Author: whatsonni

The brand-new Summer ‘26 programme has just been unveiled at Armagh’s Market Place Theatre, and it’s bursting with spectacular entertainment. Featuring an exciting mix of top local and international performers, there’s truly something for everyone—whether your passion is live music, comedy, crafts or film, you’re sure to find something to enjoy at The Market Place.

 

Kicking off the comedy line-up on 6 June is Max Roddy, one of the year’s must-see acts, with over 40 million online views and appearances at the UK’s leading comedy clubs. On 12 June, the hilarious Belfast Ma returns with the latest riotous instalment from everyone’s favourite Ma. Audiences can also look forward to the high-energy comedy drama No Hope Here, packed with rising tensions, chaotic misunderstandings and plenty of mischievous twists.

 

Music lovers are equally spoilt for choice this season. Highlights include Michael English on 4 June, Ronnie Greer on 20 June, and Simon & Garfunkel Through The Years on 27 June. Country fans can enjoy a lively showcase of talent with the Legends of American Country Show on 26 June.

 

For something a little different, Off The Rails Dance presents BPM—a powerful fusion of contemporary dance and a thumping DJ set. This electrifying performance immerses audiences in the era-defining spirit of the Acid House generation, offering a vibrant journey back to the heart of 90s rave culture.

 

Drama enthusiasts won’t be disappointed either. Les Liaisons Dangereuses, from London’s National Theatre, will be screened on 25 June, followed by an impressive line-up of live performances including Becoming Marvellous (28 July), Work Is The Curse Of The Drinking Classes (29 July), and In The Heart Of The Country (27–29 August).

 

The Market Place Theatre will also once again host the annual John Hewitt International Summer School, featuring a diverse programme of theatre, talks, music and poetry. A firm summer favourite, this much-loved event promises another vibrant and inspiring season.

 

As usual, those with a taste for crafts will be spoilt for choice with an array of engaging and invigorating workshops. Learn the art of woodcarving and produce your own unique piece to take home. Or why not unleash your inner artist at the Paint Your Pet class. Or you could tickle your tastebuds when you take part in the massively popular Thai Cooking classes and master the art to impress your loved ones at home.

 

Details of all events can be found online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre, and tickets can be booked by contacting the Box Office on 03300 561 025.

 

And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

Ards Arts Centre welcomes two new exhibitions this month: Nostromo: Scenes from the Raft and Other Stories by Paul Reid and Lumen by Ross Miley.

Both solo exhibitions will open on Friday 29 May and run until Saturday 24 June.

Visual artist Paul Reid presents a new collection of paintings inspired by The Raft of the Medusa (1818–1819), the monumental oil painting by French Romantic painter Théodore Géricault. Taking the form of a reimagined sequence, as though the narrative of the painting were told on film, Reid offers a fragmented series of details that explore different aspects of the story, from the intimate and human to its wider colonial context.

The work explores class, colonialism and the experiences of ordinary people caught between these forces, in a world where truth is elusive, beauty is transient and technology both creates and destroys.

In Lumen, Greyabbey-based artist Ross Miley presents a series of abstract paintings exploring the changing moods of the natural world and their connection to human emotion. The work interprets the transitions of the seasons as dynamic, imagined landscapes that reflect both external and internal experiences.

Each piece uses bold colour and gesture to convey a sense of movement and transformation. Rather than depicting specific places, the paintings suggest sensations – warmth, stillness, vitality and reflection – inviting viewers to consider their own emotional responses to seasonal change.

Both exhibitions will open on Friday 29 May and run until Saturday 24 June. Admission is free.

All are welcome to an open reception on Thursday 4 June, 7–9pm, to view the artworks and meet the artists.

For more information on the exhibitions, visit; www.andculture.org.uk

Bangor, County Down – Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026 | 12 noon – 6pm. Sea Bangor returns to Bangor’s seafront May Bank Holiday Weekend, bringing two days of maritime‑themed fun, family entertainment and coastal experiences to the city.

A firm favourite in the local events calendar, Sea Bangor 2026 celebrates Bangor’s strong connection to the sea, combining visiting vessels, on‑the‑water activity and city‑wide activities across the weekend.

Sea Bangor City Passport: explore the festival beyond the waterfront

Make the most of the event through the Sea Bangor City Passport (Saturday 23 May only), encouraging families and visitors to explore Bangor while enjoying festival‑themed activities at participating venues and locations across the city.

The Passport trail links the seafront activity with the wider city, giving attendees the chance to take part in creative, cultural and family‑friendly experiences as they move around Bangor, find out more, go to visitardsandnorthdown.com/SeaBangorPassport

Visiting vessels and service representation

A highlight of this year’s event is the visit of two traditionally rigged vessels – Pellew and Spirit of Falmouth – arriving in Bangor as part of the Full Circle sailing expedition, coordinated by veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.

The expedition is carrying the Invictus Games flag on a UK voyage ahead of Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, with Bangor proud to be one of its host ports. Over the weekend, the crew will be on the pier nearby, giving people the chance to meet them, including Luke Powell, who built Pellew, and to learn about the ship, it’s history and about the voyage they have been making.

Sea Bangor will also welcome crew personnel from HMS Bangor, attending the event in a representative capacity. While the vessel itself will not be present, due to ongoing repairs following a collision, the crew’s attendance reflects Bangor’s ongoing links with the Royal Navy.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said:

“Sea Bangor is a fantastic celebration of our city’s maritime heritage and shared connection to the sea. It’s a pleasure to officially open the event and welcome visitors, crews and families to enjoy everything Bangor has to offer on land and sea this bank holiday weekend.”

On‑the‑water activity and military rowing race

On the water activity returns to Bangor Bay throughout the weekend, including rowing races, ‘Have a Go’ sessions, kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, and boat trips exploring Bangor’s maritime heritage (pre-booking required). A military rowing race will take place on Sunday 24 May from 12 noon.

A bank holiday celebration for all

Sea Bangor 2026 will also feature maritime‑themed entertainment, local food and drink, family attractions and market stalls along the seafront. A Quiet Hour operates from 11am – 12noon will return each morning to ensure the event remains inclusive and accessible. We kindly ask attendees to consider whether this session is the right fit for them, helping to preserve a calm experience for those who need it most.

For details on the Quiet Hour, event updates, City Passport details and on‑the‑water activity bookings, go to, visitardsandnorthdown.com/SeaBangor

A multi-award-winning family comedy show that has delighted audiences across the UK is coming to the Space Theatre at SERC, Bangor for four performances this summer. Out of the Box, created and performed by Darryl J Carrington, will take place on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 July, with performances at 3pm and 6pm each day.

Fresh from a five-star run at the Edinburgh Fringe and winner of Best Family Show at Brighton Fringe, Out of the Box is an hour of inventive, visual comedy where everyday objects are transformed into moments of surprise and humour. A toothbrush becomes the centre of a balancing act, a simple piece of string sparks a playful heist, and an unexpected tea party unfolds with the help of audience volunteers.

With more than 20 years’ experience in circus and clowning, Carrington combines skilled juggling with physical theatre and audience interaction in a wordless performance that can be enjoyed by all ages. His style of silent comedy means the show is accessible to a wide range of audiences, from young children to adults.

A key part of the show is its emphasis on warmth and inclusion, with audience members invited to take part in a way that is considered and good-natured. As The Scotsman described it, the show is “utterly absorbing, charming and great fun”, creating a sense of shared enjoyment throughout.

Blending humour, skill and creativity, Out of the Box offers a fresh take on family entertainment, demonstrating how simple objects can be the starting point for imaginative storytelling.

Speaking about the show, Amy McKelvey. Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Community Arts Development Officer said:

‘We are really excited about bringing this show to Bangor to kick off the summer holidays. With the rave reviews and audience feedback it has received we know it will be a real treat for audiences of all ages, and we can’t wait to share it with them and enjoy all the happy moments that it is sure to bring.’

Tickets for Out of the Box at the Space Theatre, SERC, Bangor on 8 and 9 July (3pm and 6pm) are on sale now.

Full details and booking information are available at www.andculture.org.uk/whats-on

The much‑loved Comber Earlies Food Festival will return this summer, Saturday 20 June, 11am – 5pm, once again taking centre stage as a flagship event within Taste Summer in Ards and North Down, 17-28 June the borough’s annual celebration of local food and drink.

Taking place in Comber Leisure Centre Carpark, the free, family‑friendly festival celebrates the iconic Comber Earlies potato, which has held Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status since 2012. The event brings together food lovers, families and visitors for a vibrant day showcasing local produce, culinary talent and community spirit.

Festival‑goers can look forward to a packed programme including live cookery demonstrations in the Festival Kitchen from guest and local chefs, an artisan food and drink market, vintage tractor displays, live music and hands‑on activities for all ages. Family entertainment will be at the heart of the day, with children’s crafts, planting activities, walkabout performers and the return of popular festival favourites.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said:

“The Comber Earlies Food Festival is a fantastic celebration of one of our most iconic local products and the people who grow it. Events like this showcase the strength of our local food and drink sector, while creating a fun, welcoming day out for families and visitors alike. I’m delighted to see the festival return once again as part of Taste Summer in Ards and North Down.”

To help visitors travel to the event sustainably and with ease, free Event Shuttle Buses will operate on the day, connecting Bangor, Newtownards, Dundonald Park and Ride, Downpatrick, Crossgar, Saintfield and Ballygowan with Comber. No booking is required and the service operates on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

The Comber Earlies Food Festival forms part of Taste Summer in Ards and North Down, a wider programme of food‑focused events and experiences taking place across the borough throughout June, celebrating local producers, hospitality businesses and the area’s rich food culture.

New for 2026, a quiet hour will be introduced from 10am–11am each day, welcoming people with a disability, neurodiverse conditions, carers and parents/guardians.  After this quiet hour, the event will officially open at 11am with a fun-filled programme running through to 5pm.

Further information on the Comber Earlies Food Festival, including shuttle bus routes and accessibility details, and the full Taste Summer in Ards and North Down programme is available at visitardsandnorthdown.com/TasteSummer

Titanic Belfast Curates… a celebration of style, creativity and contemporary design in NI.

Titanic Belfast has launched a new summer exhibition, bringing together some of the most exciting local designers to showcase how fashion and textile design can be bold, expressive and deeply connected to Northern Ireland.

Titanic Belfast Curates… Northern Threads is a free, ticketed exhibition running from 1^st May to 30^th September. At its heart are four designers, Gráinne Maher, Hope Macaulay, Kindred of Ireland by Amy Anderson and Éadach by Sara O’Neill.

Each brings a distinctive approach, spanning sculptural knitwear, contemporary linen, narrative textiles and handcrafted accessories. Together, their work reflects a creative scene that is confident, evolving and increasingly visible on a global stage, while remaining grounded in Northern Ireland’s landscape, culture and craft traditions.

Woven throughout the exhibition are threads of Northern Ireland’s rich textile heritage, offering context to the materials and influences that continue to shape design today.

Also featured within the exhibition space will be Una Rodden, along with her Tribe collective who will be designers-in-residence, as well as the innovative Threadlab research piece from Ulster University lecturers Dean Liggett and Grainne Taylor.

Judith Owens MBE, CEO of Titanic Belfast said, “We are immensely proud to unveil our first exhibition under the Titanic Belfast Curates banner – an initiative shaped and delivered by our own team, whose passion and expertise bring a distinctive perspective to the storytelling. Northern Threads invites visitors to engage with the creativity emerging from Northern Ireland today, highlighting how a deep-rooted sense of place continues to inform and inspire contemporary design.

It is a privilege to collaborate with local designers Gráinne, Hope, Amy and Sara, each of whom is making a significant impact on the global fashion stage. As we broaden our offering, particularly during the vibrant summer season, we remain committed not only to enriching the visitor experience at Titanic Belfast, but also to enhancing Belfast’s appeal as a destination in its own right. With this free exhibition we believe we are delivering meaningfully on that ambition.”

About the designers…

Sara O’Neill, founder of Éadach, uses fashion as a form of storytelling. Raised in Portrush, her work is inspired by music, subculture, mythology and coastal landscapes, creating hand-drawn prints on silk, linen and natural fibres, bringing Irish stories to a global audience.

Amy Anderson founded Kindred of Ireland after discovering a photo of her grandmother spinning linen in a mill in Moygashel, inspiring a reconnection with lost textile traditions. The brand reimagines Irish linen for a modern wardrobe, working with family-run mills and local seamstresses.

Gráinne Maher is a Belfast-born designer known for combining traditional craftsmanship with a rebellious, avant-garde style. She moved from music into millinery, creating bold contemporary headpieces that challenge traditional occasion wear and has expanded into leather goods.

Hope Macaulay creates bold, colourful, sculptural knitwear inspired by the landscapes of Northern Ireland’s North Coast. Taught to knit by her grandmother, she has built her globally recognised, family-run label. Her pieces celebrate craftsmanship, community and the reinvention of tradition.

To complement the exhibition, Titanic Belfast will see the addition of Eimear Magee’s Singing Threads into the Grand Atrium. A large-scale textile installation exploring the human stories embedded within Ulster’s linen industry.

 

This year, Titanic Belfast will host Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art Graduate Fashion Show on Thursday 28^th May as well as Titanic Pre-Loved x Cathy Martin on 7^th June and a Fashion Tea hosted by Eddie Shanahan, Council of Irish Fashion Designers, during the run of the exhibition.

For further information on Titanic Belfast Curates… Northern Threads and to book your free tickets online go to www.titanicbelfast.com