Friday 2 – Thursday 8 September
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm
Sat 3: Clayrazy and children’s crafts
Sun 4: Children’s Crafts, ‘Plant and Play’ and Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm, daily. Free admission
Info: (028) 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sun 4 – Sat 10 Sept, Ulster-Scots Festival – Walks, Talks and Live Music
Bangor, Ards, Comber and Donaghadee
Tickets Free-£3, available now!
There are a number of Talks and Tours taking place as part of this week long Festival. Tickets must be allocated in advance.
The event culminates in a fantastic finale with Donaghadee Lights Up on Saturday 10 September, featuring the enthralling Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Supported by the Ulster-Scots Agency.
Info: (028) 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Wednesday 7 September, Historic Holywood and Ulster Scots Walk
Holywood
Tickets £3, 2.30pm – 4pm. Enjoy an informative stroll through Holywood’s colourful history. Tour departs from outside The Maypole Bar.
Info and booking: (028) 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Thursday 8 September, Historical Society Talk: The Life of Emma Duffin, WW1 Nurse
North Down Museum, Bangor
Starts 8pm, Free for Society members, £4 for non-members
Info and booking: 028 9127 1200, northdownmuseum.com
Saturday 10 September, Donaghadee Lights Up
The Commons, Donaghadee
Free. 12noon-9.30pm. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers play live at this spectacular seaside setting. Supported by the Ulster-Scots Agency with a full programme of music, activities and food.
Info: (028) 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Friday 9 – Thursday 15 September
Until Saturday 10 Sept, Ulster-Scots Festival – Walks, Talks and Live Music
Bangor, Ards, Comber and Donaghadee
Tickets Free-£3, available now!
There are a number of Talks and Tours taking place as part of this week long Festival. Tickets must be allocated in advance.
The event culminates in a fantastic finale with Donaghadee Lights Up on Saturday 10 September, featuring the enthralling Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Supported by the Ulster-Scots Agency.
Info: (028) 9182 6846 | (028) 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 10 September, Guided Walks and Tours: Ulster-Scots Dander Round the Dee
Donaghadee
2.30pm – 4pm. Tickets £3.
Step back through the ages as you are lead around the history-rich town of Donaghadee. Discover the stories behind the buildings and hear how Hugh Montgomery and his followers arrived at the harbour in 1606 to help shape present day Donaghadee.
Info and booking: (028) 9182 6846 | (028) 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 10 September, Donaghadee Lights Up
The Commons, Donaghadee
Free. 12noon-9.30pm. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers play live at this spectacular seaside setting. Supported by the Ulster-Scots Agency with a full programme of music, activities and food.
Info: (028) 9182 6846 | (028) 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September, European Heritage Open Days
The Ards and North Down Area
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Bangor Castle, The Boys’ Brigade Heritage Museum, Sketrick Castle, Holywood Motte and Light Ship ‘Petrel’ to name just a few attractions of interest open this weekend.
See visitardsandnorthdown.com for more details.
Info: (028) 9182 6846 | (028) 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Aspects Irish Literature Festival, Bangor
25 Years Celebrating Irish Writing
A quarter of a century has passed since the first Aspects Festival took place and its spirit remains ‘a celebration of Irish Writing’. The festival returns this year still celebrating, nurturing and exploring the extraordinary literary talent found locally and throughout the island.
Tickets on sale now!
For info and to book visit aspectsfestival.com or call (028) 9127 1200
Exhibitions
Exhibition: Ebb and Flow
Friday 2 September – Saturday 1 October
Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards
An exhibition by North Armagh Arts Collective.
Info: (028) 9181 0803, ardsarts.com
Exhibition: The Irene Sendler Window
Friday 2 September – Saturday 1 October
Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards
David Esler worked with a group of ex service personnel, nurses and older people who experienced the conflict in N Ireland to create the Irene Sendler Window.
Info: (028) 9181 0803, ardsarts.com
Exhibition: NI’s Landscape and Wildlife Photography
Thursday 1 – Wednesday 28 September
The Loft Gallery, Portaferry VIC, BT 22 1NZ
Photographer Donny Moore presents a collection of captivating images of NI’s wildlife and landscape in this free to visit exhibition.
Info: (028) 4272 9882, visitardsandnorthdown.com