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.

• Stay and Play, Galgorm Resort & Spa, Co. Antrim. From £90pps. Set in 163 acres of lush parkland and with the spectacular River Maine flowing through the estate, Galgorm Resort & Spa has a truly unique and beautiful setting.  The gold club is host to the annual Northern Ireland Open. Enjoy one night’s bed and breakfast and a round of golf at the Galgorm Castle Golf Club. Available until December 31.  To book call (028) 25 881001
• Girls Night Party Package, Marine Court Hotel, Co. Down. From £60pps. Beautifully situated overlooking the marina on Bangor’s seafront, the hotel is ideal for both business and pleasure. Your package includes one night’s accommodation, a four-course evening meal, cocktail making lesson, VIP entry to Calico Jacks, Residents Bar and a full cooked breakfast the following morning.  Available until Dec 17. To book call (028) 91 451100

• Fitz Escape, Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast. From £170pps. Located in the city centre, the Fitzwilliam Hotel is adjacent to the Grand Opera House and close to various attractions.  It’s a haven for art lovers and shoppers alike due to its location. Enjoy a two-night city break with a four-course evening meal on one evening with a bottle of house wine, full Irish breakfast on both mornings and two entrance tickets to Titanic Belfast.  Available until Dec 31. To book call (028) 90 442080

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

*All offers are subject to availability.

Members of the East Antrim Boat Club (EABC) gathered at Larne Harbour ahead of the Rooster International Topper Class World Championships which commences this Saturday, 23^rd July to Friday 29^th July at Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor.

Pictured (Left – Right) are sailors Matthew Liddle aged 11, Hannah Liddle aged 15, Iain MacRea aged 11, Trevor Wright, Larne Harbour Master, Rory Williamson aged 12, Abby Williamson aged 14, Joshua Kane aged 10, Lucy Kane aged 15 and Michael Kane, Honorary Secretary, EABC. P&O Ferries, which operates the fastest and most frequent crossing from Larne to Cairnryan, is proud to sponsor the Topper World Championship.

The annual event, which takes place all over the world, will attract UK and International sailors of all ages to the waters of Belfast Lough, including members of the EABC. International competitors plan to come from the USA, Canada, Taiwan, China and Singapore as well as from across Europe.

The skills and experience gained during this International Topper Class event provides sailors with great foundations from which they could go on to become European, World and Olympic champions.

The family friendly event at Ballyholme Yacht Club will commence at 10am this Saturday, 23^rd July. A climbing wall and virtual reality helmets will add to the fun, creating a great family atmosphere.

In recognition of our four local football players who were part of the Northern Ireland Football team at the recent European Championships, we had banners displayed around the Borough showing our support.

Following the interest shown in these banners we are delighted to offer you the chance to own these exclusive pieces of memorabilia. A banner for Craig Cathcart, Paddy McNair and a joint correx board for the Evans brothers are now available to bid for via a silent auction.  All proceeds from the auction will go to the Mayors designated charities, Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, Help The Heroes and Lighthouse.

If you would like to make a bid for these unique collectors’ items, whilst also helping a worthwhile charity please send your bid to comms@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk . The auction will begin at 6pm today and close on Wednesday 3 August @ 10am.  The successful bidders will be notified once the auction has closed.

One of the  highlights of this year’s  John  Hewitt International Summer School’s  busy programme  at The Market Place Theatre, Armagh,  should be the two performances of  “Percy French: Melodies of Unforgotten Years”, a hugely popular one-man show written and performed by Sam McCready, one of Northern Ireland’s best-known theatre people, now resident much of the year in USA.

This new Percy French show, presented by Two-for-One Productions and directed by Joan McCready, also features musician Kyle Riley, and was a sell-out success when it was staged for a week at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast in May.  “Percy French: Melodies of Unforgotten Years” will be presented at The Market Place on Thursday 28 July at 7.00pm and on Friday 29 July at 8.30pm.

Author of some of the best-loved songs in the Irish repertoire, among them “The Mountains of Mourne” and “Phil The Fluter’s Ball”, Percy French is brought to life in Sam McCready’s witty and amusing one-man show, which celebrates the music and the life of one of Ireland’s best known and best loved entertainers,

Sam McCready’s  highly entertaining show traces Percy French’s career from his days as Cavan’s most notable “Inspector of Drains” to his success as a performer in London, where he not only gave concerts in the most prestigious halls but also performed for the Prince of Wales and distinguished members of the aristocracy.

Yet French was most at home in Ireland, performing in almost every town and village in the country, including Armagh’s City Hall,  and taking the opportunity to paint the many landscapes for which he has become famous as an artist.

Sam McCready is an internationally respected actor, theatre director, teacher, painter, adjudicator and published author.  Born in Belfast, he was a founding member of the Lyric Players Theatre, and later a Trustee and Artistic Director of the company. He emigrated to the United States in 1984, when he was appointed Professor of Theatre at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Since his retirement, Sam McCready has devoted himself to performing and writing a series of one-person plays, “The Great Yeats”, “Dickens at the Ulster Hall” and  writing and directing his wife, Joan, in “Coole Lady” and “A Time to Speak”, both seen on tour at The Market Place Theatre. Sam McCready’s   memoir, “My Life with Mary O’Malley and the Lyric Players”, is published by Lagan Press.

In this  Percy French show, McCready is joined by American actor and singer/guitarist , Kyle Riley, who brings a fine singing voice and a fresh interpretation to many of the best-known songs.

Tickets for “Percy French: Melodies of Unforgotten Years” at The Market Place Theatre on 27 & 28 July are already on sale and early booking is advisable. Booking at The Market Place Box Office on 02837521821 or Online at www.marketplacearmagh.com.

Schools out for summer and the MAC’s exceedingly popular retro roller derby returns at the end of July (29-31).

This family roller disco is one of the most feel-good family events of the summer! See the theatre transformed into a roller disco for a weekend of fun for mums, dads and little ones. With sessions starting on the hour from 12noon on Sat 30 and Sun 31 July, this is a family day out you won’t forget. Ticket price includes a 45-minute skate session and the hire of your roller boots and protective gear. Get your skates on!

And just for the adults, our evening skate sessions start from 7pm on Fri 29 and Sat 30 July. With DJ Carolyn Stewart on decks, get nostalgic as party-goers dash excitedly around the transformed theatre to the best of 80’s classics.

For more information on both events, visit themaclive.com or call the box office on 028 9023 5053.

This Sunday, July 24, the Ards and North Down Music In The Park programme continues when the Chris Keys Band will perform in the bandstand in Ward Park.

Award winning singer-songwriter Chris Keys grew up in Portstewart. In his early twenties he started writing songs and developed an easy listening acoustic sound with hints of pop, folk & country.

Since then he has gone on to perform at shows and festivals all across Europe and has supported many great bands and artists along the way as well as performing in the round with two Grammy award winner’s Nanci Griffith and Jim Lauderdale.

So if you’d like to enjoy some smooth sounds in the great outdoors, get down to Ward Park with your picnic this Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. This is a free event.

Please note that Ward Park is an alcohol-free zone. All events are weather dependent and therefore subject to change. This year’s music programme is being provided by Open House Festival.

Keep an eye out in local press each week for details on each artist or for more information phone Bangor Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or visit:

www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

THIS WEEK, Friday 22 July – Thursday 28 July

Until Sunday 31 July, Sail the Tall Ship Johanna Lucretia

In association with the Skiffie Worlds 2016 the Johanna Lucretia Tall Ship is coming into the area and offering various sailing experiences.

Don’t miss the opportunity to sail on a wonderful tall ship. This Summer, the Johanna Lucretia is in the area for a number of days allowing you the opportunity to board and cruise either Belfast Lough or Strangford Lough!
Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

This event is grant aided by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Until Sunday 31 July, Art in the Loft ‘Mi-NI’: An exhibition by Jewellery Designer Ruth McEwan Lyon

The Loft Gallery, Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Jewellery Designer Ruth McEwan-Lyon from Holywood presents her collection of Northern Ireland inspired silver jewellery ‘Mi-NI’.

Exhibition open Mon – Sat: 10am – 5pm, Sun: 1pm – 5pm. Free admission.

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4272 9882, portaferryvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Until  Sunday 24 July, Ulster Fleadh 2016

Bangor, various locations

Ards CCÉ are delighted to announce that they will be hosting the Ulster Fleadh 2016 this year in the beautiful seaside resort of Bangor. It will incorporate an impressive combination of literary

events, workshops, seisiúns, street entertainment, concerts, dancing and singing.  The entertainment line-up already includes BEOGA, THE SANDS FAMILY, NA LEANAÍ & RÉALTA plus

many more top notch local musicians/vocalists.

Info: ulsterfleadh.com

This event is grant aided by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Wednesday 20  – Wednesday 27 July, Topper World Championships 2016

Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor

Info: BYC, 028 9127 1467, http://ballyholme.com

This event is grant aided by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Friday 22 July, Fair Weather Fridays Outdoor Performances

Conway Square, Newtownards

Free entertainment, 12.30pm-1.30pm

22 Jul: ‘That Man’ presented by Grant Goldie – A celebration of movement and manipulation, combined with skilfully constructed quirky skits. Charming and full of energy.

Part of the free programme of outdoor entertainment running throughout July and August.

In the event of inclement weather the performance will move into Ards Arts Centre!

Info: Ards Arts, 028 9181 0803, ardsarts.com

Saturday 23 July, Family Entertainment

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Free. 2pm – 4pm

23 July: Science Show, face painting and balloon modelling

Visitor Centre open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4281 9882, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July, Summer Market at the Museum

North Down Museum, Bangor

Sat 23: 10am – 4.30pm

Sun 24: 12noon – 4.30pm

To celebrate Ulster Fleadh 2016 taking place in Bangor, North Down Museum is

hosting a family market in the beautiful surroundings of the Museum on Saturday 23 July and Sunday 24 July.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, northdownmuseum.com

Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 23: Animal Roadshow and magic show

Sun 24: Jumping Clay, balloon modelling and Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

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

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

Every Sunday in July and August, Summer Music in the Park

Ward Park Bandstand, Bangor

Free live performances, every Sunday 3pm-5pm

24 July: Chris Keys Band – Chris is an award winning singer-songwriter hailing from Portstewart, who has developed an easy listening acoustic sound.

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

Sunday 24 – Saturday 30 July, Skiffie Worlds 2016 and Strangford Lough Festival

Portaferry and Strangford Lough

Competitors from around the world converge on Strangford Lough this July to compete in the community coastal rowing championships

Many events free

Info: (028) 4272 9886, strangfordlough.org/skiffieworlds

NEXT WEEK, Friday 29 July – Thursday 4 August

Friday 29 July, Fair Weather Fridays Outdoor Performances

Conway Square, Newtownards

Free entertainment, 12.30pm-1.30pm

A programme of free outdoor entertainment programme running throughout July and August.

In the event of inclement weather the performance will move into Ards Arts Centre!

Info: Ards Arts, 028 9181 0803, ardsarts.com

Friday 29 July, Arts Night at the Museum

North Down Museum, Bangor

Free, 6pm-9pm

Arts activity for all ages in a great venue – a Friday night with a difference! Try your hand at pottery, printing, sketching and much more, while listening to great music.

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, northdownmuseum.com

Saturday 30 July, Family Entertainment

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Free. 2pm – 4pm

30 July: Clayrazy and glitter tattoos

Visitor Centre open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4281 9882, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 30: CSI Detective workshop and children’s crafts

Sun 31: Children’s crafts, Falconry Display and Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

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

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

Every Sunday in July and August, Summer Music in the Park

Ward Park Bandstand, Bangor

Free live performances, every Sunday 3pm-5pm

31 July: Sam Wickens and Band – Soul and Blues tone

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

Guided Walks and Tours

Nautical Past Short Sea Cruise – 23 July

From an Abbey to a Stately Home – 23 July

Strangford Lough Boat Tour – 24 July

Newtownards Historical Walking Tour – 28 July

Crawfordsburn to Helen’s Bay Walk – 30 July

A train, fit for a Queen, will be used this Sunday, 24^th July, for a public excursion from Belfast to Dublin and back.

The train has been restored by the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, based in Whitehead and was used on 28^th June to transport the Queen and Prince Philip to the re-opening of Bellarena station.

The locomotive hauling the train will be sky-blue coloured steam locomotive No.85 “Merlin”, built in 1932 especially for operating the then-new “Enterprise” service.

RPSI Operations Officer Mervyn Darragh explains “When the Great Northern Railway of Ireland wanted to re-launch it’s Belfast-Dublin railway service in the 1930’s, it wanted to enthuse the public.  So they built very powerful locomotives, capable of hauling long trains at great speed on the hilly Belfast-Dublin railway line. They named them evocatively after birds of prey and painted them a very eye-catching sky blue colour. ”

National Museums Northern Ireland preserved one of the locomotives built for the Belfast-Dublin railway.  Number 85, named “Merlin” was built in Manchester in 1932 and spent it’s working life on the “Enterprise” service.  The locomotive has been lovingly restored by volunteers and staff of the Railway Preservation Society at their base at Whitehead in County Antrim.

RPSI Operations Officer, Mervyn Darragh commented “We have been using the locomotive for some months now and we have been very impressed with it’s power and steam-making capabilities.  It was a great honour to provide a train for the Royal visit and we are delighted to now be able to share that train with everyone on public steam trains this summer.”

Advance ticket purchase is essential.  Return fares cost £30 for adults and £14 for children, with tickets on sale by phone and in-person from the Belfast Welcome Centre, 9 Donegall Square North in Belfast, telephone 028 9024 6609.  Tickets are also available online from the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland website steamtrainsireland.com – something that would be inconceivable to a cross-border passenger in 1932!

The RPSI is a not-for-profit charity, so all income from these trains goes back into the continual job of restoring steam locomotives and carriages for future trains.

FACTFILE:

•         The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland was formed in 1964 and celebrated it’s Golden Anniversary in 2014.  Set up to preserve and operate steam trains and associated railway heritage stock and items, the RPSI is still managed by volunteers and the majority of restoration work is carried out by volunteers in Whitehead, Dublin and Mullingar.

•         The steam locomotive for this event is named “Merlin” and it is unique, the last of 5 “V”-class, three-cylinder compound locomotives built by Beyer Peacock in Manchester for the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) in 1932.  The locomotives were built to be powerful and fast, but still be small enough to be worked-on inside the dimensions of the railway company workshops at Dundalk.

•         The 5 locomotives were named after birds of prey – No.83 Eagle, No.84 Falcon, No.85 Merlin, No.86 Peregrine, No.87 Kestrel.

•         No.85 was last steamed in railway company service in about 1962 and was eventually bought by the Belfast Transport Museum.  The locomotive was on display at their museum in Witham Street Belfast until 1982 when Lord Henry Dunleath provided substantial funding to have the locomotive restored.

•         The locomotive’s first overhaul in preservation was largely carried out by Harland and Wolff and she ran from 1985 to 1990 before returning to the RPSI depot at Whitehead for further extensive work.

•         She hauled steam trains all over Ireland from 1994 to 2004 before retiring again for overhaul and returning to traffic in 2014.  The overhauls are largely carried out by volunteers and the work on “Merlin” earned junior volunteer Nathan Lightowler from Moira the national award of UK Volunteer of the Year 2013.

•         The RPSI is always seeking new volunteers and interested persons should first of all join the Society, details of which can be found online at http://www.steamtrainsireland.com/

•         Since 1991, the RPSI has carried the Queen and two Presidents of Ireland on it’s trains.

•         The RPSI is developing a £3.1m museum, education and interpretative centre at its base in Whitehead. Visitors will be able to see the sole surviving traditional railway workshop in Northern Ireland. This is where the RPSI overhauls its heritage steam locomotives and carriages.

•         The development project comprises extensions to the locomotive workshop, locomotive sheds and carriage shed, construction of a carriage workshop, provision of a 60ft turntable, conversion of the former stables building to an education centre, substantial upgrading of staff and volunteer facilities, and upgraded material storage premises.

•         Heritage Lottery Fund is the lead funder for the project, backed by Tourism NI (part financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for NI), with additional support from Mid and East Antrim Council and Ulster Garden Villages.

•         Construction work is being carried out by MSM Contracts, a Portadown-based building and civil engineering company, while RPS from Belfast is the lead design consultant.

ENTRIES for Molly’s Bar and Restaurant Moto3 GP 125 Lightweight Race have exceeded expectations with some 25 riders entering with only four newcomers according to the Armoy Motorcycling Road Racing Club.

The entry list sees the majority of racers coming from Northern Ireland, with several from England, Dan Sayle from the Isle of Man and there is a couple from the RoI which include Derek McGee from Mullingar and Sean Leonard from Donabate.  There are also two female road racers with Sarah Boyes from Ballymena and Melissa Kennedy from Enniskillen taking part.

With Derek McGee and Sam Wilson from Cullybackey racing under Joey’s Bar Racing Honda, Gary Dunlop racing under William Dunlop Racing Honda and Paul Robinson and Sam Dunlop racing under CB Racing Aprilia and Glover/MSC Racing Honda respectively, it certainly will be exciting to see who will be on the podium.

Bill Kennedy, Clerk of the Course, Armoy Road Races, said, “The 125cc race is where many of our top racers started out. It’s great to see so many entries as it is important to encourage sport at these levels.

“Although there are a few less riders for the 250cc it is fundamental that these two races allow the best and brightest of road racing’s future to race on our 3.03 mile circuit.”

“It’s also great to see local sponsor, Molly’s Bar and Restaurant, and proprietors Sammy and Shelly Mullan, return to sponsor this race for the second year in a row,” continued Bill Kennedy. “It’s rewarding to see the local businesses and communities getting behind us year on year as we continue to grow.”

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.

Please support the Armoy Road Races by buying a programme. They are available from the AMRRC office and the Petrol Station in Armoy costing £10.00 or €15.

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