The magic of Carnfunnock Country Park is about to be revealed to visitors and help to chase away the autumnal darkness.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Halloween event was recently launched by the Mayor, Councillor Billy Ashe, who said: “The Enchanted Twilight Garden will offer a magical feast for the senses and for all ages.

“I would encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the free entertainment at Carnfunnock on Saturday 31st October 2015.”

On All Hallows Eve, when darkness falls and the stars begin to glitter, the secrets of Carnfunnock will be revealed beyond the Walled Garden ancient boundaries.

The event aims to guide visitors through a ‘secret parting of the hedge’ into a magical ‘other world’ that can only be seen at twilight.

Visitors can meet the 1,000 year-old ‘Oracle of the Gates’ at his desk where names will be checked and logged in the legendary ‘Book of Imagination’ and after receiving a special enchanted gift, a journey of exploration into a realm of magic can begin.

Those attending will walk illuminated pathways and encounter a world of fairies, pixies, trolls, goblins and other enchanted creatures.

Ethereal music will fill the air as they explore Carnfunnock at twilight amongst the twinkling trees and glowing laneways.

There will also be a chance to hone archery skills just like heroes of old, listen to stories, watch the owls, create some art and of course an opportunity to enter the annual pumpkin competition.

For any little witches, wizards, pixies and trolls, the eyes of the enchanted garden will be searching the park for magically attired individuals and awarding them with a prize.

The Enchanted Twilight Garden has been organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and sponsored by Translink and Caterpillar, Northern Ireland. Premiere Circus and Lighting Artist Walter Holt will be creating ‘The Enchanted Twilight Garden’.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has expressed sincere thanks to Translink and Caterpillar, Northern Ireland for their kind sponsorship of this year’s event.

Translink Service Delivery Manager Martin Lundy said: “We are pleased to support Mid and East Antrim Borough Council by providing a hassle-free shuttle service to bring visitors to this fantastic family event.

“This Halloween we are also encouraging people to take advantage of our special tickets available from October 24–November 8 such as the Translink Family & Friends Ticket and Bus Rambler Ticket.

“We are also holding a Translink Goldline Roadshow in Larne Main Street at bus stop outside Dunnes Stores on Saturday 31st October, 11 – 3pm.

“This special event will highlight the direct, frequent and great value Goldline coach services available with Smartlink journey savings of over 30% compared to cash fares as well as a third-off day return tickets after 9.30am.

“We look forward to welcoming more people on board our services to enjoy fun Autumnal days out exploring Northern Ireland,” he said.

Robert Kennedy, Caterpillar Northern Ireland’s Operations Director, commented: “We know from our own employees that local people have a special affection for the Halloween activities at Carnfunnock, and we congratulate the council on another creative and impressive-sounding programme.

“I have no doubt it will prove popular again this year and we are very pleased to get behind it.”

The event will run from 5pm-8pm and it will take approximately 30-45 minutes to tour the garden.

Last admission to the gardens and maze will be at 7.30pm. The garden will be accessible from the lower car park gate.

Admission to the event is free; however car parking charges within Carnfunnock will apply. Parking within Carnfunnock Country Park is limited.

A free bus service will be provided from a temporary Park and Ride at Caterpillar Northern Ireland (Old Glenarm Road) car park, Larne Town Centre and Ballygally.

Car parking will also be available at Drains Bay Car Park and Carnfunnock Bay Car Park. Visitors choosing to walk into the park from Drains Bay Car Park or Carnfunnock Bay Car Park should use the paths provided and bring a torch.

Disabled access is through the lower car park gate entrance.  The exit point will be at the Home Farm Lane gate or the lower car park gate. The Maze will only be accessible via the Walled Garden.

Craft lovers are in for a treat when the finest in handmade artistry will be on display in Solitude Park, Banbridge on Saturday 24 October with the arrival of the annual Craft Fair as part of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Autumn Arts programme.

Running from 10.30am – 4.00pm, this year’s event offers up an even greater selection of arts and crafts showcasing the work of artists and craftspeople from across Northern Ireland and further afield.

The Autumn Arts Craft Fair is the perfect place to pick up some unique, exclusive and handcrafted gifts including jewellery, candles, ceramics, glassware, fine furniture and much more.

As well as providing opportunities for a spot of retail therapy, the Craft Fair will also feature live music and street theatre plus children’s entertainment including face painting, balloon modelling and superb drop-in workshops with local artist Rachael O’Neill. Local restaurant Sugar Supper Club will be serving up tasty hot and cold treats and refreshments. To add to the festivities Banbridge town centre will also be hosting a packed programme of street entertainment throughout the day.

So why not pick up an early Christmas present or two or maybe just treat yourself with something a little special. Admission is only £2 for adults and £1 concession.

The Autumn Arts programme detailing all events and activities throughout the festival are widely available from a number of outlets throughout the Borough and online at  www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

For further information about Autumn Arts contact Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Leisure and Development Department on 028 4066 0605.

Terms and conditions : All packages are based per person sharing and based on two persons. All packages are non refundable and non amendable and must be prepaid at the time of booking.

Updated 29th July, 2016.

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.

· Value Break, Maldron Hotel, Derry, Co. Londonderry. From £99pps. As the only hotel located within Derry’s historic walls, the Maldron Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore the city. Enjoy a two night stay, with a two course meal on the evening of your choice, two cocktails per person on the evening of your choice, and a £20 gift card to spend in the nearby Foyleside Shopping Centre. Breakfast each morning is also included. Available until Dec 13. To book call (028) 7137 1000. Please quote promo code: Autumn Leaves, when booking.

· Golf Breaks, Galgorm Resort and Spa, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. From £85pps. Galgorm is the perfect venue for the ultimate golfing experience. Play 18 holes at Galgorm Castle’s Championship Golf Club, home to this year’s NI Open, and enjoy an overnight stay in Galgorm Resort and Spa. The offer includes full Irish breakfast, use of the thermal spa facilities and transfers to and from the golf club. Available until Dec 13. To book call (028) 2588 1001. Please quote promo code: Autumn Leaves, when booking.

· Romance For Two, Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. From £160pps. Ideally located in the heart of County Tyrone, Silverbirch is a family run hotel where you will instantly feel at home. This amazing offer includes a two night stay in the hotel, with full Irish breakfast each morning, four course dinner in Barretta Bar and Grill on the evening of your choice with Demi Carafe of House Wine per person, a choice of luxury facial or full body massage per person, and exclusive use of the hot tub area with bubbly and chocolates. Available until Dec 1. To book call (028) 8556 7898.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (October 19-25).

• City of Derry International Choral Festival, St. Columb’s Hall, Derry~Londonderry, Co. Londonderry, October 22-25. Created as a joyous celebration of choral music-making, the festival provides opportunities for competitive and non-competitive participation for singers across a wide range of styles, ensembles and ages. Aside from the competitive focus, the City of Derry comes alive with pop-up performances, high-quality concerts and educational activities providing a celebration of everything choral music has to offer. Various times.

• Nine Nights, Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square, Belfast, October 24. Prepare to be enthralled, entranced … perhaps even a tiny bit bewildered!  For one incredible, never-to-be-repeated night, the art and traditions of India will cast their exotic spell over Belfast as the city hosts the vast and vibrant ‘Nine Nights’ production inspired by age-old Indian folklore. This event is free for all to attend and no tickets are required. Just come along and enjoy the show!  Begins at 7.30pm.

• The Mourne Skyline Mountain Trail Race, Newcastle, Co. Down, October 24. The Mourne Skyline Mountain Trail Race is a 35k race set in the heart of the scenic Mourne Mountains. The race starts and finishes in the seaside town of Newcastle. Competitors will enjoy magnificent scenery on what can only be described as a tough but rewarding course. A race briefing will take place at 7.45am.

• Seapark Fireworks, Seapark Recreation Ground, Holywood, Co. Down, October 24. Enjoy a night of food, fireworks and fun. This popular event returns with family favourites including a fun fair, food fair, live music and much more. From 4pm and fireworks from 7.45pm.

• An Evening Of Irish Horror, The Market Place Theatre, Market Street, Armagh, Co. Armagh, October 22. An Evening Of Irish Horror is the perfect scare for when the air gets cold and the night grows dark. Two classic Irish spook stories are reanimated in the darkness, with live music. Begins at 8pm.

• Fright Night At The Courthouse Cookstown, Chapel Street, Co. Tyrone, October 22-31. This Halloween, the Old Courthouse will be opening its doors from October 22 for a frightful fear fest that is not recommended for the faint hearted! Show times: 7pm, 7.15pm, 7.30pm, 7.45pm and 8pm.

• Hallowe’en Fest and Craft Fair, Florencecourt, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, October 25. Come along for a spooktacular afternoon! Enjoy the hallowe’en craft fair and meet the gardener to find out what it takes to grow the perfect pumpkin, find some scary beasts on a children’s trail, or take a spooky house tour to meet the ghosts and ghouls of Florence Court … if you dare!  Opening times: 10am – 4pm.

• Heroes and Legends, Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, October 24-25. Heroes, legends and even some villains will assemble at the all-new Eikon Exhibition Centre for a magical event. Meet Darth Vader, train as a Jedi and enjoy a dramatic show as the good guys clash with the dark side. Includes Gamers, Superhero stand and characters from Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park, Disney and so much more.  Various show times.

• Halloween at Cockle Row Cottages, The Harbour, Groomsport, Co. Down, October 25. Bring your little monsters along to Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport for a ghoulish day of free family fun. Party Animals NI will be on hand with snakes, lizards, a meerkat and lots of other creepy creatures. There will also be spooky craft making and glitter tattoos and traditional music will have your feet tapping.  Cottages open: 11am – 5pm. family fun: 1pm – 4pm.

• BBC Big Band Frank & Ella, Ulster Hall, Bedford Street, Belfast, October 23. Join the internationally renowned BBC Big Band for a celebration of two of the finest and most iconic entertainers of our time, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Featuring acclaimed vocalists Elaine Delmar and Jeff Hooper, the band will recreate the classic songs that made them stars – such as ‘The Lady is a Tramp’, ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’, ‘That Old Black Magic’ and ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’.

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

Be part of the Big Draw 2015 event and draw your way on to a giant map of Bangor Town.  Come along to The Hub at Project 24 on Saturday 17th October and join Bangor Shared Space and the Project 24 Artists for a day of drawing and fun.

Armagh

Are you a BIG fan of animation love watching superheroes and quirky animated shows?  If YES then you’ll love this fantastic two day workshop – Animation for Children brought to you by the Market Place Theatre.  Introducing Animation brings to life a world where anything can happen direct from your own imagination. In the first session, get to know and experiment with different methods of stop-motion animation. Once you’ve seen the possibilities you can start making characters and sets for your own short animation. In the second week, you’ll shoot your own animation before adding sound effects or music and uploading to YouTube. Please note this workshop will take place at the Amma Centre 17^th and 24^th October.

Fermanagh

SHARE’S County Night this Thursday evening will be hosted by the following 9 Country Acts.  Aidan Clerkin, Brian Kerrigan, Gerry Mac, Karl Kirpatrick, Malcom Coulter, Paul Kelly, Seany Mac, Vincy Walmsley, Sean Corrigan.  The event is held in SHARE’S Arena where there is plenty of room to dance!

Tyrone
The Craic Theatre presents the classic musical “Calamity Jane” opening Thursday 15th October and running  for four performances 16th & 17th at 8.00pm nightly and Sunday 18th with a matinee performance at  3.00pm.  £10 Adults, £5 concession children under 16.

Derry

The Guildhall Derry/Londonderry Wedding Fayre, presented by Perfect Bliss Wedding Events takes place this Sunday 18th October from 2.00pm-5.00pm.  Catwalk Show 4:30pm, admission is free.

Antrim

Good fairies, and the more mischievous kind, will weave their magic at the Woodland Trust’s Oakfield Glen in Carrickfergus on the evening of Saturday 17th October, from 6pm to 9pm.  Fairy friends will entertain and keep a watchful eye over woodland visitors.  Gather round the campfire to toast marshmallows; enjoy live fiddle music and storytelling.  Little ones will have the chance to make their own lanterns, from recycled materials.

Belfast

The Ulster Bank Belfast International Arts Festival presents the Animotion Show this Sunday 18th October. The live chemistry between renowned virtuoso percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and acclaimed Russian visual artist Maria Rud, delivers a sound and image fusion that is truly unforgettable. Maria’s iconic images are beamed live, as she paints them, onto the walls of the Belfast City Hall by projection artist Ross Ashton.  The audience enjoy not just beautiful paintings on this stunning building but also the process of painting itself as they witness each brush stroke and developing form as images materialise and transform to be then swept away and replaced by something new. The effect is breath-taking. Admission is free but booking is essential.

Add your events free at www.whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.

Jamie Oliver Group and Guinness head up conference to help local businesses and students

NORTHERN Ireland’s leading collection of hotels has announced the line-up for its annual Digi-Talk conference, and once again it has a tasty line up of big names including leading experts from the Jamie Oliver Group and Guinness.

Taking place on Thursday November 5 in the Europa Hotel, the innovative conference, which is endorsed by the University of Ulster, aims to help local businesses and students find out more about the growing realm of digital marketing.

Steve Cardwell from the Jamie Oliver Group, Lisa Fitzsimons from Guinness Western Europe and David Douglas from digital agency Ebow will discuss a range of topics including the importance of online marketing for brands and the growing trend of advertising via YouTube. In addition to this Guinness will share the story behind the evolution of marketing in a long established worldwide brand.

Delegates will also have the unique opportunity to ask questions, interact and learn from the industry leaders and take part in breakout workshops.

Hannah Corbett of Hastings Hotels said: “We are delighted to launch Digi-Talk 2015, which is taking place at the Europa Hotel on Thursday November 5, with the aim of helping local businesses and students find out more about the fast-paced, growing world of digital marketing.

“Once again, we have secured a fantastic line-up of speakers from well-known brands at the forefront of social media including the Jamie Oliver Group, Guinness and local company Ebow who will share their knowledge and provide plenty of topical information to professionals and students in Northern Ireland,” Hannah added.

Digi-Talk 2015 is endorsed by the University of Ulster and supported by the premium hotel booking agent Avvio. For further information on Digi-Talk 2015 or to secure your place call Hannah Corbett on 028 9067 4168 or email hannah@hastingshotels.com

WITH Halloween creeping around the corner and the goblins and ghouls coming out to play, Hastings Hotels has launched a frighteningly good Halloween themed Afternoon Tea at two of its hotels.

Enjoy a fun afternoon of dining for the whole family at the Everglades Hotel in Derry~Londonderry and Ballygally Castle on the scenic North Antrim Coast with spooktacular treats including spine-tinglingly tasty sandwiches, freshly baked scones, buns and loads of scary delights to sink your teeth into. This spookily scrumptious special Afternoon Tea is available every afternoon from October 23rd – November 1^st.

Why not make a night of it and enjoy a spooky stay over at Ballygally Castle from only £70 per person with Halloween Afternoon Tea on arrival followed by a luxurious overnight stay and full Irish breakfast the following morning.

Visitors to Ballygally Castle who are brave enough can also take a trip to the Ghost Room to see if they can spot Lady Isabella Shaw, the hotel’s friendly ghost who has been around for 400 years. The wife of Lord James Shaw gave birth to a baby girl, much to the dismay of her husband who wanted a son. Lord Shaw snatched the baby from his wife and locked her in a room at the top of the castle. While trying to escape to search for her child, the theory is that Lady Isabella fell to her death from the tower window.

Joanne Harvey, Group Marketing Manager of Hastings Hotels said: “Halloween is a fun time for all the family and with fantastic events taking place all over Northern Ireland, the Everglades Hotel and Ballygally Castle are the places to be to enjoy a special themed Halloween Afternoon Tea. Ballygally Castle also offers a really unique Halloween experience in the company of our resident ghost Lady Isabella Shaw.”

To book Halloween Afternoon Tea at one of the hotels or a spooky stay over at Ballygally Castle, call 028 9047 1066 or for further information go to www.hastingshotels.com

Northern Ireland’s favourite vintage shopping event, the spectacular Frock Around The Clock Vintage & Handmade Fair, will be returning to Bangor for its Fall into Winter extravaganza, appearing at Clandeboye Lodge on Sunday 1^st November.

This event will mark the 7^th Birthday of Frock Around The Clock and, now entering its 8^th year of delighting customers from all over Ireland, Frock Fairs still remain dedicated to sourcing the best in vintage dealers and fresh creative talent, so in addition to many of the old favourites there will also be a number of fresh faces to be seen, providing a spectacular variety of unique, quality and interesting things to see and buy. Whether you are in search of stunning fashion accessories, authentic vintage treasures, beautifully handcrafted designs, or delicious edible goodies, this event has it all! It is the perfect place to make a head start on your Christmas shopping, to find unique gifts for all your family and friends.
The event will showcase around 50 high quality vintage dealers and creative designers from all over Ireland, specialising in vintage, handmade and upcycled fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares, collectibles, stationery, art, skincare, candles, artisan food, haberdashery, photography, children and baby goods, and so much more!

The impressive exhibitor list will include The Honeysuckle Bee and Me, creators of beautiful handcrafted goats milk soap and natural soy wax candles, Norma Jean Vintage, offering a fabulous selection of vintage collectables, The Natural Room Emporium, connoisseurs of authentic vintage furniture and homewares, Laird & Gillie, purveyor of stylish tweed décor & textile art,  Holmes & Moore, specialists in vintage china and collectable books, Bluebird Bakery, creators of scrumptious sweet treats, Ratty Tat Hats, showcasing unique handmade Steampunk millinery, and Emily Loves Vintage offering beautiful, limited-edition eclectic jewellery.

The Fall Into Winter Vintage & Handmade Fair will take place from 12-5pm on Sunday 1^st November 2015 at Clandeboye Lodge, 10 Estate Road, Bangor BT19 1UR.  Admission costs only £3 for adults, and children go free. More information on the event and the exhibitor list can be found at frockfairsni.com and on facebook.com/frockaroundtheclockvintagefairs.