Down
Castle Ward will host their annual festival Pumpkinfest this Saturday and Sunday. Choose your pumpkin, scoop out the insides and draw on your own unique designs before handing them to the expert carvers. Create your own scarecrow to enter the scarecrow pageant. Castle Ward’s 18th century mansion also plays host to the witch’s spooky cellar for you to explore. Live music is provided by Lawrence T & The Wolfmen and Cup O’Joe on Saturday, and Matt McCrum on Sunday. Other activities include organic pumpkin soup sampling, an autumn trail, horse and carriage rides (weather permitting) and free-flow mansion tours from 12pm to 5pm (ground floor only, last entry 4pm).
Tyrone
Up in that pantheon inhabited by the biggest selling recording artistes of all time in Ireland, rubbing shoulders with Bono and the Boys, you might be surprised to bump into Phil Coulter who is playing live at the Burnavon Theatre Cookstown this Friday evening, 17th October. He has written at least four titles that can be added to the list of Great Irish Songs – the anthems ‘The Town I Loved So Well’ and ‘Ireland’s Call’, and the haunting ‘Scorn Not His Simplicity’ and ‘Steal Away’.
Fermanagh
On Friday 17th October 9pm, The Young Folk return to Ardhowen Theatre’s gallery bar after their outstanding performance earlier this year. The band members Anthony Furey, vocals/guitar; Tony McLoughlin, bass/mandolin; Paul Butler, piano/vocals and Karl Hand, drums/percussion, over the past 12 months, have played in New York, Italy, UK (the prestigious Cambridge Folk Festival, where they shared a stage with The Waterboys and The Staves) and Ireland for the launch of their debut album, ‘The Little Battle’. Dubliner Magazine labelled them as “a unique prospect” “one of the most promising young Irish bands of recent years” (Eamon Carr), “not because of their impressive resume, but because of the raw energy and passion they bring to the stage”
Derry
The Auction Room Maghera announce the live performance of Grammy-nominee Eric Taylor Wednesday 15th October. Eric Taylor is a master storyteller and has been one of the finest southern songwriters for the last four decades. Influencing such well-known artists as Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle, Taylor tours extensively throughout North America and Europe. He has appeared on Austin City Limits, Late Night With David Letterman, NPR’s “Morning Edition” and BBC Radio. A mesmerizing performer whose shows will leave you wanting more.
Armagh
On the Armagh Gaol’s special spooky Halloween tour, you will be regaled with the harrowing stories associated with Armagh Gaol’s long history. Tours are carried out in low light conditions and are not for the faint hearted! Suitable warm clothing and flat shoes must be worn. Tours available 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 29th, 30th and 31st October at 19:00, 20:00, 21:00 and 22:00.
Antrim
The Ghost in the Glens Storytelling and Music Festival 16th to 19th October is a Storytelling festival based in Cushendall which will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Glens of Antrim. The festival will include storytellers and musicians from the local area as well as featured guests from the rest of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. It aims to strengthen the cultural links and celebrate the diversity of the population living in the Glens today.
Belfast
The Eclectic Emporium is a once a month opportunity to buy unique, quality and enviable items for your wardrobe and home from Irish crafters, designers and vintage dealers, and have an inspirational day out at the same time. Showcasing unique handcrafted designs, authentic vintage & all things unusual, the Eclectic Emporium will be popping up again on Sunday 19th October at The Empire Music Hall, 42 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JQ. Run by the Eclectic Collective, the Emporium pop-up will feature around 20 purveyors of loveliness each month, offering great vintage, handcrafted and re-designed fashion, furniture, home decor, jewellery, crafts, gifts, collectibles, curiosities, stationery, art, sweet treats, and much more! Belfast Empire, Sunday 19th October, 12-5pm, admission free.
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