Month: April 2019

Holywood Getting Ready for a Magical Merry May Day!

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Ards and North Down is getting ready to celebrate some magical ‘Merry May Day’ moments with a packed programme full of fun for all the family in Holywood on Monday 6 May!

Getting ready for the Merry May Day fancy dress competition! Princess Jessica MacDonald, 2019 May Queen Kaitlyn Herifeld and ‘Where’s Wally’ Alexander MacDonald.

Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with Holywood and District Community Council, there will be a feast full of activities centred around Holywood’s Maypole to keep the little ones entertained when they’re off school for the long Bank Holiday weekend.

The magical fun and frolics will run from 10am to 4pm with an enchanting variety of entertainment that includes dancing, puppet shows, magic shows, fancy dress competitions, plus plenty of craft, charity and food stalls to keep those rumbling tummies at bay!

The McElhinney School of Dance will provide some jaw-dropping performances with their Irish dance routines. The Holywood based group has performed as far away as Disneyland Paris but now the young dancers are super-excited to bring their stunning acts to the May Day festivities.

Local children will be able to perform their own routines too when they dance around the Maypole and there is an opportunity to join in the fun with the Jump, Jiggle and Jive interactive dance activities.

The crowning of the May Queen will take place in the morning while kids (and maybe some adults too!) will gather around for a fancy dress competition with ‘kings, queens, superheroes and my favourite book character’ providing the themes for 2019.

A painting competition will satisfy all budding artists out there but if you just want to be entertained, there will be three 30-minute puppet shows as well as magic shows where you will be amazed and witness the seemingly impossible!

Another highlight of the day will be the programme of fantastically enchanting and vibrant street theatre complete with the stunning Forest Walkers, the majestic Gliding Butterflies, the beautiful Maiden of Flowers and the gentle Blossom Lion.

Don’t miss out…join us between 10am and 4pm for a great day out in Holywood on Monday 6 May!

For more details, including a full itinerary, visitardsandnorthdown.com or call 028 9127 0069.

Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships 2019

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The Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships will take place on Saturday 11 May 2019 at Newtownards Airport, from 11am – 5pm.

Ian Burrows (Project Manager at the Northern Ireland branch of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association) pictured at Newtownards Airport with Scrabo Tower in the background. Picture: Paul Moane

Ards and North Down Borough Council, in association with the Northern Ireland branch of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, will host what will be a superb day out for the whole family.

Come along and see the world’s best Pipe Band and Drum Majors in action together with more than 1,000 musicians in 35 pipe bands contesting this year’s Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships.

There will be plenty to do for the whole family with face painting, children’s highland games, food stalls and a mini funfair* (*minimal charge applies). Plus, there will be a colourful display of talent in the Highland Dancing competition!

It promises to be a day of music, colour and pageantry that will culminate in a spectacular Grand Finale March Past and Salute to the Chieftain, before the presentation of prizes.

You could even make a weekend of it and explore the area in and around Newtownards. Go shopping in the town centre which is filled with lovely gift shops, boutique shops and cosy cafes – perfect for those who love to shop or simply browse.

Maybe even make use of the fantastic facilities at the newly opened Ards Blair Mayne Leisure and Wellbeing Complex where those tired feet would definitely enjoy a trip to the relaxing surroundings of the spa.

Just outside the town centre, Mount Stewart is a beautiful spot to take a walk or enjoy a picnic while the view from Scrabo Tower is simply breathtaking!

For more information, visitardsandnorthdown.com/pipebands or rspbani.org, or call 028 9127 0069.

10 things to do in Northern Ireland (29 April – 5 May)

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  1. Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Belfast, 2– 12 May. One of the sassiest, brassiest and classiest acts in the Irish cultural calendar – the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival is pulling the stops out for its 20th birthday. Rufus Wainwright, Echo and the Bunnymen, Anna Calvi, and Teenage Fanclub are among some of the star names descending on Belfast’s historic cultural quarter this year. The 11-day extravaganza will feature over 100 events in over 20 venues across the city centre, as the Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with a bumper programme of live music, comedy, literature, theatre, film, visual art and more.
  2. Big Arts Weekend Cushendun, 3 – 6 May. Cushendun’s Big Arts Weekend is a four day festival of music, drama, poetry, exhibitions, workshops and family fun in one of the most beautiful villages in the Glens of Antrim. The programme has something for everyone and many of the events are free. While you’re there make the most of your trip and visit the spectacular caves featured in Game of Thrones®.
  3. Dunluce Castle and the Giants Causeway Sea Safari Trip, Portstewart, 5 May. Take a journey along the magical causeway coastline with Aquaholics and witness the stunning scenery. Starting from Portstewart harbour, will sail along the Causeway Coast to see the spectacular Dunluce Castle and the Giant’s Causeway en route.  As well as the amazing coastline, be on the lookout for dolphins, seals and a wide range of seabirds. The tour lasts two hours so don’t forget to wrap up.
  4. Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon, Belfast, 5 May.  Launched in 1982, the Belfast Marathon makes history in 2019 by moving to a Sunday for the first time ever. The event is expected to bring over 18,000 to Belfast.  Though the vast majority of entrants are local,  registrations come from the USA, Japan, Australia, across Europe and beyond. Whether you’re a marathon athlete, keen walker, fundraiser, interested in athletics at school or simply love a challenge, there is an event to suit you.
  5. South Down Craft Collective Monthly Market Ballynahinch, 4 May. Taking place on the first Saturday of each month at the Market House, Ballynahinch, the markets showcase the work of local artists, makers and food producers from South Down. Each month also has different guest artists and makers.  There’s a wide variety of stalls throughout the large foyer area and in the lovely Vincent Fulham Room, and a pop-up cafe serving tasty homemade treats and that well deserved cuppa.
  6. The Last Ulster Schooner – The Sailing Ship Result, Holywood, 29 April – 5 January 2020.  The Result was built in Carrickfergus Shipyard, Co Antrim, for the coastal cargo trade.  She is the last Ulster built ship left out of the hundreds of small sailing ships that plied their trade around the coasts of Britain and Ireland.  Follow her journey through the decades in this new exhibition and discover more about her life as a Q-ship in the First World War fighting German submarines, her starring role on the silver screen and her final voyage to where she now sits overlooking Belfast Lough.
  7. The Echlinville Distillery Tour Tasting, Newtownards, 29 April – 28 September. The Echlinville Distillery Tour and Tasting offers a real insight into the workings of Northern Ireland’s first newly licensed distillery for over 125 years. Includes refreshments on arrival at the historic Echlinville Manor House, a tour of the distillery incorporating their state-of-the-art stillhouse and maturation warehouse, followed by a tasting which includes two drinks of your choice from Echlinville’s range of premium spirits. A great day out for any spirits enthusiast.
  8. Ramble on Rathlin, Ballycastle, 4 – 5 May. Join a local guide and historian from Nine Glens Walking Tours on a short walk discovering the island’s history, heritage and industry. The gentle circular walk lasts 1.5 hours, finishing at the harbour just outside the Manor House and makes for a memorable day. The tour runs every Saturday and Sunday between April and September.
  9. Causeway Coast Challenge Walk Bushmills, 5 May. The annual Causeway Coast Challenge Walk for 2019 is set to run again this year on Sunday 5th May. This event is on its 41st year of operation and is run by local club Bannside Ramblers. The event continues to attract walkers from all over Ireland and further afield. Visitors to the Causeway Coast and Glen’s region can participate in the 30km long distance Challenge Walk along spectacular Causeway Coast cliff path.
  1. The Tain Tapestries – Louis Le Brocquy, Armagh, 29 April – 5 May.  One of Ireland’s foremost artists, Louis le Brocquy’s work is exhibited across the world, from New York’s Guggenheim to the Tate in London.  This wonderful exhibition showcases his illustrations to accompany the poet Thomas Kinsella’s translation of the epic Ulster Cycle narrative the Táin Bó Cúailnge (the Cattle Raid of Cooley).  It affords a rare opportunity to experience le Brocquy’s powerful combination of visual and narrative skills through the medium of tapestry, together with contextual information about this particular body of work.

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

Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this weekend across NI

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Down

Charity Walk & Run in aid of the USPCA Animal Hospital Newry, Saturday 4th May. Registration from 11.00am with the walk starting at 11.30am. Walk, jog or run for animals on the 4th of May. The walk will start from the Animal Hospital and continue down the Newry Tow Path, before returning back to the centre with refreshments provided at the finish line.

Armagh

Immerse yourself in life as an ancient Celt as Navan Fort in Armagh prepares for the Beltaine Festival of Fire; a time of purification and transition. Saturday 4th – Monday 6th May, 11.00am to 4.00pm daily. Normal admission charges apply.

Fermanagh

Enjoy the first May Bank Holiday Weekend, at Castle Archdale with live entertainment by Strule River String Band on Saturday 2.00pm to 4.00pm, CC Cooper Country Saturday Evening and Praise in the Park Sunday from 3.00pm.

Tyrone

Buckle up as Jamboree in the Park is back!  Ireland’s biggest indoor country music festival returns to the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona on Saturday 4th May for an unmissable night of Country Music with Derek Ryan, Cliona Hagan and All Folk’d Up.  Doors open from 7.00pm.  

Derry

The sensational new Stage Musical “My Sweetheart and Me” is a rip-roaring, funny romantic comedy set during the Summer of Love 1967, in and around a popular cornerstone of the community Public house (The Suntree bar) in the fictional sleepy town of Cheerysville, Ireland.   Riverside Theatre Coleraine, Saturday 4th May.

Antrim

Cushendun’s Big Arts Weekend is a four day festival, from 3rd to 6th May, of music, drama, poetry, art, walks, workshops and family fun in one of the most beautiful villages in Glens of Antrim. The programme has something for everyone and many of the events are free. 

Belfast

Join Poetry NI and The Crescent as they present Purely Poetry Open Mic Night on Friday 3rd May.  Welcoming readers of all styles and experiences, from first timers to old pros, Purely Poetry Open Mic Night fosters an open, laid back and encouraging atmosphere for people to read their work, and to listen in comfort. Quite simply, we want your poems, and they want you to enjoy the experience of reading them!

 For more details on these events and to add your events free go to whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni for news, competitions and what’s on near you.  

Jacqueline McGonigle

The Puppets return to Newtownards!

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Newtownards is preparing for a puppet invasion next month when the Ards Puppet Festival returns to Ards Arts Centre and Conway Square.

Ruby and Daniel Bingham, catch up with some quirky characters at the launch of Ards Puppet Festival 2019. The festival will be held in Ards Arts Centre and Conway Square on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May. Characters from The Beat Hotel, kindly lent by Filmtrip Ltd.

The popular festival which is taking place on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May presents a full-programme of puppet mayhem and will be fun for all ages!

popular festival which is taking place on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May presents a full-programme of puppet mayhem and will be fun for all ages!

The popular festival which is taking place on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May presents a full-programme of puppet mayhem and will be fun for all ages!

Over the two days, Ards Arts Centre and Conway Square will be buzzing with an eclectic mix of scheduled performances, free puppet workshops and plenty of madcap puppet shenanigans! Expect puppets in all shapes and sizes, from socks to strings and even glow in the dark!

The Festival is thrilled to welcome Lyngo Theatre to this year’s programme to perform their ‘Tom Thumb’ and ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ shows at Ards Arts Centre. Not your usual puppet shows – these classic fairy tales will be brought to life with fascinating and magical performances by Patrick Lynch of Cbeebies fame. The whole family will be entertained!

Clydebuilt Theatre will make a welcome return to the festival with their adorable ‘Lost Bear’ production and the much-loved Banyan Theatre will also return with their enchanting show ‘The Hedgehog Prince’. All scheduled shows cost £3 per ticket, advanced booking is required.

There’s lots happening outside in Conway Square too with a full-programme of street-theatre, walkabouts and puppet workshops. Watch the ‘Billy Goats Gruff’ as they tussle with the grumpy troll, queue up at the ‘Rat Choc Chip’ ice-cream van and get more than you’ve bargained for, enjoy a ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ or traditional ‘Punch and Judy’. More creative visitors can get stuck into puppet making at the free interactive workshops where children can build their very own puppets, with help from professional artists.

One of the programme highlights will be performances by the Budapest Marionettes. Performing for the first time in Northern Ireland, Bence Sarkadi is a Hungarian marionette artist / puppeteer who travels the globe, entertaining crowds with his award-winning, one-man show. Prepare to be amazed as Bence’s mastery brings his puppets to life. All Conway Square performances are free of charge.

From 13 – 24 May, the Puppet Scavenger Hunt will take place around Ards Town Centre. Follow the clues and spot the crazy characters to win a prize and be in with a chance of winning a Family Pass to the Black Adventure Zone at the Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex.

Speaking about the festival, Amy McKelvey, Community Arts Development Officer with Ards and North Down Borough Council said; “As always, we are thrilled to be launching our programme for Ards Puppet Festival 2019 with plenty of unique performances to entertain the whole family. Alongside festival favourites like Banyan and Clydebuilt Puppet companies, we are very excited to be welcoming the Budapest Marionettes and Beautiful Creatures to the festival and to Northern Ireland, for the first time.”

Ards Puppet Festival takes place from 26 – 27 May in Conway Square Newtownards. Copies of the Puppet Festival programme are also available from Ards Arts Centre, North Down Museum or any of the Council’s Visitor Information Centres.

For more information, to book tickets or to download the programme go to: www.ardsarts.com

THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY – 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

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Join us on Friday 7 June at Theatre at The Mill, Newtownabbey for the Simon and Garfunkel Story – 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Has it really been 50 years since the most successful Folk/Rock duo of all time recorded their first no1 hit single ‘The Sound of Silence’?

Direct from a week long run in London’s West End and performing to SOLD OUT audiences in over 50 countries worldwide, The Simon & Garfunkel Story is back.  This show is currently the biggest and the most successful theatre show celebrating the lives and career of Folk/Rock sensation Simon and Garfunkel.

Featuring a cast of talented West End actor- musicians, their performance will take audiences back through the Groovy times of the 1960’s. It tells the story of both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel from their humble beginnings as Rock n Roll duo ‘Tom and Jerry’, right through to their massive success, dramatic break-up and finishing with a stunning recreation of the 1981 Central Park reformation concert.

The show features 1960’s photos and film footage whilst a full live band perform all their hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, Sound of Silence and many more!

From Sydney to Seattle and now set for Newtownabbey, this is an evening not to be missed!

Tickets from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online theatreatthemill.com

“FOR ONCE, YOU CAN REALLY BELIEVE THE HYPE” – British Theatre Guide

www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com

Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this week across NI

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Down

Isosceles Theatre Company returns to Bangor’s Studio 1A this Thursday after a sell-out performance of Murder, Just What The Doctor Ordered in 2018 for this fast-paced adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel that has enthralled audiences throughout Britain and Ireland, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

Armagh

Egg and Spoon is an interactive romp through the seasons where you come in and out of a magic circle and get to open all the gifts of nature. Percy and April get you settled on comfortable cushions and introduce you to Birdy, still hiding in his glowing egg. Market Place Theatre, Saturday 27th April.

Fermanagh

Fundraising choir Caritas will perform at the Ardhowen Theatre this Friday 26th April, singing a variety of works from classical to pop, Abba, Disney, Musicals…music for every taste! Caritas will be joined on the night by Claire McGrath (traditional Irish tutor) and her Grúpa Ceoil from St Aidan’s Derrylin.

Tyrone

Learn with Revolve Comics how to tell your story through comics this Saturday at Ranfurly House Dungannon. Hints and tips that all the top professionals use. How to draw, how to layout a story, and bring it to life with colour! If you are interested in comics or storytelling then this is right up your street for a taster of how to make awesome comics.

Derry

Run DC returns on Sunday 28th April at The Workspace Recreation Centre in Draperstown with a 10k run, a 5k run and a 5k walk.  Every runner will receive a medal and every runner registered before 24th March will also get a race vest.  Every walker gets a medal. Every pre-registered runner will get a goody bag thanks to O’Kanes Chemist and Revive Active. Limited entries are available on the day so arrive early!

Antrim

Join RSPB NI warden and islander Liam McFaul to explore the Roonivoolin reserve on the southern arm of Rathlin Island this Saturday. You’ll enjoy stunning scenery as far as the eye can see, including views of Fair Head and the Mull of Kintyre, and with a bit of luck you’ll also spot Irish hares.

Belfast

DU Dance (NI) are once again delighted to present Unanimous – the eighth platform event showcasing great new youth dance theatre at The MAC, Belfast Sunday 28 April 2019.  This event brings together some of the best youth dance groups from across the island of Ireland with other inspiring companies in a non-competitive arena.

For more details on these events and to add your events free go to whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni for news, competitions and what’s on near you.  

Jacqueline McGonigle

REASONS TO CHOO CHOOSE WHITEHEAD RAILWAY MUSEUM THIS EASTER

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This Easter Whitehead Railway Museum will be open for an extended run including both Easter Monday and Tuesday. Opening times each day are 10am to 4pm with conducted tours at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Self-guided tours are also available.

Whitehead Railway Museum will be playing host to the Easter Eggspress special from Belfast. The RPSI steam train, hauled by recently restored engine No. 131, will be operating Monday April 22, making two round trips from Belfast. The train departs Lanyon Place at 11.30am and again at 2.30pm and will be at Whitehead Railway Museum for 45 minutes from 12.15pm and again from 3.15pm.

An extra attraction for people living in the East Antrim area is the Belfast Shopper – a trip by steam train that gives you a full day in Belfast – where you can shop, visit some of the attractions and have a leisurely lunch. The train leaves Whitehead Railway Museum at 9.55am on April 22 and returns from Lanyon Place at 5pm, and you can sip a cup of coffee as the train skirts the shoreline of Belfast Lough. The train calls to collect passengers at Carrickfergus at 10.10am.

Acting General Manager at Whitehead Railway Museum, Siobhan Dillon, said: “We are thrilled to announce our timetable for the Easter weekend at Whitehead Railway Museum. Any time where we can open our doors to the public for an extended period feels special, and we wanted to mark the occasion with as many activities as possible.

“We had a record number of visitors on April 6 when we held a 100th birthday party for our little blue shunting engine No. 3BG Guinness. Now we’re keen to build on that memorable occasion and have a record Easter. We are offering lots of different attractions which will appeal not just to railway enthusiasts but to the public looking for a day out with a difference.”

The highly acclaimed Edwardian Tea Room will be offering a special Easter menu with a range of new dishes over the weekend. The Tea Room opens from 10.15am serving homemade lunches, snacks and teas and coffees. For more information about the Museum and to book tickets for the Easter Eggspress steam train, visit https://www.steamtrainsireland.com/

OFFERS OF THE WEEK

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Northern Ireland boasts an irresistible collection of places to stay including beautiful B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and great value self-catering properties. Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week to help you plan a short break.

  • One night B&B, Ashbrook House B&B, Co. Tyrone from £45 per person sharing.  

Enjoy a romantic getaway to the quiet countryside for a break to relax and recharge. A friendly welcome awaits you at Ashbrook House, a family-run, new build Bed and Breakfast offering a very high standard of accommodation.  Stroll around the grounds and meet the alpacas Tom and Teddy as well as miniature horses and chickens.  The B&B is nestled in a tranquil rural setting and conveniently located just 15 minutes from the historic town of Dungannon.  This package includes bed & breakfast, a bottle of Prosecco and a cream tea on arrival and full use of the lounge. To book call 028 8555 7158.  Offer available until 30th April.

  • Two nights B&B, Armagh City Hotel, Co. Armagh from £245 per room

Enjoy an Easter break with the family at the Armagh City Hotel.  With panoramic views over a historic landscape, the hotel is perfectly positioned as the ideal place to soak up the sights and sounds of Ireland’s oldest city.  Guests can enjoy delicious modern Irish cuisine in the Friary Restaurant and unwind in the state of the art health and leisure club.  This offer is based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing and includes a two night stay with full Irish Breakfast each morning, use of the hotel’s Leisure facilities, a £50 meal voucher, and a family ticket to either Armagh Planetarium or Navan Centre & Fort. To book call 028 3751 8888.  Offer available until 26th April.

  • One night B&B ‘stay and play’ deal, Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Co. Down from £125 per room

Just a short distance from the scenic Mourne Mountains, Millbrook Lodge is a family owned hotel, where the charm of a beautiful Georgian building has been carefully integrated with modern comfort and amenities. The sixteen individually designed bedrooms offer superior comfort and convenience, while the surrounding six acres of beautifully landscaped gardens provide a setting of perfect tranquillity for photographs. This package is based on two persons sharingand includes a one night stay with breakfast as well as one round of golf in either the Spa Golf Club or St Patrick’s Golf Club. To book call 028 9756 2828. Offer available until 31st December.

things to do in Northern Ireland (22 – 28 April 2019)

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  1. World Tattoo Festival, Lisburn, 26 – 28 April. Celebrating tattoo culture both nationally and internationally, the festival at the Eikon Exhibition Centre will feature over 300 leading international and local artists, including celebrity tattooist Megan Massacre, world famous multi-skilled performance group the Fuel Girls, international performers,  musicians, art exhibits, and much more.
  2. The Belfast Music Tour, Belfast, 27 April. The Belfast Music Tour is a journey across the city revealing the music, the artists and the landscape that help bring Belfast’s unique character to life.  The two-hour bus trip starts at the beautifully restored Ulster Hall, home to the Ulster Orchestra and host to many iconic acts over the years, including Led Zeppelin’s first ever performance of Stairway to Heaven in 1971. This is definitely a tour that anyone interested in music will want to know about.
  3. Easter Fun Day, Limavady, 22 April. Experience a fun and unique family day out this Easter at Foylehov Activity Centre. There are some great prizes to be won in our Easter Egg Hunt and lots of fun Easter themed team and mini-games. Take part in action-packed activities including Laser Combat, Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting and Football Golf.
  4. Pizza and Pottery Night, Bangor, 25 April.  The popular Pizza & Pottery nights begin with a class where a potter will give a demo of throwing a pot on the wheel before teaching a hand building class. After making your very own pot you will be shown through to the café, to enjoy handmade artisan pizza. Bring your own bubbly or wine too!
  5. Variations on a Rococo Theme, Omagh, 25 April. ‘On Your Doorstep’ is a very special opportunity to catch a full symphony orchestra in the intimate surroundings of your local arts theatre. Featuring pieces by Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn and Bruch, the programme brings the Ulster Orchestra’s passion and magic to every corner of Northern Ireland. With world class soloists and guest conductors, there’s no better time than to give the Orchestra a go.
  6. Rampage, Magherafelt, 27–28 April.  Jungle NI host their third “Rampage Weekender” event, one of Ireland’s coolest obstacle adventure races.  Get ready to leap into some gut busting obstacles, lashings of mud, with a fantastic picturesque location, followed by an awesome after party and camping.
  7. Easter at HMS Caroline, Belfast, 19-28 April. Explore the famous ship through the exciting Easter Trail inspired by Blücher the Bunny, a naughty rabbit who lived on board during the First World War.  Find out more about life at sea for the men who lived on board, test your skills with the interactive exhibits and visit the Mess Deck Café for some tasty treats.
  8. Easter Celebrations at the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, 21–23 April. Stallholders, shopkeepers, travelling journeymen and a host of characters will keep you amused for hours on end this Easter as you stroll down Ulster Street witnessing the sights, smells and sounds of a busy market day in late 19th century Ulster. Try your hand at traditional crafts, enjoy storytelling sessions, taste seasonal treats, giggle at Punch and Judy, have a go at egg and spoon races or take horse and cart rides.
  9. Cruise the Lough at Crom Estate, Enniskillen, 22 April. See a different side to the spectacular Crom Estate from the waters of Lough Erne.  Cruise around in Crom’s 100 year old traditional craft, taking in the beauty and serenity of the Fermanagh Lakelands.  This event is weather dependent and booking is essential.
  10. Bubble Show Milkshake And The Bubble Flower, Belfast, 22–23 April. A brand-new show, combining bubble skills and theatrical storytelling, featuring Dr Bubble and Milkshake.  Every year tens of thousands of families and children flock to revisit their favourite characters in their latest adventures in different cities all over the globe. It’s the ideal family show, perfect for all ages.

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

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