The Navan Centre in Armagh has, once again something to shout about as the Centre has been chosen as the ni4Kids Visitor Attraction of the Year!

At a recent celebration ceremony in City Hall, Belfast, the Tourism Facilities Manager Grace Greer, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the Centre.

The Navan Centre & Fort offers visitors a unique appreciation of the history of the area through a stimulating exhibition packed full of information, artefacts and hands on activities.  Enjoy the myths and legends of the Ulster Cycle in the vibrant audio visual show.  Witness the Celtic Characters bring history to life in the Iron Age/Early Christian period dwelling with demonstrations of cooking, weaving, farming and much more. For kids, fun and laughter is guaranteed at the Navan Centre. Children can experience life as a Celt by dressing up in the Celtic  costumes, ‘Dig’ into the past in the archeo-pit, try their hand at some traditional Celtic activities, complete the trail to get a prize and make their very own badge to  remember their visit

Commenting on the recent accolade, Mrs Greer expressed her delight:-

‘This award is chosen by the public and reinforces for us the high levels of customer service the staff deliver day and daily to customers.  It gives us a great sense of achievement to know that the exhibition, our living history, our education product and, our innovative and outstanding events are perfectly meeting the needs of customers to the Centre.’

The Summer of 2014 has been a particularly memorable one for the Navan Centre as this is the second award they have scooped in a short time.  The Centre recently was also awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2014.  The sky is the limit as the Navan Centre excels as Armagh’s premier visitor attraction.

For information please contact: Navan Centre & Fort, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh.  BT60 4LD.  Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com

The summer holidays have just begun and already the sound of ‘mummy I’m bored, there’s nothing to do’ can be heard. With eight long weeks ahead mums and dads can breathe a sigh of relief with some help from the National Trust.

The conservation charity is encouraging everyone to get out of the house and enjoy great play days out ticking off their list of ‘50 things to do’. This fun packed challenge is back – and there’s nothing to stop older kids and adults joining in too.

Rediscover childhood memories and make some new ones with the Trust’s check list for under 12s, and those who are young at heart. From climbing a tree to discovering life in a pond, skimming stones to flying a kite – which ones will you do this summer?

Amy aged 10 from Enniskillen and a member of the National Trust Outdoor Explorer group said: “I love going to Florence Court to play hide and seek and to look for bugs and beasties. My favourite thing was the rope swing and my dad pushed me really high.”

Antoni aged 8 from Belfast, also an Outdoor Explorer added: “The best day at National Trust is every day. My favourite place is the river bank near the bridge at Minnowburn where the gravel looks like a beach and you can skim stones.

Here are 10 of the 50 things to do.

For more inspiration go to www.50things.org.uk

–       Climb a tree in Rowallane Garden

–       Fly a kite at Downhill Demesne

–       Go on a really long bike ride in Florence Court

–       Create some wild art at Mount Stewart

–       Hunt for fossils and bones on Portstewart Strand

–       Make a grass trumpet at Springhill

–       Hunt for bugs at The Argory.

–       Skim a stone at Minnowburn

–       Go bird watching at Strangford Lough

–       Find your way with a map and compass at Castle Ward

Go enjoy lots of play days in the great outdoors – visit National Trust website www.nationaltrust.org.uk for more details of events and activities throughout the summer. And remember, every visit you make helps support the charity’s work looking after special places for ever, for everyone.

Among the most attractive events at recent John Hewitt International Summer Schools in Armagh, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Armagh City & District Council, have been the Lunchtime Readings featuring some critically acclaimed prose writers.

And this year’s Lunchtime series, which runs at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh from 28 July to 1 August, will not disappoint those attending the Summer School and local book lovers as the most attractive line-up ever for the Lunchtime Readings includes top Irish writers Joseph O’Connor, Jennifer Johnston, Eoin McNamee, Mary O’Donnell and David Park.

Joseph O’Connor, who is one of the most popular writers ever to have visited the Hewitt Summer School, will start off this year’s very attractive lunchtime series on Monday 28 July.  The best-selling novelist and award-winning screenwriter will read from and talk about his new novel “The Thrill of It All”, a masterfully woven story which follows a band and a friendship over 25 years.

The guest writer at lunchtime on Tuesday 28 July will be David Park,  one of the most highly- regarded novelists living and working in Ireland, who will read from and discuss his latest novel, “The Poets’ Wives”. Deeply insightful and beautifully wrought, this book features David Park at his best – a novelist whose work has the power to bring the hidden from the shadows, into a delicate and shimmering light.

On Wednesday 30 July, there will be a warm welcome to JHISS for Eoin McNamee, now based in Sligo but originally from Kilkeel, Co Down. His first book, the novella “The Last of Deeds”, was shortlisted for the Irish Times Literature Prize and his novels include “Resurrection Man”, which was later made into a film, and “The Blue Tango” which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Eoin will read from his  latest novel “Blue is the Night” which completes his  ‘Blue Trilogy’ of crime thriller novels, based on true murder cases from 1950s Northern Ireland, and he will talk about weaving real life cases into fiction.

Originally from Co Monaghan but now based in Co Kildare, poet and novelist Mary O’Donnell makes her first appearance at JHIOSS in Armagh on Thursday 31 July. Her books include six collections of poetry and the bestselling novels, “The Light-Makers”, “Virgin and the Boy” and “The Elysium Testament”. Her new novel, “Where They Lie”, set mainly in Northern Ireland, faces the legacy of ‘The Disappeared’ head on, exploring how families cope with tragedy and how history, when ignored, can poison love, family and society.

While Jennifer Johnston has read for the John Hewitt Society in other locations, she will make her first appearance at the Hewitt Summer School in Armagh this year. One of the foremost writers of her generation,  she has won the Whitbread Prize, the Evening Standard Best First Novel, and Best Book of the Year twice, and was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize with “Shadows on Our Skin”. Jennifer will be reading from her latest novel “A Sixpenny Song”, where death brings a young woman back to Dublin from London, to the house of tyranny she thought she had long escaped, and this Lunchtime reading on Friday 1 August should be one of the highlights of this year’s Hewitt week literary programme.

Tickets for individual readings cost £7.00 and these will be available at the Box Office at The Market Place Theatre Tel. 028 3752 1821 or they may be booked online: www.marketplacearmagh.com For further information see the Summer School brochure or website: www.johnhewittsociety.org

After a sell-out theatre and Edinburgh fringe run in 2013 with his show ‘Comments Disabled’, Colin Geddis [the man behind internet sensations such as ‘I AM FIGHTER’ and ‘Besty McD’] returns to The Market Place Theatre in Armagh with his new show ‘NSFW: Not Safe For Work’. NSFW is a hybrid blend of side-splittingly inappropriate stand-up material and trademark viral video sketches, during which, Colin explains how both he and his material are ‘Not Safe For Work’.

Colin Geddis will perform on Saturday 5^th July ay 8.30pm. Tickets are priced £10 each, and can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com. Please note this event is recommended for age 18+ as it contains material that some people could find offensive.

And 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.

This year’s Groomsport Music Festival will take on a distinctly Cajun feel with the arrival of the first Harbour Hoedown.

With a fantastic entertainment line-up featuring flavours of Bluegrass and Cajun, this free event taking place on Saturday July 5 is a must for music lovers!

BBC’s Joe Lindsay from “Across The Line” and “Getaways” will guide the audience through the event’s performers.  First on stage at 7pm are The Hardchargers.  The Hardchargers do exactly what it says on the tin – deliciously irreverent dirty blues.  It’s exciting, provocative and honest, ranging from down-home washboard/ resonator/double bass workouts, to a heady blend of twangy electric blues and roadhouse style rock.  A blistering three-piece, The Hardchargers have performed at a stellar list of music and arts festivals all over the island of Ireland as well as appearing alongside cult US artists Bob Log III, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and just recently, The Waterboys.

Next up, is The Flatville Aces – formed in the late 80s, this four piece from Southhampton are Britain’s best exponents of Cajun-flavoured roots dance music, playing Louisiana styled Cajun, comprising fiddle, accordion, acoustic bass and guitar with vocals in English and French.

The superb headline act will not disappoint, taking to the stage at 9.30pm, Hayseed Dixie are an internationally renowned outfit, headlining festivals all over the world and have played the main stage at Glastonbury.  They perform classic and original rocks songs by the likes of AC/DC, Motorhead and Queen in a fast, furious American blue-grass style they call “Rockgrass,” complete with fiddles, guitars, mandolins, dueling banjos and hillbilly harmonies. The four members of the group are world class musicians and their show is highly entertaining and family friendly.

For the children;  there will be a funfair in operation from the afternoon; and from 2pm – 4pm at Cockle Row; there will be glitter tattoos, children’s crafts, balloon modelling and World of Owls followed by a magician, face-painting and Party Animals NI from 4pm – 6pm.

There will also be a food available on site from 4pm providing an array of food and refreshments, another great reason to visit Groomsport and make a day of it! To help make it an even more enjoyable evening, Translink are putting on a special late night service with buses at 11pm and 11.30pm back to Bangor.

The Lyric’s new Executive Producer, the acclaimed director Jimmy Fay, unveiled his first season at the Belfast theatre today with a programme of compelling drama and new comedy.

The award-winning director, who was literary director of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, launched the new season under the banner ‘Northern Soul’ which features exciting new writing, classic drama and some sparkling Christmas comedy.

“Each of these plays share something Northern in their locations and each of them deal in some powerful way with the soul; in my view the act of being truly alive,” Jimmy said.

Fay takes up the reins as David Ireland’s comedy Can’t Forget About You opens on the Danske Bank Stage for a four-week run until July 5. This hilarious romantic comedy, directed by Conleth Hill, was moved to the main stage after a sell-out run in the Naughton Studio last summer.

The new season kicks off in August with the intense drama, Punk Rock, about a dysfunctional group of students dealing with the pressures of adolescence and education.

The pressures of exams combined with sleep deprivation, sexual frustration and troubling thoughts lead to a shocking climax in this acclaimed play by prolific writer, Simon Stephens.

Punk Rock, directed by Selina Cartmell, runs on the Danske Bank Stage from Sunday 10 August until Saturday 6 September 2014. Tickets priced £15 – £24.50.

This year marks the 40^th anniversary of the Ulster Workers’ Strike which provides the perfect context for Stewart Parker’s final masterpiece, Pentecost which will be directed by Jimmy Fay. Starring Roisin Gallagher, Carol Moore and Judith Roddy, it tells the story of the inter-twined lives of a group of people thrown together during the Ulster Workers’ Strike.

Marian has sold her business and takes up tenancy in a repossessed Belfast working-class parlour-house. Her hopes for a safe haven and fresh start are soon shattered when she finds herself bunkered down during the strike with her estranged husband Lenny, his muesli-chomping friend Peter, and her best friend Ruth who is fleeing from an abusive husband.

They work out their relationships to each other, the world outside and to the past while trying to envisage a future beyond bombs and reprisals. Only Marian is aware of a fifth presence – the ghost of Lily Matthews, the previous occupant.

Pentecost runs on the Danske Bank Stage from Saturday 20 September to Saturday 18 October.

This Christmas the Lyric brings you two fantastic Premieres – a new Marie Jones’ play and a new production of the classic tale, Sleeping Beauty by Derek O’Connor for all the family.

From the Olivier Award winning author that brought you Stones in His Pockets and the acclaimed team that brought you Night in November – Xmas Eve Can Kill You and Women on the Verge of HRT, comes Mistletoe & Crime.

Two WPC’s try to keep order amongst the mayhem that is a Belfast Christmas – it doesn’t help that it’s the last night on the beat for one of them – the first night for the other – and they can’t find their land rover. Directed by the irrepressible Dan Gordon it would be a crime to miss it!

Mistletoe & Crime runs on the Dankse Bank Stage from Saturday 22 November to Sunday 11 January.

Talented choreographer and director, Deborah Maguire will conjure up the magic of Christmas for children and adults alike with a new musical adaptation of the enchanted tale of Sleeping Beauty. The story of a beautiful princess condemned to sleep forever by a wicked witch who pricks her thumb has been adapted by award-winning writer, Derek O’Connor, who won a Bafta for CBBC programme Roy.

Sleeping Beauty runs on the Danske Bank Stage from Friday 5 December until Sunday 4 January. Tickets range from just £12.50 – £18 with Family ticket & Schools prices available.

Looking ahead to next Spring, the Lyric Theatre in association with the Abbey Theatre and Soho Theatre, London proudly presents the World Premiere of Owen McCafferty’s play The Death of A Comedian.

From the award-winning writer who brought us Quietly and Scenes from the Big Picture, comes this brand new tale of the trials of a comedian, Steve Johnston who has to wrestle with compromises. Set across four separate stand-up gigs, this Faustian-style drama follows the choices of a comedian who could gain everything he wants, but may lose everything he has.

The Death of A Comedian runs on the Danske Bank Stage from Sunday 8 February to Sunday 8 March.

Jimmy Fay, Lyric Executive Producer said he is “very pleased to join and lead the dedicated and passionate team” at the theatre.

“Our aim is to present entertaining, inquisitive, adventurous and vibrant theatre, theatre that reflects and tells stories about our community and looks out into the world and towards the future with confidence and passion,” he said. “We hope you find the season we present today meets that vision and it is one which we aim to build on.”

He added: “There has been much in the press lately about theatre being elitist whether as a result of the programming or the pricing. From Punk Rock about teenage angst to a brand new play by Belfast’s favourite playwright, Marie Jones, I think the Lyric has something for everyone. We also have very affordable theatre with £10 tickets for students and the unemployed as well as concession rates for pensioners. Our fantastic Community Supersaver scheme offers unbeatable value tickets at just £5 for any community group who registers with the scheme. You can find out more on our website about this successful scheme which has benefited a wide range of community groups across Northern Ireland – many of whom would not normally attend theatre.”

Damian Smyth, Head of Drama and Literature, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said:  “As principal funder of the state-of-the-art Lyric Theatre, the Arts Council is excited about the diversity of drama that we can expect as part of this newly launched season programme. Ranging from Stewart Parker’s modern classic ‘Pentecost’ to Marie Jones’s new festive offering ‘Mistletoe & Crime’, the Lyric continues to play a key cultural role in our society by offering some of the best theatre Northern Ireland has to offer.”

Danske Bank UK CEO, Gerry Mallon welcomed the new season: “The announcement of the new season at the Lyric Theatre is always an exciting time and new Executive Producer Jimmy Fay certainly does not disappoint with his upcoming ‘Northern Soul’ programme. The Danske Bank Stage will host many local talented actors this season with comedy, romance and Christmas cheer. We look forward to another thrilling season ahead.”

For more information on the Lyric’s season or to book, go to www.lyrictheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on (028) 9038 1081.

Theatre at The Mill has got you covered this Christmas. While you’re savoring the summer sun, we’re saving you money with an exclusive 20% discount when you book for either of our festive shows ‘Slimmer for Christmas’ and ‘Tinseltown’ before 31^st August.

Paul Boyd returns once again with a sparkling new Christmas production. A treat for the whole family the musical adventure of ‘Tinseltown’ is set in a secret land full of magical creatures, The Tinsels, where Christmas is created each year. On stage from Monday 1 December – Saturday 13 December, this festive fairytale is a must-see this Christmas.

Specially commissioned by Theatre at The Mill, Leesa Harker, the author of 50 Shades of Red White & Blue and Dirty Dancin’ in le Shebeen, brings you ‘Slimmer  For Christmas’ from Tuesday  16 December to –Saturday 3 Jan* . This special seasonal holiday comedy takes you on Sami Salt’s mission to slim down for the Christmas do! Will she complete her Flab-Busters classes and woo her fancy-man under the mistletoe? Or will she eat her own bodyweight in Malteasers like last year?

Spend now and save next season with this great deal! For booking and for further information visit www.theatreatthemill.com or contact the Box Office team 028 9034 0202.

Fairhill will be entertaining your little ones for free every Sunday in July & August from 1:30pm! From magic shows to disco dance offs, there will be a different activity every week to ensure our kid customers never get bored!

The famous Fairhill bears will be out & about the mall each week greeting kids with delicious chocolate treats – oh my they are yummy!

Whether you’re looking for something to entertain their boredom, or maybe you need to offer them a distraction while you shop… Fairhill’s Summer Kids Club will do just the job!

Dates & activity for the Summer Kids Club events are as follows:

29^th June – Fairhill Bears with Guide, World Cup Workshop

6^th July – Fairhill Bears with Guide, Little Chefs Workshop

20^th July – Fairhill Bears with Guide, 1 Face Painter ,2 Punchy & Judy Shows

27^th July – Fairhill Bears with Guide, 2 Magic Shows

3^rd August – Fairhill Bears with Guide, Balloon Modelling Lessons

10^th August – Fairhill Bears with Guide, Disco Dance Off

17^th August – Fairhill Bears with Guide, 1 Face Painter, 2 Puppet Show

23^rd August – Fairhill Bears with Guide, Nutritious and Delicious Lunch Ideas for Kids

*Events subject to change

(All events run from 1.30pm to 4.30pm except for 23^rd August event – 1pm to 4.30pm)

Until 6th July : Exhibition, “Where is Sleep?”

North Down Museum, Bangor

These illustrations are taken from a children’s picture book story written by local couple Jim & Laura Lavery, ‘Where is Sleep?’.  The story is about a little girl who is told to ‘go to sleep’ but she doesn’t know where it is or how to find it. Her adventures lead her to new ways of thinking about sleep. The story grew from their young daughter’s struggle with sleep.

Free admission.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com

Until 27 July, Exhibition: Brian Desmond Hurst

North Down Museum, Bangor

This exhibition explores the life and work of Northern Ireland’s most prolific director through a variety of fascinating images, objects and stories.

Free admission.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@northdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com

Until Sunday 22 June, Community Festival of Traditional Music, Song and Dance

Bangor Area, various

Grant aided by North Down Borough Council

Ards CCÉ can confirm that this year’s headline concert at St Comgall’s Parish Centre will be the legendary ‘FRANKIE GAVIN & DE DANNAN’ supported by INU and Ards CCÉ Award Winning Show. Tickets are currently on sale to the public at Mace Store, Brunswick Rd, Bangor and cost only £10 per person. Doors open at 7.30pm and a fully licensed bar is available.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 June, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 21: Party Animals NI, Glitter Tattoos

Sun 22: Jumping Clay Workshop, Balloon Modelling
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 June, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 28: Puppet Show

Sun 29: Science Show, Children’s Crafts
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Sunday 29 June, Walking Tour: Historic Bangor (Re-enactment) walk

2.30pm

Discover Bangor’s history, from Bronze Age settlements, Bangor Abbey and its European influence to the Vikings, World War II and Bangor’s development as a seaside town.

Tickets £3. Pre-booking your place is essential. Subject to availability.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Friday 4 – Friday 11 July, F18 World Championship

Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor

Ballyholme Yacht Club is the host for this summer’s prestigious F18 catamaran World Championship which will be sailed on Belfast Lough, one of the best sailing areas in Europe. The event, one of the largest in Ireland this year, will run from 4th till 11th July.

Info: 2014.f18worlds.com

Saturday 5 July, Harbour Hoedown

Groomsport Harbour

Live Music From 7pm

‘The Hardchargers’, ‘Flatville Ace’s and Headliner Act ‘Hayseed Dixie’ will be performing a mix of Bluegrass, Louisiana style Cajun and ‘Rockgrass’ music. Free.

More free family fun: Children’s funfair 12noon-10pm and children’s activities at Cockle Row Cottages 2pm-6pm.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 July, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment
Sat 5, 2-4pm: Glitter Tattoos, Children’s Crafts, Balloon Modeller, World of Owls

Sat 5, 4-6pm: Magician, Face Painting, Party Animals NI (The programme has been extended on Saturday to coincide with Groomsport’s Harbour Hoedown event: Live Music from 7pm)

Sun 6, 2-4pm: Face Painting, Children’s Crafts & Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Sunday 6 July, Live music at the Bandstand

Ward Park, Bangor

The summer season of FREE live music every Sunday in Ward Park starts this week! The 2014 programme promises and fantastic line up of eclectic music that everyone is sure to enjoy.

This week’s act: Ken Haddock and Scott Flanigan performing the music of Johnny Hartman, *4pm-6pm (*this week only). Weekly speciality market, organised by Town Centre Management.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS…

Tuesday 22 & Wednesday 23 July, Heartbreak Productions presents ‘Pride & Prejudice’

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

Tickets £6. On sale now! Book online or call for tickets. Pre-booking essential.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Book online: www.northdown.gov.uk/arts

Saturday 26 July, ‘Pipes in the Park’ featuring Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Bangor Town Hall

Free event, 12noon-6pm.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will be playing from 4pm – 6pm. The event is free and non-ticketed. From 12 noon, other activities will be taking place around Castle Park and The Town Hall too, including Ulster Scots dancing, music and demonstrations and a children’s entertainment area which will guarantee to make the event a great family day out. In conjunction with the Ulster Scots Agency.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

DON’T FORGET…

Pickie Funpark, Bangor Seafront is open daily 9am-7pm

Bangor Castle Walled Garden, Castle Park is open Mon-Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri-Sun and Bank Holidays 10am-6pm

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (June 23-29).

• Celtronic Festival, various locations, City of Derry, June 25-29. The electronic festival showcases the best in all forms of electronic music with local, national and international DJ’s and live performance acts.

• Pipeworks Festival 2014, Ulster Hall, Belfast, June 25-27. The festival comes to Belfast for the first time and will showcase the mighty Mulholland Grand Organ in all its magnificence as the venue hosts two concerts. 

• Mourne International Walking Festival, Newcastle, Co. Down, June 27-29. This festival provides walking routes through the Mourne Mountains along with its very own “Blister Ball”, taking place on Saturday the 28^th of June which includes food and live music.

• Brian Desmond Hurst Exhibition, North Down Museum, Bangor, Co. Down, until July 27. A new exhibition looking at the life and work of Brian Desmond, originally from East Belfast he was one of Northern Ireland’s most prolific directors spanning a career of four decades.

• Erne Paddlers Open Day, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, June 28. Enjoy an afternoon of fun and the chance to try out the many different types of kayaks and canoes on offer during this open day on Lough Erne.

• Irish Game Fair and Flavour of Ireland Fine Food Festival, Shanes Castle Estate, Co. Antrim, June 28-29. Enjoy an evening of blues and jazz music – Ronnie Greer’s special guests are pianist Scott Flanigan, American saxophonist Meilana Gillard and percussionist Steve ‘Dakix’ Davis. Enjoy an evening of blues and jazz music – Ronnie Greer’s special guests are pianist Scott Flanigan, American saxophonist Meilana Gillard and percussionist Steve ‘Dakix’ Davis.This unique festival offers a glimpse into country lifestyle with a varied programme of competitions, attractions and much more for the whole familyEnjoy an evening of blues and jazz music – Ronnie Greer’s special guests are pianist Scott Flanigan, American saxophonist Meilana Gillard and percussionist Steve ‘Dakix’ Davskgfasdk.

• Portrush Regatta, Portrush Harbour, Co. Antrim, June 28-29. The two-day dinghy and yacht racing event launching from the Harbour, Portrush will be a fun filled weekend for all of the family.

• Armagh Annual Art Club Exhibition, Armagh County Museum, Co. Armagh, June 28 – September 5. The Art Club’s summer exhibition is a popular event allowing visitors to view paintings of the county and further afield.

• Frock Around the Clock Midsummer Vintage Fair, Lissan House, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, June 29. Set in the beautiful grounds of the 400 year old Lissan House and Demense, have a look at the wonderful vintage and handmade clothing, furniture and jewellery offered by various sellers.

• Archaeology Days, various locations, Derry~Londonderry, until June 30.  A celebration of the archaeology and early history of the province with a series of digs, lectures, talks and walks which will help to explore the history of the city and region.