Month: July 2013

Join us this bank holiday (12^th & 13^th July) at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre. Kids grab your passports from reception and complete all the family fun activities.

All you have to do is get your passport stamped at each activity which will take place at different times throughout the day so please check  with reception on arrival. Once you have your passport fully stamped return to reception to collect a free bird related gift. So why not start off by unlocking your artistic talents with local wildlife artist Bernice Anderson. Grab your paintbrush, pastel and of course coloring in pencils and our local artist will show you the skills required to produce your very own  bird master piece. You can also help in constructing a true work of art by using your new skills to help create a Castle Espie Bird collage.

Go on to collect your next stamp and  join our guide for a session of pond dipping at the pond zone see if you can find any of the following aquatic life such as leeches, freshwater hoglouse, pond snails or greater water boatman. Alternatively   head towards Stoat Town and hunt the dark crevices and woodpiles of our woodland for millipedes, centipedes and other creepy crawlies.  Next point to collect your stamp will include some entertaining bird related children’s stories just outside reception. Make sure you complete the duck hunt and find 10 devious ducks hidden around the grounds and mark where you spotted them on the map. Reception staff will stamp your passport when complete.

A wee birdie craft area  will be set up on both days and we hope you will be inspired to make your own little bird to take home with you and  don’t forget to bring along a rubber duck to the Loughshore Cafe staff to collect a prize.

Downy Duckling Tours will also be taking place over the 12^th and 13^th July so come along and see our tiny fluffy ducklings and goslings as they take their first wobbly steps and take to the water like, well, ducks! You can even go behind the scenes and see the duckling nurseries with the incubated eggs and learn about egg fertility during ‘candling. If you’re really lucky, you might even see a tiny baby hatch from the egg, taking its first view of the world! Tours take place at 12noon, 2pm and 3pm and are included in price of admissions, due to popular demand pre-booking is essential. Please call 02891 874146 to book.

While we can’t guarantee the weather, you’re never far from shelter at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre. There are comfortable hides, easy buggy and wheelchair friendly pathways, fully stocked cafe and gift shop and disabled and parent & baby facilities. The art gallery is currently showcasing ‘DOWN to Earth’ by the Ulster Society of Women Artists which is free to attend and running until to the 27 July.  Kids will love our climbing wall which is down next to the limestone pavilion. If you’d like to hand feed the other ducks in our collection, grain is sold in the shop just before you go into the collection. For more information on planning your visit to WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @wwtcastleespie.

With sunshine forecast for Castlewellan Show on Saturday, preparation of the grounds are well under way.   Committee members gave the Clough roundabout sculpture a makeover  to promote the show.

Over 140 trade stands, dog agility, show jumping, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and pigs spread across fifty acres will ensure it is set to be a great day out for all the family.   There is a real focus this year on enabling children to get close to a range of animals with kid goats, NI Rabbit Club, Sunnyland beagles, flying falcons, World of Owls roadshow and an array of livestock.  .   The County Down Young Farmers are set to entertain the crowds with tug of war, tractor driving and games.

Lots of interest already in the Fashion Show and Vintage Tea tent which will feature the Magee clothing range and raise funds for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.  Judges will be circulating for the Show’s Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gentlemen – check out the website for the list of fabulous prizes on offer.   The Apprentice’s Nick Hewer will be on the field with his film crew capturing Show highlights for an Autumn edition of Farm Fixer.

There are over 440 entries for the show jumping classes but riders can still enter the unaffiliated jumping competition on the day which is organised by Mossvale Riding Club.  The Coolmore Search for a Young Horse championship has attracted a high calibre field and the P Turley Ridden Hunter classes have increased this year.  Entries for the Working Hunter horse and pony classes supported by Burrendale Hotel & Spa,  First Trust Bank, Fresh Food Castlewellan and Redmills are popular as ever.

The cattle section includes five major championships  All Ireland Bull & Heifer Derby Limousin final, Ulster Bank National Hereford Show and Bank of Ireland Beef Shorthorn National, Blonde Calf and British Blue Young Bull championships.   The other classes are well subscribed with over 500 quality cattle registered for the day ensuring a high level of competition.

Once again Castlewellan continues to have the most sheep entries for a one day show with almost 700 across twenty two classes including the national for the Hampshire Downs.   The Danske Bank Interbreed championship and the Norbrook Pair of Ewe Lambs are always the most closely watched events.  The Show is delighted to welcome Dr Jane Guise from the prestigious Royal Bath & West Show as a judge for the Cydectin young handlers competition.

The new two day back to back goat class has resulted in an increase in entries supported by the Goat Club, O’Rourke Timber and The Dealer, with Churchview Goats are bringing along some kid goats for children (and adults) to handle.  The pig section supported by Walter Watson engineering is growing in popularity and the poultry classes are varied and promise a good visitor attraction.  Great to see have  John Thompson & Sons Ltd, P Murphy, Poultry Dealer, Crossgar Foodservice, GB Poultry, Baileyʼs Judy Maxwell on board as sponsors.

In access of 120 dogs will be competing in the Feedwell and Dusty’s Place dog friendly self catering, dog agility classes, so bring a seat along and grab a good spot beside the ring.   Then head over to the Home Industries tent which where you can peruse the 800 entries in home baking, jams, crafts, photography, art including fifteen scarecrows who will keep the birds of prey at bay.

The Show runs all day, admission is £10 for adults, £5 for Young Farmers (with their card), Under 16s go free and there is no charge for parking.   For a full list of trade stands and attractions, go to the website www.castlewellanshow.com

This Sunday, July 14^th, North Down Borough Council’s Summer Entertainment Programme continues at The Bandstand in Ward Park with the return of the ever popular Anthony Toner.

One of Northern Ireland’s most prolific songwriters, Anthony is fast emerging as one of our foremost composers and his single “Sailortown” has become of the province’s most requested radio songs. Last year, he shared the stage with Nanci Griffith and Guy Clarke in Nashville and showcased at Austin’s South by Southwest. He’s also developing a following in Canada and last year performed live at Grand Central Station in New York City as part of a Northern Ireland showcase event organised by Tourism Ireland.

So if you fancy relaxing to some smooth sounds in beautiful surroundings then pack a picnic and get down to Ward Park, this Sunday from 3 – 5pm.

Keep an eye out in local press each week for details on each artist or for more information phone our Tourist Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or visit: www.northdowntourism.com

The Countdown is on for this year’s P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival at Glenarm Castle, 13^th July – 20^th July. The team at Glenarm Castle and village are busy putting together final preparations for the anticipated arrival of thousands of visitors to the estate and surrounding area over the festival week.

The Festival will kick off with a two day spectacular, 13-14^th July, featuring the Highland Games and Dalriada Live.  The estate will come alive with the sound of Northern Ireland and Scottish strongmen battling it out during the Highland Games. Over two days courage, passion and pride will take centre stage as the sounds of heavy hammer throwing, putting of the Causeway Stone (28lb) and a tug-o-war fill the air.  The clash of the strongmen kicks off on Saturday morning with Lord Antrim opening the event at 11am.

The sound of top class music will also fill the air! As visitors will be treated to world class musical acts including the sensational Irish music and dance spectacular – Celtic Dreams (13^th July) and  rising country music sensation Nathan Carter (14^th July) plus special supporting acts including Lisa McHugh, Hugo Duncan, Crawford Bell and Saffyre. Tickets are still available for Nathan Carter at www.ticketmaster.ie

Also, across the two days, visitors will be treated to top class food demonstrations courtesy of NI Good Food with celebrity chefs Paul Rankin, Paula McIntyre and Ian Orr. Also on the menu is the World’s ONLY Sheep Chic Fashion Show – if you think you’ve a fashionable sheep then get their glad rags on and bring them along!

Getting ready for festival Adrian Morrow, Glenarm Castle Estates Managing Director, said:

“The excitement is building at Glenarm Estate and Village for the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to what is guaranteed to be one of our best festivals yet. Whatever the weather, we will ensure that we give our visitors the best possible experience. Whether you are a foodie, a music lover or indeed a sports fan – you can be sure we will have something to keep you entertained.”

Visitors will also be treated to music and dancing, in association with the Ulster Scots agency which will include; The Willie Drennan Ulster Scots Band, Broken Strings Bluegrass Band, Scottish Highland Dancing, Highland Dancing and Glenarna School of Irish Dancing, Solo Piping and Drumming and St.Patrick’s Youth Pipe Band. For something on the vintage side Swingabella and Malojian will take visitors back to a by-gone era over a fantastic cream tea at the Punjana Tea Party in the walled Garden. Plus lots more fun and activities!

Arthur Murphy of P&O Ferries, said:
“There’s a lot to excite visitors to this year’s Festival.  With the promise of fine food, music, some great sporting action and no doubt a lot of fun it’s no surprise that this event draws bigger and bigger crowds each year.

“As operators of the shortest, fastest and most frequent crossings between Ireland and Scotland, P&O Ferries has some spectacular discounts available for the summer and we’re looking forward to bringing many many visitors over from Scotland to enjoy the event and the country of its home – Northern Ireland. We wish the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival 2013 every success.”

Eddie Rowan, from NITB, said:

“We are delighted to once again support the P&O Dalriada Festival.

With a large numbers of spectators expected to attend across the week, events such as the Dalriada Festival bring domestic and international spectators to spend time in Northern Ireland.  The financial benefit that these visitors bring is important for stimulating growth and delivering economic value to many sectors of the local economy.

On behalf of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board I would like to wish all visitors and participants a very enjoyable trip to Northern Ireland and to Glenarm Castle for this action packed week of events.”

Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV said:

“UTV has been part of the local community here for more than 50 years and is proud to join forces once again with the P&O Dalriada Festival to celebrate all that is good about culture in Northern Ireland with special emphasis on music, food and sport and of course our strong links with Scotland. We look forward to capturing the essence of these festival activities on TV and online for all our viewers.”

The week-long festival also includes Glenarm Village Auld Hirin’ Fair (15^th July) Super Endurocross and hymns and haybales (19^th July). In addition, the week includes a rowing regatta, horse hunt chase, triathlon and much, much more.  With a spectacular finale including Teddy Bears’ Picnic featuring Build-A-Bear Workshop prizes and a Fireworks Display.

Visitors to the Highland Games can pay at the gate Adults £10, Snr £7.50, children (12-16) £5 and children under 12 FREE. GATES 09:30am-late. Tickets for Nathan Carter are available at www.ticketmaster.ie. Discount available on Highland Games entrance fee on production of a Nathan Carter ticket. Further information on the festival can be found at www.dalriadafestival.co.uk.

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 8 – 14).

• Belfast Hills Heritage Festival 2013, various locations, Belfast, June 29 – July 8.  Uncover the hidden history of the hills during this 10-day series of events including children’s storytelling, fossil hunting for dinosaur bones, pond dipping for water creatures, a bus tour, arts and crafts and much more.

• Early Christian Life on a Monastic Island, Devenish Island, Co. Fermanagh, July 7 – 28.  St Molaise will tell you all about how he founded the island monastery and its many transformations from a simple wooded church to an Augustinian Abbey.  Find out about his way of life in the 6^th century, the Vikings who raided and how, far from being a quiet place, Devenish was on a main ‘highway’ of Lough Erne.

• Perfect Little Planet – Digital Theatre Show, Armagh Planetarium, Co. Armagh, various dates in July and August.  Imagine you could take the ultimate space vacation – where would you go to find that ideal place? A family from another star system travel through the solar system looking for the perfect vacation spot.

• Belfast Orangefest, city centre, Belfast, July 12.  A showcase of Ulster’s rich heritage and culture with marching bands, fife and drums, flute music and the Lambeg drum.  The programme will be running from 10am – 5pm with a parade, cookery demonstrations, a mini market and street circus entertainment.

• LinkFest, various locations in the City of Derry, July 12.  LinkFest is a local music festival which promotes established and up-and-coming bands and artists, mainly from the city but also throughout Ireland.  There will be acts performing, a series of panel based discussions and talks on the various aspects of the music industry.

• The Siege of Carrickfergus and Re-enactment, Carrickfergus Castle, Co. Antrim, July 13.  An event which brings history to life with a re-enactment of the siege of Carrickfergus Castle and the landing of King William followed by a Pageantry parade to meet King William upon his landing.

• Glenelly Rockin’ By The River Festival, Plumbridge, Co. Tyrone, July 13 – 21.  An annual festival with a range of family fun including a vintage day, a charity walk, an underage disco, a variety concert and music.

• Kids ‘mini-beasts’ Nature Trail and Bird Box Making, Crawfordsburn Country Park, Bangor, Co. Down, July 14.  A guided woodland walk that will take you and your little ones on a mini beast and scavenger hunt.  Enjoy woodland games, pond dipping and also make your own bird box to take away and put up in your garden to encourage nesting birds to visit.

• Pottery for Children with Frances Sweeney, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, July 15 – 26.  These workshops will give children an unforgettable opportunity to explore one of the oldest forms of art in the history of the world.  Suitable for 8+ years.

• Titanic Pilgrimage, Titanic Belfast, Queen’s Road, until September 28.  A reflective and emotional talk with Chris Bennett, the Titanic Quarter Chaplin, every Friday and Saturday at 2pm.  Take a 30-45 minute walk up and down the historic slipways, reflecting on the story of Titanic through first-hand witness accounts and other recordings of the disaster.

Down

Youth Fest NI is a cross border, cross community festival which offers a packed schedule of events for families with tots to young adults. This year’s festival will promote Sports, Health and Well-being, Ethnic Diversity and Arts & Music with over 30 events designed specifically for young people. Due to popular demand Youth Fest NI is back with a BANG to Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor! Saturday 6^th July from 10am to 6pm.

Tyrone

See L’Angelus play a free concert on the Hill of O’NEILL on 5^th July.   Expert musicians, incredible singers, and top notch entertainers L’Angelus are from Louisiana.  A high energy four piece displaying cajun fiddle tunes, saxophone driven swamp pop and New Orleans influenced R&B.   Concert begins at 7.30PM -9.30PM with BBQ.

Fermanagh

Wednesday 3^rd July from 6.30pm – 8.30pm The Chapterhouse Theatre Company is proud to present The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.  Join Badger, Ratty, Mole and Toad for a perfect summer of adventure. What starts as a search for the best picnic spot rapidly turns into the most hilarious of escapades.  Alive with music, song and dance, this magical family show is presented in beautiful traditional costume and features a woodland parade during the interval for everyone to join in with! Open-air performance by Chapterhouse Theatre Company play starts at 6.30pm. Grounds open for picnics from 6.00pm. Please bring your own rugs or low-backed seating.  Admission by ticket only.

Derry

The ever popular Jumping Clay One hour Workshops  are back at Portstewart Town Hall on Friday 5^th July for only £10 per child. Operating at 10am ,11am, 12.30pm,1.30pm,2.30pm and 3.30pm.

Armagh

Fancy yourself as a Jedi?  Do you have the force?  If so then make the journey to Armagh Planetarium on the 6th and 7th July 2013 where the Emerald Garrison will be training some future Jedis.  Young visitors will have the opportunity to don the famous brown robe, pick up a lightsabre, and learn a few Force skills from an Emerald Garrison Master!  Junior Force Academy is aimed at 4 -12 year olds.  The class lasts for approximately twenty minutes with places allocated on a first-come first-served basis.  The Planetarium will also be running digital theatre shows, space themed arts and crafts workshops, launching rockets (weather permitting) and there will be Stormtroopers keeping the peace along our corridors.  Workshops begin at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.45pm, 2.45pm and 3.45pm

Antrim

This Thursday 4^th July, in the eerie setting of the old Mossley Mill, join the dramatic detective duo, Holmes and Watson as they go on a mysterious adventure to the lonely wasteland of the desolate Devon moors, where something evil is afoot. When death stalks the Baskerville family, legend and superstition collide with the most heinous of crimes. On the moor nobody is safe, not even the bravest of men. Can Sherlock Holmes crack the mystery of the Hound of The Baskervilles?  For best outdoor theatre experience patrons are welcome to bring along their own picnics and rugs or low back seating to the event as well as clothing suitable for all weather conditions. Light refreshments will be available to purchase from the theatre bar.

Belfast

Sundays in Belfast are about to get a whole lot better, with 8 weeks of hand picked Sunday Treats. A series of the finest and funniest street theatre shows to be found in Ireland will be happening every Sunday afternoon this summer in Cathedral Quarter and Belfast City Centre. If you’re the kind of person who likes to laugh and loves a bargain you would be a fool to miss out on this season of shows.  After teaming up with some of the finest restaurants and bars in the area, the Festival of Fools is ready to bring you a fabulous feast of free shows and meal deals for the whole family. Sundays in July: shows 2pm Cotton Court and 4pm Saint Anne’s Square

For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland, news and competitions see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @whatsonni and like us at fb.com/www.whatsonni. Add your  events FREE OF CHARGE at www.whatsonni.

COLERAINE Borough Council in partnership with Portrush Revitalization Programme is bringing a new tourism opportunity to the ever popular events programme for the Borough.

‘Pirates off Portrush’ will take place on Saturday 6th July and is a re-enactment of one of the exploits of a Scottish Pirate called Tavish Dhu who at the beginning of the 14th century plundered ships sheltering inside the Skerries off Portrush. Children are invited to join Tavish’s crew and help him grab the Treasure from the Navy Captains. Dress as Pirates and enter the Pirate Dress Competition. The event build-up can be followed on Facebook ‘Pirates Off Portrush’!

Morning Events

9:30                          Parkrun Pirate Fun  (East Strand)

11:00 to 1:00            Pirate Treasure Hunt (Ramada Hotel)

Pirates at Station Square

2:00  to 3:00     Pirate Dress Competition Amphitheatre at Station Square

3:00……………..Brian Moore Intro to provide details of the events for the day

3:05……………..Bob Curran History Piece

3:10…………….Pirate Drama

3:20……………Set Sail – Getting  onto the Kraken

3:30……………Parade

Navy Camp at Ramada

3:00……………..Music Playing

3:30……………..Navy Songs

4:00……………..Pirates arrive

4:05……………..Bob Curran’s History Piece

4:10……………..Navy Drama

4:20……………..Pirates Attack Drama

4:30……………..Dance Battle

4:35………………Capturing

4:40……………..Parade

Walk The Plank: Station

5:00……………..Brian Moore intro and Music

5:10……………..Drama

5:25…………….Final  Dance

5:30…………….Walk the Plank.

Main Performers

Tavish Dhu………………Paul Jaffa Cullen

Abbot of Twesceart…..Bob Curran                   Red Gertie………………Una Culkin

One Eyed Billie……….Terry Hamill                    The Black Pirate………Harry Coates

Capt Blood……………..John Mc Dowell           Capt, Morgan………….Peter Olphert

Capt, Walker D Plank. Andy Lynn                   Capt, Red Beard………William Thompson

Edward Bruce………….Alan Mc Fadden          Navy Camp Wench 1..Lin Coen

Navy Camp Wench 2..Adel                              Navy Camp Wench 3…

Navy Camp Wench 4..

Parade Performers.

Youth Centre, Street Wise,  Victoria Lagan Dancers, Sea/Marine Cadets,  Ship  pullers.

Ramada  Performers

Ship Captains, Victoria Lagan Dancers, Sea Marine Cadets.

Event Organisers

Committee…….. Brian Willis, Sean Magee, Victoria Lagan, Paul Cullen, Bob Curran

Michael Hassan, Alice Rodhich, Liz Sterling, Hector Wishart,

Stephen Simpson.

Sponsors……….Department  of Social Development, Coleraine Borough Council, Audi Belfast, Barrys Amusement Arcade,  Ramade Hotel,  Causeway Art Studios, Addis Blair.

Thanks for Help from the Revitalize committee to ..Mc Auley Engineering Ballymoney, Jacobs Timber, Coleraine,.  Patton’s Paint, Coleraine, Mark Christie for signwriting, Sean Magee for construction, Brian Willis for design and artwork.

Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor David Harding said; “Council’s Revitalisation Programme aims to attract visitors to Portrush to stay over night, to enjoy the hospitality and to shop, whilst supporting our local businesses. Coleraine Borough Council’s tourism and events programme is second to none in Northern Ireland supporting our local residents and encouraging businesses to invest in the area. ‘Pirates off Portrush’ vision will be to achieve all of these objectives and is a FREE family event for all ages to enjoy. I encourage everyone to come and join in the fun, to hoist the Jolly Roger and to get their best pirates costume ready for the event.”

There has always been a strong link between North Antrim and Scotland. The Skerries Islands to the North East of Portrush offer good shelter and anchorage to ships and it was here that the famous Scottish Pirate Tavish Dhu often came to anchor. This event will see the creation of bringing Tavish back to life and establishing him as Portrush’s infamous Pirate.

The event will take place on dry land at two locations. The Pirates will be hoisted up on their ship in the Amphitheatre in Station Square and the Navy Captain and his crew will be camped in Antrim Gardens outside the Ramada Hotel. At 3:00pm Tavish and his pirates will sail down Kerr Street, up Lower Main Street and surprise the Navy who have been partying all night. A battle takes place with the victors parading their prisoners back to the Station to walk the plank.

As part of the Jolly Roger fun, a programme of FREE events have been organised for the day. Entertainment commences at 9:30am with some pirate fun at the Portrush Parkrun and at 11:00 am the Ramada Hotel will be running a Treasure Hunt. Everyone is encouraged to create a nautical/sea costume and children of all ages can dress up as Pirates or Sea Creatures, Shark’s or Dolphins and enter the Pirate Dress competition at 2pm at the Amphitheatre and afterwards join in as part of the parade. There will be a variety of acts in costume on display including; Pirates, Sea Creatures, Shark’s and Dolphins to name a few. Tavish Dhu the Super Pirate will be brought back to life by local actor Paul Jaffa Cullen. The serious Pirate Drama begins at 3pm in the Amphitheatre and at Antrim Gardens. Tavish’s boat will set sail from the Amphitheatre at 3:30pm and scheduled to return to the Amphitheatre to see the prisoners walk the plank at 5:00pm.

The parade centre piece will be Tavish’s Ship built by Brian Willis and Sean Magee and will be pulled around Portrush by the physically powerful men from Coleraine Rugby Club.  John Mc Nally, Chairman of the Revitalisation Programme commented, “The story of Tavish Dhu’s Pirates and their connection with the Skerries dates back to the early 14th Century and has an important place in the history of Portrush.

‘Portrush Revitalisation with support from Coleraine Borough Council have organised an action packed day of events for Saturday 6th July. We would persuade all members of the public to get creative and get involved. We have a giant Octopus and the young people at the Portrush Youth Centre are making their sea-costumes over the coming weeks. The Sea / Marine Cadets will be involved, Portrush Music Society will be providing Pirates / Navy Captains, and Victoria Lagan Dancers will be adding to the spectacle. Dr Bob Curran a respected local historian will be keeping you informed about local history.”

Why not come along to join in the fun, dress-up and make ‘Pirates off Portrush’ an unforgettable experience for all generations! For more information and a full list of events on ‘Pirates off Portrush’ please contact Coleraine Borough Council Events Department on 028 7034 7220 or log onto Council’s website; www.colerainebc.gov.uk. This event is funded by the Department for Social Development.

This Sunday, North Down Borough Council’s Summer Entertainment programme returns to Ward Park with live music at The Bandstand.

These popular Summer events will be running every Sunday in July and August from 3pm – 5pm.

Opening the programme on July 7^th, is The Sinead Conway Band. Previously of ‘The Conway Sisters, who reached the final 6 on ITV’s “X Factor” and have supported Westlife on tour, Sinead’s timeless vocals encompass all music styles, perfect for a lazy afternoon’s entertainment. Sinead has a wealth of experience in the music industry as a vocalist with The Hothouse Big Band and Anything Goes and is also a member of the Dublin Gospel Choir. For her Ward Park performance, she will be taking her repertoire from the Great American Songbook, playing a string of hits from the golden era of song.

So if you fancy a lazy Sunday in the park, enjoying live music from the comfort of a deck chair, stick the dates in your diary, gather your family and friends, pack a picnic and head to Ward Park, every Sunday in July and August from 3pm – 5pm.

Keep an eye out in local press each week for details on each artist or for more information phone our Tourist Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or visit: www.northdowntourism.com

With summer in full swing, a visit to WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre can make other days out seem a little……dry!

Spending time near or in water is an essential summer experience and makes for unforgettable family memories – you can play with it, adventure on it, gaze at it and marvel at the myriad forms of wildlife that cluster round it – water is never boring!

Wetland Centres are easy, safe places to enjoy the wonders of wetland wildlife where adults and children can have nose-to-beak encounters with some of the world’s most dramatic and rare birds, surrounded by stunning scenery.

There is always something to see and do at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, on the shores of Strangford Lough, 364 days of the year. We offer a variety of different experiences especially over the summer months – you can choose as much or as little activity as you want.

Experiences range from mini-beast hunting, pond dipping to arts and craft, play areas and always include guaranteed close-up wildlife encounters. Over summer, WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre will also be running special events for the whole family. So why not bring the kids to one of the following activities:

Woodland Mini-Beast Hunt – Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July 2013
With a guide on hand, hunt the dark crevices and woodpiles of our woodland for millipedes, centipedes and other creepy crawlies. Runs from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

Spect-Duckular & Downy Duckling tours – Friday 12 & Saturday 13 July 2013
Join us for lots of family fun activities this bank holiday. Kids grab your passports at reception, complete all the activities and collect a prize before you leave. Downy Duckling tours will also be taking place over these two days at 12 noon, 2pm & 3pm, booking is essential.

Pond Dipping – Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 July 2013
Try pond dipping for aquatic life such as leeches, freshwater hoglouse, pond snails or greater water boatman with help on hand to explain what you’ve caught. Runs from 11am to 1pm and 2 to 4pm.

Bat Night – Friday 26 July 2013
Experience a night of wonder as we track down these masters of the night sky. Event starts at 8.30pm, booking is essential & additional charges apply.

Birdwatch Morning – Thursday 25 July 2013
Join Dot Blakely, our resident bird expert and find out more about all types of birds in and around the grounds and reserve. Starts at 10.30am.

While we can’t guarantee the weather, you’re never far from shelter at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre. There are comfortable hides, easy buggy and wheelchair friendly pathways, fully stocked cafe and gift shop and disabled and parent & baby facilities. If you’d like to hand feed the other ducks in our collection, grain is sold in the shop just before you go into the collection. For more information on planning your visit to WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @wwtcastleespie.