10 THINGS TO DO IN NORTHERN IRELAND THIS WEEK

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (June 8 -14).

  • Belfast Book Festival, Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast, June 8-14. With over 100 events, many completely FREE, the fifth Belfast Book Festival, 8-14 June, is getting ready to showcase some of the biggest names in the literary world from home and beyond.  Whatever your age or level of reading interests the jammed packed programme is guaranteed to have something to encourage you to take part. Begins at various times.
  • Fermanagh Fleadh, various locations, Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh, June 7-14. Commencing with Comhaltas Mass at 3pm, followed by a County Youth Session at 5pm. There will be a variety of events throughout the week including singing sessions and an Ulster Scots concert. There will also be a Traditional Concert showcasing a wealth of talent from our county and beyond.
  • Beer Festival at An Creagan, Creggan, Omagh, Co Tyrone, June 13.  Local brewer Darren Nugent from Pokertree owns the first brewery in County Tyrone in over three generations. Darren brews superb quality, small batch, handmade beers that use all natural and where possible local ingredients at all times. Other Ales and Ciders from all over Tyrone and Ireland will available on the night. Begins from 7pm.
  • Steam and Jazz Train, Steam Trains Ireland, Belfast, June 12. Get out the glad rags, dust off the straw boater – it’s Jazz time! Join our restored 1960s steam train at Belfast Central. Relax as we leave the city behind and enjoy the sounds of New Orleans jazz as we pause at stations which could be anywhere on the Northern Ireland railway network. Departs Belfast Central at 7:20pm returning at 11:30pm.
  • Causeway Speciality Market, The Diamond, Coleraine Town Centre, Co Derry~Londonderry, June 13.  You will find fabulous cheeses, home baked speciality breads, cupcakes, meringues, tray bakes and cakes, olives, spices, pesto, vegetarian food, chutneys, relishes, chocolate, curry sauces, cooking sauces and oils, fudge, cookies, coffees, fish, goat, fruit and vegetables and a superb range of quality crafts such as handmade jewellery, wood crafts, hand stitched cushions, handbags, candles and soaps.  From 9am to 4pm.
  • Castle Classic Club Annual Motor Show, Brownlow House, Lurgan, Co Armagh, June 13. Everyone is welcome to the annual event showcasing anything classic, sports, modified or performance. So if you own a modified, vintage, sports, rare, hybrid or just unique vehicle of any kind, then come along and show it off. Begins at 10am.
  • Cycling Across the Divide, begins at Giant’s Causeway, Co Antrim, June 10 -14. Join this scenic cycle event from the coast of Northern Ireland to Ireland. This cycle starts at the iconic Giant’s Causeway and finishes in the vibrant city of Cork. The route covers just under 350 miles with the nights stopping in Belfast, Dublin, Kilkenny and Cork. It has a few sections of the 2014 Giro d’Italia on its route.
  • Summer Jamm in Strabane, Various locations, Strabane, Co Tyrone, June 13. Get ready for a family fun day out with the return of the Strabane Summer Jamm.  Strabane will come alive with music, street entertainers, sporting events, gardening & cookery displays, fun fair and food and craft markets.  Begins at various times.
  • Mammia Mia It’s Murder, Grand Opera House, Belfast, June 11-13. Join top tribute band Abbasolutely Abba and zany host Melvyn Starbright for an evening of mayhem, fun, laughter, murder and intrigue. Sing along to some classic Abba songs and solve the crime as a bride-to-be tries to discover who her real father is. But not all is as it seems, as there is tension in the air and a murderous villain is in the crowd. Join the Inspector to help solve the terrible crime and you could become the winning team of super sleuths. From 7.30pm.
  • Strangford Lough Festival, various locations, Co Down, June 6. The Strangford Lough festival showcases the best of the area’s heritage and traditions.  This year’s Festival has a medieval mayhem theme with medieval men at arms, scriptor monks and the NI school of falconry on the Saturday & Sunday.  Archaeology NI, the Ulster Wildlife and RSPB will be in attendance with fun activities for the kids and there will be lots of opportunities to take part in guided walks or enjoy the two day craft fair.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.