Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (June 20 – 26).

• The Irish Game Fair and Fine Food Festival, Shanes Castle, Co. Antrim, June 25 & 26. This two-day extravaganza is a celebration of all things country with traditional country sports, archery and shooting ranges, fly casting displays and much more. There will also be a Fine Food Pavilion promoting local artisan producers in the NI Year of Food and Drink 2016.

• Belfast Carnival Village, Ormeau Park, Belfast, June 25. Ormeau Park will be transformed into a colourful theatrical set with mad hatters, performing puppets, orchestrated musicians and special landmark appearances for a free fabulous day of fun. Starts at noon.

• Comber Earlies Food Festival, Comber, County Down, June 25. With live cookery demonstrations and tasting sessions come along and sample the world famous Comber Earlies at this specialised food festival. Festival goers can participate in Highland Games, foodie themed activities and enjoy some live street theatre.

• Curtis Magee Fanfayre, The Lodge Hotel, Co. Londonderry, June 19 – 22. From Irish ballads, country gospel songs to sing-a-longs, Curtis will take you on a musical journey through the generations. Special guests include Hugo Duncan, Susan McCann, Gary Wilson and Country Harmony.

• Open Air Cinema, Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Co. Armagh, until July 1. Using state of the art digital projectors and bespoke sound equipment along with the magic of the night stars experience a movie night with a difference in the Walled Garden of Slieve Gullion Country Park. Hot drinks and snacks provided and there will also be pop up stalls selling popcorn and other tasty treats. Booking essential. Tickets available at Slieve Gullion Courtyard, The Wedding Room at Drumalane Mill (Quays Shopping Centre) or at www.openaircinemasni.com

• Minibeast and Moth Hunt, Marble Arch Caves, Co. Fermanagh, June 25. Come along and join staff at the Marble Arch Caves in a hunt for unseen wildlife in the Natural Nature Reserve. You will hunt in habitats, catch and identify invertebrates while learning more about these mini-beasts fascinating lifestyles and their roles in an ecosystem. Booking essential.  Call (028) 6634 8855.

• The Rebel Crown, Burnavon Theatre, Co. Tyrone, June 22. Commemorating the 400^th anniversary of his death in Rome, The Rebel Crown is a poetic history of the extraordinary turbulent life of Red Hugh O’Neill Ear of Tyrone.  Was he a saint or a sinner? Tickets £13.  Starts at 8pm.

• Bad Manners, Limelight, Belfast, June 29. Ska legends, Bad Manners, announce a return to celebrate their 40^th Anniversary with a show at The Limelight featuring some of their biggest hits such as “Lip up Fatty” and “Can.” Shows starts at 7pm. Ages 18+. www.limelightbelfast.com

• Summer Solstice Paddle Power, Castle Ward Estate, Co. Down. Enjoy the tranquillity of Strangford Lough on the longest day of the year on a truly unique experience. Learn kayaking skills and have fun under the watchful eye of expert instructors. Suitable for 18+. Price £38.  To book call (028) 437 23933.

• Belfast City Blues Festival, Various locations, Belfast. June 24 – 26. With three days of great music and over 45 free gigs happening at the Festival Marquee in Writers Square and bars and restaurants throughout the city blues fans will not want to miss out on some cracking shows in Belfast over the weekend.

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 stunning Slieve Donard Resort and Spa will become a mecca for lovers of fashion, make-up and style on Thursday, June 16th from 7pm. The Summer Styling Showcase event in association with Victoria Square promises to solve all your summer fashion worries. Get your tickets whilst you can for this popular event by calling the Spa at Slieve Donard on 028 4372 6166 – tickets are priced at £15.

Armagh

We all think of our dads as superheroes, why not celebrate your superhero dad in the ancient way this Sunday with some Warrior Training and Assault Course at Navan Fort!  This Father’s Day they will train your dad in the skills needed to be an ancient superhero, then we can test him!

Fermanagh

Join Share’s 35th birthday celebrations on Friday 17th June in their 5km Colour Run/Walk.  This event is for everyone, it will be a great evening’s craic involving lots of paint, colour and laugh’s. Absolutely no need to be a runner and with free bouncy castle and slip’n’slide children of all ages can be involved. There will be a BBQ and refreshments at the end of the race.  You can sign up online at www.justgiving.com/Share-Colour-Run just donate £12 and reference the donation with your name. You will need to get in touch to fill out a registration form. Share is a registered charity that works for the inclusion of disabled and non-disabled people. We do this by providing opportunities for all to participate in a wide range of creative, educational and recreational programmes through over 30 different Arts, Land and Water activities.

Tyrone

Join The Strule Arts Centre Omagh for ‘A Taste of Summer’ this Saturday 18th June, an exciting day of fun activities.  With music, dance and drama performances plus street theatre, face-painting and balloon modelling, it’s a great family day out!  Enjoy some delicious cuisine by local eateries to celebrate Tourism NI’s Year of Food and Drink 2016.

Derry

This Friday and Saturday evening, enjoy an evening of music with Craig Ogden on guitar in the unique surroundings of Mussenden Temple. Complimentary buffet supper is included. Concert organised by the North Coast Association.

Antrim

The 71st annual Saintfield Agricultural Show, Family Funday and k9 Expo takes place this Saturday 18^th June at the Eikon Exhibition Centre! There will be a horse show in main arena, cow, pig, sheep, goats, alpacas, poultry, donkeys, rabbits, kids petting farm, pony rides, amusements and over 50 craft stalls. There will also be a grooming competition and pet dog show, pet village trade stands and doggie demos, young farmers events, archery have a go, amusements, face-painting, carnival games and much more!

Belfast

Enjoy a fabulous family day out as Kids Go Free to the Titanic Experience and SS Nomadic until 30th June 2016!  The Titanic Experience extends over nine interpretive and interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of RMS Titanic, as well as the city and people which made her. Children can earn a special certificate as they complete the Explorer Trail – allowing them to experience the shipyard, walk the decks, travel to the depths of the ocean and uncover the true legend of Titanic, in the city where it all began.  One free child ticket with every full price adult ticket purchased. Children must be 10 years old and under.

For more details on these events and to add your events free go to 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.

On Sunday 21^st June @ 1.00pm, at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh treat your dad to a Father’s Day he will remember, starting with a wild BBQ and then watch as he tries his hand at making a wattle and daub fence, under the instruction of the Celtic characters.

The Celts were expert fence builders as they needed fences to protect their homes, their crops and their animals.  But for Father’s Day they are looking for some help with this task… your dad.  It is definitely going to be a mucky job!

It’s hard choosing a ‘different’ gift for your father, but we have it all sorted for you with this great idea.  Admission is just £8.95 per adult and £6.00 per child.  Pre-booking is essential, so book today on www.armagh.co.uk/dad or call 028 3752 9644

For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh.  BT60 4LD.  Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com

ENTRIES are now open for this year’s Harrigan Fuels Miss Armoy competition, run in association with Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club, which will take place on Thursday 28^th July 2016 in the corporate hospitality marquee, Armoy.

The competition is one of the major highlights of Bike week, with young women coming from all over the Causeway Coast and Glens to take part.

Successful candidates who take part can be promised a platform perfect for pursuing a modeling career, especially with past winners including Miss Northern Ireland 2014 and Miss NW200.

Chairman of Armoy Motorcycling Road Racing Club, William Munnis said, “The Miss Armoy competition is a firm fixture in the Armoy Road Races calendar.  We are proud to host the competition and would encourage visitors to the races to come along and support the event as it will be a great evening.  The event has a set of guidelines and young ladies can expect to be interviewed twice, the first occasion as a ‘biker girl’ and the second, wearing their ‘party gear’. Of course, the winner and runners up must be enthusiastic, up for a challenge and willing to take part on Race Day on Saturday 30^th July 2016.”

2015 Miss Armoy winner, Katherine Kennedy said, “I have loved being Miss Armoy as the competition was great fun and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.  I really enjoyed being involved on race day and helping out on the podium.  I got to meet all of the riders and just loved the buzz of the racing.  I’d recommend taking part in Miss Armoy as it helped boost my confidence and it’s great to be part of a local event.”

The first four runner-ups will also be expected to appear at the Race Event on Saturday 30^th July 2016, from 9.30am until racing finishes helping out on the grid at the start of each race.

William Munnis continues, “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Harrigan Fuels, our main sponsor. They’ve continued to sponsor our Miss Armoy competition each year and without them we really wouldn’t have an event. I’d also like to thank all our other sponsors of the competition, which include; Pacemaker Photography, Nutt Travel, Beauty at Logans and The Scenic Inn.  Their support is invaluable and greatly appreciated by the Club.”

This year’s live music is provided by local band, Roll the Dice and will follow on from the Miss Armoy competition, which starts promptly at 9.00pm.

All entries must be in by Thursday 14^th July 2016 but the sooner the better. Entry forms with full instructions can be downloaded from www.amrrc.com or visit the Miss Armoy 2016 Facebook page.

The event is part funded by Tourism Northern Ireland and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. Bike Week runs from Sunday 24^th July until Saturday 30^th July 2016 with the SGS International ‘Race of Legends’ featuring on the Saturday 30^th July 2016.

For more information visit www.amrrc.com or search for ‘AMRRC’ on Facebook and join the official fan page and you can also follow on twitter at @ArmoyRoadRaces.

The Comber Earlies Food Festival is taking place on Saturday June 25 and promises to be a great day out for food lovers and the whole family.

The one -day festival organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with Food NI, Comber Earlies Growers, DAERA, Tourism NI and the Ulster Scots Agency, takes place in the town’s centre and will showcase the world famous Comber potato which achieved EU Protected Geographical Indication status in 2012.

The event which is part of The Council’s NI Year of Food and Drink programme will have lots of delicious food on offer. Come along and sample the world famous Comber Earlies or some delicious locally produced food from the artisan Food Fair. Celebrity chef Tom Hunt who worked with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on the River Cottage TV series will be making a special appearance at the event. Presenter and author of The Natural Cook: Eating the Seasons from Root to Fruit and co-owner of the acclaimed Bristol based tapas restaurant Poco, Tom is known for creating simple, vibrant dishes made from ingredients chosen for their quality and ethics and will be demonstrating some delicious potato dishes at the festival.

Alongside Tom, local chefs Paula McIntyre, Kyle Greer and Carla Schofield will also be doing live cookery demonstrations at the festival kitchen throughout the day. For more information on a series of Year of Food and Drink events in Ards and North Down see www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/food.

This year’s programme is packed full of activities for all ages. Relax at the hay bale picnic, take part in some Ulster Scots Highland Games or enjoy the live music on offer. Kids can enjoy lots of country-inspired crafts in the Craft Big Top; make a flower, a colourful head-dress or your own scarecrow! In the food activity tent, festival-goers can take part in fun food activities; interactive potato sampling, a potato salad competition and a Man V Food competition. And look out for the tractor display and the street theatre programme which features some roller skating tomatoes!

The festival runs from 10am to 4pm and is a free event.

The Comber Earlies Fringe Festival will be running from 17 to 26 June. Delivered by Comber Regeneration Community Partnership, the Fringe Festival programme includes lots of activities like a supper dance, live music, a Spub Quiz, car boot sale and lots more.

This year’s festival is kindly being sponsored by the Department of Agriculture Environment & Rural Affairs, Tourism NI and The Ulster Scots Agency.

For further information check www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Programme of events continues to commemorate the Battle of the Somme

Throughout 2016 Ards and North Down Borough Council and its partners are commemorating the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme through a series of special events and tributes. A selection of highlights from the extensive programme of events can be found below.

On Thursday 9 June an exhibition relating to the Blackwood family of Clandeboye launched at Ards Arts Centre, highlighting the strong connections that Clandeboye Estate and the beautiful Helen’s Tower had to the First World War as well as the family connection of brothers Freddy and Basil Blackwood.

On the walls and in the cases at the exhibition are examples of letters that Basil wrote home to his family and the sketches that often accompanied his letters and diary entries. You will also see his company drill book and the newspaper notice to say that he was missing in action.  This exhibition focuses not just on the Blackwood’s connections to the War, but on the family’s travels to South Africa and also on Basil’s earlier recognition as an illustrator of children’s books.

‘Blackwood, an illustrated history’ will be on display until Saturday 2 July in the Georgian Gallery at Ards Arts Centre.

World War One themed film screenings will also take place throughout the borough including Steven Spielberg’s epic War Horse on Wednesday 22 June, 8pm in The Web Theatre in Newtownards and on Friday 1 July at 8pm at Portico in Portaferry.

On Friday 24 June at 8pm, The Tudor Cinema in Comber will show the screen adaptation of David Haig’s play My Boy Jack based on the story of Rudyard Kipling with Daniel Radcliffe staring as his son Jack. Tickets for all screenings will be available on the door or to book in advance visit ardsarts.com or contact Ards Arts Centre on 028 9181 0803.

On Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 July guided walking tours will take place at 10am and 2pm each day.  Leaving from the Somme Museum to Helen’s Tower, visitors will step back 100 years to 1916 and the Battle of the Somme. They will learn of the gallant contribution of the soldiers from the 36th Ulster Division and follow in their footsteps as they walk through their training camp to Helen’s Tower. Tickets are £3 each and are available from visitardsandnorthdown.com.

For a full list of REMEMBER AND REFLECT events see visitardsandnorthdown.com.

The Olympia Theatre, Dublin: 18 October

Waterfront, Belfast: 19 October.

Following a sold out Dublin show last month, the cast of Temple Street Productions’ hit series The Next Step have announced their return to The Olympia Theatre on 18 October for one show only due to public demand. The Wild Rhythm Tour will also visit the Waterfront Belfast on 19 October.

Victoria Baldesarra who plays ‘Michelle’ stated today “We simply had to return to Dublin to perform for all of the loyal Irish fans who couldn’t get a ticket for the April show. We can’t wait to return this November!”

The Next Step Wild Rhythm Tour brings spectacular dances to the stage, comprised of entirely original choreography and music from the hit series. From alluring duets and solo performances that shine a light on the superior skill level of the dancers to explosive routines that feature the full cast, the interactive show will capture the attention of the entire family.

Cast members performing on The Next Step Wild Rhythm Tour include: Victoria Baldesarra (Michelle); Trevor Tordjman (James); Jordan Clark (Giselle); Taveeta Szymanowicz (Thalia); Isaac Lupien (Eldon); Myles Erlick (Noah); Briar Nolet (Richelle) and newcomer Isaiah Peck, who stars as Henry in season four.

Tickets for Belfast Waterfront are available:

In person at the Ulster Hall Box Office

By Telephone: 028 9033 4455
Book On Line: www.waterfront.co.uk

In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour): Northern Ireland – 0844 277 44 55
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

YOU BUTTER BELIEVE IT!

As a country, we have a long history of producing dairy products like milk, butter, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream, and the delicious taste is, in part, down to the skill of the artisan who makes it but our unique and special countryside can also take a bow.

Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink continues this month (June) with a celebration of all things dairy, explained Rachel Quigg, Tourism NI, Communications and Destination PR Officer:

“Amazingly, there are around 300,000 cows out in the farm fields in summertime, and they’re hard at work to bring us everything from fresh milk and artisan cheeses to proper butter, yummy yoghurt and ice cream to share with loved ones. Imagine Northern Ireland without dairy?

“There are event visitor experiences inspired by our dairy produce where the whole family can see cows being milked and ice cream being made.”

Cheese-tastic Northern Ireland

Local artisans are skilled at making great dairy products with the milk from our cows, and one of the best ones to try is cheese.

Dart Mountain Cheese in the Sperrin Mountains now has six cheeses on their menu, including the delicious Banagher Bold. It gets washed in a local craft beer, Northbound Brewery’s No.26, itself made from the waters of the Banagher Dam – now that’s as local as it gets.  The Tyrone and Sperrins region isn’t just famous for excellent cheese.  There are many ways to get out and have fun with friends and family including a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh or you can take a tour of 17^th century Springhill in Moneymore, a plantation home rich history.

The Causeway Cheddar range, shaped in hexagonal ‘truckles’ reminiscent of the Giant’s Causeway, is available in four mouth-watering flavours from Fivemiletown Cheese in County Tyrone.  And what better way to further appreciate the cheeses than by visiting the inspirational, Giant’s Causeway for an energetic walk and don’t forget Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Dunluce Castle whilst in the area.

County Down blue cheeses, Kearney Blue Cheese and Young Buck are gaining tasty reputations with cheese connoisseurs.   The area is also a hot-spot for tourists who flock to see the Cistercian Abbey in Comber, which was built in 1199, and the stunning, Mount Stewart, a 19th-century house and garden which you can tour, plus the many colourful villages, romantic seascapes and unspoilt coastline.

Goat’s Cheese!

And it’s not just down to Northern Ireland’s cows to produce lip-smacking cheeses, the goats are at it too.  Leggygowan Farm makes several goaty products, including a fresh goat’s curd with a creamy texture and mild goat tang.

Udderly Butterly!

When it comes to butter, Northern Ireland can spread the dairy goodness around too.

Abernethy Butter is hand made on a farm in Dromore and from here it makes it way to some of the world’s top-rated restaurants like The Fat Duck in Berkshire.  It is used by celebrity chefs like Heston Blumenthal and Marcus Wareing and countless restaurants at home in Northern Ireland.  You can even see the butter being made by taking a McComb’s Coach Travel ‘Grub Crawl’ – the tour also includes a slice of home-made soda bread with lashings of butter.

Co Derry~Londonderry’s Donnybrewer Butter is also made the old-fashioned way in Eglinton using the freshest cream available. It is sea-salted, formed into a distinctive hexagonal shape, and packaged in waxed paper, just like it used to be. A great accompaniment to cheese is craft beer so visit the Walled City Brewery and get some of their distinctive beers including Boom, Stitch and Kicks.  There is even a restaurant where visitors can enjoy a taste of the north west.

Yummy Yoghurt

The pampered cows at the historic Clandeboye Estate are responsible for Northern Ireland’s only locally made cow’s milk yoghurt. Their creamy milk is cultured very gently in small batches, which helps create exceptional flavour and texture.

Natural, Greek and three yummy flavours are available and there are no additives or preservatives in Clandeboye Yoghurt. It’s delicious on its own, or topped with fresh berries, granola or even a drizzle of honey.

Cool as Ice Cream!

A day trip to one of Northern Ireland’s many sea-side towns, like Portrush or Newcastle, isn’t complete without a delicious ice cream and the not-so-welcome case of ‘brain freeze’.  Luckily we have some excellent ice cream parlours and makers with a huge variety of flavours to choose from.

A trip to Portrush isn’t complete without a visit to Morelli’s who, as well as stocking the usual flavours, also have Ferrero Rocher and Snickers.  Not to be outdone, Bangor’s Maud’s Ice Cream has Pooh Bear’s Delight, crème brulee and Guinness flavours.

Ice cream producers Glastry Farm and Dale Farm are two other Northern Ireland favourites and Tickety Moo in Fermanagh has a visitor experience that the whole family can enjoy as you take a tour around the farm, see the cows being milked and ice cream being made.

Streamvale Farm has many events throughout the year for the whole family to enjoy but it is also a commercial dairy farm where you can actually watch their 300 dairy cows being milked every afternoon.  They also have their own ice cream, Streamvale Farmhouse Ice Cream, which you can sometimes watch being made through a viewing window.

Another great event for Love Dairy month is the Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend, happening on 18 and 19 June, where you can see, hear, touch and be part of Northern Ireland’s farming story. Over twenty farms will be opening their doors to the public to showcase farming industry in Northern Ireland, and each one will feature special tastings as part of the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 celebrations.

For more information on Year of Food & Drink 2016 visit www.discovernorthernireland.com/yearoffoodanddrink2016.  You can keep up to date with what’s happening on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #EnjoyNI16.

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is hosting the brilliantly titled drama, ‘Handbag Positive’ – the medical slang for a confused elderly lady lying on a hospital bed clutching her handbag.

Attracta and Nora were the best of friends when they were teenagers. They shared everything from their Bay City Roller trousers to boyfriends. In the dark days of the late 1970s they sang shangalang and they ran with the gang. Bomb scares at their school weren’t scary at all, they got a day off and that was ok by them.

They drift apart as people do until fate reunites them in their middle age. In a local A&E they find themselves back in their teenage years, exchanging stories as well as insults, and wonder why they ever liked each other and, in particular, how they ever got a lumber wearing Bay City Roller trousers.

‘Handbag Positive’ is a new and hilariously funny play by Donna O’ Connor, co-writer of ‘A Night With George’. The production stars Alexandra Ford [Give My Head Peace] and Christina Nelson [Mistletoe And Crime].

‘Handbag Positive’ will be staged at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Saturday 18^th June at 8pm. Tickets are priced £18 each.

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.

Ballygally Castle’s Head Chef, Kevin Osborne, won Hotel Chef of the Year recently at the Institute of Hospitality Northern Ireland’s Janus Awards 2016.

The event which was held in Belfast celebrates the best of the best in hospitality.

Kevin said of his win: “I am delighted to have been recognised with this fantastic award. The whole team at Ballygally Castle works incredibly hard to deliver first class food and service to our customers so to be recognised in this way is very rewarding.  The Janus awards identify individuals and companies who exemplify excellence so I’m thrilled to receive this and really appreciate all the encouragement I have had from my colleagues at Ballygally Castle.”

Pictured (L to R) is Harry Crawford from Get Fresh, Kevin Osborne, Head Chef at Ballygally Castle and Michael Caffolla, Chairperson of the Institute of Hospitality.

For more information on Ballygally Castle go to www.hastingshotels.com/ballygally-castle.