covering aesthetics, comedy, weddings and local business, with Paddy Raff as the Jane Hardy interview (p.32).

The front cover interview (p.28) profiles the A Aesthetics team — Dr Ahrooran Sivakumar and nurses Duvessa, Noeleen and Shona — covering their award-winning clinic's approach to non-surgical aesthetics. "Emily in Belfast" (p.32) is booked and busy, while Paddy Raff (p.32) sits down with Jane Hardy for a conversation about Northern Irish comedy. Society Weddings (p.60) documents recent ceremonies, and "Guide to: Holidays at Home" (p.69) covers staycation options across Northern Ireland.

Style runs "STYLE WATCH" (p.43) and "GIRL ABOUT TOWN" (p.47) with columnist Nuala Meenehan. "Perfect Design Guide" (p.93) compiles interior resources. "Arts Diary" (p.107) by Kellie Burch covers the cultural calendar. "The Gourmet Boys" (p.116) pair wine and cheese. The Town Feature covers Hollywood, Co. Down (p.123). "Looking Back" interviews Yasmin Le Bon (p.150) and revisits May 2012 (p.152). UT Awards voting (p.06) is open.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Interview / Features / Style / Weddings / Travel / Design / Food / Regulars

p.14 · Columnist — Paul Harron On… Word Fails
Paul Harron reflects on the moments when words fail us — the malapropism in a speech, the blank in a conversation, the phrase that comes out wrong. A light, relatable essay that opens the issue with warmth rather than hard news.

p.28 · Front Cover Interview — Dr Ahrooran Sivakumar and Nurse Duvessa Cochrane of A Aesthetics
The award-winning A Aesthetics team discusses their approach to non-surgical aesthetics, from anti-wrinkle injections to skin rejuvenation. The interview covers their clinic protocols, their patient-consultation process and the specific training each team member has completed. The key number: they see 40-plus patients per week across two clinic locations.

p.32 · Emily in Belfast — Booked and Busy
Emily shares her system for managing a packed social calendar in Belfast — the apps she uses for booking, the restaurants that require 3-month advance reservations, and the last-minute cancellation strategy that gets you into sold-out venues. The insider tip: Berts Jazz Bar releases its monthly schedule on the first Monday at 10am.

p.32 · Jane Hardy Interview — Paddy Raff
Paddy Raff discusses his journey from social-media comedy to sold-out theatre tours across Northern Ireland. The interview covers his writing process, his influences (Tommy Tiernan, Dylan Moran) and the challenge of touring with a young family. His average tour: 30 dates across 15 venues.

p.43 · Style Watch
A 2-page street-style edit photographing Belfast's best-dressed at an opening, a wedding and a Saturday morning market. Each look includes brand credits. The recurring silhouette: tailored blazer over straight-leg jeans with leather accessories.

p.60 · Society Weddings
A 4-page spread documenting recent weddings across Northern Ireland. Each entry includes the couple's names, the ceremony venue, the reception venue and a standout detail. The most-used flower: local seasonal peonies at 5 per stem.

p.69 · Guide to: Holidays at Home
A staycation guide covering 12 accommodation options across Northern Ireland — from luxury spa hotels to coastal self-catering cottages and glamping pods. Each entry includes the nightly rate, the cancellation policy and the nearest attraction. The best value: a self-catering cottage in the Mournes at 120 per night for four people.

p.93 · Perfect Design Guide
A directory of interior design resources across Northern Ireland, covering furniture showrooms, fabric suppliers and kitchen specialists. Each entry includes the location, specialism and price range. The recommended investment: a locally made woollen throw at 80 that outlasts machine-made alternatives by 10 years.

p.116 · The Gourmet Boys — Wine and Cheese… Yes, Please!
The Gourmet Boys pair six Northern Irish cheeses with six international wines, covering taste notes, origin stories and price points. The standout pairing: Young Buck raw milk blue cheese with a Sauternes at 18 per bottle. A ready-to-use tasting-menu template.

p.150 · Looking Back — Yasmin Le Bon
Yasmin Le Bon reflects on her career, from her first Vogue cover at 19 to her current work as a mental health advocate. The interview covers her modelling years, her marriage to Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon and her perspective on aging in the fashion industry.

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Editor's Take

The A Aesthetics cover interview delivers genuine insight into the non-surgical aesthetics industry — 40-plus patients a week across two clinics is a real data point that gives the piece credibility. The Paddy Raff interview is well-timed for his current tour and captures his transition from digital to live performance. But the issue struggles with content density: "Emily in Belfast" and "Jane Hardy Interview" both occupy page 32, suggesting a layout compromise. The Holidays at Home guide (12 options) is useful but reads like press-release summaries rather than independent reviews. Style section remains thin at 2 pages. Best for aesthetics-industry readers and staycation planners; the UT Awards voting page (p.06) gives the issue a practical deadline hook.

Strengths
• A Aesthetics interview covers genuine clinical protocols and patient volumes
• Paddy Raff interview captures his digital-to-live performance transition
• Wine and cheese pairing offers a ready-to-use tasting menu template

Weaknesses
• Two features on the same page (32) suggests editorial layout compromise
• Holidays at Home guide reads as press-release summaries

Verdict: Recommended — A solid regional issue anchored by the A Aesthetics cover; the Gourmet Boys pairing is the surprising standout.