DiscoverNorthernIreland.com has stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events. Here are ten exciting things taking place this week (17-23 September)

 

1. Armagh Food & Cider Festival, Armagh, 20-23 September. In the heart of the Orchard County, this festival is brimming with fine foods, sharing plates, foraged lunches, artisan markets, art tuition, fiction and even a murder mystery. Combine all this with award winning ciders and stunning surroundings and you’re in for a harvest season treat.
2. Culture Night Belfast 2018, Belfast, 21 September. Culture Night is Belfast’s largest, most exciting and inclusive cultural celebration. This event brings together over 300 free events across 150 locations in Belfast City Centre in a single day, attracting over 100,000 visitors from Belfast, Northern Ireland and beyond.
3. Culture Night Derry~Londonderry 2018, Derry~Londonderry, 21 September. Enjoy a late night of free cultural events across the City and District on Culture Night. Culture Night is an annual public event that celebrates culture, creativity and the arts. Arts and cultural organisations open their doors until late with hundreds of free events, tours, talks and performances for you, your family and friends to enjoy.
4. Festival Lough Erne, Enniskillen, 22-23 September. Ireland’s only island town, Enniskillen, will host a celebration of the very best of local food and the Fermanagh Lakelands. The weekend will see a host of activity on and off the water with cookery demonstrations by celebrity chefs, local artisan food and drink producers and live entertainment all taking place at the newly refurbished Enniskillen Castle.
5. Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathon, Belfast, 23 September. Over 4,000 participants are expected to set off on their 13.1 mile journey from Ormeau Park in a bid to complete the largest Half Marathon event in Northern Ireland, the 6th Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathon. As spectators cheer on the runners they can enjoy plenty of food stalls, music and entertainment.
6. Giant Fondo, Newry, 23 September. A new cycling Sportive which follows a route through the beautiful Mourne Mountains region. Starting from Clonduff GAC, the total ride distance is 76.63 km, taking in challenging ascents and some of Northern Ireland’s most fabulous scenery.
7. Cocktail Mixology Workshop, Armagh, 20 September. Learn how to mix, muddle and shake at an interactive 90 minute masterclass with Uluru’s Bar Manager, Paul McElligott. You’ll learn some of the tricks of the trade as well as learning about some classic and contemporary cocktails.
8. Ramble with the Ranger, Castlerock, 22 September. Set on a windswept cliff-top, with fabulous views in all directions, the 360-acre Downhill Demesne offers an invigorating setting for a guided walk. A National Trust Ranger will lead you around the Demesne, as well as the neighbouring Downhill Forest.
9. Out of the Night, Into the Light, Newcastle, 22 September. See sunrise from the highest point in Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the work of Adopt NI. Be guided by marshals and the trail of glow-sticks clearly marking out the route, to the top where you will then view a magnificent sunrise and descend into the light.
10. Woodland and Whiskey Coach Tour, Newtownards, 22 September. This coach tour combinines a guided walk along trails in the estate farmland at Mount Stewart with a visit to Echlinville Distillery. Experience the fine art of whiskey making and taste a golden drop.

 

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