Bring along your youngest scientists for W5’s next Little Sparks toddler sessions on Wednesday 13 April!

Visit W5’s under 8s area, the town of Discovery, and take part in a 25 minute ‘Farmyard Fun!’ workshop as part of your visit!

Children are born natural scientists so why not bring them to W5 to let them imagine, explore, play and have fun? The town of Discovery is a place where children can learn about themselves and the world around them. Get hands-on with its interactive exhibits, play animal sounds in the farmyard, paddle in a virtual rock pool at the beach or flick through digital storybooks in the castle.

Little Sparks will be held one morning a month in W5. (Term time only) Your special Little Sparks ticket allows you entry into W5 from 10 am – 11:30am and sessions are aimed at children aged between 18 months and 4 years. Each session will be themed and will include a 25 minute workshop at 11am with one of W5’s education team. Places are limited and must be pre booked by calling 028 90467790 or 02890467793.

Costs:

• Children 4 and under: £1 Each
• Adults: £5.50
• Additional (non-participating) children over 4: £4.50

Details of up and coming sessions

Farmyard Fun! – 13^th April 2016

Little Bunny has lost his Mummy, can your Little Sparks help him find her? Join him on his journey around the farmyard and learn about the animals he finds. Finish off with some fun farmyard craft to take home.

For further information visit www.w5online.co.uk.

Nicholas Collett performs the award-winning “Nelson – A Sailor’s Tale” at The Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey Thursday April 14th 2016 at 8.00 p.m.

The show had its World Premiere at the GMT International Theatre Festival in Adelaide, South Australia in October 2013. Since then it has been touring the UK as well as appearing as part of Brighton Fringe 2015 and the Edinburgh Festival 2015. The show won Best of Kansas City 2015 Critics Choice and has also played in the hold of the world-famous Cutty Sark in Greenwich.

Inspirational hero, flawed maverick. Tactical genius. Rebel.

Amidst the shot, smoke and din of battle, a surgeon, a midshipman, a gunner and a powder monkey aboard HMS Victory strive to destroy the Combined Fleet of France and Spain. Their fate – and that of their country – lies in the hands of one man – Horatio Nelson. For two hundred years, Vice Admiral, the Right Honourable, the Viscount Nelson KB has stood patiently on his column in Trafalgar Square, watching the world and its many changes, good – and bad. But what happened to the “tars” who served with him? Through their eyes we find out what it was really like at Trafalgar; and in Nelson’s own words, the hero – and the rebel, then – and now.

Below the column in Trafalgar Square, a homeless Falklands veteran shivers in the cold…

Nicholas Collett portrays 16 characters in this thrilling excursion into Royal Navy life in 1805 – the minute-by-minute danger, excitement, tragedy and laughter – drawing sharp parallels with society’s relationship with service personnel today.

Tickets available from Box Office:  028 9034 0202 or online wwwthecourtyardtheatre.com

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is staging two dramatic performances next week, each taking a different look at moments in our history.

From Martin Lynch and Grimes & McKee, the team that brought you ‘The History Of The Troubles [accordin’ to my Da]’, comes the comedy sequel ‘The History Of The Peace [Accordin’ To My Ma!]’. A peaceful tale of street protests, riots, guns, bombings and more riots. Karen Reid is a Belfast community worker struggling to keep house and family together in the face of Northern Ireland’s unique form of peace. Through the 1994 ceasefires, The Good Friday Agreement, The Chuckle Brothers and the ‘fleg’ protests, she fervently believes in a new Northern Ireland.

Thankfully, Karen has the ‘total support’ of her loyal band of friends such as: Fireball (now working in Roselawn Crematorium), her dingbat best friend, Stacy, flute band leader, Roberto, Pineapple the paramilitary, Claire, the secret lesbian, Aaron, the serial ‘fleg’ protester and many more. ‘The History Of The Peace [Accordin’ To My Ma!]’ will be staged on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 April at 8pm. Tickets are priced £18 each. Please note that this performance will contain strong language.

‘Nelson – The Sailor’s Story’ tells the tale of the inspirational hero, the flawed maverick, the tactical genius, and the rebel. Amidst Trafalgar’s shot, smoke and din, the crew of the Victory strive to destroy the Combined Fleet of France and Spain. Below the column in Trafalgar Square, a homeless Falklands veteran shivers in the cold – above, Nelson’s thoughts on the world today. This promises to be a compelling story…highly amusing, sobering and poignant.

‘Nelson – The Sailors’ Story’ will be told on Friday 15 April at 8pm. Tickets are priced £13 and £11 (concession).

Tickets for all performances can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

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

• Three Night Break, Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim, Co. Antrim. From £135pps. Ideally situated in the heart of Northern Ireland just off the M2/M22 motorway junction, the 3-star Dunsilly Hotel is perfect for both business and pleasure trips. Relax, unwind and enjoy a three night stay, with full breakfast and an evening meal on two nights of your choice. Available until 17 April. Quote ‘Spring Offers’ when booking. To book call (028) 9446 2929.

• Spa Break, Culloden Estate and Spa, Holywood, Co. Down. From £155pps. Relax on a spa break at Northern Ireland’s leading 5-star hotel. This offer includes overnight accommodation in one of the Culloden’s exquisitely decorated bedrooms, full Irish breakfast and a 55 minute Espa Spa treatment of your choice. Available until 17 April. Quote ‘Spring Offers’ when booking. To book call (028) 9039 3000.

• Foodie Delight, Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Chalets, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. From £109pps. Enjoy two nights at the 4-star Killyhevlin Hotel, situated on the beautiful shores of Lough Erne. The offer includes a four course meal on each night of your stay, and a full cooked breakfast each morning. In addition, the offer includes use of the Killyhevlin Health Club complete with swimming pool, outdoor hot tub and gym. Available until 31 May. To book call (028) 6632 3481.

For further information log on to www.discovernorthernireland.com/offers.

*All offers are subject to availability.

Down

Enjoy some family fun every weekend in April at the Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport. This Saturday 2^nd April join the CSI Detective workshop and balloon modelling and on Sunday 3rd April there will be children’s crafts and archery.

Armagh

Superman to Batman…choose your superhero and let’s get printing this Saturday 2nd April at the Market Place Theatre. Using foam printing techniques, fabric paints and fabric markers you will create your favourite superhero design that will be printed onto your t-shirt.  Bring your own plain white t-shirt to design on.  Dress for mess!

Fermanagh

Borderline Players are back this Easter with pantomime adventure, Robinson Crusoe at the Ardhowen Theatre 1st and 2nd April.  Set sail on a voyage across the high seas as the Crusoe family seek their fortune, but with the villainous Blackbeard out to thwart their attempts, and with the notorious pirate, The Crimson Hawk on their tails, the Crusoes will need the help of friends and strangers to complete their mission. Robinson Crusoe is fun for all ages. A meet and greet with the cast is available after each performance.

Tyrone

Join the very talented Encore Performing Arts Academy students this Saturday 2nd April at the Alley Theatre Strabane, as they bring High School Musical to life on stage! Troy, Gabriella, and the students of East High must deal with issues of first love, friends, and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities.  With classic sing a long songs such as ‘Breaking Free’, ‘When there was me and you’ ‘Start of something New’ and ‘We’re all in this together’ along with an unforgettable cast who will sing, dance and perform their hearts out, this classic Disney show is the perfect family show.

Derry/Londonderry

Local girl Cara Dillon returns to the Roe Valley Arts Centre Limavady this Friday 1st April.  Renowned as one of the most successful contemporary folk artists today, Cara has won every folk music award going. It has been five years since the world last heard from her but she has returned with her most gorgeous album yet. A Thousand Hearts, her fifth solo album, is another small masterpiece of song and emotion, ethereal and radiant, beautifully honed and perfectly true.

Antrim

Don’t miss the Theatre at the Mill’s live screening this Saturday 2nd April of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. Anthony Minghella’s breathtaking production has thrilled audiences ever since its premiere in 2006.  One of the world’s foremost Butterflys, soprano Kristine Opolais, is in the title role. Tenor Roberto Alagna sings Pinkerton, the naval officer who breaks Butterfly’s heart. Karel Mark Chichon conducts.  This is a live screening broadcast by the Metropolitan Opera New York.

Belfast

Take your seats and cover your ears at W5  for the Big Bang Theatre, because this show gets loud! Prepare yourself for exciting, experimental and somewhat explosive family theatre. The time travelling explorers have crash landed in a strange laboratory. Here they must find a way of producing enough energy, and the biggest bang they possibly can, to jump-start their malfunctioning time machine. Searching the lab for chemicals, gases and equipment, our explorers must attempt to create a series of energy releasing flashes, bangs and explosions! Bubbles are set alight, fireballs are shot through the air, balloons explode and rockets whoosh into the audience!! See a series of wild experiments, culminating in one final BIG bang!  This spring, danger, humour, excitement and some very cool science combine to make a really entertaining experience for all the family.

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Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (April 4-10).

• Circuit of Ireland Rally 2016, various locations, Northern Ireland, April 7-9. Top rally drivers from around the world are gearing up for this year’s 85^th Circuit of Ireland Rally. The King’s Hall complex in Belfast will host the Rally HQ, whilst fans across Northern Ireland will have several chances to catch rally action. The qualifying stage will take place on April 7 at Antrim Castle, followed by a ceremonial start outside the Irish Linen Centre, Lisburn, with special guest Louis Walsh, and free entertainment throughout the evening. Stages on April 8 will take place in Larne, Ballymena and the Causeway Coast, and also a special Ards TT stage, with action rounding up in Belfast on April 9.

• Ards International Guitar Festival, various locations, Newtownards, Co. Down, April 6-10. Ards International Guitar Festival returns with an eclectic mix for every taste, celebrating all that is brilliant locally with a clever mix of international artists. Newtownards will come alive with the sound of blues, folk and flamenco. Every genre is covered; whether you play yourself or just love music, there will be a gig for you, as well as opportunities to get hands on with guitar clinics and tours of the Avalon guitar factory.

• 6^th Armagh City Toy Fair & Model Display Show, Armagh City Hotel, Armagh, Co. Armagh, April 10. The Fisher Suite in Armagh City Hotel will play host to some 30 model displays, with exhibitors from Northern Ireland, the South of Ireland and Scotland. Displays include construction, farm, railways, cars, steam engines and many more, with a large collection of Meccano models on display for the first time at the event.

• Zoo Lovers’ Day, Belfast Zoological Gardens, Belfast, April 8. Each year on April 8, Zoo Lovers’ Day is celebrated. Learn more about the role of a modern zoo, the animals that are cared for in Belfast Zoo, and the dangers that these species are facing in their natural habitat at the special keeper talks. Normal zoo admission prices apply.

• The Golden Years of Country Music, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, April 6. Hit after hit, song after song, this is a show not to be missed, defining an era in country music never to be surpassed, featuring Jimmy Hendry and his band. Over two hours of hit songs we all know and love, this is the most authentic show of its kind. Show begins at 8pm.

• Starman – A One Man Circus Comedy Theatre Show, Riverside Theatre, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, April 7. Have you ever looked to the heavens for inspiration or guidance? Starman, the latest show from the award winning Tumble Circus, is an entertaining expedition into what happens when circus and comedy collide. It follows the journey of one man and his life as a circus artist, a dad, and a clown. Show begins at 8pm.

• Meet the Artist – Terry Doherty, Larne Museum & Arts Centre, Larne, Co. Antrim, April 9. Larne Museum & Arts Centre will be open on Saturday 9th April featuring temporary exhibition “TAMED”, an arts exhibition by the Doherty Family. Terry Doherty will be available on the day to discuss or answer any questions on any of the works.

• Irish Vegan Festival, Ulster Hall, Belfast, April 9. The Irish Vegan Festival brings an array of vegan stalls and entertainment to the Ulster Hall. Ranging from hot food for consumption on the day, to sweets and chocolates, cosmetics and campaign stalls, there will be a great choice for everyone! Also enjoy live music throughout the day, film screenings and children’s entertainment.

• The Factory Girls, Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, April 9. Set in a Donegal shirt factory, five women face the thread of redundancy. The play, written by Frank McGuinness, articulates their anger, courage and compassion. The Factory Girls presented by the acclaimed Newtownstewart Theatre Company is guaranteed to be very funny, engaging and moving. Show begins at 8pm.

• Easter Arts Scheme, Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards, Co. Down, April 4. Calling all Easter bunnies wanting to get creative over the holidays! Put down that chocolate egg and hop along to Ards Arts Centre to enjoy a whole day of arts, crafts and drama. Suitable for ages 6-12, from 10am-4pm.

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.