Sat 25 April to Fri 1 May
Saturday 25 April, Dawn Chorus Walk, Castle Park in Bangor
Free, pre-booking essential. Starts 5am.
Join bird expert Dot Blakely as the sun comes up over Bangor, for an early morning master class in how to recognise the songs of the dawn chorus.
Dot’s tour will also take in the natural habitats of the birds and animals who live in the park.
Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069
Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846
Saturday 25 April, Meet the Maker: ‘the Beauty of Clay – Get your hands dirty’
Ards Crafts, Craft & Design Centre, 31 Regent Street in Newtownards
Tickets: £12 inc materials; Age 18+. Limited numbers, pre-booking essential.
10.30am – 12.30pm
A ceramics workshop with Ellen Cunningham & Ashleigh Collim
Info and booking: Tel: (028) 9182 6846
Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 April, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 25: Jumping Clay, Children’s Crafts
Sun 26: Casey’s Creatures, Face Painting
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Friday 1 May, Friday Night Live – Sarah McQuaid
Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards
Tickets: £8 in advance*, £10 at the door (*booking fee applies)
Doors Open at 7.30pm, starts at 8pm.
A return visit from Sarah who will seduce her audience with cheeky banter and stories from the road as well as her stunning music.
She spans the genres with both beautiful crafted originals and material from around the globe. Bring your own bottle.
Box Office: 028 9181 0803, Book online
Sat 2 May to Fri 8 May
Saturday 2 May, Copeland Island Bird Observatory Tour
Tickets: £12/£10 (Children under 14 accompanied by adult £6), pre-booking essential. Starts 1pm.
This trip to ‘Bird Isle’, home of the Bird Observatory, is a treat for amateur ornithologists, wildlife enthusiasts, and plant lovers alike.
Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069
Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846
Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 May, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 2: Science Show: ‘Gold and Gem Panning’, Children’s Crafts
Sun 3: Plant and Play: ‘Make your own Fairy Garden’ Workshop
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 3 May, Hysterical Historics Newtownards Walking Tour
Tickets: £6/£5 concession (Children under 14 accompanied by adult £3), pre-booking essential. Starts 2pm.
Take a ‘hysterical history’ lesson for the whole family as you encounter murky and macabre characters from across the centuries in unexpected corners
of Newtownards Town Centre. Kids and grown-ups alike will love this hysterical twist on tales from the Ards.
Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069
Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846
Sunday 3 May, Historic Holywood and Ulster-Scots Walk
Tickets: £3, pre-booking essential. Starts 2.30pm.
Enjoy an informative stroll through Holywood’s colourful history.
Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069
Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846
Monday 4 May – Bank Holiday Monday
Merry May Day, Holywood Town Centre
Free event, 10am-4pm
Family fun for all! Traditional Maypole Dancing, Children’s Fancy Dress Competition, Food and Charity Stalls, highlight of the event is a performance by the Monster Ceilidh Band perform an
infectious blend that fuses UK folk, with drum & bass.
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Monday 4 May, ‘Happy Bank Holiday’ – Fun children’s Activities
Portaferry Visitor Information Centre
Free event, 2pm-4pm
Keep the children entertained on May Bank Holiday with free art and crafts activities for children.
Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4272 9882, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Exhibitions
Ards Crafts & Visitor Information Centre
31 Regent Street, Newtownards BT23 4AD
T: 028 9182 6846. Admission Free
Saturday 2 – Saturday 30 May
Meet the Maker: ‘Green Wood Works’
Green Woodworker Alexey Janes
North Down Museum, Bangor
Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall) BT20 4BT
T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free
Tuesday 31 March – Thursday 30 April
Paintings: U3A Art Groups
Saturday 2 – Sunday 31 May
Historical Storyboard: Mining Heritage
Until Sunday 17 May
Exhibit: En-gauge with the past, history of the railway
Friday 1 May – Thursday 28 May
The Great War: Through the words of the County Down Spectator & Newtownards Chronicle
Portaferry Visitor Information Centre
The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ
T: 028 4272 9882. Admission Free
Saturday 2 – Saturday 30 May
Art in the Loft: ‘Follow the Thread – From Ewe to You’ Fibre art by the Ulster Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers
Downloadable Guides