Ards Arts Centre welcomes two new exhibitions this month: Nostromo: Scenes from the Raft and Other Stories by Paul Reid and Lumen by Ross Miley.

Both solo exhibitions will open on Friday 29 May and run until Saturday 24 June.

Visual artist Paul Reid presents a new collection of paintings inspired by The Raft of the Medusa (1818–1819), the monumental oil painting by French Romantic painter Théodore Géricault. Taking the form of a reimagined sequence, as though the narrative of the painting were told on film, Reid offers a fragmented series of details that explore different aspects of the story, from the intimate and human to its wider colonial context.

The work explores class, colonialism and the experiences of ordinary people caught between these forces, in a world where truth is elusive, beauty is transient and technology both creates and destroys.

In Lumen, Greyabbey-based artist Ross Miley presents a series of abstract paintings exploring the changing moods of the natural world and their connection to human emotion. The work interprets the transitions of the seasons as dynamic, imagined landscapes that reflect both external and internal experiences.

Each piece uses bold colour and gesture to convey a sense of movement and transformation. Rather than depicting specific places, the paintings suggest sensations – warmth, stillness, vitality and reflection – inviting viewers to consider their own emotional responses to seasonal change.

Both exhibitions will open on Friday 29 May and run until Saturday 24 June. Admission is free.

All are welcome to an open reception on Thursday 4 June, 7–9pm, to view the artworks and meet the artists.

For more information on the exhibitions, visit; www.andculture.org.uk

Bangor, County Down – Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026 | 12 noon – 6pm. Sea Bangor returns to Bangor’s seafront May Bank Holiday Weekend, bringing two days of maritime‑themed fun, family entertainment and coastal experiences to the city.

A firm favourite in the local events calendar, Sea Bangor 2026 celebrates Bangor’s strong connection to the sea, combining visiting vessels, on‑the‑water activity and city‑wide activities across the weekend.

Sea Bangor City Passport: explore the festival beyond the waterfront

Make the most of the event through the Sea Bangor City Passport (Saturday 23 May only), encouraging families and visitors to explore Bangor while enjoying festival‑themed activities at participating venues and locations across the city.

The Passport trail links the seafront activity with the wider city, giving attendees the chance to take part in creative, cultural and family‑friendly experiences as they move around Bangor, find out more, go to visitardsandnorthdown.com/SeaBangorPassport

Visiting vessels and service representation

A highlight of this year’s event is the visit of two traditionally rigged vessels – Pellew and Spirit of Falmouth – arriving in Bangor as part of the Full Circle sailing expedition, coordinated by veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.

The expedition is carrying the Invictus Games flag on a UK voyage ahead of Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, with Bangor proud to be one of its host ports. Over the weekend, the crew will be on the pier nearby, giving people the chance to meet them, including Luke Powell, who built Pellew, and to learn about the ship, it’s history and about the voyage they have been making.

Sea Bangor will also welcome crew personnel from HMS Bangor, attending the event in a representative capacity. While the vessel itself will not be present, due to ongoing repairs following a collision, the crew’s attendance reflects Bangor’s ongoing links with the Royal Navy.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said:

“Sea Bangor is a fantastic celebration of our city’s maritime heritage and shared connection to the sea. It’s a pleasure to officially open the event and welcome visitors, crews and families to enjoy everything Bangor has to offer on land and sea this bank holiday weekend.”

On‑the‑water activity and military rowing race

On the water activity returns to Bangor Bay throughout the weekend, including rowing races, ‘Have a Go’ sessions, kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, and boat trips exploring Bangor’s maritime heritage (pre-booking required). A military rowing race will take place on Sunday 24 May from 12 noon.

A bank holiday celebration for all

Sea Bangor 2026 will also feature maritime‑themed entertainment, local food and drink, family attractions and market stalls along the seafront. A Quiet Hour operates from 11am – 12noon will return each morning to ensure the event remains inclusive and accessible. We kindly ask attendees to consider whether this session is the right fit for them, helping to preserve a calm experience for those who need it most.

For details on the Quiet Hour, event updates, City Passport details and on‑the‑water activity bookings, go to, visitardsandnorthdown.com/SeaBangor

A multi-award-winning family comedy show that has delighted audiences across the UK is coming to the Space Theatre at SERC, Bangor for four performances this summer. Out of the Box, created and performed by Darryl J Carrington, will take place on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 July, with performances at 3pm and 6pm each day.

Fresh from a five-star run at the Edinburgh Fringe and winner of Best Family Show at Brighton Fringe, Out of the Box is an hour of inventive, visual comedy where everyday objects are transformed into moments of surprise and humour. A toothbrush becomes the centre of a balancing act, a simple piece of string sparks a playful heist, and an unexpected tea party unfolds with the help of audience volunteers.

With more than 20 years’ experience in circus and clowning, Carrington combines skilled juggling with physical theatre and audience interaction in a wordless performance that can be enjoyed by all ages. His style of silent comedy means the show is accessible to a wide range of audiences, from young children to adults.

A key part of the show is its emphasis on warmth and inclusion, with audience members invited to take part in a way that is considered and good-natured. As The Scotsman described it, the show is “utterly absorbing, charming and great fun”, creating a sense of shared enjoyment throughout.

Blending humour, skill and creativity, Out of the Box offers a fresh take on family entertainment, demonstrating how simple objects can be the starting point for imaginative storytelling.

Speaking about the show, Amy McKelvey. Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Community Arts Development Officer said:

‘We are really excited about bringing this show to Bangor to kick off the summer holidays. With the rave reviews and audience feedback it has received we know it will be a real treat for audiences of all ages, and we can’t wait to share it with them and enjoy all the happy moments that it is sure to bring.’

Tickets for Out of the Box at the Space Theatre, SERC, Bangor on 8 and 9 July (3pm and 6pm) are on sale now.

Full details and booking information are available at www.andculture.org.uk/whats-on

The much‑loved Comber Earlies Food Festival will return this summer, Saturday 20 June, 11am – 5pm, once again taking centre stage as a flagship event within Taste Summer in Ards and North Down, 17-28 June the borough’s annual celebration of local food and drink.

Taking place in Comber Leisure Centre Carpark, the free, family‑friendly festival celebrates the iconic Comber Earlies potato, which has held Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status since 2012. The event brings together food lovers, families and visitors for a vibrant day showcasing local produce, culinary talent and community spirit.

Festival‑goers can look forward to a packed programme including live cookery demonstrations in the Festival Kitchen from guest and local chefs, an artisan food and drink market, vintage tractor displays, live music and hands‑on activities for all ages. Family entertainment will be at the heart of the day, with children’s crafts, planting activities, walkabout performers and the return of popular festival favourites.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said:

“The Comber Earlies Food Festival is a fantastic celebration of one of our most iconic local products and the people who grow it. Events like this showcase the strength of our local food and drink sector, while creating a fun, welcoming day out for families and visitors alike. I’m delighted to see the festival return once again as part of Taste Summer in Ards and North Down.”

To help visitors travel to the event sustainably and with ease, free Event Shuttle Buses will operate on the day, connecting Bangor, Newtownards, Dundonald Park and Ride, Downpatrick, Crossgar, Saintfield and Ballygowan with Comber. No booking is required and the service operates on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

The Comber Earlies Food Festival forms part of Taste Summer in Ards and North Down, a wider programme of food‑focused events and experiences taking place across the borough throughout June, celebrating local producers, hospitality businesses and the area’s rich food culture.

New for 2026, a quiet hour will be introduced from 10am–11am each day, welcoming people with a disability, neurodiverse conditions, carers and parents/guardians.  After this quiet hour, the event will officially open at 11am with a fun-filled programme running through to 5pm.

Further information on the Comber Earlies Food Festival, including shuttle bus routes and accessibility details, and the full Taste Summer in Ards and North Down programme is available at visitardsandnorthdown.com/TasteSummer

Titanic Belfast Curates… a celebration of style, creativity and contemporary design in NI.

Titanic Belfast has launched a new summer exhibition, bringing together some of the most exciting local designers to showcase how fashion and textile design can be bold, expressive and deeply connected to Northern Ireland.

Titanic Belfast Curates… Northern Threads is a free, ticketed exhibition running from 1^st May to 30^th September. At its heart are four designers, Gráinne Maher, Hope Macaulay, Kindred of Ireland by Amy Anderson and Éadach by Sara O’Neill.

Each brings a distinctive approach, spanning sculptural knitwear, contemporary linen, narrative textiles and handcrafted accessories. Together, their work reflects a creative scene that is confident, evolving and increasingly visible on a global stage, while remaining grounded in Northern Ireland’s landscape, culture and craft traditions.

Woven throughout the exhibition are threads of Northern Ireland’s rich textile heritage, offering context to the materials and influences that continue to shape design today.

Also featured within the exhibition space will be Una Rodden, along with her Tribe collective who will be designers-in-residence, as well as the innovative Threadlab research piece from Ulster University lecturers Dean Liggett and Grainne Taylor.

Judith Owens MBE, CEO of Titanic Belfast said, “We are immensely proud to unveil our first exhibition under the Titanic Belfast Curates banner – an initiative shaped and delivered by our own team, whose passion and expertise bring a distinctive perspective to the storytelling. Northern Threads invites visitors to engage with the creativity emerging from Northern Ireland today, highlighting how a deep-rooted sense of place continues to inform and inspire contemporary design.

It is a privilege to collaborate with local designers Gráinne, Hope, Amy and Sara, each of whom is making a significant impact on the global fashion stage. As we broaden our offering, particularly during the vibrant summer season, we remain committed not only to enriching the visitor experience at Titanic Belfast, but also to enhancing Belfast’s appeal as a destination in its own right. With this free exhibition we believe we are delivering meaningfully on that ambition.”

About the designers…

Sara O’Neill, founder of Éadach, uses fashion as a form of storytelling. Raised in Portrush, her work is inspired by music, subculture, mythology and coastal landscapes, creating hand-drawn prints on silk, linen and natural fibres, bringing Irish stories to a global audience.

Amy Anderson founded Kindred of Ireland after discovering a photo of her grandmother spinning linen in a mill in Moygashel, inspiring a reconnection with lost textile traditions. The brand reimagines Irish linen for a modern wardrobe, working with family-run mills and local seamstresses.

Gráinne Maher is a Belfast-born designer known for combining traditional craftsmanship with a rebellious, avant-garde style. She moved from music into millinery, creating bold contemporary headpieces that challenge traditional occasion wear and has expanded into leather goods.

Hope Macaulay creates bold, colourful, sculptural knitwear inspired by the landscapes of Northern Ireland’s North Coast. Taught to knit by her grandmother, she has built her globally recognised, family-run label. Her pieces celebrate craftsmanship, community and the reinvention of tradition.

To complement the exhibition, Titanic Belfast will see the addition of Eimear Magee’s Singing Threads into the Grand Atrium. A large-scale textile installation exploring the human stories embedded within Ulster’s linen industry.

 

This year, Titanic Belfast will host Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art Graduate Fashion Show on Thursday 28^th May as well as Titanic Pre-Loved x Cathy Martin on 7^th June and a Fashion Tea hosted by Eddie Shanahan, Council of Irish Fashion Designers, during the run of the exhibition.

For further information on Titanic Belfast Curates… Northern Threads and to book your free tickets online go to www.titanicbelfast.com

Take the time to truly connect with people and place

 

In a world that’s always rushing, Northern Ireland offers a refreshing invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and truly connect with the landscape, culture, and people around you.

‘Slow Tourism’ is more than just a travel trend – it’s about visiting places in a way that’s helpful to the environment and uncovering the beauty in unrushed experiences by staying longer. It’s not about doing less, it’s about feeling more.

Discover Northern Ireland has suggested six themes of experiences that invite you to slow down, pause and embrace the moment.

 

1. Remote Getaways

Whether you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life or simply enjoy the beauty of the countryside, Northern Ireland provides the perfect balance of off-grid and unique accommodation. Sperrinview Glamping in County Tyrone located in a designated Dark Sky Park offers pods with its own stargazing viewing window.

 

Lough Neagh Mirror Houses feature floor to ceiling reflective glass exteriors that make them almost invisible, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of nature in privacy. Rainfall showers, private hot tubs, and a shared sauna make these cabins the ultimate unwind and relax unique stay. Retreat to Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes in County Down where adult-only luxury lodges combine experiences such as alpaca trekking, yoga classes and foraging for complete relaxation.

 

2. Glorious Gardens

Voted one of the top ten gardens in the world, Mount Stewart’s bold planting schemes coupled with the mild climate of Strangford Lough allows rare and tender plants from across the globe to thrive in this celebrated space. For a different view of the 19th century house, stroll around miles of walking trails and woodland. Garden Show Ireland, set amidst the stunning grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens from 12-14 June, is a three-day extravaganza promising a vibrant celebration of flowers, food, and fun for the whole family.

 

3. Sauna & Sea

Is it even 2026 without a sauna and sea experience? Northern Ireland has some fantastic offerings in iconic locations. Try the energising HotBox sauna experience on Benone Beach in County Londonderry for a dip in the wild Atlantic waters or the Hidden Garden Warrenpoint at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. Sauna & Sea are based on the Blue Flag Beach at Portstewart while Revive Saunas at Rostrevor Mountain Lodge offer unparalleled relaxation at the Natural Spring Water Plunge Pool.

4. Savour the flavours

Slow down and let your senses do the exploring, with culinary delights and local produce around every corner. Lir in Coleraine showcases a delicious menu that changes daily based on the freshest ingredients. The Enniskillen Taste Experience brings the flavours of Enniskillen’s vibrant food scene to life. Meet Emily at Lo & Slow Wild & Fired BBQ School where she combines foraging, dining, and live fire workshops in a historic, private walled garden in Derry~Londonderry. Savour the crisp and quenching taste of Armagh’s ciders on a tour of Orchard County with Armagh Cider Company or Long Meadow Cider.

 

Explore Northern Ireland’s passion for distilling with the Northern Ireland Spirits Trail. From Wild Atlantic Distillery Gin School & Distillery Tour in Castlederg to McConnell’s Distillery, located in the historic A-wing of Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast, there is a whole world of spirits to discover here, with a special welcome for everyone who explores it.

 

5. Whatever Floats Your Boat

Host to some of the most beautiful coastlines and bodies of water, Northern Ireland offers an incredibly diverse selection of unique experiences such as cruising on the Fermanagh Lakes or dolphin-spotting along the Causeway Coast.

 

Explore the sights of Strangford Lough on board a canoe or limber up as the sun comes up with stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). Discover the breathtaking beauty and rich history of the River Foyle with Foyle Adventures. Experience the Northern Ireland’s longest river on a River Bann boat trip with White River Charters or savour the panoramic views of Lough Neagh as your guides regale you with stories of history and legends.

 

6. Tracks and Trails

The benefits of a good walk in the outdoors and connecting with nature has been proven to lift our moods. With a magnificent array of walks around our Lakelands, beaches, mountains and more, there are endless opportunities to embrace the natural beauty of this land. Let our landscapes do the talking and hear how they’ve shaped our history through a guided walk, such as a gentle 6km walk up the Carntogher Mountain in County Londonderry with The Emigrant’s Walk, led by renowned famine expert Cathy O’Neill or enjoy a clifftop walk with Eimear Flanagan from Away A Wee Walk along the Causeway Coast. Tourism NI also recently launched their first signature walk, from Castlerock to Mussenden Temple with fabulous views and open windswept cliff top walks.

May is the start of many summer festivals. Check out the Ballyscullion Park Book Festival (16 – 17 May) in County Londonderry, or switch off to the soothing sounds of the International Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival in Warrenpoint (20-26 May).

For inspiration and itineraries visit discovernorthernireland.com