Montalto Estate, a 400 acre private estate located in rural Co. Down only minutes from the centre of Ballynahinch, is getting ready to open to visitors for the first time in its history.

Owned by the Wilson family, the new visitor attraction represents a major private investment creating up to 30 new full and part time jobs in the tourism sector as well as the employment of 40 construction jobs.

The Wilson family, well known for running a range of successful Northern Ireland businesses, purchased Montalto Estate in 1995.  Following a major renovation of the entire estate they developed an exclusive luxury venue for business and corporate clients. In 2012 this expanded to include the award-winning wedding venue – The Carriage Rooms at Montalto.

Their on-going business development strategy identified an opportunity to support the sustainability of the Estate through the provision of a unique tourism offering.  This features the opening up of the estate to the public by providing a high quality visitor experience aimed at reconnecting with nature through the estate’s beautiful surroundings.

Steeped in a long and fascinating history and set in a magnificent natural backdrop, Montalto Estate aims to reconnect visitors with nature through access to a range of captivating gardens and beautiful walks and trails. The development of this new tourism offering will help to ensure the long term sustainability of the estate for future generations to enjoy as well as complement the existing tourism portfolio across the region.

The Montalto Estate visitor experience will include; public access to the estate’s beautiful gardens with features including many varieties of flora and fauna along with unique and surprising garden features; historic walks and trails including the Lake Walk, the Garden Walk and the Woodland Trail with an exciting play area where children can play, explore, learn and wonder at their natural surroundings. A purpose built centre, designed in keeping with the look and feel of the estate will include a welcome area featuring interpretation of the estate’s history; a stylish 120 seat café offering flavoursome and beautifully presented food and a shop that will offer a mix of estate produce, local craft products and many other unique and exceptionally designed items.

David Wilson, Managing Director of Montalto Estate, said:
“ We are delighted  and very excited to be opening Montalto Estate to the public.  For the first time ever visitors will have the opportunity to see the beautiful gardens, walks and trails that makes Montalto a truly mystical and enchanting place to visit.  This investment is part of our ongoing business growth strategy which includes the award winning The Carriage Rooms at Montalto wedding and conference venue.   Our aim is to provide a top class visitor attraction which will not only add to the existing Northern Ireland visitor experience but which will encourage visitors into the region. The investment also provides us with the opportunity to preserve the unique character and heritage of this magnificent site which will help to ensure its long term future as an important landmark and visitor destination within Co. Down.”

Supporting the opening of Montalto Estate, John McGrillen, Chief Executive, Tourism NI said:
“We welcome this investment in Montalto Estate and are delighted to see this new addition to our long list of unique and high quality visitor attractions. 2017 was another record year for tourism as we welcomed almost 5 million visitors to Northern Ireland. Attractions such as Montalto Estate which enable visitors to connect with the culture, heritage and landscape of Northern Ireland are key to ensuring our continued success in attracting visitors to the region.”

Montalto Estate will open to the public in the autumn. Opening hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm.  Access to site including car park, welcome area, café and shop is free.  Gardens, Trails and Walks will be ticketed with prices starting from £7.50 (adults) and Children (age 5 – 16) £5.00 with discounted rates when you book in advance online. Children under 5 are free. Visit www.montaltoestate.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #ExploreMontalto.

The Navan Centre & Fort Armagh has an exiting programme of events lined up to keep you and your family entertained this Autumn!

Foraging Sunday – 16^th September (Free drop-in event, 11:00-15:00)

Under expert guidance, you will learn to forage for food as the Celts would have. Explore the wealth of edible delights in our countryside and sample dishes made with foraged foods like berries, apples, cherries and even nettles – you are sure to be amazed!

This is a free drop in event with no pre-booking required.

 

Pottery Sunday – 30^th September (Free drop-in event, 11:00-15:00)

Try your hand at making a clay pot, similar to those which the Celts would have used! The Celts would have crafted pots of differing levels of intricacy and detail based on the occasion. Use your imagination to come up with your own unique design!

This is a free drop in event with no pre-booking required.

 

Little Spooks – 27^th-31^st October, various times

Tickets are now on sale for the Navan Centre & Fort’s Halloween event, Little Spooks! From 27^th -31^st October, this is the perfect Halloween experience for boys and girls who aren’t afraid of enjoying some spooky surprises!

A Halloween Bride & Gloom Story! Do you have the courage to be witness at the ceremony? Emma Goner is no ordinary bride in this most extraordinary of wedding days! With an undead bride and ghostly groom, join the hapless couple on the most memorable day of their lives (or afterlives).

The witch’s cabin is just a short walk away along the winding path. Discover what ghastly ingredients go into a witch’s cauldron and, if you are brave enough to torture your tastebuds, there will be a truly gruesome brew freshly prepared just for you!

Proceed along the path to the Palace of the Pumpkin Prince. There, you will hear some startling stories sure to put a shiver up your spine!

All tickets £7.00 (Adults and Children)
Children aged 3 and under free, although event recommended for ages 4-9 years.

Full details and booking at www.visitarmagh.com/littlespooks

 

Samhain: An Evening Celebration – 2^nd November, 20:00-23:00

Enjoy an evening of celebration exploring the origins of Halloween; the Celtic festival of Samhain. With the beginning of the ‘darker half’ of the year comes the opportunity to reflect on the past and to dream of new beginnings. Listen to ancient tales from renowned storyteller, Liz Weir and meet living history characters who will explore the many traditions associated with the time of year when the veil between this world and the Otherworld is considered to be at its thinnest. The evening will conclude with supper, accompanied by the sounds of local musicians.

Suitable for ages 12 and over. Pre-booking essential at www.visitarmagh.com/samhain

All tickets £14.00, recommended for ages 12 and over.

 

Finn the giant was finally woken from his slumber after a two-day festival and noisy parade through the streets of Warrenpoint.

 

The festival, that took place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th August saw crowds of over 15,000 people in the town during the celebrations.

The stories of Finn Mac Cumhaill are woven deep into the history of this region – from his life on Slieve Gullion, to his battles with rival giants. Each year, the people of Warrenpoint re-enact these epic tales in a collaborative performance.

There was superb entertainment, street performers, music, crafts and speciality food markets for all the family. This year Finn made his way across the water on the Carlingford Ferry to Warrenpoint on Saturday. Even this scenic journey across the lough couldn’t wake him up!

Giant Finn moved through Warrenpoint town centre as part of a noisy parade, as his family asked the public to help them wake him.

The man charged with designing and creating the narrative for this year’s show is renowned actor and writer, Dan Gordon. He put his humorous signature and quirky style on this year’s story that enthused children and parents alike.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chair, Councillor Mark Murnin, said: “Wake the Giant is one of our most highly anticipated events within the summer programme. This year did not disappoint! Every year the numbers keep growing and we were delighted to see such a fantastic turn out on Saturday and Sunday. Local businesses and traders across Warrenpoint really embraced this festival and it was enjoyed by locals and visitors. The creative genius of having Dan Gordon involved meant that everyone was able to enjoy a hilarious narrative as the parade made its way around the town. It was a great weekend had by all!”

To mark the end of summer this year’s Bluegrass Picnic will take place this Sunday, 26 August, in the beautiful Ward Park.

The fabulous Open House Festival Choir kicking things off at 2:30pm.

Headline act, “The Clay Pigeons”, dubbed “the fastest, funkiest four-piece Bluegrass band this side of the Atlantic”, will be “keeping it fresh, fast and good fun”.

With their brand of traditional Appalachian tunes and songs it will be an end of summer party to remember.

It’s the perfect way to spend your Bank Holiday Sunday – picnicking in the park with family and friends, chilling out or dancing whilst kids can pass the time with crafts and games to try.

We look forward to seeing you at Ward Park for this FREE event this Sunday 26th from 2.30pm–5pm.

Don’t forget to pack your picnic!

Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart welcomes an exhibition of paintings by Armoy based artist Nicola Nemec from September 8th – 29^th.

The ‘Quiet Places’ exhibition includes a body of work created while undertaking a residency on the remote Achill Island in County Mayo. Conceived over a two year period, the exhibition is the artist’s response to working in this unique place, combined with her observation of the shifting climate, light and atmosphere of the North Antrim landscape where she lives.

Recurring themes include the contrast between man-made and natural forms, harbours, boglands, mountains and seascapes.

Nicola creates intense, atmospheric paintings which are rich in hue, reflecting the colours of the seasonal landscape, and texture.

Her work has been exhibited extensively across the UK and Ireland and exists in many private and public collections.

Everyone is welcome to come along to the exhibition launch on Saturday 8th September from 2pm-3.30pm. A wine reception and refreshments will be provided.

Nicola will also be facilitating a talk based on her exhibition and creative practice on Thursday 20th September at 2pm. Admission is free.

For further information please visit www.flowerfield.org or call the team on 028 7083 1400.

‘The History Of The Peace [Accordin’ To My Ma!]’, the brilliant sequel to ‘The History Of The Troubles [Accordin’ To My Da]’, is back at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh.

A peaceful tale of street protests, riots, guns, bombings, the RHI Scandal, the latest Stormont collapse and even more riots, PEACE also sees the return of the legendary Firebell, joined of course, by a host of hilarious new characters including Pineapple the paramilitary, Stacey the Flegs woman, Roberto the Flute band leader and many more.

And as expected from Lynch, Grimes & McKee, PEACE will be especially updated to scrutinize the very latest ‘peaceful’ events in Norn Iron.

‘History Of The Peace [Accordin’ To My Ma]’ will run for two nights on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 August at 8pm. Tickets are priced £17 and £15 (concession), and can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre This production is recommended for age 16+.

And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

The Observatory at the Grand Central Hotel takes Afternoon Tea to a New Level!

To celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week (14^th – 20^th August), Conleth Hendron, Observatory Manager from the Grand Central Hotel, is joined by Pamela Ballantine and Ross Thompson of Thompson’s Teas to launch a very special Afternoon Tea experience in the new Observatory Cocktail Lounge.

Served on the 23^rd floor of the hotel, Afternoon Tea in the Observatory will be unique and enchanting, and guests will marvel over the breath-taking views of Belfast and beyond whilst enjoying an array of the finest, locally blended Thompson’s teas, crafted coffees, deliciously designed and handcrafted nibbles along with the finest Champagne and cocktails.

Served daily from 1pm – 5pm, it really is Afternoon Tea nirvana.

Some of County Down’s finest food and drink artisanal producers will be at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Newcastle on Saturday 8^th September for the annual Slieve Donard Beer, Cider, Spirit and Cheese Festival.

Drinks exhibitors at the festival this year include Whitewater Brewery, Jawbox Gin, Kilmeggan Cider, Shortcross Gin and Echlinville Distillery, home to Dunville Whiskey and Echlinville Gin along with local food producers including Kearney Blue Cheese and Fivemiletown Creamery.

The festival will also welcome the return of the popular Street Food Stall with a wide selection of delicious local treats to taste.

Niall Burns, Operations Manager at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, said: “We are thrilled to announce the return of the Slieve Donard Beer, Cider, Spirit and Cheese Festival following the huge success of the past two years.

“The Festival will showcase many of County Down’s finest brands who will be here to talk about what they do with such enthusiasm that it’s impossible not to get totally drawn in.  On top of that there will be lots of food and drink to sample, ensuring that a good time is had by all.

“At Hastings Hotels we only work with the finest local food and drink producers and we can’t wait for guests to come along and see for themselves just why the Slieve Donard holds them in such vert high esteem,” concluded Niall.

This fabulous food and drink event is supported by both Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Tourism Northern Ireland.

Tickets for the event cost £15 per person, which includes three drinks tokens and a souvenir glass, and are available from the Slieve Donard reception or by calling the hotel on 028 4372 1066.