Here are ten exciting things to do 20 – 26 March 2023
- Walled City Music Festival, Derry~Londonderry, 23 – 26 March. The Walled City Music Festival returns to Derry~Londonderry in 2023 with an incredible line-up of international guest artists. Solo pianist Barry Douglas, cellist Raphael Wallfisch with pianist Cathal Breslin, and mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty with pianist Fiachra Garvey, are all set to perform in the beautiful Christ Church venue.
- Season Opening Car and Superkart Race Meeting, Kircubbin, County Down, 25 March. On Saturday 25th March 2023 the opening race meeting for cars and Superkarts takes place at Kirkistown Racing Circuit on the Ards Peninsula. A full race programme is in place which features Formula Ford 1600s, Saloons and GTs, Modi-5-Cup Mazda MX5s, Roadsports, Kirkistown Fiestas, NI Sevens and Superkarts. Visiting classes include Formula Vee and Legends.
- Foraging At Tully Castle, Derrygonnelly, County Fermanagh, 25 March. Join Geopark Guide, Tony to experience what’s out and about in the beautiful setting of Tully Castle. Unleash your inner forager and learn all about the fruits that can be used to create your own jam. This activity is sure to be good fun with a cooking demo and some treats but will also give you the knowledge needed to forage for your own food.
- Forage in the Forest, Belfast, 25 March. Spring is a fantastic time to explore the edible delights of the woodland and surrounds on a walk through the beautiful Lagan Valley Regional Park ending with refreshments on the barge.
- Omagh Sperrins Walking Festival, Gortin, County Tyrone, 25 – 26 March. Get your walking boots ready for the Omagh Sperrins Walking Festival, taking place across the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB). The programme, developed and delivered by The Sperrins Partnership and outdoor experts Far and Wild, is designed to help walkers of all abilities to enjoy our beautiful landscape as well as promoting health, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Sperrins Walking participants will not only enjoy discovering a destination filled with unique tourism experiences, but a great choice of walks ranging from leisurely strolls to more demanding longer walks, all in small groups, guided by experienced leaders.
- Saturday Observing Sessions at OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Omagh, County Tyrone, 25 March. Drop by OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory every month to check in on what their astronomers are up to as they delve into the dark skies. Weather permitting (if we have clear skies), you’ll be able to view live astronomical imaging with their high end Meade LX600 and camera system and also take part in some eyepiece observing outside with their range of refractor telescopes. Maybe you’d like to bring your own observing setup too – the more the merrier.
- “Spring” into Summer with lunch in the Walled Garden, Helen’s Bay, County Down, 26 March. Get ready to set your clocks one hour ahead, and “Spring forward” with a delicious lunch to celebrate the official awakening of summer in the Walled Garden. You will be welcomed with a refreshing summer cocktail, before a relaxing stroll through the garden where you will hear about the exciting garden restoration project and vision for the future. This will be followed by lunch served in Old Mill House, created by talented local chef, Nina Christinacce, from Lightfoot, Bangor who shares a passion and vision for the environment and will use fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, as well as whatever bounty the garden has to offer.
- Star Tracking Evening with Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, County Armagh, 23 March. Join them for a special Star gazing evening with the Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society for Irish Astronomy Week 2023. Have a telescope but not sure how to use it? Then this is the session for you. NIAAS members and AOP staff will be on hand to answer any questions you have. There will also have telescopes set up outside for stargazing and planet spotting (weather permitting).
- Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market, Hillsborough, County Down, 25 March. The popular Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market returns to the historic village for the first market of 2023. Set against the tree-lined ‘The Dark Walk’ and Hillsborough Fort it makes for a lovely day out, especially when combined with a browse of the independent shops and eateries in the village. The market features over 40 stalls of the finest local and seasonal farm-to-market produce and artisan food from across Northern Ireland for you to discover.
- Awakening the Walled Garden – Bangor Castle, Bangor, County Down, 25 – 26 March. As part of a weekend of walled garden experiences across the Borough, Spring into AND, join the fun in Bangor Castle Walled Garden to enjoy this beautiful Victorian garden with a host of free activities for all ages on Saturday and Sunday, 12noon-4pm. There will be live music, children’s entertainment and demonstrations, including wood carving. Tours of the garden and Castle Park will let you hear all about the horticulture history of both and the wildlife that calls the park its home. Why not bring your own picnic to enjoy in the garden or grab a cuppa and treat from Coffee Cure? In addition, there are ticketed dining experiences on the 25 March. Check website for more details.
Booking is essential for most activities. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Subject to availability.
For more information on what’s on or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/