Summer may be coming to an end, but there is still plenty of time to book a relaxing short break in Northern Ireland, and Hastings Hotels have some fantastic great-value options to choose from.

Whether you want to explore beautiful scenery, a favourite filming location, world famous tourist attractions or enjoy a lively city break or romantic getaway, Hastings Hotels can make your break extra-special.

Ballygally Castle

Game of Thrones Afternoon Tea: Enjoy an overnight stay with breakfast and a Game of Thrones afternoon tea, in Ballygally Castle Hotel, a 17^th century castle on the tip of the stunning Causeway Coast, close to several famous filming locations from HBO’s Game of Thrones, all from £75pps.

Culloden Estate and Spa

Classically Culloden: This offer includes a night’s bed and breakfast at Northern Ireland’s most prestigious hotel, the Culloden Estate and Spa. Each person who takes advantage of this offer is also entitled to £10 of credit to use however they wish in the Estate. The Classically Culloden offer is available from only £90pps.

Titanic Package: Situated just a short drive away from the centre of Belfast, Culloden Estate and Spa is perfectly situated to explore the attractions on offer in the city, including the famous Titanic Belfast. With the Titanic package, tickets to the visitor attraction are included with bed and breakfast at the Culloden from £100pps.

Bubbles: Book a night at the Culloden Estate and Spa with breakfast and enjoy a bottle of Prosecco during your stay, from £90pps.

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast: Dine in style at the Culloden’s Mitre Restaurant, one of the finest restaurants in Northern Ireland, run by top chef Paul McKnight, spend the night in the hotel with breakfast the following morning, all from £130pps.

Europa Hotel

Olympic Going for Gold: Don’t miss this special offer during the Olympic Games. Bed and breakfast at the Europa Hotel is included with a cocktail or mocktail upon arrival.  Anyone who books the Going For Gold offer will be entered into a prize draw to win an overnight stay with breakfast at their choice of Hastings Hotels. From £95 per room, specific dates only until August 21.

Titanic Package: Stay overnight in Belfast’s famous Europa Hotel with breakfast from £60pps, with tickets for the popular Titanic Belfast visitor attraction included.

Sip into Summer: Enjoy bed and breakfast in the Europa Hotel with a cocktail or mocktail upon arrival as part of this mouth-watering offer, from just £105 per room.

Everglades Hotel

Summer Cocktail in the City: Take a trip to the Everglades Hotel this summer and enjoy a refreshing summer cocktail or mocktail upon arrival and luxurious overnight accommodation with full Irish breakfast in the morning, all from £45pps.

Slieve Donard Resort and Spa

The Summer Collection: Enjoy a stay at the Slieve Donard this summer and choose from a series of dinner, bed and breakfast packages. A luxurious night’s accommodation plus breakfast, 4-course dinner in Oak Restaurant and use of spa facilities is available in 1, 2 or 3 night packages, starting from £140pps for one night.

Stormont Hotel

Stylishly Stormont: Treat yourself to a night’s stay with breakfast at the Stormont Hotel, situated just minutes away from Belfast City Centre and overlooking the beautiful grounds of Stormont Estate. Also included in this offer is a bottle of Prosecco with strawberries, all from £99 per room.

Cocktail, Cab & City Lights: Soak up the sights and sounds of Belfast with a stay in the Stormont Hotel from just £90 per room. As well as a night’s bed and breakfast in the 4-star hotel, a welcome cocktail upon arrival is included as well as a taxi into Belfast so you can experience all the city has to offer.

Titanic: Experience not only Stormont Hotel’s luxurious 4* accommodation and cuisine, but also one of Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions, Titanic Belfast. Enjoy overnight bed and breakfast in the Stormont Hotel, plus tickets for the Titanic exhibition, from only £50pps.

To find out more about Hastings Hotels go to www.hastingshotels.com or to book call 028 9047 1066.

Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. All offers valid until the end of August.

An old favourite returns to Ward Park this Sunday, August 21 when Nathan O’Regan takes to the bandstand as part of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Music In The Park programme.

Cork-born Nathan has been working hard on crafting his live performances and draws crowds wherever he goes all over Ireland. Currently signed to Grammy award-winner Jimmy Hogarth’s record label, his debut album will be released later this year. Nathan has attracted acclaim from people of all ages, and is sure to have many fans in the audience in Ward Park.

So if you fancy relaxing to some smooth vocals and guitar sounds in beautiful surroundings then pack a picnic and get down to Ward Park, this Sunday from 3 – 5pm.

Please note that Ward Park is an alcohol-free zone. Each event is weather dependent and subject to change on the day.

This year’s music programme is being provided by Open House.

Keep an eye out in local press each week for details on each artist or for more information phone our Tourist Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or visit: www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Now for the first time Causeway Coast Foodie Tours, in collaboration with The Causeway Lass and Babushka in Portrush, can offer a truly unique experience unlike anything else found anywhere in Ireland.

Leaving Portrush Harbour, just before daybreak in The Causeway Lass, we will catch our breakfast in the crystal clear waters of the Causeway Coast, as the sun slowly rises over The Mull of Kintyre and Rathlin Island.

With the exception of waterproof clothing and suitable footwear, all fishing equipment and bait is provided along with tuition as to its use. During the trip tea and coffee will be available.

Your breakfast will be dependent on the variety of fish caught, but Mackerel Surprise is almost certain to be on the menu. The fun of fishing is, ‘you never can tell!’

At this time of the morning we may well encounter dolphins, basking sharks etc. so it is advisable to bring along a camera.

Having caught, cleaned and learned about the days catch; we will head to Babushka, where our bounty will be prepared and paired with local, seasonal produce to create a breakfast to be enjoyed overlooking the West Strand.

We are excited to be able to work with local providers to share this unique opportunity with you.

Timings

06.15 hrs                     Meet on North Pier, Portrush Harbour

06.30 hrs                     Go fishing on the Causeway Lass

07.45 hrs                     Return from fishing and fillet catch

08.30 – 10.00 hrs        Breakfast at Babushka

Cost

£45.00 per person. (Booking is essential as numbers are limited to 12 on the boat).

Bookings may be made via webpage: www.causewaycoastfoodietours.com

Tel: +44 (0) 7912 408 256 or E-mail – causewayfoodie@gmail.com

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (August 15 – 21).

• Living History at Caulfield Castle, Co. Tyrone, 15 August. Once a great Jacobean estate built in hope and expectation and now an evocative ruin in a lovely setting. Experience a day of living history re-enactments as 17th century gentleman will welcome you to his great hall and gallery in fine style.

• Ulster Rally, Various locations, Co. Derry~Londonderry, August 19 – 20. For some heart racing action head to Derry~Londonderry for the Ulster Rally – one of the premier motor rallies in Ireland – where all the best drivers and cars from across the UK, Ireland and beyond take part in a thrilling race extravaganza.

• Moira Speciality Food Fair, Moira, Co. Down, August 20. The fair will celebrate Northern Ireland’s finest produce, grown, reared and caught featuring fresh, local and seasonal farm produce as well as showcasing the diversity of our artisan food and drink. The region’s top chefs will cook up a culinary storm during the Kitchen Sessions, and the garden area will be home to gourmet street food, tipi café bar and family fun zone.

• Eastside Arts Festival, Various locations, Belfast, until August 21. The Eastside Arts Festival is back! This year’s programme is packed with over 100 events taking place in more than 40 venues across East Belfast as well as the city centre. Locations across the EastSide, and beyond, will help to unpack a festival picnic featuring music, comedy, movies, theatre, talks, workshops, exhibitions, poetry, events for the young and old, community events and heritage tours.

• Viking & Dragons, Navan Centre & Fort, Co. Armagh, August 21. Are you a fan of Vikings and dragons? Join in the fun at this breathtaking family event.  Meet Vikings, take part in battle sequences and discover how dragons breathe fire.  Suitable for ages 4+.  Booking essential. To book call (028) 37 529644.

• August Craft Month, Various locations, Northern Ireland, until Sept 3. Celebrate Northern Ireland’s culture of marking at August Craft month.  Not in it 10^th year, it is an annual celebration of contemporary craft in Northern Ireland through a programme of talks, exhibitions and workshops.

• Relative Values, Ardhowen Theatre, Co. Fermanagh, August 18 – 20. Southbank Playhouse presents Relative Values by Noel Coward. As well as presenting Noel Coward’s fantastic story on stage, South Bank will once again be transforming The Ardhowen foyer into the world of the play. As soon as you enter the theatre you will be transported into the world of ‘Relative Values’ as Hollywood arrives in a small English town.

• Go Wild with the Rangers, Downhill Demesne, Co. Londonderry, August 19. It’s time for the kids to go wild in the great outdoors with the National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’.  From climbing trees to building a den and hunting bugs, children will have a great day exploring Downhill Demesne.

• Edible Geology Bus Tour, Ti Chulainn Cultural Centre, Co. Armagh, August 16. Join geologist Kirstin Lemon on an introductory and edible geology bus tour round key sites in the Ring of Gullion – a landscape shaped by fire and ice. The edible side will be tasty, and although Kirstin, along with other geologists, do sometimes taste rock samples, this time she will be bringing some home baked delights which represent different geological features – Rock cakes anyone?

• A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Beanbag Cinema, Belfast, August 16. Directed by Peter Hall using the Royal Shakespeare Academy’s cast of actors, this 1968 version is one of the wittiest and wildest of all versions to be produced.  With its cast of great performers, this film version is a hilarious production of one of the Bard’s greatest works.

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

This Saturday join Artists and Makers in The Hub and the award winning Art Pods at Project 24 on Queen’s Parade, Bangor, for a day of Art and Craft.  This is a great opportunity to meet the people ‘behind the art’, find out what inspires them and to take home a unique piece of their work.  Over 28 Artists and Makers will be selling their work and giving free demonstrations including weaving, wirework, painting, clay sculpting, jewellery design, throwing on a potter’s wheel, felting and much more.  Live Music throughout the day.  Free Children’s Craft activities and Face Painting.

Armagh

The 7 Hills Blues Festival is back in 2016 and bigger than ever! 11th-14th August will see Armagh City’s many eateries, public houses and open spaces showcasing the best of blues bands from across NI, ROI and the UK. This year’s busy programme includes over 70 planned performances plus the popular Picnic in the Palace Park and the Shambles Sunday Blues – family fun, food & local Cider fair.

Fermanagh

Living History, Tully Castle, Saturday 13th August. A place of beauty with a tragic history, you can meet a defender of the Bawn with his weapons and armour at the ready and hear its lamentable tale from the past. Part of Tully Castle Capers Dog Show and Community Fun Day. A great day out for all the family!

Tyrone

The Alley Theatre Junior Open Mic Nights provide teens a platform to perform live in an intimate, friendly venue, with the promise of hearing some great young up-and-coming local talent. Hosted by Gerry Strawbridge. What better way to spend a Friday evening throughout the summer?  Junior Open Mic at The Alley wants you! If you would like to take part contact Nicola Bonner on (028) 7138 4760 or nicola.bonner@derrystrabane.com

Derry

Stendhal is back this weekend!  Celebrating the creativity of artists from all over Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and further afield, Stendhal Festival of Art is much more than just a music festival.  Set in the picturesque surrounds of Ballymully Cottage Farm on the outskirts of Limavady, Stendhal Festival of Art brings an all-encompassing artistic experience to the Roe Valley, home of Danny Boy. Experience the syndrome with Stendhal Festival of Art. Winners of Best small festival 2013 and Best small festival, best line-up and best family festival 2014. Stendhal has something for everyone from kids to adults, day or night, art, music, classes, workshops, activities, various food outlets and a brilliant atmosphere!

Antrim

Let the games begin! To celebrate the Olympics The Galgorm Resort and Spa Ballymena are hosting a day of family outdoor sports activities on Sunday 14th August 2016.  Have lunch and take part in a range of fun activities for all the family with medals and prizes for the winners!

Belfast

The EastSide Arts Festival 2016 will bring 11 days of inspiring events to Belfast from 10th – 21st August. The festival programme is packed with 100 events including music, comedy, movies, theatre, talks, workshops, visual art, exhibitions, poetry, events for the young and old, community events and heritage tours plus over 50 free events.

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.

The majestic setting of Antrim Castle Gardens will host this year’s Opera Gala evening on Saturday 13 August at 8pm.

This special evening will feature a cornucopia of operatic delights performed in the

open air in the stunning surroundings of the Parterre Gardens in Antrim Castle Gardens. Under the direction of Andrew Synnott, distinguished Irish soprano Virginia Kerr and friends Owen Gilhooly, John Molloy and Raphaela Mangan from the International Opera stage will perform classic arias from the World of Opera and Operetta. This year’s programme includes the following, accompanied by a six piece orchestra:

Nessun Dorma

Olga’s aria from Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky

Seguidilla from Carmen. Bizet

Flower Song (Don Jose) Carmen

Non piu andrai. Le Nozze di Figaro Mozart

Ol Man River. (Showboat) Kern

Trio from Faust. Gounod
The Bold Gendarmes (Geneviève de Brabant). Offenbach

Barcarolle. (Tales of Hoffman) Offenbach

Bring your picnics and low back seating and relax with family and friends for an evening of music under the stars.

Tickets: £15 & £13 (Concession) available from the website www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/boxoffice or call 028 9442 8331

Live at the Ulster Hall, Belfast
Tuesday 6^th December 2016
Tickets on sale NOW

The Coronas have announced a return to Belfast’s ULSTER HALL this December.

The band have recently announced three dates at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre – all now SOLD OUT. Don’t miss one of the most exciting Irish live acts in Belfast this December.

The Coronas have sold out everywhere they play from Dublin’s 13,000-capacity 3Arena to an open air concert at Royal Hospital Kilmainham and they have supported the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, The Script, Justin Timberlake and Pink on a full UK tour.

The Coronas’ latest album The Long Way has achieved platinum sales since it’s release in November 2014. New single What A Love is the sixth single to be lifted from the record and is available for download now.

A limited run of 500 individually numbered 12” vinyl of The Long Way are available exclusively here: https://lnk.to/TheCoronasPR

A show NOT to be missed, THE CORONAS LIVE at the Ulster Hall – tickets are on-sale NOW

Tickets for the Ulster Hall are available:

In person at the Ulster Hall box office

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

www.thecoronas.net

The Turkish Airlines World Oyster Eating Championship returns to the international stage at the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival on Saturday 3^rd September 2016, when undefeated champion Colin Shirlow will once again defend his title.

The Dromore man faces added pressure this year as he takes on the challenge for the eleventh time and attempts to beat the new Guinness World Record which he set in 2015 by eating 235 oysters in 3 minutes.

Helping this international eating competition receive the global recognition it deserves is sponsor Turkish Airlines which aims to provide the necessary backing for attracting visitors and challengers from across the world to Northern Ireland’s famous oyster festival.

Onur Gul, Ireland Marketing Executive, Turkish Airlines said: “Turkish Airlines is very excited to be coming on-board as a principal sponsor for this year’s Hillsborough International Oyster Festival and for the main event spectacle, the World Oyster Eating Championship. It is a very unique but lively event that attracts food enthusiasts worldwide which is a great boost for the local economy during the Festival.”

Now aged 60 years, oyster king Colin Shirlow, from Dromore, is hoping to meet his match in the 2016 competition. In past feats, he has encountered some of the world’s best and fastest competitive eaters in the world including Matt Stonie, Sonya ‘The Black Widow’ Thomas, Miki Sudo, Bob Shoudt and Michelle Lesco, none of whom has been successful.

Sharing some of his pearls of wisdom, oyster eating champion Colin Shirlow said: “Anyone wishing to compete against me in the Turkish Airlines World Oyster Eating Championship needs to understand that the game is quickness not quantity. It’s my technique of speed-eating that most of my competitors find difficult to replicate and keep up with.”

For further information on the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival’s full programme, which runs from Tuesday 30^th August to Saturday 3^rd September 2016, and to purchase tickets, visit www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com.

The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival also kindly acknowledges the support of Tourism Northern Ireland and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in the staging of this year’s event.

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh has released details of the new Autumn | Winter 2016 season packed full of the best in entertainment including shows, workshop and exhibitions to keep audiences flooding back time and again.

And with Christmas just around the corner, you can pick a show that’s sure to delight that special someone as a Christmas treat. The choice is endless, so here’s just a glimpse of some of the treats on offer.

On Saturday 17 September, the family fun kicks off with our ever-popular Family Super Saturday and the production ‘Gruff’. Trip Trap Trip Trap Trip Trap…Three hungry Billy Goats, two eyes as big as saucers, one rickety- rackety Bridge. This much loved fairy-tale is brought to life with a pinch of magic, puppetry, storytelling and original music. Family Super Saturdays include one hour of fun activities including themed craft workshop, face painting, balloon modelling and fancy dress competition. Great value for money!

Then on 17 September and from the producers of ‘The Bjorn Identity – Abba Tribute Show’ comes a show to die for. ‘Review To A Thrill’ is a live concert experience of the best years of Bond music. With two stunning vocalists and an incredible nine-piece band, this show features an array of musical artists with West End and International stage credits. Make a party night of it and come dressed as the man himself, your favourite Bond girl or Bond Villain [‘Best-Dressed’ Prizes Available]

Tommy Sands and his new show, ‘The Ballad of a Songman’ arrives in Armagh on 8 October after a hugely successful World Premiere in New York. Collaborating with leading Irish playwright, Martin Lynch, Tommy’s new autobiographical show comprises storytelling, childhood video archives, stories, poetry, philosophy, politics, clever comedy, and of course the great trademark Tommy Sands songbook. From a small music making farmhouse that reared “The Sands Family” in the Mourne foothills of County Down to sharing a New York Madison Square Garden stage with Bruce Springsteen, from working in tough Nevada prisons to the Peace Talks at Stormont, Tommy’s incredible life journey will leave you enchanted, spellbound and wanting more.

Peter Corry returns to the Market Place on 5 November with a new show celebrating the best of the musicals. Northern Ireland’s finest voice will entertain you with a night full of musical gems. Join Peter and cast as they take you through the streets of Fagin’s London to Saigon, from Oklahoma to the barricades of Paris, to the Phantom’s Lair and onto New York’s West Side Story. There are all the classic favourites from shows like ‘Phantom Of The Opera’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Oliver’ as well as hits from ‘Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’ and of course songs from the brilliant ‘Les Miserables’. A night not to be missed by all musical theatre fans.

From the Scottish Folk Scene of the 1960s to her performance at the Royal Albert Hall, London; Barbara Dickson has captivated audiences with her soulful renditions of material from the traditional songs of her native Scotland to her outstanding musical theatre roles. On 13 November she will perform at The Market Place with special guest Anthony Toner. Currently working on new material for his seventh album, Anthony has been described as John Prine meets James Taylor in a second hand book shop.

Let the Christmas festivities begin on Friday 25 November with ‘Magical Mozart By Candlelight! From the producers of ‘A Viennese Strauss Gala’, this sumptuous fully costumed show immerses us in the wonderful music and the classical baroque world of one of the world’s greatest romantic composers – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. With beautiful settings, costumes and lighting, and of course candles, the European Baroque Ensemble & Singers transport you back to the sumptuous past. A packed programme of classical music and song, which includes excerpts from Mozart’s operas such as ‘The Magic Flute’, ‘The Marriage Of Figaro’, ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ as well as ‘Eine Kleine Nacht Musik’.

For details of all events can be found online at www.marketplacearmagh.com, and tickets for can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821.

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.

Friday 12 August – Thursday 19 August

Until Sunday 14 August, Creative Peninsula

Various locations within the Ards and North Down Borough

The Creative Peninsula is now in its 15^th year and the programme just keeps getting better.

Throughout the week there will be a number of events taking place in celebration of Art and Craft such as workshops, demonstrations, guided tours and so much more! Something for everyone – discover the artist within or simply come along and enjoy a week long explosion of creativity!

Info and booking: see visitardsandnorthdown.com/creative-peninsula

Until Saturday 20 August, Clandeboye Festival Camerata Ireland

Clandeboye Estate, Bangor

A prestigious annual event founded by Barry Douglas, international pianist, conductor, educator and recording artist.

Info: (028) 9042 7600, camerata-ireland.com

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

Until Wednesday 31 August, Open House Festival

Bangor, various locations

The Open House Festival presents another fabulous and exciting programme of festival events spread over forty venues throughout the whole of August.

Music, words, theatre and comedy, film, food and drink, magic and mystery and arts!

Info: (028) 9147 1780, info@openhousefestival.com, openhousebangor.com

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

Friday 12 August, Fair Weather Fridays Outdoor Performances

Conway Square, Newtownards

Free entertainment, 12.30pm-1.30pm

With everything from music to circus performance and comedy, Conway Square in Newtownards will be the place to be on Friday’s between 12.30pm and 1.30pm throughout August.

In the event of inclement weather the performances will move into Ards Arts Centre.

Info: Ards Arts, 028 9181 0803

Friday 12 August, Music in the Courtyard

North Down Museum, Bangor

Free, 12noon-2pm

Lunchtime musical performances every Friday in August, set in the pretty courtyard of North Down Museum, beside Coffee Cure Cafe.

Info: 028 9127 1200, northdownmuseum.com

Friday 12 August and Saturday 13 August, Working Vintage Festival

Rosemount Estate, Greyabbey

£10, Fri 4pm-10pm | Sat 10am-5pm

Come along and enjoy large displays of vintage tractors, steam engines, vintage cars

and motor cycles, vintage lorries, stationary engines, implements, craft tents, trade

stands, food outlets, amusements, live music and much, much more for all the family.

Info: 028 9754 1334, Secretary@countydowntractionengineclub.com, countydowntractionengineclub.com

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

Saturday 13 August, Peninsula Food Showcase: Portavogie ‘Seafood Festival’

The Harbour

Free, 12noon-6pm

The Portavogie Seafood Festival will be a celebration of Portavogie’s seafood heritage. Celebrity chef Jenny Bristow will be doing live cookery demonstrations alongside local chefs. The beach huts will be filled with local artisan producers from the Peninsula; there will be children’s activities, a fun fair, street theatre, sand pits, and much more.

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

Saturday 13 August, Family Entertainment

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Free, 2pm-4pm

13 Aug: Animal Roadshow and Balloon Modelling

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

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

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 August, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm

Sat 13: Magic Show

Sun 14: Face Painting, traditional crafts 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

Sunday 14 August, Guided Walks and Tours: Strangford Lough Boat Tour

£8 (Ad) | £4 (Ch),  2pm-4pm

Take time away from the fast pace of everyday life and enjoy the magnificent scenery and fascinating wildlife of Strangford Lough. See where Saint Patrick first came ashore, view landscapes used in Game of Thrones filming and hear of Viking raiders.

Info and booking: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@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

14 Aug: Punk in the Park – Shock Treatment 21. Once the stomping ground of the BBA, punk is back with the reincarnated Belfast punk band, Shock Treatment 21.

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

Monday 15 to Friday 19 August, Arts: Creative Summer Schemes for Kids Comber Arts Summer Scheme

Comber Leisure Centre

1pm-3pm

These fun arts-based workshops will include various different types of art activities, ensuring that each child gets the opportunity to learn and develop a range of creative skills. Suitable for ages 6-12yrs.

Fees: £30 (10% discount for second child in same family).

Info: (028) 9181 0803, ardsarts.com

Thursday 18 August, Guided Walks & Tours: Bangor Abbey Graveyard Tour

£3, 7pm – 8pm

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

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

Friday 19 August – Thursday 25 August

Until Saturday 20 August, Clandeboye Festival Camerata Ireland

Clandeboye Estate, Bangor

A prestigious annual event founded by Barry Douglas, international pianist, conductor, educator and recording artist.

Info: (028) 9042 7600, camerata-ireland.com

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

Until Wednesday 31 August, Open House Festival

Bangor, various locations

The Open House Festival presents another fabulous and exciting programme of festival events spread over forty venues throughout the whole of August.

Music, words, theatre and comedy, film, food and drink, magic and mystery and arts!

Info: (028) 9147 1780, info@openhousefestival.com, openhousebangor.com

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

Friday 19 August, Fair Weather Fridays Outdoor Performances

Conway Square, Newtownards

Free entertainment, 12.30pm-1.30pm

With everything from music to circus performance and comedy, Conway Square in Newtownards will be the place to be on Friday’s between 12.30pm and 1.30pm throughout August.

In the event of inclement weather the performances will move into Ards Arts Centre.

Info: Ards Arts, 028 9181 0803

Friday 19 August, Music in the Courtyard

North Down Museum, Bangor

Free, 12noon-2pm

Lunchtime musical performances every Friday in August, set in the pretty courtyard of North Down Museum, beside Coffee Cure Cafe.

Info: 028 9127 1200, northdownmuseum.com

Saturday 20 August, Family Entertainment

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Free, 2pm-4pm

20 Aug: Science Show and Children’s Crafts

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

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

Saturday 20 August, Guided Walks & Tours: Nautical Past Short Sea Cruise

£10, 2pm – 4.30pm

Discover the rich nautical history of Belfast Lough. As you explore Bangor’s role in World Wars I and II, ‘The Battle of the Copelands’, the first naval battle in the U.S Civil War and the Titanic.

Learn more about the significant landmarks on the coastline and be sure to look out for the fascinating variety of wildlife.

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

Saturday 20 August, Groomsport Music and Fireworks

Groomsport Harbour

Free, 6pm-10pm

12noon-10pm Kiddies Funfair (Charges apply). 2pm – 4pm Jumping Clay and children’s crafts (Free) at Cockle Row Cottages

Live music, a fireworks display, family entertainment and food stalls. Headliner Act: Silver Dagger – the Dolly Parton Bluegrass years

Plus, Dogg Ruff String Band and, Chris Keys Trio

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

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm

Sat 20: Jumping Clay and Children’s Crafts

Sun 21: Archery, Traditional Crafts 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

21 Aug: Nathan O’Regan and Band – Cork-born, Bangor-based singer-songwriter will perform with his full band fresh on the back of his debut album which is due out mid-summer

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

Tuesday 23 August, Guided Walks & Tours: Bangor Christian Heritage Walk

£3, 2.30pm-4.30pm

Trace the steps of canons, priests and pilgrims in a tour that encompasses visits to Bangor Abbey, St Comgall’s Roman Catholic Church, First Bangor Presbyterian Church and the North Down Museum, where you can explore a life-size reconstruction of a monk’s cell.

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

Exhibitions

The Space, Ards Crafts and Visitor Information Centre

31 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD

Mon–Sat 9.30am–5pm, (028) 9182 6846

Until Saturday 27 August

Meet the Maker: ‘Papercrafted’

An exhibition by visual artist Emma Davison

North Down Museum

Castle Park Avenue, Bangor

(028) 9127 1200, northdownmuseum.com

Until Tuesday 30 August

Ulster Woodturners Exhibition

An exhibition of woodturnings made by members of the Irish Woodturners Guild in the Ulster Area

Until Sunday 28 August

Creative Peninsula

A celebration of artwork produced by local artists and craftspeople

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street

Mon–Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

(028) 4272 9882

The Loft Gallery

Until Sunday 28 August

Art in the Loft: ‘I Made This for You’

A collection of work inspired by old postcard images of Bangor Town by Jessica Hollywood

The Saddlery

Until 28 August

Community Coastal Rowing Exhibition

By Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership and Portaferry Rowing Club