The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (July 1 – 7).
- The Lost Planet, W5, Belfast, June 29 – September 1. Get your competitive juices flowing with a game of laser tag and go on a mission to recover the data from the lost probe which has crashed and landed on a distant world which is known as the Lost Planet.
- Geopark Safari by bus, Marble Arch Caves Geopark, Co. Fermanagh, July 1. Magical mystery tour of some of the best Geopark sites that span more than 340 million years of geological time. Starting point is Market House in Blacklion and the tour will last approx three hours. Booking essential.
- Pond Dipping, Carnmoney Hill, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, July 2. Discover an exciting variety of crazy creatures living in the pond at the bottom of Carnmoney Hill. Trays and nets will be provided along with help indentifying what you might find.
- American Independence Celebrations, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, July 4 – 7. Where better to celebrate the 4th of July than in Frontier America? Be transported back in time as the British Redcoats and Woodland Indians battle American Militia Sharpshooters in the American War of Independence. Also enjoy live Bluegrass and American Folk music, traditional Punch and Judy Shows and American games.
- The Art of Craft Exhibition 2013, Market Place Theatre, Co. Armagh, until July 6. An exhibition aimed at challenging and informing the public perception of craft, applied art and design featuring the work of 16 national and international artists.
- West End Walk, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim, July 6. Rathlin is Northern Ireland’s only inhabited off-shore island with a population of around 90 people. Join NIEA for a guided walk and experience the sights and sounds of Rathlin’s beautiful west end. Don’t forget your picnic, binoculars and cameras.
- Pirates of Portrush, Portrush, Co. Antrim, July 6. Enjoy a day of family fun with Portrush’s historic pirate Tavish Dhu as well as a street parade, re-enactments, a pirate treasure hunt, a fancy dress competition and live music.
- Groomsport Music & Fireworks, Groomsport, Co. Down, July 6. Come along and enjoy a summer of love, seaside and celebration with music from the Balmoral Swing Band, food and drinks, a fun-fair and a fireworks display.
- Graffiti Jam, Derry city centre, July 6 – 7. Some of the world’s leading street/ graffiti artists from USA, Germany, Ireland and Britain will join local artists for a two day graffiti jam which will result in an impressive 250ft-long themed cityscape.
Sunday Treats by the Festival of Fools, various locations, Belfast, July 7 – August 25. Sundays in Belfast are about to get a whole lot better with eight weeks of the finest and funniest street theatre happening every Sunday afternoon this summer in the Cathedral Quarter and the city centre.