10 things to do in Northern Ireland

Here are ten exciting things to do 30 September – 6 October

 

1. Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival, Bushmills, County Antrim, 4 – 6 October. Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival will make a welcome return this autumn to celebrate the food, drink and local heritage of the area. The programme includes a wide variety of activities and events – including fantastic food and drink samplings and cookery demonstrations, unique bespoke hosted foodie tours and experiences, a self-guided Taste Trail to sample delicious dishes and cocktails . There’ll be live music as well as great street entertainment, a range of fun kids’ activities, craft workshops, fly casting & tying and much more.
2. Stargazing Evening at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Armagh, County Armagh, 4 October. Join Armagh Observatory and Planetarium for a series of Stargazing evenings. For each session they will have a team of experts to help you navigate the night sky using their telescopes (weather depending) along with a dome show in their digital theatre and an astronomer talk.
3. Apple Sundays at Ardress House, Annaghmore, County Armagh, 6 October. Set in the middle of orchard county, this is the ideal location to hear all about Armagh’s famous apples and have some family fun. Have a go on the apple press and taste some local cider. You will also have the chance to pick some apples from the local orchard (limited availability). It will also take place on Sunday 13 and Sunday 20 October.
4. Shorelife Celebration, various locations, County Down, 5 October. Join the brand new Shorelife Celebration events at WWT Castle Espie and National Trust Mount Stewart on Saturday 5 of October from 10am – 5pm. Enjoy FREE ENTRY for all (both members and non-members) to explore both stunning locations. Lots of extra entertainment, kids’ crafts, and activities for families and nature lovers alike. Plus, enjoy live music and local food and drink available throughout the day. Getting there is easy with free event buses.
5. Cinemagic International Film & Television Festival for Young People, Belfast, 5 October – 3 November. The 35th Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People will offer a programme of unmissable opportunities for young people this October with over 200 events in the Ulster Museum, Queen’s Film Theatre, The Belfast Barge, Accidental Theatre, Black Box, and ODEON Cinemas Belfast.
6. The Wiggle Room by Boom Clap Play at the Mac, Belfast, until 29 November. Step inside The Common Room on the third floor, and every move you make – whether it’s wave of the arm or a giant leap – unleashes a world of colourful characters, wild animations, and sounds that react in real-time. It’s a thrilling mix of physical and digital fun, transforming your playful energy into an interactive experience. Commissioned by Belfast 2024 and brought to life by Boom Clap Play, with the creative genius of Big Motive and the play experts at Play Board NI, The Wiggle Room isn’t just any space; it’s one that’s been co-designed by Belfast’s own children.
7. Exclusive Tour at Belleek Pottery | Lough Erne Heritage Festival, Belleek, County Fermanagh, 1 October. Discover the Magic of Belleek Pottery at the Lough Erne Heritage Festival. For just £20.00, delve into the rich history and exquisite craftsmanship that define Belleek Pottery.
8. Halloween Prelude, Derry~Londonderry, 4, 11, 18, 24 October. For visitors who will not be in Northern Ireland during Halloween, this intriguing small group tour explores several ancient sites and primeval habitats, where you will discover structures and plant species that can be linked to many of the rituals and traditions that collectively became known as “Samhain” or Halloween. On this informative, thought provoking and fun experience you will learn about some of the dark origins of ” Samhain” Halloween. Created by Foyle Trails.
9. Zombie Run at The Jungle NI, Moneymore, County Londonderry, 6 October. Zombie Run returns this year. This year’s course will be a challenging 6K obstacle run, complete with various ‘infected zones’ where you will be faced with the task of evading their life stealing zombies. After the Adult races, we have the Kids and Teens Zombie Runs with 2km and 6km zombie infested courses.
10. The Sperrin Sculpture Trail – a Giant Adventure, three locations across the Sperrins – Nowanois: The Storytellers – Glenelly Valley near Cranagh, Darach: The Guardian – Mullaghcarn Mountain, and Ceoldán: The Stargazer – Davagh Forest, County Tyrone, check website for timing details. Nestled in the heart of Northern Ireland, the Sperrin Mountains offer nature lovers and adventure seekers an unforgettable experience. Deep within this beautiful landscape, lie three gentle and majestic giants. Together, the trio form the Sperrin Sculpture Trail, an art installation created by world acclaimed artist, Thomas Dambo. Visitors will use the stunning walking trails and dramatic driving and cycle routes to travel between the sculptures enabling them to immerse themselves in the cultural heritage of the Sperrins.