Belfast Agency Excalibur Press Strengthens Commitment To Accessibility & Neuroinclusion With JAM Card Certification

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(L-R) From left Excalibur Press staff Tina Calder (chief vision officer), Carole King (client liaison and business development), Alex Feher (managing director), Adam McBride (senior developer and digital transformation specialist), Lyndsey Hodgkinson (social media and video coordinator), Carly Curley (office manager) and Niamh Cooper (publicity and publishing assistant).

Belfast based communications company Excalibur Press have cemented their commitment to inclusion, accessibility and neuroinclusion by completing a company wide JAM (Just A Minute) Card certification.

The training, as part of the Belfast Business Promise programme, reinforces the ongoing work by the company to embrace and promote inclusion in their daily operations.

For Excalibur Press founder and Chief Vision Officer, Tina Calder it was a personal mission.

“Accessibility and neuroinclusion is massively important here at Excalibur Press,” she said.  

“Inclusivity isn’t a tick box exercise that you do and forget, it must be ingrained in the very fabric of your culture and team.

“As someone with ADHD and chronic pain conditions and who has staff, family, clients and friends with disability and neurodiversity I think it’s important for us, as a business, to show people that we are an empathetic and caring team.”

The Excalibur Press team’s ongoing commitment and passion for inclusivity is what drove them to seek out the training.

“Doing business should never be at the expense of being a good human, I don’t care what anyone says and, ultimately, no doubt I’ll pay the price for being so staunchly rigid on this but our values of integrity, honesty, respect, teamwork, creativity, innovation, education and inclusivity aren’t just fancy words in our handbook; they are the very fabric of who we are, what we stand for and why we do what we do every day.

“Like any business we understand there are limitations to what we can do within our available finance, resources and capacity, however, the Belfast Business Promise programme at Belfast City Council has made this achievement possible for our team and we’re immensely proud to now be JAM Card certificate holders.

“All businesses should strive for inclusivity where they can. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Continual improvement is important and being mindful of the needs of those around you.

“Neurodivergent and disabled people should not be expected to always ‘fit’ into an able-bodied, neurotypical world. As citizens, entrepreneurs, colleagues, family and friends we have a responsibility to reach out and be better.”

Tina said she’s proud her team is as committed to the company’s values and ethos of the training as she is.

“They weren’t just willing to embrace the JAM Card and its philosophy, they were motivated by our values and mission and, because of that, I’m proud to call them my team.

“Embracing accessibility and neuroinclusion isn’t just about ticking the boxes here, for us it’s the right thing to do and I personally believe it should be non-negotiable in business.”

Set up in 2017, Excalibur Press has grown from a solopreneur led journalism and media services business to a full multidisciplinary media, marketing and consulting firm with seven departments and a six-figure turnover.

Recently the business conducted a full restructure promoting Alexandra Feher to the newly created managing director role. The company now offers clients a holistic service offering covering everything from generalised marketing such as social media, PR, website development, video production, copywriting, crisis comms, research, event management and digital transformation to training, mentoring and consulting services such as entrepreneurial programme delivery and design, community outreach, business mentoring and media production and publishing.

Speaking of the JAM Card participation Alexandra said: “I am delighted to have overseen this initiative as one of my first projects as managing director at Excalibur Press. I believe it shows our clients, colleagues and community exactly who we are and what we’re about.

“In a time-starved economic landscape it’s easy to deprioritise things like training, continual development, accessibility and working on improving your services. 

“Very often we get caught in the hamster wheel of delivery and when working at capacity it can be hard to set aside time for things like the Belfast Business Promise and JAM Card.

“However, as a business that is no stranger to challenges, my team embraced this with positivity and we’re all proud to be able to display the JAM Card sign at our events and training.

“Not only did the team learn from the process but the getting our photos with our certificates and taking time out to discuss the process was a welcome break and opportunity to discuss issues such as accessibility, disability, neurodiversity and more.” 

The Belfast Business Promise contains eight pledges, driven by a commitment to making a better Belfast and shaping a better city for everyone.

For more information about Excalibur Press go to excaliburpress.co.uk 

Ulster-Scots Leid Week To Feature Six Hours Of New Programming Across Ireland

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A major new season of Ulster-Scots programming, including six hours of brand-new content will air from Monday 24th to Sunday 30th November as part of Ulster-Scots Leid Week, celebrating the language, music, and culture of the Ulster-Scots community.

The programming will be broadcast on That’s TV (Freeview Channel 7 / Virgin 159) in Northern Ireland and for the first time, will also be shown on Dublin Community Television (DCTV Virgin 802) and Cork Community Television (CCTV Virgin 803), extending the reach of Ulster-Scots stories to two million households across the island of Ireland.

At the heart of the schedule is the flagship documentary The Man Who Fell into Muttonburn Stream, premiering on Sunday 30th November.

A partnership showcasing Ulster-Scots culture

This new series marks the continuing partnership between NVTV and That’s TV who are commited to sharing authentic local stories and celebrating the cultural diversity of our communities. Through their partnership, now joined by Dublin Community Television and Cork Community Television, Ulster-Scots language and creativity will be showcased to an all-Ireland audience, connecting communities across regions and traditions.

Together, these stations will broadcast a wide-ranging selection of programmes exploring Ulster-Scots language, heritage, poetry, dance, and storytelling, offering new perspectives on identity and belonging.

Supported by the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund

The Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund has played a central role in supporting this special schedule. The Fund champions high-quality productions that reflect Ulster-Scots life, ensuring that the voices, experiences and creativity of the community are shared with audiences both locally and internationally.

Its support has enabled the creation of new content that celebrates the shared cultural bonds between Ulster and Scotland, and between Ireland and America.

Six hours of new Ulster-Scots programming

As part of Leid Week, viewers will be able to watch six hours of new Ulster-Scots content, with a mix of documentary, discussion, music and storytelling. 

On Monday 24 November the schedule includes European Highland Dance 2025, in which dance teacher Georgina Kee-McCarter looks at how Highland dancing continues in Ulster-Scots communities, Gathering Together, where Helen Mark, Iona Fyfe and Anne McMaster focus on storytelling, song and poetry, and a short film on the Louise McIlroy blue plaque, marking Dame Louise McIlroy as the first woman Professor of Medicine. 

On Tuesday 25 November, the line-up features Charlotte Riddell, a portrait of the Ulster-Scots novelist on what would have been her 193rd birthday, Eva’s First Twelfth, which follows presenter Eva Jackson, who is sixteen and from England, as she experiences her first 12th of July and hears the stories behind the tradition, and The Hamely Tongue, filmed at the Linen Hall Library and centred on poetry, humour and the living Ulster-Scots language.

On Wednesday 26 November, Fragments of Scotch Language, curated by poet Maria McManus and featuring Pàdraig MacAoidh and Anne McMaster, looks at shared linguistic roots between Ulster and Scotland. On Thursday 27 and Friday 28 November, Ireland and America: 250th Anniversary (Parts 1 and 2) marks 250 years of links between Ireland and America from an Ulster-Scots perspective. The season concludes on Sunday 30 November with The Man Who Fell into Muttonburn Stream.

The Man Who Fell into Muttonburn Stream

A lyrical and reflective film, The Man Who Fell into Muttonburn Stream explores how memory, language and landscape intertwine within Ulster-Scots culture. Through rich imagery and poetic narration, the documentary traces connections between family, place and belonging with the stream itself serving as a metaphor for continuity and change. Blending local voices, music and archival material, the film invites viewers to rediscover the Ulster-Scots experience as something both deeply personal and universally human.

The Borough of Mid and East Antrim will host the premiere screening of The Man Who Fell into the Muttonburn Stream at Larne Museum & Arts Centre on Friday 28th November 2025 at 2.00pm, as part of the celebrations for Leid Week.

The premiere will include a post-screening discussion with the producer, Dean Hagan and presenter, David Hume, giving attendees a unique insight into the making of the film and the enduring influence of William Hume’s Ulster-Scots voice.

Dean Hagan of NVTV said: “Our ongoing partnership with That’s TV, now joined by Dublin and Cork Community Television, gives Ulster-Scots culture a new and exciting platform. With support from the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, we are proud to share six hours of new programmes that bring language, landscape and heritage together, with The Man Who Fell into Muttonburn Stream as a central highlight of the week.”

Ulster-Scots Leid Week runs from Monday 24 to Sunday 30 November 2025 on That’s TV, Dublin Community Television and Cork Community Television. Full details and timings are available in local TV listings.

Discover NI’s Offers of the Week

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Culloden Estate and Spa, Cultra, County Down

 

As the days grow shorter, retreat to the warmth and comfort of the historic Culloden Estate. Enjoy an exclusive 15% discount and a complimentary upgrade to the next room category. Melt away tension in the spa, complemented by 10% off spa treatments and ESPA products. From £195 per room, available until 19th December 2025. Visit https://www.cullodenestateandspa.com/offers/ for more information.

 

 

Bushmills Townhouse, Bushmills, County Antrim

 

Nestled in the captivating town of Bushmills, a short distance from the iconic Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills Townhouse offers an exquisite blend of luxury suites and superb dining. Starting from £90pp, the offer includes complimentary bubbles on arrival, a three-course dinner and breakfast the next morning. Available now through to end of December. Visit  https://bushmillstownhouse.com/ for more information.

 

 

For more inspiration or to plan your next adventure in Northern Ireland, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com.

Offers are correct at the time of publication and are subject to availability and change without notice. Terms and Conditions apply to each offer and can be viewed on the individual provider’s websites. Tourism NI acts as a promoter of third-party offers and accepts no responsibility for any changes, withdrawals, or inaccuracies made by providers. 

10 Things to do in Northern Ireland

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Here are ten exciting things to do 10 – 16 November

 

  1. Belfast Christmas Market, 15 November – 22 December. With over 100 international and local traders, the festive village offers a delightful array of quality Christmas fayre, handcrafted goods, and bespoke artisan products. Set against the magnificent backdrop of Belfast City Hall, the market is an ideal destination, offering the perfect place to tick off your holiday shopping list.
  2. Belfast Punk Music Walking Tour, 15 November. Come explore the story of punk music in Belfast on this walking tour, with a specialist music guide who has loved punk music since the 1970s. Since bands like The Outcasts, Rudi, Stiff Little Fingers, Ruefrex and Victim erupted onto the scene in Belfast back in the late 1970s, Belfast punk has held a special place in music history, near and far.
  3. Christmas Craft Market at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, County Londonderry, 15 November – 23 December. Now firmly established as the ‘must go to’ festive shopping event, the best contemporary craft market on the North Coast returns with over 35 independent makers and uniquely special gifts for all tastes and budgets. Featuring homeware, jewellery, textiles, clothing, artisan food and more, you’ll find the perfect present from a bespoke range of beautiful ceramics, glass, necklaces, artwork, candles, luxury skincare, throws, stationery, festive décor and beyond.
  4. Traditional Irish Breadmaking, Killinchy, County Down, 15 November. Join Tracey in her kitchen on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down, just 30 minutes from Belfast. You’ll be welcomed into her home with the aroma of homemade fruit soda bannock as it comes out of the oven. You’ll enjoy this sweet treat with some award-winning Irish butter.
  5. Atlantic Sessions, various locations, Portrush & Portstewart, County Antrim and County Londonderry, 13 – 16 November. A high quality, musical feast, showcasing original music. From traditional to contemporary, electric to acoustic, Atlantic Sessions has emerged as a permanent feature on the cultural calendar creating an energetic, vibrant atmosphere in the pubs, hotels, coffee shops and town halls across Portrush and Portstewart.
  6. Northern Ireland Music Prize at Ulster Hall, Belfast, 12 November. The Northern Ireland Music Prize is an annual awards night curated by Oh Yeah to recognise and celebrate the incredible and diverse talent we create. With categories such as Album of the Year supported by PPL as well as Live Act of the Year, and the Oh Yeah Legend Award, the NI Music Prize is the local music scene’s biggest night.
  7. From Darkness to Light – Black & White Photography Exhibition at The Cathedral Church of Saint Patrick, Armagh, County Armagh, until 29 November. Now that we have reached that part of the year with fewer hours of daylight, St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh is delighted to be hosting a black and white photographic exhibition with the title ‘From Darkness to Light’. As the Cathedral community celebrates the completion of its new lighting system which transforms the interior of the Cathedral and shines new light on its unique architectural details, the timing and theme of this exhibition could not be more appropriate.
  8. National Trust’s Florence Court, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, visit website for open dates and times. Located around eight miles from Enniskillen, Florence Court is one of the most beautiful Georgian houses in Northern Ireland, nestled against the wild mountain backdrop of Benaughlin and the Cuilcagh Mountains. You can enjoy glorious walks around the grounds which include a walled garden, holiday cottage, sawmill and ice-house. In the gardens you will find the famous Florence Court Yew – reputedly the ‘parent’ of all Irish yew trees.
  9. OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Omagh, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. Take a journey through time and space with a visitor experience that’s out of this world. Book your visit to Northern Ireland’s only International Dark Sky Park. Fully guided by an experienced tour guide, the centre will give visitors a unique opportunity to experience the night sky as it is rarely viewed.
  10. Festive Fair at Magheramorne Estate, Magheramorne, County Antrim, 11 and 12 November. As the holiday season approaches, the upcoming Festive Fair at Magheramorne Estate will bring together an incredible selection of local suppliers. The fair will be held in their charming and cosy drawing rooms and elegant ballroom, creating the perfect ambiance for a delightful Christmas experience.

 

For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit discovernorthernireland.com. Subject to availabilities with select dates.

Flowerfield Christmas Craft Market returns – bigger, brighter and bursting with creativity!

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Get ready to start off the festive season at Flowerfield Arts Centre as the much-loved Christmas Craft Market returns from Saturday 15th November 2025.

Join us from 11am – 4pm for the official opening, when Naturally North Coast and Glens Market will be there to add even more Christmas cheer!

This year’s market promises to be the most exciting yet. Following the largest number of applications to date, a line-up of 50 outstanding makers from right across Northern Ireland has been curated – a vibrant showcase of creativity, craftsmanship and festive inspiration.

Expect a wonderful mix of ceramics, jewellery, glass, woodcraft, homeware, clothing, scents, food and mixed giftware – with something to suit every taste and budget. From delicate handmade jewellery to beautiful pottery, cosy textiles, aromatic candles and delicious local produce, you’ll find thoughtful gifts that tell a story.

Many of our talented makers hail from the Causeway Coast and Glens area, but every purchase directly supports small creative businesses, helping to sustain Northern Ireland’s thriving craft community.

The Flowerfield Christmas Craft Market runs from 15th November to 23rd December, with late-night shopping on Wednesdays and Thursdays, giving you plenty of time to discover something special for everyone on your list.

Come for the bespoke handcrafted gifts, enjoy the festive atmosphere – and celebrate the very best of local creativity this Christmas at Flowerfield Arts Centre.

SIMPLY THE ‘BEAST’ SHOW AROUND AT ARMAGH’S MARKET PLACE THEATRE

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Be our guest this Christmas at The Market Place Theatre’s furry-tale pantomime spectacular, ‘Beauty and The Beast’. Prepare yourself for a tale as old as time but told in a way you won’t have seen the like of before!

Can Belle save the day before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose? Join our heroine as she tries to break the Wicked Fairy’s curse and escape the castle of the ‘monstrous’ Beast… but is he really as bad as he seems?

There’ll be talking teapots, singing candlesticks, dancing dogs and a bunch of wily wolves to deal with, but with your help, can Belle reverse the curse?

Beauty and The Beast will be sure to make you laugh, sing, shout and cheer as you fall in love with a host of hilarious (and hairy) characters. Get ready for magic, music and mayhem aplenty, all rolled up in one action-packed show that’s sure to be simply the beast!

‘Beauty & The Beast’ will run at Armagh’s Market Place Theatre from Saturday 29 November to Sunday 21 December, with a range of times to suit all busy schedules!

 

Prices range from £15 to £19. Tickets are flying out the door, so hurry to book yours now!

 

To book your tickets for the most exciting pantomime of the season, phone the Box Office now on 03300 561 025, or book online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre.. The house is sure to be packed to the rafters for this festive hit! There will be BSL signed, captioned and relaxed performances during the run. Please contact the Box Office for full details.

 

To keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

 

Belfast Agency Excalibur Press Appoints Managing Director To Lead Ongoing Growth And Development

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Excalibur Press chief vision officer Tina Calder and managing director Alexandra Feher

Belfast based communications company Excalibur Press have appointed Alexandra Feher to the role of managing director to support the company with their growth.

In eight years the business, set up by comms strategist and business mentor Tina Calder in 2017, has grown from a solopreneur led journalism and media services business to a full multidisciplinary media, marketing and consulting firm with seven departments and a six-figure turnover.

According to chief vision officer Tina the new appointment signifies a new era for the business.

Alexandra, 30, who has been with the business for just under five years, started as a short-term contractor with general duties in marketing and communications. Having been promoted to head of content at the beginning of 2024 she has been instrumental in the restructure of the organisation over the last 10 months.

Speaking about the appointment Tina, who will now step away from the day to day running of the business, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to offer Alex the position she deserves within the business. She has been a key part of our survival journey over the last few years and has proven time and time again that she’s the woman for the job.

“Following the decimation of the business during Covid Alex was part of the new team who worked hard to bring us back to life when many businesses were going through significant difficulties.

“In October 2022 we were victims of the Cathedral Buildings arson attack and lost four offices, significant revenue and equipment. This pushed the business back into survival for the second time since Covid.

“Since then Alex has led the team through a difficult, but successful, regrowth period and I am delighted to be able to work with her to build on that success.”

Following a full restructure of the business Excalibur Press now offers clients a holistic service offering covering everything from generalised marketing such as social media, PR, website development, video production, copywriting, crisis comms, research, event management and digital transformation to training, mentoring and consulting services such as entrepreneurial programme delivery and design, community outreach, business mentoring and media production and publishing.

Alexandra will now lead an internal team of eight and a contractors and mentors network of over 25 managing day to day projects and workflows whilst Tina will move into strategic work for clients including fractional roles and consulting as well as delivering training, entrepreneur support programmes and mentoring.

Alexandra said: “It’s no secret the journey with Excalibur Press has been a bumpy one with many challenges along the way but throughout my time here I’ve been given the opportunity to craft a unique role that allows me to showcase and develop both my leadership skills and career goals.

“Excalibur Press is a fast-moving, vibrant business with a varied client base that gives the team a chance to learn and develop in many sectors and skills. Being part of that journey of course can be stressful but it’s also rewarding and exciting when you see the plans and new ideas come together.

“The world of agency life is changing, being ready and able to pivot quickly, efficiently and effectively is key to survival and I am delighted to say we have a team that allows us to do that.

“In the last few months we’ve been through a significant restructure and I’m excited to work with Tina and the team to announce our new plans for 2026 later this year.”

Alongside the restructure and appointment of Alexandra the Excalibur Press leadership team have reinforced their commitment to nurturing new talent and providing the next generation with much needed skills and experience through their work experience, internship and training schemes.

This announcement comes on the back of the company recently being awarded the Go Succeed Get Started In Business programme aimed at economically inactive individuals for six councils across Northern Ireland (Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Ards & North Down Borough Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Mid Ulster District Council), the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Go Succeed Digital Edge programme and being appointed to the Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council ASK mentoring programme.

The company are already working with a number of large organisations and local councils on projects such as PR and comms for the Digital Transformation Flexible Fund (DTFF), media and marketing training programme with Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) as well as marketing and business development consultation for Arts Care and website development for Seaview Stadium.

“Business is hard all round let’s not pretend it isn’t, I’ve been very open that my journey with Excalibur Press has been a difficult one having had to build the company to where we are today three times since its inception” said Tina, adding: “But, when you have family, staff, contractors, friends and partners like I have it’s easy to weather the storm, stay focused and stay resilient.

“I am excited to see what the new chapter of Excalibur Press will bring and to watch my staff grow and develop their departments. Personally, I’m also very excited to be able to focus my attention on our strategic vision and to support our clients at a strategic level whilst delivering my training and mentoring day to day.”

For more information about Excalibur Press go to excaliburpress.co.uk or email alexandra@excaliburpress.co.uk 

Discover NI’s Offers of the Week

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Ballygally Castle, Ballygally, County Antrim

 

Join Hastings Hotels in celebrating 400 years of history, hospitality and charm with a special overnight escape by the sea, starting from £150 per room per night. Enjoy the ultimate coastal experience with an overnight stay and a limited edition Ballygally Castle Signature Candle for you to take home as a memento of your stay. The next morning, wake and indulge in a freshly cooked full Irish breakfast as the perfect send off before you go. Offer is available until 30th November 2025. Visit https://www.ballygallycastlehotel.com/offers/ for more information.

 

 

Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Derry~Londonderry

 

Embrace the festive season and indulge in a luxury shopping break in the heart of the Walled City with Bishop’s Gate Hotel’s festive shopping package. Starting from £199 per night, you can book now and pay later with an offer that includes overnight stay with cooked to order breakfast, three-course dinner in The Gown Restaurant, a glass of prosecco on arrival and 10% off all gift purchases at Walled City Crafters. Offer is available Sun-Fri in November and December. Visit https://www.bishopsgatehotelderry.com/ for more information.

 

 

For more inspiration or to plan your next adventure in Northern Ireland, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com.

Offers are correct at the time of publication and are subject to availability and change without notice. Terms and Conditions apply to each offer and can be viewed on the individual provider’s websites. Tourism NI acts as a promoter of third-party offers and accepts no responsibility for any changes, withdrawals, or inaccuracies made by providers. 

10 Things to do in Northern Ireland

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Here are ten exciting things to do 3 – 9 November

 

 

  1. Sound of Belfast Festival at Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast, 6 – 16 November. The festival is dedicated to showcasing Belfast’s musical talents and its status as a UNESCO City of Music. Spanning gospel to garage rock, electronic to rap, the festival celebrates our world class music community through collaboration, partnerships and specially curated events across the city.
  2. The Echlinville Distillery Tour and Tipple, Kircubbin, County Down, 8 November. The Echlinville Distillery Tour and Tipple offers a unique insight into the workings of the family-run farm distillery. View their beautiful copper stills and enjoy the earthy aromas of their whiskey maturation warehouse.
  3. Wildlife Walk at Ulster Folk Museum, Holywood, County Down, 7 November. Take a walk around the nature-rich grounds of the Ulster Folk Museum and talk to CEDaR (Centre for Environmental Data and Recording) staff as you learn how to identify and record plants and animals. This is a beginner’s guide to biological recording.
  4. The Derry Girls Experience at Tower Museum, Derry~Londonderry, visit website for open dates and times. Visit the home of Derry Girls and discover where it all began. See original memorabilia from the hit show, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes. Step into the set of the Quinn’s household and feel like one of the family.
  5. Leid AND Lairn: A Celebration of Ulster-Scots Language and Heritage at the Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards, County Down, until 25 November. This October and November, Ards and North Down will once again celebrate the richness of Ulster-Scots language, culture and history with the Leid AND Lairn festival. Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, the diverse programme invites audiences to explore the tradition through music, storytelling, walks, a talk and exhibition.
  6. Curator Tour: Ulster Emigration and Indigenous Peoples at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, 9 November. Join Liam Corry, Curator of Emigration, for a tour of the Ulster American Folk Park exploring the impact of emigration to North America – not only through the eyes of those who left, but also those who were already there.
  7. Jen Farrar: A Journey into the Amazing Mini Jungle Around us at Sir Hans Sloane Centre, Killyleagh, County Down, 4 November. Jen will define Biodiversity and the importance of Bioabundance. Reframing “weeds and bugs” & exploring the interconnectedness of the flora and fauna around us. This is part of a Biodiversity Series of events thanks to funding from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
  8. Martel’s Candlelight Tour at Marble Arch Caves, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, 9 November. Experience the thrill of this historic exploration first-hand as you accompany Martel in an authentic re-enactment of his groundbreaking discovery of the show cave, as it was 130 years ago. With the electric lights switched off, you’ll journey underground through the cave’s natural darkness, guided solely by candlelight and lanterns.
  9. Photography Masterclass at The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Armagh, County Armagh, 8 November. Join internationally acclaimed photographer James Hughes for an exclusive masterclass exploring the art and craft of photography through the lens of his celebrated career. With over 30 years of experience spanning social documentary, commercial, and fine art photography, James will share the techniques that have defined his distinctive visual style.
  10. Halloween Slemish Market Supper Club, Ballymena, County Antrim, 8 November. Slemish Market Supper Club invites you to their Halloween Feast in the hauntingly beautiful Secret Garden Café at the Ecos Centre, Ballymena. Chef Rob “Scarecrow” Curley will conjure a 6-course menu of devilishly delicious dishes, crafted from regenerative produce from Slemish Market Garden and Co. Antrim’s finest suppliers. Expect eerie flavours, seasonal surprises, and a celebration of ancient Samhain traditions and BYO.

 

For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit discovernorthernireland.com. Subject to availabilities with select dates.

Northern Ireland’s Most Magical Christmas Event Returns

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Presented by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, the much-loved Enchanted Winter Garden will return to Antrim Castle Gardens from Friday 28 November to Tuesday 30 December 2025, promising to be its most dazzling year yet.

In response to the event’s growing popularity, Enchanted Winter Garden will run for an additional four nights, giving families the opportunity to experience the magic through the festive season and up to just before New Year’s Eve.

This year’s event introduces a host of exciting new features designed to elevate the experience for visitors of all ages. Among the highlights is the debut of the Enchanted Tree Choir, a new attraction that will see the trees of the forest brought to life.

The funfair has also been expanded, offering new, more thrilling rides to entertain both the little and big kids. Visitors can also look forward to a series of brand-new light installations, including a striking light show.

Returning favourites will also make a welcome appearance, including the Festive Food Fayre, serving up delicious seasonal treats and of course Santa’s Grotto, where families can meet the man himself until 23 December.

Post Christmas, when Santa heads home for a well-earned rest, his Grotto will be taken over by The Grinch, who’ll be up to no good as he brings his own mischievous twist to attendees from 27 – 30 December.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick said, “As an Antrim woman and a mum of two, the Enchanted Winter Garden holds a very special place in my heart. It’s a magical experience for families and a chance to make lasting memories together right here in our beautiful Antrim Castle Gardens.”

The event will also continue its commitment to accessibility, with Inclusive Evenings on 4 and 10 December, offering reduced lighting, sound levels and a relaxed environment for visitors with additional needs. These evenings are supported by The Junction Retail and Leisure Park.

Tickets are on sale now at www.enchantedwintergarden.com. Book early to secure your preferred date and join the fun at Antrim Castle Gardens.

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