10 things to do in Northern Ireland
Here are ten exciting things taking place 6 – 12 January 2020.
1. Colin-Geddis-Gedzilla Belfast, 11 January 2020. In the last ten years Colin Geddis has dominated Northern Irish comedy, selling out his solo stand-up shows, generating millions of online hits on both YouTube and Facebook and has over one million podcast listens on his hugely popular ‘General Banter’ podcast. His new show is his biggest to date, and in a venue that no other solo Northern Irish comedian has ever played.
2. SimplyE-Exhibition Armagh, 2 – 31 January 2020. Craftswirl @ Armagh Visitor Information Centre are delighted to showcase a beautiful exhibition by SimplyE for their January exhibition. SimplyE is a maker, designer and a weaver of bespoke leather and weave products for use within the home and fashion industry which are all individually hand woven from her design studio in County Armagh.
3. Philanthropy-Past-and-Present-Tour Belfast, 10 January – 28 February 2020. Clifton House is an impressive Georgian building, set in tranquil landscaped gardens in the heart of Belfast. Opened in 1774 by Belfast Charitable Society, the building was used as a nursing home and hospital for older people and is now a unique event venue and visitor attraction. The January and February tours explore the city’s oldest working building, set up by philanthropic merchants as the Belfast Poor House. Hear stories of its work and those who sought refuge in its walls.
4. David-Meade-Catch-Meade-If-You-Can Downpatrick, 11 January 2020. Described across the world as “Jaw Dropping” and “Hilarious”, Northern Ireland’s record breaking Mind Reader Meade is back on home soil to amaze everyone in his funniest and most interactive show yet: “Catch Meade If You Can”. You simply have to see this show to believe it.
5. Walled-City-400 Derry~Londonderry, 18 February 2019 to 31 March 2020. 2019 marked the 400th anniversary of the completion of the Derry Walls. Built from 1613 to 1619, the Walls are the largest ancient monument in Northern Ireland, the only remaining Walled City in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe.
6. On-Refusal-Representation-Resistance-in-Contemporary-American-Art Belfast, 25 October 2019 – 19 January 2020. Proposing the body as a site of political enquiry, ‘On Refusal’ explores a return to figuration in the practices of a generation of artists currently working out of the United States, and examines the political impetus for this reinvestment in the body and notions of embodiment as a subject of art in the context of contemporary America.
7. Life-Cycles-by-Lorna-Smyth Enniskillen, 2 December 2019 – 18 April 2020. This showcase of new works, curated by renowned artist Lorna Smyth, encompasses the four seasons in one year. Lorna’s art emphasises the world around us, highlights her love of nature and captures a sense of belonging regardless of the place name.
8. Lost-Childhood-Exhibition Derry~Londonderry, 2 December 2019 – 31st January 2020. This December, take a trip to the award-winning Museum of Free Derry to see one of their most poignant and affective exhibitions yet, ‘Lost Childhood Exhibition’.
9. blacksmithing-workshop Holywood, 9 January 2020. Join the resident blacksmith for a half-day blacksmithing experience in a traditional nineteenth century forge. Experience what is was like to work in a blacksmith’s forge in the nineteenth century. As well as learning some tricks of the trade, visitors will have an opportunity to mould the iron to make a fireside poker and a fire rake to take home.
10. castle-tours Hillsborough, 6 – 12 January 2020. Discover stories of celebration, entertainment, diplomacy, and negotiation in a guided tour of Hillsborough Castle. The castle tour includes guided access to all the State Rooms that make up this elegant Georgian home; including the grand Throne Room, relaxing State Drawing Room, Lady Grey’s Study, State Dining Room, Red Room and Stair Hall. Visitors can also explore 100 acres of beautiful gardens to complete a relaxing day out for the whole family.
For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com