10 THINGS TO DO IN NORTHERN IRELAND NEXT WEEK

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (August 3 – 9).

  • La Traviata, Millenium Forum, Newmarket St, Co. Londonderry, August 7 & 8. Enjoy this intensely passionate and tragic opera, ‘La Traviata’ (The Fallen Woman) which remains one of the most popular operas of all time! It is heartbreaking and simply unforgettable, appealing directly to the emotions; it is an opera beloved by every generation. From 7.30pm.
  • Stendhal Festival of Art 2015, Ballmully Cottage Farm, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, August 7 & 8. This all-encompassing music and arts extravaganza will celebrate its fifth anniversary at Ballymully Cottage Farm.  Celebrating the creativity of artists from all over Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and further afield, Stendhal Festival of Art is much more than just a music festival.
  • 2015 Metzler Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week, 11 Dundrod Road, Crumlin, Co. Antrim, August 3 – 8. With its record-breaking speeds, packed grids and legendary atmosphere, it really is in a class of its own. Leading riders including Guy Martin, Michael Dunlop and Dean Harrison will battle it out for the final silverware of the road-racing season in front of thousands of spectators. And when the racing stops, the paddock is a festival of entertainment for the whole family, with food stalls and shows sure to keep everyone occupied. Check programme for times.
  • Strangford Lough Boat Tour, Newtownards / Ards Visitor Information Centre, Co Down, August 9. Take time away from the fast pace of everyday life and experience the serenity of a trip around the beautiful and mystical Strangford Lough. Enjoy the magnificent scenery and fascinating wildlife, see where St Patrick first came ashore and discover how the Lough assisted the pillage and plunder of Viking raiders on this insightful tour of one of Northern Ireland’s most beautiful bodies of water. From 2-4pm.
  • Fermanagh County Show, Exhibition & Auction Centre, Old Tempo Road, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, August 4-5. Fermanagh’s premier agricultural event, Fermanagh County Show attracts 10,000 visitors from across Ireland, the UK and further afield. There will be a food hall with over 200 stands and also cookery demonstrations, bungee trampolines, bouncy castles, slides and lots more. Tue 4pm-10pm and Wed 10am-4pm.
  • 7 Hills Blues Festival, English Street, Armagh, Co. Armagh, August 6-9. Already an established event on the Blues calendar, this event grows each year providing musical therapy for all ages. From Chicago Rhythm to Funk Style, this festival brings some the finest Blues bands to the atmospheric streets of Armagh. Fringe events add an artistic and family-orientated buzz to the Festival, with eateries and shops getting involved to bring a real Blues feel to the whole City Centre.
  • Omagh Festival – Vintage Tea Dance, Strule Arts Centre, Townhall Square, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, August 7. Omagh Festival are hosting a Vintage Tea Dance as part of the Omagh Community Festival – why not come along to an afternoon of live music, dance finished off with a cuppa and a chat?  If you would like to attend this FREE event please get your tickets from the Strule Arts Centre, everyone welcome. From 2pm to 6pm.
  • Portrush Flyer, Belfast to Portrush, Co. Antrim, August 9. The world-famous Portrush Flyer returns this year with a train departing from Belfast Central at 11.30am, travelling to Portrush and returning at 5.25pm. It will be a traditional summer day out with around 4 hours at the seaside. Tickets can be booked online or alternatively are available from the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre.
  • Belfast Hills Heritage Festival, Cave Hill Country Park, Belfast, August 3-8. Join the annual celebration into the Belfast Hills that promises to be full of fun activities for all the family. The Belfast Hills Partnership’s week long summer programme of events will bring the Hills alive with folklore, nature, entertainment and good healthy outdoor fun.
  • The Heart of the Glens Festival 2015, Mill Street, Cushendall, Co. Antrim, August 1-9. The ‘Heart of the Glens Festival’ caters for all age groups, from toddlers to grandparents. The programme includes the ever popular ‘Theme Street Night’ Ceili, the Lurig Run, the Family Fun Vintage Day and of course Ireland’s longest ‘Waves of Tory’. Over 100 events throughout the week.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.