This Saturday (23 June), families are being invited to participate in an archaeological dig at Brockagh with Lough Neagh Partnership and Queen’s University Belfast.

The excavation and investigation is centred around exploring the lost late-Elizabethan fort that was famously illustrated by the English cartographer Richard Bartlett in 1602.

Located close to Mountjoy Castle the dig will be open to the public on Saturday from 11am until 4pm and anyone over the age of eight can take part in this historic event which the organisers think may provide something promising in the search for the star shaped fort.

Liam Campbell of Lough Neagh Partnership said: “We are encouraging anyone interested in heritage and culture to come along on Saturday and join us for this family day out with a difference, to take part in a unique archaeological dig with the prospect of helping us uncover something very special for the community.

“Staff and students from the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork at Queen’s University have been undertaking geophysical surveys over the past few months at Brockagh to locate the ‘other’ Mountjoy Fort on the old shoreline below St Brigid’s School. It is an exciting find of the Lost Settlement of Mountjoy and to be involved in helping uncover the fort is certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity for anyone who wishes to get involved.”

If you are interested in participating in this exciting project, arrive at the site on Saturday 23^rd from 11am and you are advised to bring wellies, boots or old clothes as you will definitely get dirty and you may get wet! The site is located at Maye’s field, opposite the road to St Brigid’s School and Mountjoy Fort. Parking is available.

If you require further information, please contact Aaron Swann at Lough Neagh Partnership on tel 028 7941 7941 or email aaronswann@discoverloughneagh.com.

This is a project of Lough Neagh Partnership under the Landscape partnership programme funded by Heritage Lottery Fund.

www.discoverloughneagh.com, www.facebook.com/loughneaghlandscapepartnership, www.twitter.com/loveloughneagh.

Despite the inclement weather conditions, hundreds turned up to watch the Royal Marine Band Concert at Antrim Castle Gardens on Sunday 17 June.

The crowds were not disappointed as they were entertained to two hours of great music from one of the finest military bands around.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Michael, commented “it was an honour to have the Royal Marine Band play in our Borough, in the majestic setting of Antrim Castle Gardens. I am delighted so many people took advantage of the opportunity to experience one of the greatest military bands”.

The Royal Marine Band played as part of our Summer Sunday Music programme which runs each Sunday from 3-4pm at Antrim Castle Gardens and Loughshore Park Jordanstown.

For a full programme visit

www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/summersundaymusic

To celebrate, visitors will go free for the whole weekend of 1-2 September

Mount Stewart Conversations Festival is set to return to the shores of Strangford Lough on 1st and 2nd September 2018. This year’s festival will build on the success of two previous events, featuring the very best conversationalists from Ian Hislop to Kate Adie, and offer an unparalleled programme of arts and entertainment.

To celebrate the return of this unique festival, the National Trust, the UK’s largest conservation charity, is announcing that Mount Stewart will throw open its doors and offer free entry to the grounds all weekend*.

This unmissable weekend festival which celebrates the arts, literature, music and big ideas will centre on the theme of Women in Power in this, the year in which we celebrate 100 years since women were granted the right to vote.

The Festival highlights Mount Stewart’s history as a historical nucleus of creativity, individuality and influence. Here, Edith, Lady Londonderry welcomed leading political and literary guests as the famous house and gardens played host to magical debates and discussions.

Once again Mount Stewart Conversations has teamed up with two cutting edge arts partners: Seedhead Arts and Beyond Skin, in order to offer a stellar line-up of acclaimed guests who will engage visitors in debates, performances and talks on a vast array of emotive and inspirational subjects. The programme, which will be announced in the coming weeks, promises a jam-packed schedule of activities taking place around the family home and world-renowned gardens.

Adam Turkington, Seedhead Arts, Programmer, commented, “This festival is an opportunity for people of all ages to join the debate and talk about the things that really matter to us. Now, more than ever, we need conversations to be universal and we need people to come and listen but most of all, to contribute. Mount Stewart is the perfect location for this event and we are excited to encourage guests to debate, challenge and rethink their conversations.”

Jon Kerr, General Manager, Mount Stewart, commented, “With a diverse mix of cultural acts and performances that resonate with Mount Stewart’s place in history as a melting pot of minds, we are delighted to invite visitors from near and far to this wonderful festival.

“Last year’s festival was a roaring success where we welcomed TV personalities, journalists, academics and performers to name but a few. The ensuing conversations and debates were dynamic, topical and entertaining and we are very much looking forward to hosting the 2018 festival this September.”

More details on the fascinating line up of speakers, the exciting programme of events and tickets will be available soon. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart to find out more.

Access to Mount Stewart will be free. Selected talks will be ticketed and will be available to book in advance.

As a conservation charity, the National Trust is bolstered by the support of volunteers. Our team turns great events into amazing experiences with the help of volunteers. If you would like to get involved by volunteering at Mount Stewart Conversations, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart/features/volunteering-at-mount-stewart

Northern Ireland Opera is bringing its IMAGINE! tour to the Portico of Ards on Saturday 30 June from 11am to 1pm. Throughout an interactive session of music, art and craft, children are invited to go on a journey of playful engagement with themes of identity, discovery and fantasy.

The event, supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council, will be led by the talented singers of the Northern Ireland Opera Studio; and children will investigate themes of identity, self-exploration and fantasy through music and art. They will be invited to imagine and create “a new world” with alien creatures, novelty architecture and fashion, undiscovered languages, unknown behaviour. What world would you like to live in and who would you meet there? On their journey, children will encounter studio singers as “otherworldly” inhabitants of an imagined parallel universe, singing their songs. Repertoire will include evocative pieces from children’s and family operas of the 20th and 21st century, as well as 19th century fairy tale operas.

The IMAGINE! tour has been performing across Northern Ireland during the month of June and has already performed in Belfast, Derry and Armagh. The tour is a perfect opportunity for parents to introduce their child/ children to the world of opera in a fun and interactive setting.

Kate Guelke, Director said:

‘‘So far, our young audience are brilliantly curious and imaginative. We’ve been delighted by their questions, suggestions, gasps, laughter! This is children’s opera as it should be – interactive, engaging and magical. Audience participation highly encouraged.’’

The IMAGINE! tour is suitable for children of a primary school age and is a magical introduction to opera and the arts. Previous attenders have been delighted and fully immersed in the event and this is definitely an event not to be missed.

Tickets for the Portico show cost £7.50 per adult and £5 per child and are on sale at:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ardsandnorthdown

For further information, please contact:

Emma Martin (Marketing and Communication Assistant) on (028) 9027 2522 or visit www.niopera.com/imagine.

Brighter Nights are back at Lilian Bland Community Park from Friday 29 June – Friday 24 August. Join us each Friday evening from 6.30-8.30pm for a range of activities for all ages!

Kick starting this year’s programme is a special ‘Schools Out Party’ to celebrate the start of the School Summer Holidays. Party on down to Lilian Bland Community Park where we have The Adventure Playbus, Punch & Judy Show, Traditional Games, Multi skilled outdoor activities, Bungee Run, Bouncy Castle with slide and Face Painters to keep you entertained.

Launching Brighter Nights earlier this week Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Michael commented “It is fantastic to have these open green spaces in our Borough which allow us to hold a vibrant programme of events, bringing communities together”.

So if you fancy yourself as a Superhero, a Dancing Diva or a Sports Fanatic you will love Brighter Nights which offers a different theme each week.

For a full listing check out our website www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/brighternights

An appearance by one of the Army’s most impressive battle tanks is set to make Armed Forces Day an event to remember in Coleraine.

The Challenger 2, which is rarely seen by the public here, will be on display in Christie Park when the celebration of military life comes to the town on Saturday 23^rd June.

As the force’s main battle tank, it weighs over 62 tonne and spans over 44 feet when its gun is extended.

Visitors can also look forward to getting up close with a Gazelle helicopter while the Royal Navy is bringing its P2000 patrol vessel to the River Bann.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Coleraine for the regional showcase, which celebrates the ongoing commitment of troops, their families, veterans and cadets. A park & ride facility will be available at Rugby Avenue from 8am – 9.30pm and further details about traffic and travel arrangements will be made available nearer the time.

A spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “We are working closely with our partners in the Ministry of Defence to create a spectacular event for everyone to enjoy. The Challenger Tank showcase will provide an unforgetable sight and it is a real privilege for us to welcome it to Coleraine.”

The event will be compered by well-known media personality Paul Clark who will be on hand to guide visitors through the planned programme of events. This includes the event’s opening parade which will see hundreds of service personnel and veterans pass through the town before a Drumhead Service in the Diamond.

A gun salute will signal the start of a packed programme of family-friendly attractions and live music in Christie Park and throughout the town from 12-30pm-5pm. A water based showcase on the River Bann will feature exciting world class demonstrations of wakeboarding, barefoot water skiing and freestyle jet skiing.

The event will come to a close in spectacular style as the world renowned Band of the Royal Marines will parade through the town before leading the Beating of the Retreat.

And the entertainment doesn’t end there because from 5pm, the Diamond area will be transformed into a live music and dance venue with the return of Rhythm of the Bann.

Held for the first time last year, it promises an evening of superb FREE entertainment including an unmissable performance by the world renowned Royal Marines band.

Keep up to date with the latest announcements about Armed Forces Day and Rhythm of the Bann by following us on Facebook and Twitter @CausewayCouncil and @EventsCwayCoast

Get all your mates together for a pure geg as loveable rogue, Maggie Muff, returns to Armagh’s Market Place Theatre in ‘Maggie Yer Ma’, the highly anticipated sequel to best-selling author Leesa Harker’s smash hit trilogy.

Life doesn’t stop when you drop a sprog, whaaa?

With Billy in jail for the biggest feg run heist in history and Maggie’s ma dropping a bombshell that will curl your toes, Maggie finds herself a single Ma. Big Sally-Ann is no help – sure she’s become a Buddhist and is ringing bells and chanting all over the show! Life sure has changed for Maggie, but can she get back til herself? Til the way she was? [In other words, you’re guaranteed a geg].

From best-selling author and playwright Leesa Harker, directed by Andrea Montgomery, starring critically acclaimed Caroline Curran. This production will contain material of an adult nature.

‘Maggie Yer Ma’ will be staged on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 June at 8pm. Tickets are priced £20, and can be purchased through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre Get ‘er booked!

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.