Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland this week (March 13 – March 19).

 

• Féile an Earraigh, various locations, Belfast, March 13 – 19. Belfast’s traditional spring festival returns on Monday with a feast of music, talks, tours, live entertainment and St Patrick’s Day festivities celebrating the best of Irish arts and culture. This year, the festival is partnering with the Respect Human Rights Film Festival which has produced a programme that offers a dazzling diversity of events, offering a wider understanding of human rights subjects.

• Legenderry Food Festival, Guildhall Square, Derry~Londonderry, March 17 – 19. The Legenderry Food Festival returns for three days to the city’s Guildhall Square. The festival which was recently awarded the Best NI Food Event at the Year of Food and Drink Awards is back showcasing the talents of our local chefs and producers. Expect live looking demos, artisan foods, street theatre, music and much more!

• The Emigrants Farewell, Ulster American Folk Park, Co. Tyrone, March 17. Join in the fun this St Patrick’s Day at the Ulster American Folk Park and attend the ‘American Wake’. Countless thousands of people left Ireland in the 18th and 19th Centuries.  For many, the hours before departure became known as the ‘American or Living Wake’. Watch this dramatic re-enactment complete with music and song.

• Voice of the Irish, Newry Cathedral, Co. Down, March 19. This inaugural concert will be given by the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland with its own inspirational complement of up to 100 young musicians from across Ireland performing a light and highly tuneful programme of popular songs, movie themes and classics interspersed with readings and performances by some of Ireland’s leading actors and musicians. Booking essential and available through Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry.

• St Patrick’s Day Parade and Concert, Custom House Square, Belfast, March 17. The streets of Belfast will be awash with colour from twelve noon as the carnival parade leaves Belfast City Hall snaking its way through the heart of the city to Custom House Square where the St Patrick’s Day annual concert will start at 12.45pm sharp. Performers at this year’s concert include X-Factor runner-up, Fleur East, Reggie ‘n’ Bollie and Stooshe. Entry to the concert will be on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are not required.

• Steam & Shamrocks: Vintage Traction Engine Road Run, Co. Fermanagh, March 17. A popular annual event organised by Headhunters Railway Museum commencing at Mahon’s Hotel, Irvinestown at 9 am. After participating in the annual St Patrick’s Day Scout Parade through the town the vintage engines will steam their way into Enniskillen early afternoon joining the St Patrick’s Day Parade which departs from the Lakeland Forum.

• Spot, Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Co. Armagh, March 16. Spot is a friendly and endearing stage light that loves to tell stories. Spot can be the yellow sun, the blue sea or red fire; a balloon, a hoop or nothing at all. But most of all Spot loves to have fun. The show is a magical world of light, sound and movement for early years’ children. Booking essential.

• Cinderella – La Cenerentola, Grand Opera House, Belfast, March 16 – 18. A much-loved fairy tale but not quite as you know it. Cinderella dreams of a better life as she scrubs the floor of the school of dance. The prince arrives seeking a companion and so this sparkling rom-com goes.An evening of pure magic is in store uniting the fun, fire and brilliance of Rossini’s music with a fresh and witty production. With fabulous frocks and dance woven into the very music of this opera, Cinderella prescribes a healthy dose of entertainment to cure those winter blues.

• Living History, Dundrum Castle, Co. Down, March 16. The ancient rivalry between the Norman Knights of the deLaceys and the deCourcys is explored in a display of the everyday objects of the early 13th century. It wasn’t all fighting and warfare in the Middle Ages, here’s a chance to explore how people, dressed, ate and amused themselves in the castle’s heyday.

• Pat Woods & Friends, Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Co. Armagh, March 16. Join Pat Woods, The Bard From Armagh, for an intimate evening of song and banter.  A previous winner of Entertainer of the Year, Pat’s career has seen him tour many times in the U.S.A. playing the Irish festivals in cities of Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Muskegon.  Pat will share the stage with some special guests during an evening that promises to be one to remember.