This July will see the return of the much-loved Skiffie Festival on Strangford Lough and in Delamont Country Park.

From the 27^th to the 29^th of July, international competitors and locals will descend upon Strangford Lough in their community-built skiffs for this action-packed weekend of events. Visitors will not only have the opportunity to watch the racing, there will also be a range of free family centered activities including boat trips, live music, model air craft displays, a food village and much more.

The festival marks the first of five events in the Giant Adventures summer programme, spearheaded by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Around 20 races take place across the weekend, with teams competing from across the island of Ireland and Scotland.

Councillor Mark Murnin, Chairman of Newry, Mourne and Down Council said: “The Skiffie Festival is a highlight of the Giant Adventures programme. The breath-taking setting of Strangford Lough and picturesque nature of Delamont Country Park presents the ideal location for this wonderful competitive racing and family fun festival. Following the excitement of the Skiffie World Championships in 2016 and last year’s successful Skiffie Festival, we are delighted to host this thrilling weekend, once again.’’

Families can enjoy a wide range of activities, suitable for all ages at Delamont Country Park. For further information about the Skiffie Festival and the Giant Adventures programme visit www.visitmournemountains.co.uk

Join us for a Festival of Fun at Party in The Park in Antrim Castle Gardens on Saturday 4 August from 1-5pm.  Now in its seventh year, this free family fun event is the only party to be at this summer.

Headline act, local comedy legends Clubsound, now in their 47th year on the road, will play a two-hour Rock & Roll set celebrating the music and fun of the fabulous 50’s&60’s (there is a strong possibility that a few jokes may find their way into the set). The guys will be accompanied on stage by the one and only, Trevor Kelly.

Other activities in this year’s lineup include bungee trampolines, crazy golf, swing boats, arts & crafts, balloon modelling, face painting and a range of culinary delights from the food fayre.

We hope you can join us for Party in The Park at Antrim Castle Gardens on Saturday 4 August, the perfect day out for both young and old alike.

For more information visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/partyinthepark

Take a walk in the country at Randox Antrim Show on Saturday 28^th July when the country life showcase descends on the beautiful setting of Shanes Castle, Antrim.

The event offers a fun-packed day where the best of the best of horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, fruit, vegetables, flowers, photography, crafts and baked goods are brought to the one location for visitors’ enjoyment. You’ll also find a Festival of Food, dog agility displays, a petting zoo, sheep shearing, live music, dancing, and stalls to list only a few of the other attractions.

New this year is a Youth Busking competition where a £250 prize is on offer. The competition is open to individuals or groups of up to six performers of secondary school age (U18s) from youth groups across the Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough.

A Children’s Treasure Hunt is also new and free for U12s to take part in; offering an extra element to the range of children’s entertainment on offer.

Following the event website’s revamp, this year there is the option to avail of discounted early bird tickets on the show website until Wednesday 25 July.

Paula McIntryre’s cookery demonstrations in the ‘Festival of Food’ marquee – surrounded by food producers keen for the public to sample their wares – has become one of the event’s most popular attractions.

As examples of what can be found in the Home Industries and Horticulture section, Antrim is hosting a new Women’s Institute team competition on the theme of ‘Afternoon Tea’ and is on the hunt for the Show’s ‘Gardener of the Year’ and County Antrim Shows’ Best Chocolate Cake.

In the entertainment marquee the jiving competition, introduced last year, returns to see who will win the ‘King & Queen of the Castle 2018’ title. There’s a tempting first prize of £200 on offer to the winning couple, £100 for second and £50 for third. Entries for the jiving competition are taken on the day of the show just before it starts at 2.30pm.

The Children’s Pet Show always draws a good crowd.  Open to U16s, it is £1 to enter on the day, just ahead of judging at 1.30pm in the cattle rings. Look out for the sign. Details of all of the event’s competitions can be found on the Show’s website.

When it comes to exhibitors’ classes, horticulture entries are still accepted up until Friday 27 July by contacting that section via 075 2609 9966. Only equine classes can be entered on the day and late entry fees will now apply in that section.

New livestock/equine classes for 2018 include working hunter classes for ponies and horses and in the sheep section, there are classes have been added for the new, Suffolk Cheviot breed.

This year Antrim is proud to be hosting the Northern Ireland Shorthorn Club’s National Championship, the NI Dexter Group’s Premier Show, NI British Blue Heifer Championship, NI Limousin Championship, incorporating the Young Limousin Breeders’ Anglo Irish Stockjudging Competition, the final of the Bank of Ireland and NISA pedigree Junior bull Championship; and, in the sheep section, the Border Leicester National Show.  Antrim is also a qualifier for the Bluegrass/NISA Clydesdale Championship 2018 and the Linden Foods/NISA Pedigree Beef Heifer Championships.

Randox Antrim Show takes place on Saturday 28^th July at Shanes Castle, from 9am until 5pm. Admission on the day is £10 per person and children under 16 years of age go free when accompanied by a paying adult. Car parking is free. For further info and the event’s timetable visit www.randoxantrimshow.com.

Such was the popularity of Duke Special when he performed at the John Hewitt International Summer School in 2016 that the organisers were keen to have him return and they are delighted that he will appear with the traditional super-group, Ulaid, at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Tuesday 24 July.

Ulaid are already very popular with Armagh music enthusiasts as the exciting trio of master fiddler Donal O’Connor, the exceptional piper John McSherry and acclaimed guitarist Seán Óg Graham have been regular guests at William Kennedy Piping Festivals in the city.

Duke Special continues to enjoy a most successful solo career, performing at major venues and festivals throughout Ireland and the UK, and in 2017 he issued his latest solo album, “Hollow”, based on the poetry of Michael Longley [who is to read at JHISS the previous evening, Monday 23 July].

When contemporary song writing and traditional music meet, the results can be something to be treasured. Such is the case with the collaboration between the highly talented members of Ulaid and singer-songwriter extraordinaire, Duke Special.

When the idea of this unlikely collaboration was first suggested to Duke Special and the members of Ulaid by Tiona McSherry, they wondered how they could approach each other’s worlds in a way that was both authentic and that played to their strengths.

Ulaid is a group steeped in the rich tradition of a thousand years and Duke Special draws on a dusty world of gramophones and pre-rock and roll melodies. Through conversations, they lit upon the notion of exploring old texts collected by the antiquarian, Francis J. Bigger, and these texts became the starting point for what became a kind of musical homage to Belfast, its history, its stories and our own understanding of living here at this time.

In 2107 Ulaid and Duke Special made a live recording of their Belfast Suite, ‘A Note Let Go’, and they have continued to perform their incredible musical collaboration to hugely enthusiastic audiences at festivals throughout Ireland and the UK. Local music lovers can look forward to something very special when they perform for JHISS at The Market Place Theatre on Tuesday 24 July [with an 8.30pm starting time].

Booking for the Ulaid and Duke Special concert at The Market Place Theatre has already opened on 028 37521821 and online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre

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.

2018 marks the 28^th Heart of the Glens Festival – the Festival set up by the local community in 1990 has grown from humble beginnings to one of the largest Community Festivals in the county.

The Festival is held in and around the village of Cushendall in the beautiful Glens of Antrim.  Cushendall lies at the ‘heart’ of the Glens, hence the name.  There are over 100 events taking place during the week starting Saturday 4^th August until Sunday 12^th August.

The programme of events is as varied and entertaining as ever with something for all the family. The main anchor events are the RNLI Open Day, Community Parade, Country Sports, Street Food Fest , Lark in the Park, Cycling Time Trial. The Final weekend sees the Festival ‘Dallywood’ Theme Night.  This year dress up and get your hats ready for our ‘Mad Hat Street Party.’  The Glens Vintage Fun Day, the ever popula rLurig Run (already fully booked) and the Fireworks Night.  Sunday has the final festivities with the Artisan Market on during the day and then the Grand Finale night with ‘Waves of Tory.

A full Programme of events is available in local shops and the festival office at Old Schoolhouse, Mill Street, with some details available on www.glensfestival.com and regular updates on our Facebook page – Heart of the Glens Festival, Cushendall.

We would like to thank Causeway Coast and Glens Council for their Tourism Grant and Heart of the Glens Landscape Partnership for funding received through Heritage Lottery Fund, without this funding and the generosity of the public attending the events, the support of local businesses, donations and sponsorship received the festival could not survive.

Heart of the Glens Festival Committee would like to welcome all visitors to the Causeway Coast & Glens.  Come along to our festival and join in with the locals and help create atmosphere and character which makes our festival unique.

Many of the events are outdoor and weather dependant – venues may need to be changed at short notice – notices will be displayed outlining any necessary changes.

If you require any help or information, call into the Festival Office at the Old School House where the staff will be happy to assist. (Tel – 028 2177 1378)

Following on from the success of Carousel and Phantom of the Opera, don’t miss Theatre at The Mill’s big summer musical production West Side Story from Tuesday 31 July– Saturday 4 August.

Bringing to life the tale of two young lovers caught between prejudice and warring street gangs in one of the most memorable and greatest love stories of all time.

This powerful interpretation of Romeo and Juliet proves to be as poignant and timely as ever bringing together two masters, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim in a score regarded as the best ever written.

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City, as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the “American” Jets and the Peurto Rican Sharks.  Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

With nightly performances at 7pm, this is a production not to be missed.  Tickets £15 & £13 (Concession) Group Discount Available. Call Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online  www.theatreatthemill.com.

Hundreds of kids flocked to Antrim Lough Shore Park yesterday (9 July) to help celebrate the official opening of the fantastic new play park.

Opened by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for County Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie CVO OBE and the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Michael, the new nautical themed play park is a fantastic asset for everyone in the Borough, as it includes a wheelchair accessible boat.  Some elements of the play park were designed by school pupils from across the Borough.

Speaking at the official opening, the Mayor commented, “I am delighted to officially open this new play park. The investment of £250,000 by the Council has made our beautiful park even more attractive to residents and visitors. The new play park also complements the future plans to develop a new Gateway Visitor Centre here in Antrim Lough Shore Park.”

For more information, please T. 028 9034 0069 or email Lindsay.Houston@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk