What’s On Ards and North Down

Upcoming events over the next three weekends:

Sat 18 April to Fri 24 April

Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 April, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 18: Party Animals NI

Sun 19: Bricks4Kidz Lego Workshop, Science Show: ‘Cooking Chemistry’

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Sat 25 April to Fri 1 May

Saturday 25 April

Dawn Chorus Walk, Castle Park in Bangor

Free, pre-booking essential. Starts 5am.

Join bird expert Dot Blakely as the sun comes up over Bangor, for an early morning master class in how to recognise the songs of the dawn chorus.

Dot’s tour will also take in the natural habitats of the birds and animals who live in the park.

Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069

Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846

Book online

Saturday 25 April, Meet the Maker: ‘the Beauty of Clay – Get your hands dirty’

Ards Crafts, Craft & Design Centre, 31 Regent Street in Newtownards

Tickets: £12 inc materials; Age 18+. Limtied numbers, pre-booking essential.

10.30am – 12.30pm

A ceramics workshop with Ellen Cunningham & Ashleigh Collim

Info and booking: Tel: (028) 9182 6846

Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 April, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 25: Jumping Clay, Children’s Crafts

Sun 26: Casey’s Creatures, Face Painting

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, tic@northdown.gov.uk, northdowntourism.com

Friday 1 May, Friday Night Live – Sarah McQuaid

Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards

Ticket Price: £8 in advance*, £10 at  the door  (*booking fee applies)

Doors Open at 7.30pm, starts at 8pm

A return visit from Sarah who will seduce her audience with cheeky banter and stories from the road as well as her stunning music.

She spans the genres with both beautiful crafted originals and material from around the globe. Bring your own bottle.

Box Office: 028 9181 0803, Book online

April – November

Experience Ards and North Down Tours – Tickets on sale now!

Info and to book:

Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069

Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846

Book online

Download the brochure here

Exhibitions

Ards Crafts &Visitor Information Centre

31 Regent Street, Newtownards BT23 4AD

T: 028 9182 6846. Admission Free

Saturday 4 – Saturday 25 April

‘Mount Stewart’

National Trust Exhibition charting the restoration of Mount Stewart House

Saturday 2 – Saturday 30 May

Meet the Maker: ‘Green Wood Works’

Green Woodworker Alexey Janes

North Down Museum, Bangor

Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall) BT20 4BT

T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free

Tuesday 31 March – Thursday 30 April

Paintings: U3A Art Groups

Saturday 2 – Sunday 31 May

Historical Storyboard: Mining Heritage

Until Sunday 17 May

Exhibit: En-gauge with the past, history of the railway

Friday 1 May – Thursday 28 May

The Great War: Through the words of the County Down Spectator & Newtownards Chronicle

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ

T: 028 4272 9882. Admission Free

Saturday 2 – Saturday 30 May

Art in the Loft: ‘Follow the Thread – From Ewe to You’ Fibre art by the Ulster Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers