Discover Northern Ireland has stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events. Here are 10 exciting things taking place this week (2-8 October)

1. Portrush Beer and Food Festival, Portrush, Co. Antrim, 6-8 October. The very best of local produce and drink will be on the menu when Portrush Beer and Food Festival returns. Set to be a weekend to remember, the festival boasts an extended programme and will be held in Portrush Town Hall.
2. Irish Hare Photography, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, 7 October.  The meadows at Portmore Lough nature reserve near Aghalee are home to a thriving population of around 40 Irish hares. This autumn, the Portmore RSPB NI team are granting access to a part of the reserve not usually open to the public to allow keen photographers to capture these marvellous mammals on camera.
3. Red Bull Fox Hunt, Co. Down, 7-8 October. A cycling competition where 450 riders will play the part of “the hounds” as they try to outride three Foxes at Rostrevor’s Mountain Bike trail. This year’s foxes are previous Downhill Mountain Bike World Champion Gee Atherton, current UCI Downhill World Champion Loïc Bruni and 3-time Red Bull Foxhunt winner Colin Ross.
4. FEAR – Fermanagh Endurance Adventure Race, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, 7 October. What better way to spend a Saturday morning than getting up close and personal with Fermanagh’s rugged and wild terrain. A multi-sport competition consisting of three sporting disciplines cycling, trail running and kayaking. To register visit www.FEARmanagh.com.
5. The Slow Food Festival, Derry~Londonderry, 7-8 October. Slow Food is a global, grassroots organisation that promotes true enjoyment of good food with the commitment to community and the environment. This free, family-friendly event will incorporate a slow food harvest fayre, tastings, demonstrations, family fun zone and more. The best of local food will be on the menu in Guildhall Square.
6. Wire Sculpture Workshop, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, 7 October. Innovative wire sculptors invent their own new forms of wire sculpture as they explore. Learn techniques for constructing basic 3D wire frameworks using simple pencil drawings as a guide. These can then be developed using a variety of wires to make interesting sculptures. Ticket cost £35 and includes lunch.
7. The Farmer’s Bash, Belfast, 6 October. Grab your cowboy boots as UK and Ireland’s biggest indoor country music dance event comes to Belfast. Acts include country music stars Derek Ryan, Lisa McHugh and Robert Mizzell, as well as the globally popular Grassmen. Tickets start from £28.
8. Belfast Comedy Festival, Belfast, 2-8 October.  Taking place in venues across the city Belfast Comedy Festival celebrates its sixth year. The festival is not limited to stand-up comedy and aims to entertain, challenge, and inspire through a diverse programme of theatre, workshops, seminars, circus, film, quizzes, competitions, and includes events for children.
9. Seamus Heaney: LifeCycle Tour, Bellaghy, Derry~Londonderry, 7 October. This guided coach tour of the landscape made famous by Seamus Heaney’s poetry is led by local man, accredited tour guide and Heaney specialist, Eugene Kielt. This is a wonderful way to explore the ‘home ground’ in which Heaney was rooted and which so influenced his poetry. To book your place visit www.seamusheaneyhome.com.
10. The Brandon McPhee Show, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, 5 October. Already acclaimed for his unsurpassed skill on the button key accordion, Brandon McPhee is also rapidly gaining a following at home and abroad as a country music vocalist and guitarist. Brandon and his Scottish and Country Band will be joined by Eddie Rose and Hugo Duncan. To book tickets please visit www.laganvalleyisland.co.uk.

 

 

 

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit  www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.