Here are ten exciting things to do 7 – 13 July
Finnebrogue Forage, Downpatrick, County Down, 12 July. Bushman Rob will safely guide you through the rules, principles and background of foraging, kit & safety and plant and tree ID. This experience is immersive with hands-on learning involving walking and exploring the woods with Rob’s guidance and expert eye. The time of year will determine what there is to forage from Finnebrogue Woods.- Summer of Play at Mount Stewart, Newtownards, County Down, 12 July – 25 August. With the house as your backdrop and gardens all around, you’ll find five themed zones filled with imaginative, creative and energetic activities – all designed for children (and their grown-ups) to enjoy at their own pace.
- Summer of Play at Castle Ward, Downpatrick, County Down, 5 July – 31 August. Castle Ward’s Summer of Play 2025 promises magical adventure for all ages. This epic event features five exciting play zones across the stunning estate. Brave knights and maidens can engage in medieval sports in the Active Zone, while adventurers take on heroic quests in the Quest Zone, battling dragons and rescuing princesses.
- Guided Canoeing at Crom, Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh, 12 – 13 July (more dates available during the summer). Join an unforgettable guided canoe trail on the serene waters of Upper Lough Erne, starting from the jetty at the Visitor Centre at Crom Estate. This adventure, led by the experienced Upper Lough Erne Canoe Company, offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty and rich history of the area. You will be using their Canadian Canoes which seat two people.
- Family Friendly Bug Walk with Buglife at Broughgammon Farm, Ballycastle, County Antrim, 11 July. Enjoy a wiggly, wonderful day out at Broughgammon Farm as they team up with Buglife for a Family Bug Walk bursting with nature-filled fun. Perfect for curious kids and nature-loving grown-ups, this hands-on event invites you to explore the wild world of mini beasts on Broughgammon’s regenerative farm.
- InterAct Youth Arts Festival at Millennium Forum, Derry~Londonderry, 7 – 18 July. Get ready to unleash your creativity at the InterAct Youth Arts Festival. Each summer, dive into a world where your artistic talents can soar. Whether you’re into drama, music, dance, visual arts, or the magic behind the scenes in technical theatre, InterAct is your stage.
- A Bite and Sup at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy, County Londonderry, 8 July (more dates available during the summer). Inspired by Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Whatever You Say, Say Nothing’ (North, 1975), the centre is thrilled to introduce a brand-new experience for Summer 2025 at Seamus Heaney HomePlace — A Bite and Sup, a thoughtfully curated tour that weaves together poetry, place, and local flavours to celebrate the life and legacy of Seamus Heaney.
- Family Fun Days at The Jungle NI, Moneymore, County Londonderry, 13 July (more dates available during the summer). Similar to a funfair, The Jungle Family Fun Days are open-park days, which offer an exciting range of outdoor adventure activities at budget prices. Activities are chosen on the day by exchanging pre-paid activity tokens for activities. Simply buy as many tokens as you wish, exchange your tokens for the activity, or activities, of your preference and enjoy a fun family experience day unlike any other.
- The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Legendary Telescopes Tour, Armagh, County Armagh, 12 July (more dates available during the summer). Take a journey through the Armagh Observatory to see its historic telescopes. Armagh Observatory opened in 1790 and is now a Grade A listed heritage building in which astronomers still undertake fundamental research. It is also the oldest observatory in the UK and Ireland continuously in use for its original purpose. Inside the Observatory there are four generations of historic telescopes that remain in their original settings, as well as one modern telescope still used today.
- Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. The Ulster American Folk Park tells the story of Ulster people’s emigration to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Learn more about those left behind, the hardships endured on the journey and the pioneering spirit of building new lives in a new land.
For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit discovernorthernireland.com. Subject to availabilities with select dates.