Food Focus: 10 things to do in Northern Ireland

As part of the ‘Taste the Island’ initiative for 12 weeks DiscoverNorthernIreland.com will have the top three food experiences and events in their weekly  10 things to do listing. 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 including three food experiences and events (25 Nov – 1 December)

1.       Childrens-Christmas-Baking-Workshop Dungannon, 30 November. Budding bakers can get stuck into Christmas baking in this fun hands-on class at Wee Buns Cookery School. Guests will learn about ingredients and baking techniques, pick up handy tips and have a go at piping. The children will be rolling out the cookies, baking and decorating them with royal icing. They will also each make and decorate a dozen chocolate fairy cakes.

2.       The-Great-Georgian-Banquet-An-Evening-in-Vienna Armagh, 29 November. Travel through the mists of time to join a Viennese banquet in the beautiful Georgian setting of the Archbishop’s Palace in Armagh. In the splendour of the Archbishops Palace, experience an evening in Vienna. Enjoy music, dancing and a sumptuous five-course meal with fine wines, evoking the tastes of the time, served with a modern twist.

3.       Sippy-Fest-Craft-Beer-Drinks-Extravaganza  Derry~Londonderry, 29 – 30 November. Sippy Fest started around a kitchen table in the City of Culture year which then grew to a festival with over 1200 people enjoying local brews, food and music in the Guildhall. Sippy Fest puts a strong focus on local produce, as well as allowing people to meet the brewers, discuss the products in a fun environment, with local live music and more.

4.       Friendship-Four-2019 Belfast, 29 – 30 November. The thrill and excitement of American college Hockey will return to Belfast at the SSE Arena this November. The Friendship Four tournament is a unique opportunity to watch the only NCAA college hockey tournament to be held outside of the United States. The tournament will feature elite hockey players from across the world providing hockey fans with an exclusive first chance to see up and coming stars of the future

5.       Christmas-Lights-Switch-On Ballycastle, 28 November. The Diamond, Ballycastle will be buzzing for the Christmas Lights Switch On. Come along and join in the carol singing and electric atmosphere as the countdown begins with live entertainment before the arrival of Santa Claus in his horse drawn carriage.

6.       Italian-Wine-Dinner Derry~Londonderry, 29 November. For an evening out with a difference, head over to Bonds Hill Restaurant for some fabulous Italian Wine Dinner. Enjoy Prosecco on arrival and a six course tasting menu with perfectly paired wines. A wonderful dining experience and a delight for foodies and wine lovers.

7.       Winter-Wonderland Enniskillen, 30 November – 14 December. Cancer Connect NI is delighted to announce the return of their Magical Winter Wonderland to Enniskillen. Once checked in at the ticket booth, families will be greeted by Mrs Claus and her elves upon arrival. Following some games and fun entertainment you will be invited to board their amazing Polar Express which will take you to a secret castle location

8.       A-Journey-Beyond-Prejudice Belfast, 25 November. This talk, which is part of the CS Lewis festival, will look into Lewis’s family background in early 20th century Belfast and the attitudes of that era, followed by Lewis expert Rev. Mercia Flannagan who will consider how Lewis’s later Christianity was broadened by his friendship with Tolkien.

9.       Observatory-Tours-Armagh Armagh, 30 November. Follow the Christmas star during a tour of the Armagh Observatory building. Learn about the Observatory’s history, current scientific research and its programmes of Science. As an option, you can journey back in time and learn about the star the Wise Men followed in their Planetarium seasonal ‘Mystery of the Christmas Star’ dome show.

10.   Adventure-Caving-at-the-Marble-Arch-Caves Enniskillen, 1 December. Delve off the beaten track with an experienced and qualified Cave Leader to explore the depths of the Marble Arch Caves system. Alongside a group you will have the opportunity to explore cave passages, negotiate boulder chambers and clamber through the well-known flyover to emerge into the public tour of the show cave before navigating your way out.

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com. For additional Taste the Island events, please visit www.discovernorthernireland.com/tastetheisland