Marquees, generators, lighting, fencing, staging – with just over a week to go it’s all hands on deck for staff and community volunteers as Glenarm Castle and Village gears up for one of Northern Ireland’s biggest cultural family events  –  The 5^th P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in partnership with UTV, 18 – 25 July.

After months of preparation it is anticipated that thousands of visitors will travel to Glenarm to take part in a very unique experience.  If you are making you way to the festival this year then check out these interesting facts which will help get you into the festival spirit.

Did you know?

1. That the main event, the world famous Highland Games, 18 – 19^th July, has been hosted at Glenarm Castle since 1996 and since then has attracted over half a million visitors!

2. Next year will be the 20^th Anniversary.

3. The Festival, now recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s biggest cultural family events, is home to the world’s first Chic Sheep Fashion show.

4. The official charity for the festival this year is Keep Northern Ireland beautiful – Live Here, Love Here.  Volunteers will be on hand to help keep the festival and wider site tidy and they’re encouraging visitors to help out by picking up litter.

5. The name Dalriada was a Gaelic over kingdom that included parts of western Scotland (roughly now Argyll and Lochaber) and Co Antrim.

6. Previous musical artists on the evening music stage have included Ronan Keating, Sharon Corr, Nathan Carter, General Fiasco, The Priests and Duke Special. On Saturday 18^th July the evening music concert will rock with nostalgia as Bay City Rollers starring Les McKeown take to the main stage along with Bagatelle, Hothouse Flowers and support from Rob Strong, Runabay and XOD dancers.

7. Glenarm Castle is the current home of the McDonnell Family (Lord and Lady Dunluce). There has been a Castle at Glenarm since 1242, when Hugh de Lacy, the Norman Earl of Ulster, granted the Glens of Antrim to another Norman, John Bisset, who had previously lived in Scotland but was exiled after killing a cousin at a tournament. The Bissets became known as the MacEoin Bissets of the Glens.  In the 1390’s their chieftain died leaving an only daughter, Marjory, who married John Mor MacDonnell.

8. The annual Highland Games attracts approximately 25,000 people over two days.

9. New to the Highland Games this year, and a major coup, is the County Antrim Pipe Band Championships which will feature numerous bands from across N.Ireland and Scotland.

10. This year the Highland Games will see an expanded action packed programme of events including live wrestling, additional music stages, more local foods, pop-up restaurants, shopping, a new kids zone.The week long community events which take place after the Highland Games feature the largest range of sporting activities featured at any Festival in Northern Ireland. Events include beach mounted relay, Dalraida wipeout, bubbleball soccer tournament, kids duathlon, sprint triathlon, super endurocross, Dalriada 5k and 10k run, rowing and sailing regatta.  Closing the festivities will be the ever spectacular rowing/sailing regatta, street fair, live music and fireworks finale.

Adrian Morrow, Festival Director, commented;

“ It is hard to believe that the 5^th P&O Ferries Dalraida Festival is almost upon us.  We say it takes months of preparation but we are already planning next year’s festival which will also be a landmark year at Glenarm Castle as it will be the 20th year of the Highland Games.  We are very proud of our festival and it is testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff, volunteers and the people of Glenarm that thousands of visitors participate and leave wanting to return the following year. Our partners and sponsors, P&O Ferries, UTV, Tourism NI plus many more, are an essential part of our festival family and it is thanks to them that we continue to deliver a diverse and ever expanding programme every year. Every year we are building and striving to be better than the next and this year is no exception. We cannot wait to welcome all our visitors and hope that they will join us for our landmark year in 2016.”

For further information including Highland Games day passes (book online and SAVE 20%), Saturday evening concert tickets (£28.50) and camping packages visit www.dalriadafestival.co.uk and www.ticketmaster.ie

Minister Michelle O’Neill and DARD officials are visiting this year’s Castlewellan Show on Saturday 18^th July and the committee are looking forward to showing off the best of local agriculture, food and rural pursuits.

With dog agility, show jumping, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, pigs and home industries spread across fifty acres of Castlewellan Forest Park we are all set to offer a great day out for all the family.   The Show offers a great opportunity to enable children to get close to a range of animals with kid goats, lambs, NI Rabbit Club, alpacas as well as an array of livestock. Visitors will get a chance to try out felt making, weaving, straw making and watch the blacksmith and cookery demonstrations.  The County Down Young Farmers are set to entertain the crowds with tug of war, tractor driving and water games.

This year there is a fashion tent which will also house a farm model display and the tea tent promises traybakes galore.    Judges including our Show Patron celebrity journalist Karen Patterson will be circulating for the Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gentlemen.  There is a small pet competition with entries on the day.  Over 400 traders will be promoting agricultural machinery, environmental products, outdoor furniture, garden plants, farm toys, local crafts and homemade food products.  The Farm Family Health Check screening unit will be there so you find out your blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as get general health advice.

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 ISA Final of the Yearling Colt/Gelding All Ireland Championship will appeal and the Ridden and Working Hunter classes are up this year.

Castlewellan Show is renowned for the quality of livestock with entries strong across cattle, sheep and goat classes and the new Blue Textel class proving popular.  The rabbits’ section has increased and poultry entries continue to grow.  The goats will be occupying their usual location and the two day competition has been retained.  The pig section offers an opportunity to see some of the rare breeds and less familiar pigs

In access of 120 dogs will be competing dog agility classes, so bring a seat along and grab a good spot beside the ring.   Then head over to the Home Industries tent  where you can peruse the 800 entries in home baking, jams, crafts, photography, art  and the scarecrows.  If all that makes you thirsty you can have a tea and scone in the vintage tea tent or a stronger tipple at the bar.

The Show appreciates the ongoing support from Down District Council as well as our new sponsor EDA Media and aims to attract people from throughout the island to enjoy the Mournes area.  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

Sat 11 July – Friday 17 July

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 11: Bricks4Kidz Lego Workshop

Sun 12: Science Show: ‘Science Magic’, Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 12 July, Live Music at the Bandstand

Ward Park, Bangor

Free entertainment, 3pm – 5pm

Join us for the summer season of FREE live music every Sunday in Ward Park, with a fantastic line up of eclectic music that everyone is sure to enjoy.

This week’s act: The Amigos (Popular Mix)

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 12 July, Kids “Mini-beasts” Nature Trail and Bird Box Making

Crawfordsburn Country Park

Tickets: £5

Join local Naturalist “Woody” for a for a creative exploration of Crawfordsburn Country Park

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 12 July, Strangford Lough Pirate Boat Tour

Tour departs from The Slipway, Portaferry

Tickets: £10 (Ad), £9 (Con), £5 (Ch)

Join Captain Codfish’s motley crew to search Strangford Lough for treasured tales of Pirates from bygone years.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Tuesday 14 July, Comber Historical Walking Tour

Departs from The Square, Comber

Tickets: £3

Join us on a tour to discover points of interest as you stroll through the hometown of Thomas Andrews, designer of the Titanic.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Wednesday 15 July, Bangor Castle Walled Garden Tour

Tour departs from the bandstand in the Walled Garden

Free tour

This popular tour provides an insight into the garden’s history, its restoration and the vast array of plants, fruits and vegetables which are grown there.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Thursday 16 July, Bangor Abbey Graveyard Tour

Tour departs from Bangor Abbey

Tickets: £3

Uncover the history behind Bangor Abbey’s most famous graves and memorials.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 18 July – Friday 24 July

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 18: Louie the Magician and Caricaturist’

Sun 19: Clayrazy, Children’s Crafts, Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 19 July, Live Music at the Bandstand

Ward Park, Bangor

Free entertainment, 3pm – 5pm

Join us for the summer season of FREE live music every Sunday in Ward Park, with a fantastic line up of eclectic music that everyone is sure to enjoy.

This week’s act: The Russian Dolls (Country Rock)

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 19 July, Summer Band Concert

Conway Square, Newtownards

Free entertainment, 3pm – 4pm

Join us for the summer season of FREE band concerts every Sunday in Newtownards, Comber or Donaghadee.

This week’s band: Ards Silver Band

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Wednesday 23 –Sunday 26 July, Donaghadee Ulster Scots Festival

Various Locations, Donaghadee

Celebrate the town’s strong Ulster-Scots heritage with an extensive programme of themed entertainment, including live music, a cookery masterclass, Living History Fayre and themed tours.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 18 July, Nautical Past, Short Sea Cruise Belfast Lough

Tour departs from The Jetty, Bangor
Tickets: £10

Discover the rich nautical history of Belfast Lough as you explore Bangor’s role in World War I and II

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 19 July, Copeland Island Boat Tour

Departs from Donaghadee Harbour

Tickets: £8 (Ad), £7 (Con), £4 (Ch)

Departing from Donaghadee your trip to Copeland Island will be enhanced by tails of those who have travelled across that stretch of water over the centuries.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 19 July, Helens Bay in 2 World Wars: St Johns Church and Grey Point Fort

Tour departs from St John’s Church car park, Helens Bay

Tickets: £3

This fascinating Tour of two of North Down’s hidden gems explores their strong connections to both World Wars.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Thursday 23 July, Newtownards Historical Walking Tour

Tour departs from Town Hall, Newtownards

Tickets: £3

Discover the wealth of historical treasures Newtownards has to offer and how some of history’s most notable civilians including the Normans, Celts and Vikings shaped the town.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk visitardsandnorthdown.com

Exhibitions

North Down Museum, Bangor

Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall) BT20 4BT

T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free

Thursday 2 July – Saturday 1

Here Comes The Bride – Come along and enjoy an exhibition of bridal dresses from over the decades, on loan to the Museum from local ladies.

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ

T: 028 4272 9882. Admission Free

Tuesday 30 June – Wednesday 29 July

Maritime Exhibition by Portaferry and Strangford Trust – This exhibition will showcase the great maritime past of the ports of Portaferry and Strangford.

Saturday 4 – Saturday 25 July

Art in the Loft – ‘Portaferry Reflections’ – Portaferry Art Society’s annual exhibition.

A new study commissioned by HBO has revealed that one in four adults choose where to go on their next getaway based on their favourite TV show or movie.

And with Northern Ireland playing a starring role in HBO’s Game of Thrones®, Tourism Northern Ireland has welcomed news that The Causeway Coast and Glens has been placed third in a list of 30 film and TV destinations adults most want to visit.

Northern Ireland joins a cast of hit productions with New Zealand where Lord of the Rings was filmed topping the bill, while New York takes second place for popular TV series Sex and the City.

Tourism Northern Ireland’s Director of Product Development Laura McCorry said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Causeway Coast and Glens has been placed third in the list of film and TV destinations adults most want to visit. We join some of the biggest names in film and TV including locations where blockbuster films Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter were filmed as well as hit TV series Sex and the City, Downton Abbey and Broadchurch.

“It comes as no surprise to Tourism Northern Ireland that the Causeway Coast and Glens has been placed in the top three of this list. It is an absolutely stunning part of the world with rugged landscapes, breath taking scenery and a fascinating history of myths and legends and also offers visitors lots to see and do along the route.

“Thanks to Game of Thrones®, Northern Ireland’s stunning mountains, forests, lakes and countryside are now familiar to millions of people around the world having helped create the magical backdrop that much of the show’s action is filmed against. Whilst the scenery is amazing onscreen, there is nothing like seeing the stunning sights for yourself and we look forward to continuing to welcome TV viewers from around the world in the years to come,” Laura added.

Some of the locations based across the Causeway Coast and Glens that Game of Thrones® fans can visit for themselves include The Dark Hedges which is King’s Road, Downhill Beach/Dragonstone, Larrybane/The Stormlands, Ballintoy Harbour/Pyke, The Iron Islands, Cushendun Caves/The Stormlands, Cairncastle/North of Winterfell, Murlough Bay/Storm’s End and Slemish/Dothraki Grasslands.

The Northern Ireland industry has really embraced the global interest in Game of Thrones® and developed a range of exciting visitor experiences– self guided, guided tours and immersive experiences such as replica costumes, themed menus and interactive adventures.

For further information on the Games of Thrones® filming locations or to book a short break in Northern Ireland click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/gameofthrones.

Theatre at The Mill is delighted to celebrate our 5^th Anniversary of summer youth projects with a special performance of Lionel Bart’s classic musical Oliver!, Friday 24 July to Saturday 1 August.

Come join us for this summer treat featuring some of Northern Ireland’s most talented young artists, under the direction of leading director Sean McNamara and his team.  Musical Director, Mark Dougherty leads a band of professional and young musicians as they accompany the cast through memorable musical numbers including: Food Glorious Food, I’d Do Anything, Where is love?, Consider Yourself, As Long as He Needs Me, Who Will Buy, and the classic I’m Reviewing the Situation.

Lionel Bart’s sparkling musical adaption of Charles Dicken’s novel tells the story of 9 year old orphan Oliver Twist who falls in with a group of street-urchin pickpockets led by the Artful Dodger and mastermind by the wily and devious criminal Fagin. When Oliver’s intended victim, Mr Brownlow, takes pity on the lad and offers him a home, Fagin’s partner in crime, Bill Sikes, conspires to kidnap the boy to him from talking.

Tickets: £15, £13, £11 (Concession Available)

Time: 7pm nightly and 2:30pm (Sat 1 Aug)

(The performance at 2:30pm on Saturday 1 August will be a relaxed performance.)

To secure your seats for Oliver! please visit our website www.theatreatthemill.com or call our box office on 028 90340202

Join us for an encore screening of the Shakespeare classic The Merchant of Venice by the Royal Shakespeare Company Saturday 25 July in the stunning setting of Mossley Mill’s Civic Square.

By special arrangement, Shakespeare’s uncompromising tragedy will be transmitted on the big screen in a magical outdoor theatre experience. This is a unique opportunity to experience this new production by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Polly Findlay (Arden of Faversham 2014) directs Shakespeare’s uncompromising play with Makram J. Khoury, one of the most celebrated actors in Israel, in his RSC debut as Shylock. The cast also includes Patsy Ferran as Portia, also making her RSC debut following her recent role as Jim in Treasure Island at the National Theatre and Jamie Ballard, returning to the RSC as Antonio, following Written on the Heart and Measure for Measure (2011).

In the melting pot of Venice, trade is God. With its ship plying the globe, the city opens its arms to all, as long as they come prepared to do business and there is profit to be made. With gold flowing all is well, but when a contract between Bassanio and Shylock looks to exact the ultimate price for a deal sealed in blood.

For the full outdoor theatre experience, audiences are encouraged to bring their own picnics, rugs and low back seating along to the event as well as clothing suitable for all weather conditions.

Tickets: £20 & £18 (Concession)

Show time: 9:00pm (Grounds open 8:00pm)

Northern Ireland has a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for the perfect short break and Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

• 1 night Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Europa Hotel, Belfast. From £80pps. Enjoy overnight luxury accommodation with Full Irish Breakfast, plus 4 course dinner in the bistro style Causerie Restaurant and complimentary WIFI in the public areas of the hotel. To book call (028) 9027 1066. Available until July 31.

• 4 night Midweek Break, Finn Lough – Waterside Lodges, Leggs, Enniskillen. From £21pp per night. Summer at Finn Lough means the great outdoors, building tree forts, exploring the lake on your Hobie kayaks and lakeside barbecues…but most importantly it means family and precious time spent together enjoying the abandon of summer. To book call (0) 2868 380360. Available until September 30.

For further information, contact TNI on 028 9023 1221 or view on www.discovernorthernireland.com/offers.

This summer, W5 are pleased to introduce RoboThespian, the newest member of their team. RoboThespian is a life sized, humanoid, interactive robot who can move, speak, educate, interact and entertain.

Made by British company Engineered Arts Ltd, RoboThespian is the world’s first commercial robot that behaves like a person. Now in its third generation, with more than ten years of continuous development, RoboThespian has been used in academic research institutions around the world and visitor attractions such as NASA Space Centre in Florida.

Adrian Lutton, Head of Exhibitions, Design, and Marketing at W5 explains;

“RoboThespian is primarily a robot actor and performer. He is fully interactive, user friendly, and capable of communicating and entertaining in a way that few people will have experienced before. This humanoid robot can be controlled by the visitor, via a touchscreen panel, and can sing, greet, inform, act and even do impressions. Visitors can choose from a wide range of pre-programmed performance sequences or can even control RoboThespian’s movement and voice to create performance pieces of their own!

In 2014, we introduced Climbit, the first multi-story climbing structure of its kind in the UK and Ireland and in May 2015 we introduced RoboThespian, the first robot of it’s kind in Ireland. W5 are continuing to add to and enhance the visitor experience by bringing new innovative interactives to fire the spirit of discovery in everyone.”

Will Jackson, Founder and Director of Cornish-based Engineered Arts Ltd is the world’s only maker of commercially available life sized humanoid robots. They are produced in a factory in Penryn, Cornwall. Jackson states;

“I made my first robot when I was 12 years old, it was a thing with 2 wheels and it scuttled off underneath the bed with a felt tip pen and coloured the carpet purple. When I founded Engineered Arts in 2004, I had the slightly more ambitious idea to create an interactive humanoid robot that could communicate with and entertain science museum visitors all day long. Now we make RoboThespian humanoid robots, each with individual personalities that are loved by people all over the world.

We are delighted that the first RoboThespian to travel to the island of Ireland is joining the team at W5 and look forward to following his adventures.”

To celebrate the arrival of RoboThespian, W5 have jam packed the summer with robotic events programmed to amaze and entertain! For further information visit www.w5online.co.uk.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (July 6-12).

• Mr Stink, Bangor Castle Walled Garden, Castle Park, Bangor, Co Down, July 2-5. Enjoy an outdoor show packed with fun, humour and a heart-warming message suitable for the whole family. Watch the fabulous characters from the celebrated novel by David Walliams come to life in Heartbreak Productions’ adaptation of Mr. Stink for the outdoor stage. Shows: 2pm & 6pm.

• Ulster Scots Festival, Reivers House, Newcastle Street, Kilkeel, Co Down, until July 11. Come along and experience our Ulster-Scots culture at first hand. The festival will highlight the best of Ulster-Scots traditional music and dance performances. This will include highland dancers, fifes, Lambeg drums and traditional fiddles. Children’s entertainment will also be available.

• Summer Concert at Downhill Demesne, Mussenden Temple, Seacoast Road, Downhill, Co Londonderry, July 11.  The National Trust presents an evening of acoustical pleasure in the stunningly beautiful surroundings of Mussenden Temple. For timings follow on Facebook.

• Maiden of the Mournes Festival, Warrenpoint, Co Down, July 9-16. The Maiden of the Mournes International Festival continues to offer something for everyone from the free open air musical entertainment each evening, the children’s events, the fireworks display, sports events, the festival banquet, brass and accordion bands, through to the Selection and Crowning of the ‘Maiden of the Mournes’.

• Armagh City Walking Tours, departing from Armagh Visitor Information Centre, English Street, Armagh, Co Armagh, July 8 – August 29.  For those who want to explore everything the Ecclesiastical capital has to offer, a guided walking tour is a must. You’ll walk through Armagh’s rich history as you hear stories and anecdotes about the area, learn about the City’s renowned Georgian architecture and stroll along the distinct cobbled streets as you unearth some of the City’s hidden gems along the way. Tour Times: Wed – Sat 11am and 12.30pm.

• Summer Extravaganza at Share, Shanaghy, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, until August 31. Enjoy an exciting and innovative activity programme at Share Extravaganza including archery, banana boating, canoeing, climbing, orienteering, circus skills, combat corps, sailing, windsurfing and mountain biking.

• Rogue Robots – A Lasertag Activity, W5 at Odyssey, Queen’s Quay, Belfast, until August 30. Have you got what it takes to be a member of RoboSquad? Rogue Robots is W5’s new lasertag activity for summer 2015 and is a fun challenge for all the family. So get yourself down to W5 and take part in a short, story driven challenge to deactivate as many robot targets as you can in the time available.

• Ballycastle Town Market, Ballycastle Sea Front, Ballycastle, Co Antrim, July 12 and 13. At the Ballycastle Town Markets there are some amazing local artisan producers, artists and crafters displaying and selling their goods. You can also meet the makers, try some local produce and learn more about the goods they produce and sell. Opening times: 11am-4pm.

• ‘The Holy, Holy Bus’, Lyric Theatre, Belfast, until July 10. Head down to the Lyric Theatre for a hilariously madcap adventure about love, hope, happiness and faith. ‘The Holy, Holy Bus’ will have you laughing, crying and even praying for some divine inspiration along the journey! Show times: Tues – Sat 7.45pm / Sat & Sun 2.30pm.

• Children’s Street Theatre, Station Square, Kerr Street, Portrush, Co Antrim, from July 10 – Aug 31. Come and join us for a fun filled afternoon with excitement and laughter at your local Street Theatre in the heart of Portrush. It is a free family entertainment event on a weekly basis as part of the Causeway Coast and Glens Council’s programme of summer entertainment. Suitable for all ages. From 1.30pm.

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.

Down

The Comber Potato Festival begins on Thursday 2nd July with the Comber Farmers market, a Cookery Masterclass from Radio Ulster’s resident chef Paula McIntyre and a Potato Festival pub quiz in North Down House.  The festival Tractor Run and BBQ will then take place on Friday 3rd July, starting at 7pm in Parkway.  Comber Earlies will be then be available for sampling at the Comber Potato Festival on Saturday 4th July from 10am to 5pm, along with other local artisan producers who will have the very finest of local produce on display and also featuring cookery demonstrations, celebrity chefs, vintage tractors, children’s activities, live music and a petting farm.  The event draws to a close on Sunday 5 July with a Thanksgiving Service in Comber Square at 3.30pm.

Armagh

Armagh’s iconic Mall will come alive with the sound of music throughout July as it plays host to a series of musical performances on the bandstand each Friday and Saturday.  The free musical events will showcase a wide selection of local musicians ranging from the world-famous Armagh Rhymers to easy listening jazz music, Irish folk music, silver bands, classical brass ensembles and traditional music. Two performances will take place each day with the afternoon performance from 4.30pm – 5.45pm and the evening music commencing at 6.15pm – 7.30pm.

Fermanagh

The Bash at the Bridge – Carrybridge rock and blues outdoor festival takes place this weekend 4th and 5th July featuring some of Ireland’s best bands including Million Dollar Reload, Trucker Diablo, BillyBoy Miskimmin’s Mercy Lounge and Kaz Hawkins and her Band O’ Men. Support bands include Blues Direct, Enniskillen’s own Sidewalk Boogie. Saturday bands midday to midnight. The Hardchargers play in the Lodge on Friday night (Free to ticket holders or £5 at door). Free camping available from Friday night to Sunday midday. Tickets £25 online and in person at Carrybridge Lakeside Lodge and Carson’s Ecowash, Tempo Rd Enniskillen. Food, drink and band merchandise available on site.

Tyrone

Following their very successful CD launch in the autumn, the Monday Men return to the Square Box Dungannon this Saturday 4th July with an exciting new show.  In celebration of 4th July, Independence Day, this concert will have a distinctly American theme, charting the journey of traditional folk through to contemporary rock.  The Monday Men play clear, confident and classy arrangements and present old songs with a new twist.  You will find something to make you think, something to provoke memories and a whole lot to smile about. With over 150 years’ experience between the members, musical diversity is assured.

Derry/Londonderry/Legenderry

Limavady  celebrate local food and food producers in the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre and Drumceatt Square this Saturday 4th July. Watch cookery demonstrations, sample and purchase some of the tasty produce for sale. There will be free entertainment for children and special offers in local shops.

Antrim

Join young Mary Lennox as she unlocks the mystery of the secret garden accompanied by an array of woodland friends this Thursday 2^nd July.  This is an outdoor performance in the Civic Square at Mossley Mill Newtownabbey and will go ahead in all weather.  This enchanting story, loved by children and adults alike, is brought alive with music, song and beautiful woodland puppet creatures.  For the full outdoor theatre experience, audiences are encouraged to bring their own picnics, rugs and low back seating along to the event as well as clothing suitable for all weather conditions.  Performance Time 7pm.

Belfast

Rogue Robots is W5’s new lasertag activity for summer 2015 and is a fun challenge for all the family (W5 actively encourage mums and dads to join in too!) Take part in a short, story driven challenge to deactivate as many robot targets as you can in the time available.  This challenge activity lasts around 5 minutes and is free with admission to W5. Rogue Robots Lasertag is suitable for 6 year olds and over. Young children must be accompanied by an adult.

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