The best of local food and drink will be on the menu when Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival returns on June 17^th and 18^th.

Now firmly established as a major attraction, thousands of people are expected to take part in the two days of festivities.

Known around the world for its whiskey distillery and salmon station, the Festival celebrates local food and drink producers, with a flavour of song, dance and heritage.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, said: “Bushmills’ reputation for its whiskey goes back centuries, so we have much history to celebrate in the area. The distillery, the salmon station and the River Bush provide a fantastic backdrop for the Festival, and I would encourage everyone to explore the programme of events and enjoy what’s on offer.”

The Main Street in the town will be transformed into a Festival-friendly pedestrian zone, where you will be able to browse through the local produce on offer at the Naturally North Coast and Glens artisan market. With around 30 stalls, the Market is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in food, arts and crafts created in this area.

On Saturday 17^th, the River Bush Salmon Station, situated in a beautiful river-side location on Church Street, will be open to the public for tours, talks and demonstrations, giving a unique insight in to the fascinating salmon life cycle, and the important work which takes place at the site.

 

At the Distillery, visitors will be able to enjoy tasting whiskey and cocktail tasting sessions, and hear all about its 400-year-old history.

For the foodies, a new addition to the Festival calendar is a bespoke Festival Food Tour, in conjunction with Caroline Redmond of North Coast Walking Tours. Offering themed tasters and food stops, it allows participants to sample local food alongside a taste of history.

The Festival marquee, located in Main Street car park, will feature cookery demonstrations over both days, allowing visitors to get up close with some of the best local chefs and our guest celebrity chef.

And if fashion is your thing, the Marquee will be transformed into a catwalk for the Bushmills Lil’ Divas Charity Fashion Show at 7pm on Friday 16^th June. The ‘Under the Sea’ themed evening will showcase local fashion and up-styled pieces from the Bushmills Save the Children Shop.

Tickets priced at £10, including festival ‘mocktails’, canapes from The French Rooms and Tartine at The Distillers Arms, and an exclusive ‘must have’ goodie bag are available at various businesses in the town.

Other highlights to look out for include a Festival Cream Tea in Bushmills Presbyterian Church Hall, heritage walking tours, a food and drink trail, traditional music and dance, children’s arts and craft, live music in the bars and themed menus in the local restaurants.

Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival is organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in conjunction with Bushmills Distillery and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

For more details and to keep up to date with the latest announcements go to www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com, follow Causeway Coast events on Facebook telephone Bushmills VIC (028) 2073 0390 or email bushmills.vic@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

 

One of Ireland’s leading female musicians will top the bill at this year’s Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival.

Sharon Shannon takes to the stage in The Marine Hotel in Ballycastle on Friday 2^nd June with doors opening at 8pm.

A superstar in the realms of Irish traditional music, Sharon is an acclaimed accordion and fiddle player who collaborated with both Steve Earle and later Mundy on the much loved ‘Galway Girl’ track.

The Ballycastle gig will feature many old favourites including the instantly recognisable ‘Blackbird’ along with songs from her latest album ‘Sacred Earth’, released just last month.

Tickets priced at £20 will be available to purchase from Saturday (April 15^th) at Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre, The Marine Hotel or online at www.eventbrite.co.uk (booking fee applies).

This year’s Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival runs from Friday 26th May until Sunday 4th June with a packed programme of events taking place in Ballycastle and Rathlin Island.

Now in its 5th year, the Festival has firmly established itself as a fantastic celebration of our rich maritime heritage offering something for all the family.

On Rathlin, look out for the visiting currachs – the Colmcille, the Menapian, and the newly built Mamach Mór.  They will be joined by the Vikings from Ardglass on their own boat ‘Ellen Dubh’.

Exhibitions and talks will shed light on some of the coastline’s ship wreck stories, including HMS Drake, which sunk in Church Bay 100 years ago.

Other highlights to look out for include the sailing regatta, currach races, and the visiting tall ship, while back on dry land in Ballycastle browse the fantastic range of local produce, arts and crafts at the Naturally North Coast Artisan Market.

If food is your thing, look out for the cookery demonstrations and the much anticipated Chowder Cook-off.  Or, if you are more adventurous, take part in the have-a-go activities including power boating and the chance to ‘paddle your own kayak’ in the safety of the harbour in Ballycastle or Rathlin.

For full details on the festival programme go to www.rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates.

Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival is sponsored by The Marine Hotel in Ballycastle, Rathlin Island Ferry Company and Malin Waters.

Irish music icon CHRISTY MOORE has confirmed he will return to the Millennium Forum this November as part of a short national tour.

One of the most compelling and inspirational musicians Ireland has ever seen, Christy Moore has a universal fan base and still continues to entertain; cementing him as an Irish icon.  It is his deep urge to connect with the listener and to transmit the meaning of the songs he sings that has endeared him to audiences of all ages.

Christy has produced more than 25 solo albums, from Paddy on the Road in 1969 to the worldwide release of Lily in 2016.  Christy Moore: Journey, a documentary on 50 years of song, aired on RTE television and was also released on DVD last year.  This year Christy will be busy as ever on the live circuit.

www.christymoore.com

Tickets go on sale Friday 12 May at 10am and will be available from the Millennium Forum Box Office.  Telephone 71 264455 or visit millenniumforum.co.uk

 

Following the success of last year’s partnership, the National Trust and local tour company, ‘Away A Wee Walk,’ are delighted to be relaunching the spectacular Clifftop Experience hike this week.

The Giant’s Causeway Clifftop Experience is a fantastic five-mile hike from the ruin of Dunseverick Castle along the stunning clifftop path to Northern Ireland’s first World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway. On this spectacular journey, walkers will enjoy the breath-taking view of Ireland’s famous coastline which provides some of the best cliff top views in all of Europe.

Alastair Walker, Giant’s Causeway Site Manager, explained: ‘We want to encourage people to make the most out of what this outstanding coastline has to offer. The Clifftop Experience is an incredible hike with an amazing view, and visitors will have the opportunity to find out all there is to know about this beautiful place and learn more about the conservation work of the National Trust across the Causeway Coast and Glens.’

Eimear Flanagan, Away a Wee Walk said: ‘Away A Wee Walk is thrilled to be working alongside the National Trust again to offer visitors to the North Coast a truly breath-taking experience. The cliff top path is simply spectacular and the 944,000 annual visitors to the site can now experience even more of this amazing coast.’

The National Trust, the UKs largest conservation charity, maintains this section of the famous Ulster Way walking route. The remarkable cliff landscape and coastal farmland is home for creatures big and small: cattle and sheep inhabit the surrounding fields, chomping down the long grass, while insects thrive below.

Walking tour information

The Clifftop Experience walk departs daily from the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre at 10.30am for the Rambler bus to Dunseverick Castle. The walk returns along the cliff tops to the Giant’s Causeway and is expected to take around 31/2 hours to complete. Maximum group size is 18. Children must be age 12 years plus.

What to bring

Sturdy walking shoes are essential and a waterproof coat is advisable. A good level of health and fitness is required to complete this hike. Walkers are also advised to carry some water and sunblock.

To book

Pre-booking is essential on: www.giantscausewaytickets.com

You are advised to book by 4pm the day BEFORE you intend to do the walk.

Cost: £30 per person; includes entry to the full Visitor Experience at the Giant’s Causeway, Rambler bus service and shuttle bus.

For more information contact the National Trust North Coast Booking Office on:

T: +44 (0)28 2073 3419

E: northcoastbookings@nationaltrust.org.uk

W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giantscauseway

 

A special musical and drama performance celebrating Ulster-American links takes place in Larne next month as part of the Friends’ Goodwill Festival.

Commissioned by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, American Dreams features artists and groups, including the Harlandic Male Voice Choir, Larne Choral Society, Sir Henry Inglesby Fife and Drum, Larne Drama Circle, and the Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band.

The event is being held in the McNeill Theatre on Thursday 18 May at 7.30pm and promises to take the audience on a voyage through history, starting with the Friends’ Goodwill ship’s departure from Larne 300 years ago.

The show, written and produced by local historian Dr David Hume, also includes historic material, poems and songs especially written for the performance.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Audrey Wales MBE, said: “Admission to American Dreams is free to residents and it promises to be a superb evening of entertainment and reflection.

“The complimentary tickets are available from Larne Tourist Information Centre.

“The production tells the remarkable story of the Ulster Scots emigrants’ voyage to America and launches the Friends’ Goodwill Festival.”

American Dreams will include several set piece dramas, one of which brings the audience into the heart of the Waxhaws region and the creation of the American Declaration of Independence.

The local focus will also include the Timber Ridge community in Virginia, where many families from Ballysnod, Raloo, Browndod and Ballyboley settled from the 1730s.

Back in 1717, 52 pioneering emigrants left Larne on the Friends’ Goodwill ship in pursuit of new lives in America.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is hosting four days of events for all the family to mark the 300th anniversary of the sailing, including outdoor music, concerts, barbecues, historical re-enactments and American-themed sports displays, to commemorate the courage and legacy of all those on board the Friends’ Goodwill.

The packed programme of public, maritime-themed events takes place in Larne from Thursday 18 May until Sunday 21 May.

The Saturdays star Una Healy is headlining the Friends’ Goodwill Festival and will take to the stage at Sandy Bay Playing Fields from 9pm on Saturday 20 May.

Una joins a stellar line-up of performers and acts taking part, including Jim Devine, The Broken String Band, Marty Mone, Dana Masters, Philomena Begley, Four Men and a Dog, Barry Kirwan and Niamh McGlinchey.

For more details visit: midandeastantrim.gov.uk/friendsgoodwill

The glorious May weather is continuing as the gates open today to Northern Ireland’s premier gardening event, the much anticipated Allianz Garden Show Ireland at Antrim Castle Gardens.

Promising a fabulous Festival of Flowers, Food and Fun, the three day Show is set to welcome a bumper crowd to the stunning Antrim setting over the weekend.

The Show is considered by gardening experts to be must see event and with household names like BBC’s Joe Swift leading the line-up it is easy to see why. Joe, who anchors the BBC’s coverage for the Chelsea Flower Show every year, will be giving talks on Friday 5 May.

With over twenty Garden visuals for visitors to enjoy, including the show stopping feature garden which draws inspiration from CS Lewis and creations from local community groups and garden designers there will be something to inspire all levels of gardeners. While the Growers Pavilion will house specialist nurseries with thousands of plants available to purchase from the expert growers who will be on hand for advice along with the opportunity to win a 3D landscape design package by Acheson Glover.

Damien O’Neil, Head of Marketing & Communications for Allianz Ireland remarked,

“Allianz is delighted, once again, to be title sponsor in 2017. Last year’s event was a huge success and this year looks set to be even bigger and better. Allianz is committed to sustainability of the environment and we recognise the big part that our gardens can play in achieving this goal. We know that the Show not only brings communities together but also showcases the very best in the world of gardening with all its attendant benefits. We are very much looking forward to all that this year’s Allianz Garden Show Ireland has to offer.”

Food continues to be a central part of the Show with lively demonstrations from resident chef Paula McIntyre who will be joined on Saturday 6 May by Big Allotment Challenge judge Thane Prince. The Food NI Pavilion will be jammed pack with appetising treats to take home with a diverse range on offer from craft beers to dry cured bacon, not forgetting good old soda bread baked in situ by the Krazi Baker.

Visitors to the Show will then be able to step outside and dine alfresco in the Click Energy Relax & Recharge Area. They will continue to be spoilt for choice with the award-winning Broughgammon Farm serving up their famous goat burgers alongside Born and Raised Waffles creating their delicious handcrafted Liege waffles.

Eddie Rowan, Events Manager at Tourism Northern Ireland commented,

“Antrim Castle Gardens are an historical gem and a magnificent venue to once again host Allianz Garden Show Ireland. The event attracts great crowds to Antrim. Tourism Northern Ireland is pleased to see the 2017 show celebrates the legacy of the Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink, with a Food NI Pavilion packed with local produce.”

 

The Show programme is packed with musical performances from Sestina, Martello Jazz Band, the Brass Band from the City of Belfast School of Music and the Sing for Life community choir all performing at various stages of the three day Show. Also joining the arts line up is a unique exhibition of large tree hanging displays of over 30 quilts which will be suspended from trees in the gardens.

A little bit of Narnia will appear in Antrim in the CS Lewis inspired gardens created by the local community and charity groups and with surprise visits expected from Mr Tumnus and others it is set to be a magical weekend for fans of the Chronicles of Narnia. Little ones will also delight as they can create their own fairy houses, design and fly their own kites and enjoy some archery and even a spot of climbing.

The family focused event has over the last number of years engaged with schools province wide ensuring that the Show is eagerly anticipated by all the children who take part in the Allianz supported schools challenges. Primary Schools are displaying their ‘Enchanted Garden Container Gardens’, meanwhile Allianz Scarecrow Avenue has come alive with scarecrows created by primary schools in the integrated sector.

The 2017 Allianz Garden Show Ireland will run from 5-7 May and is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Set in the stunning Antrim Castle Gardens the Allianz Garden Show Ireland continues to draw record crowds each year and with extensive local parking at Enkalon and the Junction and a short travel time from Belfast it really is an accessible day out for all.

Adults tickets cost £10 (concession £8), the event is FREE for children under 16 and there is a reduced rate for online booking, for more information on the Show or to book tickets online please visit www.gardenshowireland.com

An exhilarating week of drama is lined up for Theatre at The Mill from Monday 15 – Saturday 20 May as the Ulster Drama Festival returns nightly at 7.45pm

Following a series of highly competitive festivals which took place throughout Northern Ireland in March the top six award-winning productions from North and South have gained the honour of performing in the ULSTER DRAMA FESTIVAL which is sponsored by the Enkalon Foundation.

The programme offers the amazing opportunity for audiences to see a spectacular range of plays by well-known and highly acclaimed authors – performed by companies from Belfast, Bangor, Holywood, Newtownabbey and Wexford.

A full synopsis of each play can be on the website: www.theatreatthemill.com

Tickets: £12 & £10 (Concession) or Festival Ticket £60 & £50 (Concession). Tickets are available from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online www.theatreatthemill.com

 

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland (May 8 – May 14)

Gunpowder Irish Gin Evening, Co. Antrim, 9 May. Join in on the journey of Drumshambo Gunpowder Irish Gin… Galgorm Resort and Spa are proud to introduce the latest in their Gin evenings. Hear about the curious mind of PJ Rigney and how he got to work over signature serves paired with a mouth-watering menu from Galgorm’s 3AA Rosette River Room kitchen. £40.00 per person. To book email mmcclure@galgorm.com.

Spring Picnic Twilight Market, Belfast, 9-10 May. Back by popular demand, the Twilight Market is set to return to St George’s Market on 9 and 10 May, from 4pm-11pm. Now an award-winning market, the Twilight Market is an established highlight in Belfast’s calendar of events. Please note, the Twilight Market is strictly over 18s after 9pm due to licensing laws. Entry to the market is free. For more information, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/markets.

Balmoral Show, Co. Antrim, 10-13 May. Ireland’s largest agri-food event, the Balmoral Show, is back at Eikon and Balmoral Park and this time it will be for four days. The show will be bigger and better than before with fantastic arena and livestock attractions including family fun for all the family. A complimentary shuttle service to the venue will operate from Lisburn Train station. Opening hours and ticket prices vary. Please visit balmoralshow.co.uk for more information.

The Guitar Artistry of Hugh Buckley, Belfast, 11 May. Hugh Buckley, one of Ireland’s most accomplished jazz guitarists brings a stellar guitar and piano trio to Belfast comprising the exceptionally gifted pianist Myles Drennan and legenderry bassist Dave Fleming. McHugh’s Bar. Ticket prices £8-£12

April Verch Band, Co.Down, 11^th May. Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to present the incredibly talented Canadian fiddler, singer and step dancer April Verch with her band to Portico, Portaferry as part of a Moving On Music tour. Portico, Portaferry. Tickets £12.

Slieve Donard Moonlit Walk, Co Down, 12 May. Get your torch ready for this must-do challenge. Starting at 19.30 you will plan to make it for the summit around midnight, where you will be able to stargaze and marvel at the lights of Newcastle and beyond before returning to Donard car park for a well-earned hot cuppa. This walk will be taken along the well-known Brandy Pad Route – the main track up and down alongside the River Glen. The time taken depends on the pace of the group but on average it takes approximately 6 hours. Early Registration: £25.00. To register online visit cancerfocusni.org/moonlit

Walled City Tattoo, Derry~Londonderry, 12-13 May. The Walled City Tattoo returns to the Millennium Forum stage. Audiences can expect an array of local and international talent that will include all the traditional aspects of a Tattoo including marching bands, theatrics and musical performances. The Walled City Tattoo will also tell local stories, contemporising and embellishing the show with a rich local theme. 8pm, £18-£22.00.

Dawn Chorus – Cladagh Glen, Co. Fermanagh, 13 May. The early bird catches the worm! Head to Marble Arch Caves for 05.00am to join Geopark staff to hear the dawn chorus of birdsong welcoming the new day. Geopark staff will help you to identify which birds you can hear. Please note Cladagh Glen is not wheelchair accessible; wear warm waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear. Booking essential – contact Marble Arch Caves (028) 6634 8855 to book. Free Event.

Ardress House, Co. Armagh. Nestled in the apple orchards of Co. Armagh, Ardress House offers afternoons of fun and relaxation for everyone. Why not visit the farmyard and let your imagination take you on a journey… as a Dairy Maid perhaps milking the cows in the Byre followed by butter making in the Dairy or imagine yourself as a Blacksmith shoeing horses and making tools in the smithy. Admission prices £2.27 – £13.50. For more information, please visit nationaltrust.org.uk/ardree-house.

Ulster American Folk Park, Co.Tyrone. Immerse yourself in the world famous story of Irish emigration at this dedicated museum that brings the story back to life! Follow the emigrant trail as you journey from the thatched cottages of Ulster, on board a full scale emigrant sailing ship leading to the log cabins of the American frontier. You can meet and chat with an array of richly costumed characters on your way, often with traditional crafts to show, exciting tales to tell and unusual food to share! Open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm. Admission from £5.50 (children under 4 free) For more information visit nmni.com/uafp