The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (March 11 – 17).
For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto http://www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland
- Belfast Children’s Festival, various venues, March 8 – 15. The year’s event marks its fifteenth anniversary and boasts a packed eight days of international and local dance, music and theatre aimed at babies, children and young people.
- Brendan Grace, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, March 13. One of the greatest family comedians of his generation proudly presents 41 years in the comedy business. The genial Dubliner is much loved by young and old and plays in Tyrone for one night only.
- Give My Head Peace, Ardhowen Theatre, Co. Fermanagh, March 14. A night of laugh-out-loud comedy is guaranteed as Uncle Andy and the Gang return to the Ardhowen Theatre for the annual Give My Head Peace laughter fest.
- St Patrick’s Festival Belfast, various venues, March 15 – 18. Belfast will host many events as part of the St Patrick’s Festival including the annual St Patrick’s Day Carnival which will take to the streets on March 17. Community groups from all areas of the city will join professional and amateur performers, musicians and acrobats, finishing with a free concert in Custom House Square where visitors can enjoy traditional Irish, Ulster Scots, pop and multicultural music and dance.
- Newry Drama Festival 2013, Newry Town Hall, Co. Down, March 15 – 23. The Drama Festival is a competitive festival and consists of nine nights of different plays performed by drama groups from all over Ireland. Each play is competing for a place in both the Ulster Drama Festival Finals and in the All Ireland Drama Festival Finals and is adjudicated after the performance on each evening.
- Armagh Planetarim, Co. Armagh, March 16. Visit the Planetarium for an out-of-this-world experience. Enjoy the museum exhibits and Astropark and choose from six daily digital theatre shows that include Dynamic Earth, Sun, Moon and Stars and Astronaut.
- An Evening of Traditional Irish Music at Mussenden Temple, Downhill Demesne, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry, March 16. A variety of time-honoured folk music performed by a unique and talented quintet promises to enlighten and exhilarate to toe-tapping standards in the historically breathtaking and specially lit Mussenden Temple.
- Shamrocks and Shillelaghs, The Argory, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, March 17. Shamrocks and Shillelaghs offers a fine way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Tyrone. Children will love the Shillelagh trail and craft activities and adults can enjoy the traditional music and Irish food – a fantastic day of fun for all the family.
- St Patrick’s Day at Slemish, meeting at Broughshane and Ecos Centre, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, March 17. Enjoy a hike up the famous Slemish mountain, a traditional place of pilgrimage. Visitors can learn about St Patrick and his historical legacy as well as the history, wildlife and geology of the area.
- The 2013 UK City of Culture St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival, various venues, Co Londonderry, March 17. This year’s carnival will be a celebration of language, history, culture and tradition with a family friendly focus. Activities on offer include carnival parades, concerts, dancing and storytelling and the event is the perfect way to celebrate St Patrick’s with the family.