Month: March 2026

Writers from Across Ireland and Beyond Unite for ‘Words, In Other Places’

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Words, In Other Places, an Irish Writers Centre Literary Festival presented in partnership with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, will take place over one weekend — Saturday 11 April at the Seamus Heaney Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, and Sunday 12 April at the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin.

Across one weekend, this tri-lateral festival will bring together writers from the north and south of Ireland alongside international voices, celebrating literary form, cultural exchange and contemporary perspectives. Through panel discussions and creative workshops, Words, In Other Places will explore storytelling across borders, languages and traditions.
Each day will feature three distinct events, offering audiences the opportunity to engage with some of the most compelling writers working today.
Saturday 11 April – Seamus Heaney Centre, Queen’s University Belfast
12pm – Inside Out: Telling Tales Elsewhere – An hour-long panel discussion featuring Louise Nealon, Patrick Holloway and Rob Doyle, hosted by Martin Doyle.
1.30pm – Creative Writing Workshop – A two-hour workshop with Sarah Moore Fitzgerald.
4pm – Literature in Translation: Words Beyond Borders – A panel discussion with Csilla Toldy, Enrica Maria Ferrara and Rafael Mendes, hosted by Lucy Sweeney Byrne.
Books will be available for sale from No Alibis Bookstore.
Sunday 12 April – Irish Writers Centre, Dublin
12pm – Inside Out: Telling Tales Elsewhere – Featuring Jan Carson, Leontia Flynn and Wendy Erskine, hosted by Neil Hegarty.
1.30pm – Creative Writing Workshop – A two-hour workshop with Paul McVeigh.
4pm – Literature in Translation: Words Beyond Borders – With Hugo Hamilton, Suad Aldarra and Victoria Melkovska, hosted by Adam Wyeth.
Books will be available for sale from Chapters Bookstore.
Mags McLoughlin, CEO of the Irish Writers Centre, said: “We are proud to partner with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland on Words, In Other Places. Bringing this festival to both Belfast and Dublin reflects our shared belief in the power of literature to connect across borders, languages and lived experience. By uniting writers from the north and south of Ireland alongside international voices, we are celebrating creative exchange at its very best — open, inclusive and enriched by diversity.”
Fearghas Ó Béara, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland said: “We are delighted to partner with the Irish Writers Centre on Words, In Other Places. The European Union’s motto is ‘United in Diversity’ and we know that literature and translation play a vital role in strengthening cultural dialogue and understanding across Europe. These events in Belfast and Dublin resonate with the EU’s commitment to linguistic diversity, creative collaboration, and fostering cross-border and cross-community engagement on the island of Ireland.”
”Words, In Other Places promises a weekend of conversation, creativity and connection, celebrating storytelling in all its forms while highlighting the evolving literary landscape across Ireland and beyond.  The Irish Writers Centre is grateful to the Seamus Heaney Centre for hosting the Belfast event and for its continued support of cross-border literary collaboration.
The Irish Writers Centre is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland.
Bookings for both days will open on Tuesday 10 March via the Irish Writers Centre website. All events are free to attend, but advance booking is required : https://irishwriterscentre.ie/

The Violin That Premiered Tchaikovsky Is Coming to Derry

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More than 140 years ago, a violin helped introduce Tchaikovsky’s now-famous Violin Concerto to the world. This March, that same instrument will be heard in Derry.

As part of the Walled City Music Festival (12–15 March 2026), internationally acclaimed violinist Kirill Troussov will perform on the legendary 1702 “Brodsky” Stradivarius during Romantic Virtuosity: Violin & Piano at Christ Church.

Crafted by master luthier Antonio Stradivari, the “Brodsky” violin was played at the 1881 premiere of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto- a work once controversial, now considered one of the most exhilarating and emotionally charged in the repertoire. The instrument itself has become part of that story, celebrated not just for its history, but for its luminous tone, warmth and remarkable expressive depth.

The festival’s concerts will be set within one of Derry’s most charming historic churches, admired for its elegant stained glass and beautifully resonant acoustics, Christ Church offers a warm, welcoming and perfectly suited setting for performances of this calibre. In such an intimate acoustic, the voice of a Stradivarius feels almost tangible- its sound carrying effortlessly from the quietest whisper to soaring, full-bodied intensity.

Troussov will be joined on stage by his sister, pianist Alexandra Troussova, in a programme celebrating Romantic virtuosity. Their close musical partnership brings an added layer of connection and understanding to the performance, combining technical brilliance with expressive sensitivity.

Across four days, the Walled City Music Festival transforms Derry into a hub of contemporary classical excellence, presenting world-class piano, chamber and vocal concerts alongside composer workshops and educational outreach initiatives.

The arrival of the 1702 “Brodsky” Stradivarius is more than a historic curiosity- it is an opportunity to experience living musical heritage, performed by a brother-and-sister duo in one of the city’s most atmospheric venues.

Full programme details and ticket information are available at walledcitymusic.com.

10 things to do in Northern Ireland

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Here are ten exciting things to do 2 – 8 March

 

  1. Home of St Patrick Festival 2026, Armagh, County Armagh, 8 – 18 March. The Home of St Patrick Festival celebrates St. Patrick’s life through music, art, theatre, film, and dance. This is a chance to reflect on the legacy of St Patrick and have fun celebrating his influence on history and culture.
  2. Belfast Children’s Festival, 5 – 14 March. Over 10 days, enjoy hand-picked incredible shows, performances, events, activities and creative experiences for everyone, including a range of inclusive shows specially created for those with additional needs. They have shows from across the world, as well as some of the very best of performances for young audiences being made right here in Belfast, from festival favourites to world premieres and, of course, the Festival Family Day Out.
  3. Taste Mid Ulster Restaurant Week, Mid Ulster, 7 – 13 March. Get ready to tantalise your taste buds and embark on a gastronomic journey like no other. Discover culinary delights in Mid Ulster as participating restaurants across the district roll out the red carpet to showcase their finest culinary creations. From gourmet delicacies to classic comfort foods, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Indulge in specially curated menus that offer a taste of Mid Ulster.
  4. Ranger Led Tour of Antrim Castle Gardens, Antrim, County Antrim, 7 – 28 March. The Ranger led guided tour of Antrim Castle Gardens takes approximately 1 hour and involves an easy walk over flat ground. The tour focusses on the general history of the 350-year-old gardens alongside the remnants of the Massereene family dynasty, dating back to 1573. You will hear many interesting facts, stories and tales of the colourful characters making up the family history.
  5. Carrickfergus Castle & Islandmagee Witches Walking Tour (with Haunted Tours NI), Carrickfergus, County Antrim, check website for availabilities. Perfect for history buffs, true crime fans, lovers of the supernatural, and those curious about the infamous Islandmagee witch trial – this is the only tour company that tells the real story of Ireland’s last witches, inspired by the book ‘Possessed by the Devil’ by Dr. Andrew Sneddon.
  6. Bronze Age Connections: Smoked Fired Pottery, Bushmills, County Antrim, 7 March. The incredible landscape of the Causeway Coast is made up of layers of limestone, basalt and red ochre. People have a long history of using ochre for body paint, cave paintings and decorating pots. Join this workshop to decorate two incense pots.
  7. Earth Yoga – In The Heart Of The Marble Arch Caves, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, 8 March. Join in a unique experience as you get in touch with your inner yogi in a beginner-friendly 60 minutes yoga session in the depths of the Marble Arch Caves. Relax body and mind as you connect to nature inside the cave with an inviting and inspiring class suitable for all levels.
  8. Wild River Dipping at Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle County Down, 7 March. Hike to the secret spots and immerse in the rivers of the Mourne Mountains. The activity explores the trending cold water and wild swimming craze and including hiking, wild dipping, forest bathing and cold water therapy. Their trained and highly experienced mountain leaders and cold water specialists guide you into the hidden landscapes of the Mourne Mountains to the spots we love the most.
  9. The Derry Girls Experience at Tower Museum, Derry~Londonderry, visit website for open dates and times. Visit the home of Derry Girls and discover where it all began. See original memorabilia from the hit show, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes. Step into the set of the Quinn’s household and feel like one of the family.
  10. Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates, times, and events. Ranfurly House is an impressive Victorian building located in Dungannon and gateway to the ancient site of Hill of The O’Neill. This location has been the site of castles, barracks, and seats of power for thousands of years. It is from this very hilltop that the O’Neill dynasty, perhaps one of the greatest of the Irish clans ruled for more than 300 years.

 

 

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.

 

Trailer Launches For Gripping Irish Thriller NO ORDINARY HEIST Starring Eddie Marsan and Éanna Hardwicke

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Eddie Marsan and Éanna Hardwicke star in the trailer for Irish thriller NO ORDINARY HEIST.

The film will be released in cinemas across Ireland and the UK later this month on Friday, March 27th.
Inspired by true events from Belfast in December 2004, NO ORDINARY HEIST weaves a gripping fictional tale of two bank employees thrust into a chilling scheme. Forced to orchestrate a £26.5 million robbery to save their families lives, they are made to execute the crime without the gang ever stepping foot inside the bank.
Taut, claustrophobic and immersive, the film stars Eddie Marsan (Back to Black, Happy-Go-Lucky) and Éanna Hardwicke (who recently won an IFTA for his role in Saipan) with Eva Birthistle (Bad Sisters) and Michelle Fairley (Small Things Like These).
Directed by Colin McIvor (ZOO) and co-written by McIvor and debut screenwriter Aisling Corristine NO ORDINARY HEIST, which shot on location in Dublin and Belfast, draws inspiration from the largest cash heist in UK and Irish history.
McIvor, a multi-award-winning filmmaker, is known for crafting compelling stories rooted in remarkable real-life events, while Corristine, an alumnus of BBC Voices, Series Mania and The Writers Lab, makes her feature screenwriting debut with the film.
The film was produced by Ruth Carter, Damon Lane and Johanna Hogan for Picture Locked Productions and Next Wednesday Films with funding from Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, RTÉ, Epic Pictures Group and Wildcard.
Wildcard will release the film theatrically in Ireland and the UK from Friday March 27th.  The film will come to Sky Cinema as a Sky Original later in the year.

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