It’s back! St George’s Market will host two more Twilight Markets – on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 November – bringing Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016 to a close.

There’ll be a wide selection of pop up restaurants and local food producers, all combined with live music and DJs, as well as over 130 food, drink and arts and crafts traders.

Opening hours for Tuesday’s event are 5pm to 11pm. Please note this event is strictly over 18s after 9pm.

Put the date in your diary and stay tuned to our website for updates! http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events/Event-67748.aspx

Northern Ireland is definitely putting its best foot forward. From food to fashion, drinks to entertainment, we are quickly gaining a reputation as a must-visit destination.

But what does that mean for us here at home?

From world class restaurants to some of the world’s leading cultural attractions, Northern Ireland is bursting at the seams with places and things to do. But it can be expensive getting out and about and that’s where OhhSocial comes in. From family-friendly deals, to couple’s packages and special treats to enjoy solo, OhhSocial has partnered with the best of local businesses and attractions to give us all a chance to get out and socialise more.

The idea is simple, and was inspired by the co-founders travels in America, Australia, and the Middle East where similar ideas are successfully operating.

Kelly McClements, Co-Founder of OhhSocial said, “Our team has tasted the best of local artisan produce and sipped local beers and gins and now we want you to do the same.”

“We want you to enjoy the best of Northern Ireland’s social scene. Whether that is relaxing with our awarding winning health & beauty experts, savouring a coffee with friends, tucking into a delicious dinner for two, or exploring some of Northern Ireland’s leading attractions, there is something for everyone with OhhSocial.”

“By downloading the OhhSocial app to your smart phone you will be able to tap into a whole range of exclusive offers”.

With the simple to use app you can unlock over 150 exclusive buy-one-get-one-free offers from local businesses in 4 key sectors – Wine & Dine, Health & Beauty, Leisure & Attractions and Kids Activities. For only £19 you can use OhhSocial offers when it suits you, and with potential savings of over £2,000 this year, there hasn’t been a better time to be more social.

OhhSocial is available to download NOW on Android http://bit.ly/2aceI2e and iOS http://apple.co/2b98nFF

NORTHERN Ireland’s favourite pizzeria Little Wing Pizzeria is offering children’s clubs local to its six restaurants the chance to win a £500 bursary.

The Little Wing Little Stars bursary, which returns for its third year, is open to all kids’ clubs, from sports to music clubs to art and dance clubs. The scheme returns after two highly successful years, with 12 clubs to date having benefitted from the cash boost.

The Little Stars bursary programme is open to all clubs with kids under the age of 13 that are located near each of Little Wing’s six branches: Enniskillen, Holywood, Bangor and Ann Street, Lisburn Road and Ballyhackamore in Belfast*. Each of the six winning clubs will receive a £500 bursary each to spend as they wish.

Commenting on the club bursaries, Luke Wolsey, Managing Director of Little Wing Pizzeria said:

“At Little Wing we’re always looking for opportunities to give back to the community and now that we have six restaurants in six different communities across Northern Ireland, the Little Wing Little Stars bursaries are a great way to get involved with the children and families in the area.

“The programme is back for a third year to give local clubs a chance to apply for funding: we get a lot of requests for sponsorship and assistance throughout the year and the Little Stars bursary programme can make a real difference to these clubs.

“I hope all of our local clubs will apply for the chance to win the bursary, which can be used towards whatever they need, whether it’s equipment, new kits or the running costs of the club.”

Last year’s winners were Bangor Chiefs Inline Hockey Club; Enniskillen Rugby Football Club; Minis St John Bosco Amateur Boxing Club in West Belfast; Sydenham United Football Club and VC Glendale Cycling Club in South Belfast, all of whom benefitted from a £500 bursary for their club, with Holywood Tae Kwon Do club and Pophouse Theatre Company in Finaghy splitting the bursary to receive £250 each.

Coach Michael Rowley from Sydenham United Football club said “The Little Wing Little Stars bursary made a big difference to our club: we purchased training equipment, junior nets, footballs and bibs plus first aid kits for our junior teams. The children felt the immediate benefit of the £500 cash and their parents were thrilled to see the equipment in the club.

“The bursary can make all the difference to your club – we would encourage any children’s club to apply. It really helped us!”

To apply for the Little Wing Little Stars bursary scheme, children’s’ clubs simply need to submit a 300-word entry, explaining why they need the bursary and what it will be used for. Alternatively clubs can create a two minute video. Entries should be emailed to  bursaries@littlewingpizzeria.co.uk by Monday 31^st October 2016.

Little Wing is part of the Beannchor Group, Ireland’s largest hospitality group, which boasts a portfolio of over 50 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Northern Ireland.

For further information, visit littlewingpizzeria.com

Ladies if you have a passion for fashion then this is the perfect event for you…The Merchant Fabulous Fashion Teas.

For just £35 per ticket, guests can enjoy access to their chosen Fashion Tea show, whilst sipping on a glass of our finest Veuve Clicquot Champagne and savouring our famous Afternoon Tea.

Each guest will also receive a luxury goodie bag and access to the pop-up boutiques of the retailers where you can browse and shop all of the collections.

There’s something fishy going on in Banbridge on Friday 7 October when Nemo, Marlin and Dory make a splash on the big screen with a free outdoor screening of the family favourite Finding Nemo in Solitude Park at 7pm.

This animated aquatic adventure follows the comedic and eventful journeys of the fretful Marlin and his young son Nemo, who are separated from each other in the Great Barrier Reef when Nemo is unexpectedly taken by a fish collecting scuba diver and thrust into a tank in a dentist’s office overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Buoyed by the companionship of a friendly but forgetful fish named Dory, the overly cautious Marlin embarks on a treacherous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic journey to rescue his son. Meanwhile, the young Nemo hatches a few daring plans of his own to return home safely.

Will Marlin safely find his way to Sydney? Will Nemo resist the clutches of Darla the dentist’s dastardly niece? To find out don’t be like Dory and put a reminder in your diary for Friday 7 October at 7pm in Solitude Park!

To add to the cinema experience local food outlet Captain Cooks will be offering a host of hot and tasty treats throughout the event.  Other refreshments available include ice-cream, pop-corn, sweets, soft drinks, tea and coffee.  So pack a comfy cushion and a cosy blanket and settle down to enjoy a free movie night under the stars at Solitude Park.

For further information contact Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council on 028 4066 0609 or go to the council website at www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk or check www.facebook.com/armaghbanbridgecraigavon

This year’s Hallowe’en celebrations in Derry and Strabane promise to be “Out of this World” when the City and District throws a party like no other as it celebrates 30 years of being spooktacular.

The official “Best Hallowe’en Destination in the world” is gearing itself up for the best celebration yet with a packed programme of events and activities for revellers of all ages to enjoy and participate in.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, speaking at the launch of the City of Bones Hallowe’en programme for Derry~Londonderry and Strabane said this year’s festival programme has lots to offer.

She commented: “This year we have a fantastic line up of events and activities for everyone to enjoy. We are expecting an influx of visitors and in particular young families coming to the City and District looking to enjoy our unique Hallowe’en experience and to be part of our world famous Hallowe’en celebrations. A lot of work goes into the festival every year and Derry City and Strabane District Council is delighted to have a programme of events that includes street animation, storytelling, tours and trails, street markets and lots of spooktacular happenings, for the entire community to enjoy,” she commented.

Among the key highlights of the festival include a welcome return of the Awakening of the Walls when the ancient City Walls will come to life with music, animation and light, creating a realm of fantasy fire and flame from Friday 28 to Sunday 30^th October from 6-8pm each night.

Other highlights include spooky Gothic organ recitals at the Guildhall on the evening of Sunday 30 October, terrifying haunted tours at the Tower Museum, Weird and Wonderful Witches Tales at the Guildhall, a Hallowe’en panto at Strabane’s Alley Theatre, Monstrous Halloween workshops and Stotytelling at Strabane Community Library and family entertainment including mask making workshops and arts and crafts at the Craft Village.

New to this year is a Made in Derry Halloween focused food tour on Saturday 29 October from 12-4pm where you can adorn your favourite Halloween costume and eat and drink your way around the city centre and sample delights from over 30 different food and drink producers and venues.

On Hallowe’en night Monday 31 October, both Derry and Strabane will host an evening of fun and entertainment when the City of Bones Street Carnival Parade will make its way along Derry’s Queen’s Quay from 7pm followed by a fabulous Fireworks Finale at 8pm, while in Strabane, the Upper Main Street car park will be transformed into a family friendly fun area from 7-8.30pm and a fireworks display over the River Mourne at 8pm.

Jacqueline Whoriskey is the Council’s Festival and Events Manager. She says preparations are at an advanced stage for this year’s festival with Council pulling out all the stops to make sure the 30^th anniversary of the festival is truly special for the people of Derry~Londonderry and Strabane.

“Preparations are well underway and we are delighted to have up to 600 carnival participants taking part in workshops and rehearsals for the Carnival Parade.  The “Out of this World” theme encourages people to be creative and think outside the box for their costumes and we are really looking forward to seeing some magical creations and designs taking part. We are delighted with the variety of the programme and the fact that cultural venues, shops and theatres in both Derry and Strabane have come up trumps in terms of organising events and activities to complement our festival,” she added.

Other highlights happening in and around the Council area over the Hallowe’en holidays include the Castlederg Apple Fair, Hallowe’en Fun Fair at Ebrington and a horror movie week at the Nerve Centre, as well as treasure hunts and spooky bat and ghost tours at Creggan Country Park while the Riverwatch Aquarium will play host to a series of fantastic ghoulish events including a Shark Night and a Barn Owl Prowl. Gray’s Printing Press in Strabane will host an day of Bewitching Tales while Trick or Treat tours will leave from the Alley Theatre and the Riversdale Leisure Centre will host a Hallowe’en Pool Disco.

To find out more about all the events taking place in the City of Bones in the run up to and during Hallowe’en check out the full programme at www.derrystrabane.com/halloween

The largest showcase of humour in Ireland celebrates its 5^th birthday with another top line-up of comedic talent taking to the boards during 28 September to 9 October.

This year’s 12-day festival features headline performances from Tim McGarry (2 Oct, Lyric Theatre), the award-winning Trygve Wakenshaw (7 Oct, The Mac), and the hit production of Two Sore Legs (3-8 Oct, Grand Opera House).

As part of its international programing, the festival also welcomes four top Australian comedians – Sam Simmons (29 Sept, Black Box) Sarah Kendall (6 Oct, Black Box), Damian Clark (5 Oct, Laverys) and Bec Hill (8 Oct, the Mac).

Other highlights include Jenny Eclair and the Horne Section, six experimental comedy theatre productions, three events especially for kids; a walking tour, a cartoon exhibition and even some Laughter Yoga.

Peter O’Neill, Festival Director, said: “We’re very pleased to be celebrating our 5th year with such a high quality and diverse bill that includes award winning comedians, spoken word, theatre, sketch shows, talks and workshops. There’s over 60 performances right across the city, with 13 events giving audiences the opportunity to catch some amazing new and emerging local talent for free.”

Schools throughout the Limavady area have been participating in a fantastic creative arts project to celebrate peace, supported by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Part of the national Peace Pledges project initiated by Reverend David Latimer, the schools are creating their very own collaborative peace bunting which will be permanently displayed at the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady.

Reverend Latimer has inspired schools across Northern Ireland to write their own unique pledge to peace and encouraged many local councils to develop the project by helping the schools create a lasting artwork illustrating their pledges.

Limavady area primary and secondary schools have each created colourful bunting, featuring their written peace pledge above wonderful self-portraits created by participating pupils.

Speaking at the project launch at the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre on September 20th, Councillor George Duddy of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, stated: “We are delighted that pupils from schools throughout our Council area and beyond are engaging in this project, devising their own pledges for peace and respect between local citizens of all backgrounds. We have been following Reverend Latimer’s exciting initiative and are happy to support this work through our Good Relations Programme this year. We cannot underestimate the important role that young people have to play in helping to build a more peaceful future here.”

Desima Connolly, Arts & Cultural Officer and Centre Manager at Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre said: “It has been a pleasure to involve all 24 of the local schools and over 1000 pupils in this wonderful project in partnership with Good Relations. We are looking forward to exhibiting the stunning, colourful peace bunting which is testimony to our young people’s dedication to a peaceful future.”

The Peace Flags are now on view at the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre.

For further information on the project, contact 028 7776 0650 or visit www.roevalleyarts.com

Thursday 29 September

29 September – 1 October, Martin Donnelly Trophy

Adults £15, accompanied minors free

The final Kirkistown car race meeting of the year highlights Formula Ford with the Martin Donnelly Trophy taking centre stage.

Info: See visitardsandnorthdown.com or call (028) 4277 1325

This event is grant aided by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Friday 30 September – Thursday 5 October

Until 1 October, Martin Donnelly Trophy

Adults £15, accompanied minors free

The final Kirkistown car race meeting of the year highlights Formula Ford with the Martin Donnelly Trophy taking centre stage.

Info: See visitardsandnorthdown.com or call (028) 4277 1325

This event is grant aided by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Friday 30 September, Friday Night Live with Paul Casey

Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square in Newtownards

Irish songwriter, guitarist and singer Paul Casey

Starts 8pm, Tickets £6

Info and booking: 028 9181 0803

Tickets now on sale for…

Guided Tours: Tea with the Lord

Ballywalter Park House, Ballywalter

Embrace this superb opportunity to visit this beautiful stately home of the Dunleath family for over 150 years.

Become a member of the gentry for the afternoon as the affable Lord Dunleath guides you around his remarkable home and joins you for a chat over tea and scones, in the historic conservatory.

2pm – 5.30pm

Tickets £18 Ad, £9 Ch (under 14). Tickets include a light refreshment.

Info and Booking: visitardsandnorthdown.com, (028) 9182 6846

Wednesday 26 October, Guided Walk: Halloween Walking Tour

Conway Square, Newtownards

Discover the ghosts and ghouls of Newtownards

Departs 7.30pm

Tickets £6 Ad, £4 Ch

Info and Booking: visitardsandnorthdown.com, (028) 9182 6846

Halloween in Ards and North Down

Info: visitardsandnorthdown.com, T: (028) 9127 0069 / (028) 9182 6846

Saturday 22 October, Seapark Fireworks

Holywood

Fun, food and a fireworks finale

4pm – 9pm

FREE

Wednesday 26 October, Halloween Walking Tour

Conway Square, Newtownards

Discover the ghosts and ghouls of Newtownards

7.30pm

(Adult £6 / Child £4)

Saturday 29 October, Ghostly Grey Abbey

The Abbey, Grey Abbey

Halloween themed food, drinks, tours and activities

5pm – 9pm

FREE

Sunday 30 October, Halloween Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport

Creepy creatures, crafts and traditional music

1pm – 4pm

FREE

Exhibitions

Exhibition: NI’s Landscape and Wildlife Photography

Until Wednesday 28 September

The Loft Gallery, Portaferry VIC, BT 22 1NZ

Photographer Donny Moore presents a collection of captivating images of NI’s wildlife and landscape in this free to visit exhibition.

Info: (028) 4272 9882, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Exhibition: Ebb and Flow

Until  Saturday 1 October

Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards

An exhibition by North Armagh Arts Collective.

Info: (028) 9181 0803, ardsarts.com

Exhibition: The Irene Sendler Window

Until  Saturday 1 October

Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards

David Esler worked with a group of ex service personnel, nurses and older people who experienced the conflict in N Ireland to create the Irene Sendler Window.

Info: (028) 9181 0803, ardsarts.com

Exhibition: Meet the Maker ‘Nature’s Treasures’

Saturday 1 October – Saturday 29 October

The Space Gallery, Ards Crafts, 31 Regent Street, Newtownards

An exhibition of Jewellery design by Newtownards-based Gillian Downing.

Info: (028) 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Northern Ireland has a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for the perfect short break and Tourism NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

• Cuanton Abbey, The Cuan, Co. Down, from £75pps. Nestled in the centre of the conservation village of Strangford on the shores at Strangford Lough, close to beaches, The Cuan is a family owned and run establishment. Robin will be your butler for the evening, meeting, greeting and seating, then directing service for the entire evening. Enjoy this insight to the 19th century aristocratic dining of a Lord’s stately home.  Offer valid 8^th – 9^th October only. Subject to availability. To book call (028) 44 881222.

• Cocktail Cab and City Lights, Stormont Hotel, Belfast, from £50pps. On the edge of Belfast City sits a hotel with an edge all of its own. A contemporary edge. Enjoy the best of both worlds on a Friday night stay at the Stormont Hotel with the ‘Cocktail, Cab and City Lights’ offer. Enjoy a cocktail upon arrival and then take a taxi ride into Belfast City Centre to enjoy the nightlife! Full Irish breakfast included the following morning. Available until 30 September.To book call (028) 90 65 1066.

• Feel Good Fridays, Maldron Hotel, Derry~Londonderry, from £95 per room. Treat yourself to a Friday night stay at the 4* Maldron Hotel. The Maldron is the only hotel located within the Historic City Walls which makes it the perfect base to explore the city.  Enjoy a one-night stay, full cooked breakfast, main course meal with a choice of cocktail or a beer. An offer not to be missed! Subject to availability. To book call (028) 71 371000.

For further information log on to www.discovernorthernireland.com/offers.