Down
The annual Portavogie Seafood Festival takes place on Saturday 11th August, 12 noon – 5.00pm. Ards and North Down Borough Council is providing the free return shuttle bus service from Newtownards Bus Station to the heart of the event, Portavogie Harbour. There will be three departures during the day. For a timetable see visitardsandnorthdown.com. Little ones can be in with a chance of winning a cash prize by dressing up ‘sea-themed’. . A prize each will be awarded to best dressed boy and girl. There will be plenty more sea-themed fun for the little ones to enjoy including a touch tank on the day. The festival as always will celebrate all things seafood. With cooking demos hosted by celebrity chefs, Paul Rankin and Nick Nairn, and Northern Ireland’s biggest fish market and artisan food stalls. Be sure to catch the free bus!
Armagh
Dinosaurs are coming alive at Slieve Gullion! A T-Rex has been spotted prowling around the Walled Garden. Are you brave enough to track him down? Come along to the Geotastic Extravaganza this Saturday which is back bigger and better, to learn about dinomite dinosaurs, vicious volcanoes, earth-shattering earthquakes and other wonders of our planet. You can even get your picture taken with Roary (the T-Rex)… if you’re brave enough! Tickets are not required for this event, spaces for workshops will be given on a first come first served basis. This event is running alongside the normal operations of the Forest Park so parking will be limited.
Fermanagh
Tully Castle – Castle Capers Community Festival including Living History takes place this Saturday 11th August from 1.00pm to 5.00pm. The men of the castle patrol the walls and make ready their weapons to defend this fortified house; see the firing muskets, feel the heft of swords and pikes, try on the armour and helmets of the early 17th century. Admission is free!
Tyrone
SINK OR SLIM….a classic Sam Cree comedy set in the 1960″s in a Health Farm run by the owner Mrs Babbington, is coming to the Strule Arts Centre Omagh this Saturday evening. Ms Babbington is a formidable lady who rules with a rod of iron and who feeds her pet poodle better than her paying guests! Meet the Major, Millie the dippy maid, Willie the handyman who supplies guests with whatever contraband they are willing to pay for and a Swedish Masseuse called Hildie who’s determined to help everyone lose weight and get fit! A merry go round of crazy craic and lots of laughs…….one not to miss!!!
Derry/Londonderry
This Saturday join Seamus Heaney HomePlace for a very special afternoon of poetry and music as they ripple out from HomePlace to host The Poetry Brunch in the landscape that so inspired Seamus Heaney’s work. For this unique poetic experience the audience will be transported to a secret location in the landscape surrounding HomePlace for a special afternoon of poetry readings by Alice Lyons, Iggy McGovern and Kerrie O’Brien. Featuring harp music performed by Maria McGowan, this promises to be a very special afternoon.
Antrim
Voiceworks youth company are delighted to be bringing the family friendly musical Hairspray, plied high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs to the braid Arts Centre, Ballymena this Saturday. This is not to be missed! For one day only for two shows; matinee and evening.
Belfast
Due to popular demand, RUNNING BLIND is back, and running for a truly local charity many of us know and recognise: Team Kerr and Aaron’s Army. Thanks to the kind generosity of sponsors, Heartsine, all proceeds from this event will go directly to Aaron’s Army, a NI registered charity providing running buggies to families across NI. Join in at Stormont on the 11th August 2018 and run, jog or walk either 5k or the more challenging 10k, either blindfolded with a partner, or on your own. For the adventurous, run one lap in a blindfold (supplied) and one lap as a guide – either distance. The aim is to raise awareness of and encourage visually impaired running, whilst raising very much needed funds for local charity. Sign up at http://www.runningblind.org.uk/
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