A new exhibition which commemorates the centenary of the Royal Air Force opens in Ballymoney this month.

Curated by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Museum Services, it allows visitors to explore the development of the RAF from its formation on 1^st April 1918 until recent times. The exhibition examines its connection to this region, including Coastal Command Airbases occupied during World War II at Limavady and Ballykelly along with Mullaghmore.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Joan Baird OBE said: “The Causeway Coast and Glens has played a considerable role in the 100-year-old story of the RAF, with many local people making an important contribution to the organisation. The exhibition will allow people to discover the operational conditions RAF personnel faced at Limavady and their continued presence in Ballykelly when the war ended. It also looks at the involvement of Mullaghmore airbase with the invasions at Normandy in 1944, providing a fascinating insight into this important part of our history.”

The exhibition is complemented by images from the Imperial War Museum, Coleraine Chronicle & Constitution Archives and Ulster Aviation Society.

Visitors are encouraged to contribute to a ‘Memory Book’ by sharing any memories or knowledge they have of local airmen who served within the RAF.

‘The Royal Air Force Centenary 1918-2018’ exhibition runs from:

April 11^th– April 28^th in Ballymoney Museum. Opening times Monday – Thursday & Saturday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4.30pm

June 26^th – June 30^th in Coleraine Town Hall. Opening times Tuesday – Saturday 11am-4pm

July 3^rd – September 30^th in Green Lane Museum, Limavady, Roe Valley Country Park.

Opening times June, July and August Monday-Sunday 1pm-4.45pm & September, weekends only, 1pm-4.45pm.

THE Slieve Donard Resort & Spa has reported a 20% increase in its conference and business events.

Nestling at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne it is well known as one of Northern Ireland’s finest conference hotels boasting an extensive choice of banqueting and conferencing suites suitable for events of all sizes.

Nora Hanna, business development manager of the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa said: “We have enjoyed a marked increase of 20 per cent in our conference and business events as the hotel remains first choice for local companies and organisations from around the world including USA and Canada.

“As part of this increase, the average number of bed-nights has increased from two to four. This is not only good news for us, but for the local economy as a whole. When we secure business events, especially residential conferences, the delegates have a busy itinerary including dinners and visits to the local tourist attractions which has a positive economic impact for Newcastle and Northern Ireland,” Nora continued.

“We work closely with event organisers to help ensure all their requirements are met and can assist in arranging team building activities with the local outdoor activity centre which offers everything from coasteering to bouldering, field archery and mountain biking – ultimately adding to the overall experience,” Nora added.

The Slieve Donard Resort & Spa offers the magnificent Grand Ballroom which is one of the largest function suites in Northern Ireland and the Chandelier Room which boasts stunning views over the mountains. In addition to this, business guests have the choice of six conference rooms within the purpose-built Centenary Conference Centre.

For further information on holding an event at the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa contact Nora Hanna on 028 4372 1010.

Finish your Easter Holidays in style with a visit to Antrim Live from Friday 6 until Sunday 8 April. Antrim Town will be awash with activity during this two-day cultural extravaganza.

Antrim Live is a family event with something to offer from tiny tots to seniors. 1950’s Rock N Roll Band The Soda Popz will perform at The Old Courthouse on Friday 6 April and lurgan-born singer Malojian featuring the Antrim Community Choir will play on Saturday 7 April. Star of BBC’s The Blame Game, Neil Delamere will bring the festival to a spectacular close on Sunday 8 April.

We are super egg-cited about our fabulous new interactive Treasure Trail. Join an array of quirky characters which will include Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter and The Wizard of Oz to name just a few and take a trip through the wonderful Wonderland Wood. Street performers, market stalls, arts & crafts, baby rave, fun fair and storytelling with Mr Hullabaloo will provide the children with hours of endless fun.

Our brand new busking competition ‘Busking Live’ will showcase the best of our home-grown talent whilst Castle Mall will host the best of local choirs and singers around.

We hope you can join us for a feast of festivities in the heart of Antrim Town. For a full programme of events please visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/antrimlive.

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‘We’ll Walk Hand In Hand’ is a new play by Martin Lynch marking the 50^th anniversary of the Northern Ireland civil rights struggle, and it’s coming to The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Thursday 12 April.

A co-production by Green Shoot Productions and Queen’s University, ‘We’ll Walk Hand In Hand’ will have an exciting combination of professional actors and community participants.

The play charts the story of Vincent and Louise, two young working class kids from Woodvale and the Lower Falls who start Queen’s University on the very day the shocking television images come through of the assassination of Martin Luther King. Becoming embroiled in the heady world of student politics, whilst back home their families see civil rights very differently, Vincent and Louise are confronted with decisions that will mark their lives forever.

Then on Saturday 14 April, after creating a storm around the country, Ireland’s favourite trio, Dominic, Shane, and Derek – collectively The Three Tenors Ireland – return to The Market Place. The Three Tenors promise a magical night to remember, as they perform an exciting Celtic flavoured programme, with uplifting songs made famous by world superstars including Sinatra [My Way], The Dubliners [Wild Rover] and Pavarotti [O Sole Mio | Nessun Dorma]. You’ll also love their new arrangements of hits such as ‘Over the Rainbow’.

Sell-out show, The Jazzabelles, is a musical set in 1950’s Belfast. It tells the story of three girls who long for a better life. After a chance meeting they form a vocal trio, who dream of performing at the prestigious Floral Hall. When a smooth manager enters the frame, it looks like their dream might become reality. However, the road to stardom is far from smooth. The Jazzabelles must overcome bullying husbands, blackmail and bigotry along the way. Is friendship and music enough to see them through? With songs sung by top local talent, a live band, swinging dance routines and a sharp script, The Jazzabelles is a high energy tale of triumph over adversity. It stages on Saturday 14 April.

Tickets can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre 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.

If you’re looking for something a bit different to liven up your Easter Holiday weekend, then join Big Telly Theatre Company in an innovative new game, developed in partnership with Seamus Heaney HomePlace, called Operation Sweet-Talk.

Taking place on Saturday 31st March from 11.30am in Magherafelt Town Centre, Operation Sweet-Talk is an interactive game (part treasure hunt, part immersive theatre) to help find the lost words of Seamus Heaney hidden in multiple locations across Magherafelt.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is the protection of a town called Magherafelt situated on rising land to the west of the Lough Neagh lowlands. (54.7554° N, 6.6080° W). For your own safety, the specifics of your mission will not be revealed until the point of action. You must expect difficult challenges ahead.

There is a town below the water in Lough Neagh called Oceania, ruled by Slime Kings, who seek to control the human race through the annihilation of freedom of thought, speech and ideas. The Slime Kings coat truth in sugary sweetness and deal in platitudes, trivia and blandness. They believe that poetry is a magical art— a making of language spells capable of changing the world in ways we have never dared dream of. They must be stopped.

Participants may book as a team (maximum 10), or in smaller groups/individuals who form part of a team of 10 people. Each team is given a starting time at ten minute intervals, and they then uncover a series of clues which takes them on a journey through the town, in and out of shops, cafes and public areas. The experience lasts roughly an hour, will start at The Bridewell and end in an undisclosed location also in Magherafelt. The game is suitable for ages 8+ and each team must include at least one adult.

For more information or to book your team on the adventure, visit www.SeamusHeaneyHome.com (telephone 028 7938 7444), or find out more and book at The Bridewell, Magherafelt (telephone 028 7963 1510).