Author: whatsonni

Coleraine BID is bringing the Irish Cup Final to the heart of the town this Saturday, 2nd May, with a live big screen showing at the Event Space at Coleraine Town Hall.

As Coleraine FC prepare to take on Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park, local supporters who can’t make the trip to Belfast will still have the chance to be part of the occasion.

The free, family-friendly event will run from 1pm to 5pm, creating a matchday atmosphere in the town centre. Alongside the live screening, there will be family activities and the opportunity to win a signed Coleraine FC shirt.

Coleraine BID is encouraging locals, businesses and visitors to come together, show their colours and get behind the Bannsiders as they aim to lift the Irish Cup.

Event Details:

Event Space, Coleraine Town Hall
Saturday, 2nd May, 2026
1pm – 5pm
Free

Wear your blue and white, and cheer on the Bannsiders as Coleraine FC chase Irish Cup glory.

Castlerock’s historic Victorian railway bridge will reopen next Friday, May 8, following a major restoration project commissioned by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

The listed wrought iron structure, originally removed in October 2018, due to safety concerns and significant decay, has now been carefully restored and reinstalled, marking an important milestone for local heritage in the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

The restoration, carried out by Adman Civil Projects, at a cost of £730,000, involved complex overnight operations over the past two weekends to safely return the bridge to its original position.

Welcoming the reinstalment, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “I am delighted to welcome the return of Castlerock’s historic railway bridge.

“This has been a significant investment for Causeway Coast and Glens Council, and we have worked hard to ensure it delivers long-term value by preserving an important part of our local heritage.

“This well-known landmark holds a special place in the hearts of the local community here in Castlerock, and it’s been encouraging to see such strong local interest and support throughout the restoration process.”

Chief Executive of Causeway Coast and Glens, David Jackson added: “This has been a complex and demanding project requiring specialist engineering, delivered under significant constraints, including the closure of the railway line, which inevitably impacted the progress of the project.

“Throughout, the safety of railway users and the wider public remained our highest priority.

“After many years of closure and a substantial investment of ratepayers’ money, we are pleased to see this iconic structure fully restored and preserved for future generations.”

Paul McBurney, Translink Head of Structures said: “Translink welcome the restoration of this historic pedestrian bridge at Castlerock Train Station.  

“We have worked with Causeway Coast and Glens Council, who carried out the restoration work, to facilitate their plans to reinstate the bridge and hope it will be enjoyed by the local community, passengers and all those that visit the village.”

Spring has arrived in all its colour and energy, creating the perfect backdrop for the launch of the newly branded ‘Antrim and Newtownabbey in Bloom’ competition. Formerly known as the Best Kept Garden competition, this refreshed initiative invites residents, community groups, schools and businesses to celebrate spring and showcase their outdoor spaces.

As bluebells and other spring wildflowers fill local woodlands, residents are encouraged to take inspiration from nature and enter this year’s competition. BBC Gardeners’ Corner presenter and Irish Garden editor David Maxwell is set to return for the Awards Ceremony.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, said, “We are delighted to launch this year’s brand‑new In Bloom campaign, offering more categories than ever for our residents, businesses and community groups.

“Gardening has no barriers, anyone can take part, from planting seeds in a window box to creating a front or back garden bursting with colour. We also want to see more schools involved, helping pupils learn the importance of growing their own food and developing skills that will last a lifetime. Across the Borough, our community groups and businesses take great pride in their surroundings, and I would encourage everyone to get involved.”

Antrim and Newtownabbey In Bloom 2026 Categories:

• Best Front Garden
• Best Rear Garden
• Best Commercial Premises
• Best School Gardening Project (Nursery & Primary)
• Best School Gardening Project (Secondary)
• Young Gardener of the Year
• Best Allotment Plot
• Gardening for Wildlife Award
• Best Community Garden
• Best Communal Garden
• Volunteer(s) of the Year (individual or group)

The closing dates for entries is 29 May 2026 for schools and allotments, and 17 July 2026 for all other categories. Entries should be submitted online at: antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/in-bloom

The Cushendun Big Arts Weekend is offering A Walk in the Woods with a difference this Saturday 2nd May, as dancers from Maiden Voyage Dance will perform live during a guided tour of Cregagh Wood.

Set in one of the most beautiful villages in the Glens of Antrim, the Big Arts Weekend is now in its 13th year, and brings together artists, performers and the community for a celebration of creativity, heritage and place.

The short performances being presented during the walk will invite participants to experience contemporary dance in everyday settings, bringing the work directly to audiences.

Sarah Flavelle, one of the dancers who will be taking part in A Walk in the Woods with Dance Encounters for the second year, said:

“I have danced in many unusual places including car parks, fields and school playgrounds, but the forest is a very special place to perform. In the forest it is easy to find inspiration from my surroundings and allow them to influence my movement. Performing in the forest feels more immersive as I am responding to nature in different ways, collaborating with the sounds, trees and terrain to create something that is deeply rooted in the environment.

A Walk in the Woods is a beautiful event that will allow you to connect with forest in new and exciting ways. You will become part of a movement journey that will explore the surroundings through connection, response and intuition. You will experience a dance performance that will bring an exciting, peaceful, reflective and connected energy to the beautiful surroundings of the forest.”

A Walk in the Woods with Dance Encounters takes place at Cregagh Wood on Saturday 2nd May from 11am-1pm.  The walk lasts approx 1.5 hours and involves steep climbs and uneven footpaths, so please wear good walking shoes. This event is weather dependent.  To check on the day, call Katy on 07932 776107.   Meet at St Patrick’s Church Car Park, Glendun Rd, BT44 0PZ.

Tickets for the event are £7 – book online at https://theoldchurchcentre.com/event/big-arts-weekend-a-walk-in-the-woods-with-dance-encounters/

Ferry company embarks on major investment in its Irish Sea fleet

As the trend for multi-generational travel continues to grow, Stena Line has unveiled luxurious refurbishments to lounges onboard its Belfast to Cairnryan service, as well as a new state-of-the-art Family Hub.

The refurbishment, boasting the work of some of Scandinavia’s finest designers, means families can travel in greater comfort than ever before with onboard facilities to keep young and not-so-young entertained.

The upgrade of Stena Superfast is part of the Swedish-owned ferry company’s multi-million-pound investment in its Irish Sea operations.

Orla Noonan, Travel Commercial Manager, said: “We have been listening closely to feedback from our customers and have shaped these improvements with every type of passenger in mind. Whether travelling as a multi-generational family, with young children, or as adults seeking their own space, we’ve carefully considered how to make each journey more enjoyable.

“We care deeply about making the journey a great experience for everyone and these changes help us deliver that.

“We hope that our passengers enjoy the upgrades and that the new spaces make their journey even more comfortable, engaging and memorable for the whole family.”

An abstract map of Belfast and Scotland now features prominently across wall artwork and glass in the Stena Plus Lounge.

Designed by Gothenburg-born artist, researcher and designer, Hannes Arvid Andersson, the piece presents an interpretation of nautical maps charting the journey between Belfast and Cairnryan.

The newly refreshed Stena Plus lounge puts a strong emphasis on style, comfort and relaxation.

While maintaining the same high-quality facilities, the space has been completely reimagined with a blend of fabrics, textures, imagery and art inspired by Scandinavian design principles.

Designed by Vertti & Co, who specialise in experiential interiors for travel environments, the spacious lounge offers a variety of seating options, including the ever-popular chaise lounges, providing passengers with a calm and comfortable environment.

The Family Hub has been thoughtfully designed with parents, grandparents and children all in mind. At its heart is an interactive floor, with Xbox consoles, interactive screens, games and a movie lounge to keep everyone entertained.

The Superfast Suites have also been given a fresh new look, offering an enhanced private space for passengers. Each suite features a comfortable double bed, coffee table, 50-inch TV and en-suite facilities, creating a relaxing environment for the journey.

The Superfast refurbishment is part of a substantial investment of approximately £14 million by Stena Line in the ongoing refit and upgrades of its Irish Sea fleet.

To book your next trip with Stena Line visit www.stenaline.co.uk.

Belfast City Council and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann have marked 100 days until Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann by unveiling seven new headline acts set to perform at the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture.

As Belfast prepares to host the All-Ireland Fleadh for the first time from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August, the newly announced line-up reflects the event’s core traditional music programming, as well as the city’s contemporary creative energy.

Already revealed for the opening event on Sunday 2 August are the legendary Sharon Shannon and her Big Band, award-winning group Goitse and former All-Ireland winners, Blackwater Céilí Band. The seven new acts announced will also perform on the iconic Gig Rig stage which will be located outside Belfast City Hall.

On Wednesday (5 August), audiences can look forward to performances from two dynamic quartet groups, Tempest Ceol and NxNW. The following evening, Thursday (6 August), acclaimed uilleann piper Conor Mallon will take to the stage, captivating crowds with his extraordinary skill alongside band members.

The weekend will be ushered in on Friday (7 August) with Glasgow ensemble TRIP, before Saturday evening (8 August) kicks off with rising talents Peter Street and the electrifying Mec Lir.

The main stage will also host free live performances across all eight days of the event. Following a callout earlier this year, visitors can expect to enjoy a diverse mix of multi-cultural performances and cross-community collaborations throughout the week.

To mark the 100-day milestone, it was also announced today that the opening celebration will include over 100 children from primary and secondary schools across North Down and Belfast as part of a school choir project.

There will also be a special collaborative performance from host branch Ards CCÉ, South Asian Dance Academy and Belfast Bands Forum, as well as an array of champion Irish dancers, led by Riverdance lead, Lauren Smyth.

In celebration of the 75^th anniversary of Comhaltas and the 50^th anniversary of Ards CCÉ, Fleadh 2026 will also see the return of a series of long-standing flagship events which celebrate excellence, creativity, participation and inclusion across the traditional arts. This will include a special anniversary concert by Ards CCÉ in the Ulster Hall, a famous live music venue in Belfast with an equally impressive musical legacy.

‘Ceol na Cruinne’, the Comhaltas International Showcase Concert celebrating global connections and exceptional talent from Comhaltas branches worldwide will also take place in the Ulster Hall, alongside a performance from the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra, a 60-member ensemble of exceptional young musicians, singers, and dancers from across Ireland.

The Flanagan Award, taking place in the impressive Assembly Buildings, will pay tribute to the great banjo players across the traditional Irish music world, whose artistic talents, intellectual gifts, and creative passions represent the very best of Michael Flanagan’s music and spirit.

Comhaltas have announced that this year’s recipient will be Cathal Hayden. Cathal, who hails from County Tyrone, is an accomplished banjo and fiddle player with a distinguished career in traditional Irish music.

Events will also be held inside Belfast City Hall, including the Gradam Inclusion Awards, an uplifting event which celebrates traditional Irish musicians with additional needs, helping to ensure the Fleadh is a place where everyone can share their love of music.

The festival will come to a close on Sunday 9 August with an impressive closing set from the 2026 winners of the prestigious Senior Céilí Band competition – a famous highlight which will bring the eight-day celebration to a powerful finale. 

More details on closing events and wider plans for the eight-day extravaganza will be shared in May, including details of a fringe programme that will help create a ‘Culture Night’ style feel to the festival.

Taking in both the city centre and local neighbourhoods, the fringe activity will help to showcase Belfast’s diversity and musical heritage and encourage visitors of all ages to take part, through instrument making workshops, talks and family activities.

 Volunteering opportunities are also still open, with Volunteer Now reaching a milestone 1,500 registrations this week.

This interest reflects the scale of local enthusiasm for the event, with volunteers set to play a vital role in welcoming visitors from around the world and helping deliver a memorable Fleadh experience across the city for everyone.

Tickets for the Comhaltas events will go on sale from Friday 1 May from fleadhcheoil.ie, with further details on the wider programme to be shared later in May.

Antrim

Grave Stories: folklore and funerals, cemeteries and symbolism – A talk by Dr David Hume. Larne Museum.

Find out more HERE

Armagh

Get inspired by the adorable puffins of Puffin Rock as you design and make two colourful fused glass puffin sun catchers to brighten up your room or garden! Market Place Theatre.

Find out more HERE

Belfast

Step into the mind of the visionary eighteen-year-old Mary Shelley as she conceives a tale that will resonate for centuries. See Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at the Lyric Theatre Belfast.

Find out more HERE

Down

Fermanagh

Children and teens from across Belfast are invited to enjoy a packed day of free activities and try-it events at City Hall on Saturday 9 May, 1pm-5pm, as the Lord Mayor’s term in office draws to a close.

First Citizen Councillor Tracy Kelly is inviting young people to come along and try their hand at arts, crafts, music, sports, theatre and more. 

Children big and small can give sports a go as part of the city’s European City of Sport celebrations, with the chance to try boxing, fencing and table tennis.

Sports clubs Full Circle Martial Arts and Sandy Row Falcons will be showing off their kickboxing and cheerleading moves, while Fitness Freddy will host his high-energy sessions for kids and parents to join in with.

The Belfast Health Development Unit will run Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing workshops, highlighting the value of self-care, nutrition and good mental and physical health. Kids can hop on GLL’s smoothie bikes to make their own healthy treats, while Explore Wellbeing Kids will host relaxed family-friendly mindfulness sessions with fun games and calm music.

Tre-Eco – one of Lord Mayor’s chosen charities this year – will create a space for crafts and mindful colouring where visitors can let go of their worries, together with sunflower planting for green-fingered youngsters.

City Hall’s lawns will also host circus skills workshops, sensory play and creative activities made from recycled materials, while the Great Hall will have a ‘Good Vibes Only’ disco rave and a silent disco for music fans.

Children with additional needs can create their own theatre performance with Open Arts’ Take Away Theatre (pre-booking needed – email info@openartsni.org).

Visitors can also make crafts from around the world with ArtsEkta and step into the creative world of VR gaming, animation and DJing with Wheelworks Arts.

Stuart Robinson from Cool FM will also be on hand with music, interactive fun and prize giveaways and Little Heroes and NI Alternatives – two more of Lord Mayor’s charities – will highlight their work in the city.

There might even be some surprise characters to spot around City Hall grounds too!

Councillor Kelly said: “I’ve been meeting with young people throughout my term to make sure they feel engaged in our city, understand what it can offer them and hear their feedback on what works, and what matters, to them.

“I’m following that through with my Lord Mayor’s Day event, a really colourful and fun day which everyone can come along and enjoy.

“There’s a real focus on sports, creativity and music – all areas where our children and young people can excel, develop skills, build friendships and improve their resilience and wellbeing.

“I’m really looking forward to a jam-packed day and to celebrating our city’s amazing young people, with a great day out.”

Stuart Robinson, Content Director with Bauer Media Audio NI, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be broadcasting live and taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Day celebrations at City Hall.

“It’s a fantastic occasion that really brings the whole city together, and it’s a privilege to be part of such a vibrant and proud community event.”

Entry to Lord Mayor’s Day is free, with more information available at belfastcity.gov.uk/lordmayorsday