Author: whatsonni

Here are 15 exciting things to do from 10 – 16 March

1. Taste Mid Ulster Restaurant Week, various locations, 10 – 16 March. Discover culinary delights in Mid Ulster as participating restaurants across the district are rolling out the red carpet to showcase their finest culinary creations. From gourmet delicacies to classic comfort foods, there’s something to satisfy every palate.
2. Fireside Stories, Downpatrick, Newcastle, Newry, County Down, 13,14,15 March. Fireside Stories will be hosted in three different outdoor locations across the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion, celebrating local landscapes, places and spaces. The performers specialise in a unique blend of skills in circus and contemporary dance and the manipulation of fire to achieve strong storytelling that packs an emotional punch.
3. Leprechaun Treasure Trail, Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, 15 – 17 March. Enjoy a St Patrick’s Day treasure trail in search of some mischievous leprechauns. You will receive a pack from the ticket office which will include a map to help you with your search. Explore the trails and gardens and have some fun along the way. When the treasure trail has been completed you may also receive a reward from the ‘Pot of Gold’.
4. St Patrick’s Day Celebrations at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, County Down, 16 March. Join Hillsborough Castle and Gardens for a fun-filled family day out, with stories, music and celebration, in honour of St. Patrick’s Day. Immerse yourself in the magic of traditional Irish storytelling with renowned storyteller Eamonn Keenan, accompanied by the captivating music of Aodan MacSeafriadh.
5. Irish Whiskey Masterclass at the Home of St Patrick Festival, Hole in the Wall Bar, Armagh, County Armagh, 14 March. The tasting experience will provide an immersive dive into Irish whiskey, where you will sample six varieties and be guided through each one by expert host, Ronan Collins, AKA Whiskey4Breakfast. You will sample whiskies from some of the most exciting new and innovative Irish distilleries that have emerged over the last decade.
6. St Patrick’s Shindig at the Home of St Patrick Festival, Market Square, Armagh, County Armagh, 14 March. Armagh is set to rock on St Patrick’s weekend, with a superb live open-air concert featuring an electrifying line-up. The High Stool Prophets will make a welcome return to Armagh after blazing a trail on the Irish folk scene. Also appearing will be Pure Blarney, a vibrant Irish folk and traditional band.
7. JigJAZZ at the Home of St Patrick Festival, Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, County Armagh, 16 March. JigJAZZ is a new contemporary Irish dance show featuring world champion Irish dancers. Combining traditional Irish dance with elements of tap and jazz, this high energy masterpiece is accompanied by outstanding singers and musicians to make it an enjoyable and memorable night.
8. Belfast St Patrick’s Music Festival, Belfast, 14 – 17 March. The range of free and ticketed events celebrate the very best of our traditional arts and include concerts, céilís, displays, taster sessions, workshops, outdoor music stages and more.
9. St Patrick’s Day Festival Weekend, Bushmills, County Antrim, 15 – 17 March. Come and celebrate St Patrick’s Day weekend at the Giant’s Causeway, with lots of family-friendly activities. From whimsical leprechaun trails, facepainting, treasure hunts, trad bands, selfie opportunities with resident friendly giant, Finn McCool and so much more. This event promises to be a magical giant experience for all ages.
10. Steam Whitehead St Patrick’s Weekend, Whitehead Railway Museum, County Antrim, 15 March. On the historic 1907 platform at Whitehead Excursion Station you’ll board their train for a short trip within their premises. Hauled by their 104-year-old locomotive No.3BG ‘Guinness’, you will travel in a carriage which a certain famous wizard would feel at home in as you are transported to a bygone era. Included in your ticket price is a train ride and admission to the five-gallery museum (allow at least an hour). Afterwards, you can treat yourself to tea/coffee and snacks in the café.
11. Wild Caving – Marble Arch Caves, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, 15 March. Delve off the beaten track with an experienced and qualified Cave Leader to explore ‘wild caving’ in the depths of the Marble Arch Caves system. Your group of ten will explore wild cave passages, negotiate boulder chambers and clamber through the well-known flyover to emerge into the public tour area of the show cave before navigating your way out through the wild chambers.
12. Patrick’s Flotilla 2025, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, 16 March. Enjoy a spectacular St. Patrick’s Flotilla as beautifully decorated, illuminated boats take to the waters of Enniskillen. Departing from the Ardhowen Jetty, the flotilla will journey through the town in a stunning green-lit procession, creating a breathtaking sight.
13. St Patrick’s Day at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, 16 – 17 March. Learn about the history of the shamrock as you take in the sounds of traditional Irish music across Ulster and America. Watch Irish dance performances and see traditional craft demonstrations like basket weaving throughout the day. Stop by the Mellon House where the table will be filled with traditional foods like colcannon and apple tart or follow the ‘Shamrock Selfie Trail’ and get involved in some St Patrick’s themed crafts.
14. The Chocolate Box at The Chocolate Manor, Castlerock, County Londonderry 15 March. Led by Chief Chocolatier at The Chocolate Manor, Geri Martin, you will begin by learning the fundamentals of working with chocolate at home and learning what equipment you need. You will then move on to hands-on chocolate making, practicing tempering chocolate to create a delicious selection of flavoured chocolates using ingredients such as honeycomb and orange. You will also discover the differences in working with selected varieties of chocolate.
15. St Patrick’s Day Beach Ride with Crindle Stables, Limavady, County Londonderry, 15 March. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a scenic horseback ride along the stunning Northern Ireland coastline. This beach ride offers a unique outdoor adventure for riders 12 years and older and is perfect for all skill levels.

For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit discovernorthernireland.com. Subject to availabilities with select dates.

Here are ten exciting things to do 24 February – 2 March

1. Wild Ireland: Past, Present, Future at Ulster Museum, Belfast, opening 21 February. Renowned wildlife painter, Julian Friers, has collaborated with Ulster Museum Natural Sciences curator, Dr Mike Simms, to create over 50 remarkable paintings of our flora and fauna, past and present. Join us to explore departed and vanished wildlife – and what can be done to help the survivors hold on.
2. The Remembering Bunting Festival 2025, Various locations, Belfast, 27 February – 2 March. This free festival offers a remarkable opportunity to explore the legacy of Edward Bunting. The festival features performances and presentations from across the traditional music world and aims to deepen our understanding of the interconnectedness of our traditional music and culture.
3. Roe Valley Speciality Market, Limavady, County Londonderry, 1 March. If you love local fresh food, quirky handmade crafts, fine art, and speciality products, visit a Speciality Market Day at Drumceatt Square, Limavady’s only communal public square.
4. Tyrone Farmer’s Market, Food and Craft Markets, Dungannon, County Tyrone, 1 March. Tyrone Farmer’s Market Ltd hold food and craft markets on the first and third Saturdays of every month from 8.30am until 12.30pm. There are 30 stalls selling artisan food and hand-crafted gifts and homewares, from local producers.
5. Feel Good Festival 2025 at The Portico of Ards, Portaferry, County Down, 1 – 31 March. The festival gathers a diverse mix of artists, performers and visitors, fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates community, creativity and the joy of coming together. From choral, classical, folk, electronic, organ, rock and pop music as well as comedy, the Feel Good Festival, against the backdrop of Portico’s stunning architecture, will immerse attendees in a celebration of the senses.
6. Planetarium Sound Journey Under the Stars at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, County Armagh, 2 March. Embark on a journey to explore the Youniverse at our unique Sound Spa, “Sound Journey Under the Stars,” within the Armagh Planetarium Dome. Immerse yourself in a unique experience as you listen to soothing sounds while journeying under the stars and through the expansive cosmos.
7. Boatyard Distillery Tour, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, check website for dates. Visit the banks of Lough Erne to see how they produce the finest spirits using the highest quality botanicals and ingredients. Come and meet the team, their stills and discover the secret behind the famous ‘Érainn’ their Copper still.
8. Thursday Movie Nights at The Bushmills Inn, Bushmills, County Antrim, 27 February (more dates available). Everyone loves a night at the movies. Enjoy small, intimate screenings of the latest blockbusters in the exclusive surroundings of the boutique cinema at The Bushmills Inn.
9. Young Aspects, various locations, County Down, 28 February – 2 March. Taking place at various locations around Bangor, the diverse programme of reading, writing and art events will inspire young imaginations. After a successful first year in 2024, they are back with a weekend of writing and book events for young people and families. Join as they inspire the younger generation with events focused on stories, books and writing. They will have special guests talking about their books and workshops to create your own stories and books.
10. Arthur Armstrong Painting Workshop: Seascapes Tones and Textures at the Carrickfergus Museum, County Antrim, 1 March. From your imagination, or an image of the coast, guided by a tutor, paint your own seascape the Arthur Armstrong way. He applied paint in different ways to almost sculpt his seascapes.

For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit discovernorthernireland.com. Subject to availabilities with select dates.