Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (August 8 – 14).

• Stendhal Festival, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, August 12 – 13. Set in the picturesque surrounds of Ballymully Cottage Farm, Stendhal Festival of Art brings an all-encompassing artistic experience to the Roe Valley. Stendhal has something for everyone from kids to adults, day or night, art, music, classes, workshops, activities, various food outlets and a brilliant atmosphere!

• Riverfest, Coleraine, Co. Derry~Londonderry, August 8 – 13. This year’s Waterways Ireland Riverfest is hosting The European Boat Wakeboard Championships attracting over 150 competitors from across Europe and Africa. During the week other attractions planned include vintage vehicle and motorcycle shows, bouncy castles and play area, boat and outdoor recreation displays, trade areas and a local food market.

• Banquet by the Lake, Castle Archdale Caravan Park, Co. Fermanagh, August 13. To mark the Love NI Meat theme as part of the NI Year of Food and Drink, dine in style in a marquee at Castle Archdale overlooking beautiful Lower Lough Erne. Prepared by Saddlers of Enniskillen the five-course banquet will be mouth-wateringly exquisite.

• International Metzeler Ulster Grand Prix, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, August 8 – 13. This thrilling week, organised by Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club, is one of the highlights in the Northern Ireland Motorcycling Road Racing Calendar, attracting many of the world’s top road racers as well as thousands of spectators to the Dundrod circuit, the fastest road racing circuit in the world.

• 7 Hills Blues Fest, Various locations, Co. Armagh, 11 – 14 August. This four day festival will see many of Armagh City’s eateries, public houses and open spaces showcasing the best of blues bands from across Ireland and the UK.  With workshops, classes, exhibitions and live music there will be fun and games for all the family during the festival.

• Kite Festival, Downhill Demesne, Co. Derry~Londonderry, August 14. This high-flying spectacle will offer fun for all the family as a kaleidoscope of kites of all sizes fly over the stunning coastal estate. To add to the festive atmosphere there will be a kids craft area, inflatables, Quad-Pod rides, Segways, Craft and food stalls and much more.

• Jailhouse Rock ‘Live at The Crum’, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, August 13. Crumlin Road Gaol proudly presents ‘Jailhouse Rock’ with Elvis and his band. Watch an extraordinary tribute performance to one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century in a concert brilliantly capturing the musical life of The King of Rock n Roll. Booking essential.

• Musical Theatre Open Night, Alley Theatre, Co. Tyrone, August 13. Join some of the North West’s best musical theatre performers as they take to the stage for this popular open mic event with singalong tunes and stunning performances suitable for all the family. Singing songs from classics such as ‘Calamity Jane’ and ‘Oklahoma’ and more recent hits such as ‘Ghost the Musical’ and many more the performers will be accompanied by a live house band.

• Rock Pool Extravaganza, Kearney Village, Co. Down, August 13. Organised by the National Trust and promising to be a great day out for all the family, young wildlife enthusiasts will love this day out at magical Kearney village on the Outer Ards Peninsula.  Discover the amazing creatures lurking beneath the seaweed and slithering through the pools. Meeting point Kearney Village

• Pintsized Cabaret, Boundary Brewing Cooperative, Belfast, August 11. Pintsized Cabaret will feature a great selection of short scenes using the unique Boundary Brewery as the performance venue and source and inspiration. Audiences will be getting a flavour of some of the famous bits of poetry and prose that have focussed on drink and craic, with a nod to the pubs of East Belfast. With a selection of Boundary beers to try, it’s sure to set you up for a great night.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.

Down

SunflowerFest is a 3 day music and arts festival on Tubby’s Farm just outside Hillsborough 5^th – 7^th August.  There will be 6 stages featuring over 150 performances with live music, DJs, comedy, poetry, and theatre. Alongside this there will be live art & sculpture, a range of talks and workshops, media installations lots of family activities, silent disco, the ‘Bliss’ well-being area, and to coincide with NI Year of Food & Drink, local chefs will be hosting cooking demos and workshops throughout the weekend.

Armagh

On Saturday 6th August, the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh will celebrate the ancient Celtic Festival of Lunasa in style with a Wickerman Gathering.  Lunasa was a time when the Celts called on the sun god Lugh to bring them sun and warm weather guaranteeing a bountiful harvest.  Join in this celebration with living history performances, live music, the Armagh Rhymers, dancing, crafts, fire & flame demos and finish the evening with the burning of a 30ft Wickerman.  Live music from local band Tamna Ceili, and foot tapping tunes from the Down & Out Bluegrass Band, and some great sounds from the Trad & Folk Experience.

Fermanagh

Join BBC’s Hugo Duncan and friends in a non-stop evening of country music this Friday at the Ardhowen Theatre.  The old and new friends are Ireland’s first lady of country music Irish TV’s Susan McCann, Mr Five Little Fingers Frankie McBride, the only yodelling cattle breeder in Ireland Kenny Archer and introducing the voice and talent of Omagh’s Barry Kirwan.  The Ryan Turner Band provide the backing for an evening of country music hits and craic.

Tyrone

Hear Ye Hear Ye!  Prepare to step into a magical world of enchantment with Mr Hullabaloo the storyteller at the Enchanted Tea Party show live on stage at the Strule Arts Centre Omagh this Saturday.  Through the magic of live storytelling combined with puppetry and beautiful scenery, you and your family will be transported to our kingdom of dreams to meet lots of your storybook friends.  Now in their 10th year Strule invite you all to step inside the pages of a magical storybook and believe that all of your dreams can come true!

Derry/Londonderry

Maghera’s first Agri Show and Country Fayre takes place this Saturday 6th August in the grounds of the Rectory Maghera starting at 10.00am. This will be a memorable occasion and a first for the town, with fun and activities for all the family.  Classes for everyone in Home Industries, Arts & Crafts, Handicrafts, Floral Art and Decoration and much more. Highlights include Irish, Scottish & Country Dancing to a variety of musicians.  Schedules are now available in the Heritage and Cultural Centre / Maghera Historical Society, 17 Coleraine Road, Maghera.

Antrim

2016 is the 26th anniversary of Heart of the Glens Festival, Cushendall,  one of the most successful community festivals in Northern Ireland. The programme of events is as varied and entertaining as ever with something for all the family. The festival will open with fireworks and throughout the week there will be the usual favourites including the Lurig Run, Vintage Family Fun Day, Dance Workshops etc. There will be a festival theme on Friday night, 12th. This is always a popular night with hundreds crowding into the village for a great night of fun and entertainment. 6^th – 14^th August.

Belfast

Join HMS Caroline for a Digital Fabrication Workshop with FabLab Nerve Centre this Saturday 6th August. Explore the historic areas in HMS Caroline, and use the latest digital fabrication technology to create your very own laser-cut magnet. This is a drop in activity as part of the Creative Centenaries Programme. This activity is free, however standard entrance fees will apply.

For more details on these events and to add your events free go to whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.

Friday 5 August – Thursday 11 August

Until Wednesday 31 August, Open House Festival

Bangor, various locations

The Open House Festival presents another fabulous and exciting programme of festival events spread over forty venues throughout the whole of August.

Music, words, theatre and comedy, film, food and drink, magic and mystery and arts!

Info: (028) 9147 1780, info@openhousefestival.com, openhousebangor.com

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

Friday 5 – Sunday 14 August, Creative Peninsula

Various locations within the Ards and North Down Borough

Throughout the week there will be a number of events taking place in celebration of Art and Craft.

Friday 5 August, 10am-6pm, sees the launch of the event with Craft in the Square, where Conway Square in Newtownards will be transformed, for one day only, into a tented Craft Village.

Over 35 Artists and Makers will be selling and demonstrating their. Live Music throughout the day and more.

Come along and enjoy a week long explosion of creativity!

Info and booking: see visitardsandnorthdown.com/creative-peninsula

Saturday 6 August, Family Entertainment

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Free, 2pm-4pm

6 Aug: Aldo’s Magic Show and Face Painting

Visitor Centre open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4281 9882, portaferryvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm

Sat 6: Animal Road show and Children’s Crafts

Sun 7: Plant and Play, Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm, daily. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 6 to Sunday 14 August, Donaghadee Festival

Donaghadee, various locations

The 2016 programme will once again showcase the best of this historic town and what it has to offer, from spectacular sea views to sensational seafood.

Info: (028) 9188 8667, info@visitdonaghadee.com, visitdonaghadee.com

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

Every Sunday in July and August, Summer Music in the Park

Ward Park Bandstand, Bangor

Free live performances, every Sunday 3pm-5pm

7 Aug: Jigs and Reels in the Park – lively jigs and reels and traditional folk songs from our very own Bangor-based Inverberg

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 7 August, Guided Walks & Tours: Historic Bangor

£3, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Join us on a walk through the past discovering Bangor’s varied history, from Bronze Age settlements to Viking invasions and two World Wars, visiting North Down Museum and Bangor Abbey.

Info and booking: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Monday 8 – Friday 12 August,  Arts: Creative Summer Schemes for Kids Donaghadee Arts Summer Scheme

Donaghadee Community Centre, Manor Street

1pm-3pm

Taking inspiration from the seaside around Donaghadee, these arts workshops will develop skills in arts and sculpture to create wonderful creatures of the sea. Suitable for ages 6-12yrs.

Fees: £30 (10% discount for second child in same family)

Info: (028) 9181 0803, ardsarts.com

Wednesday 10 – Friday 12 August, Ulster U16 Boys Open Golf

Donaghadee Golf Club

Info: (028) 9188 3624, donaghdeegolfclub.com

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

Wednesday 10 August to Saturday 20 August, Clandeboye Festival Camerata Ireland

Clandeboye Estate, Bangor

A prestigious annual event founded by Barry Douglas, international pianist, conductor, educator and recording artist.

Info: (028) 9042 7600, camerata-ireland.com

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

Thursday 11 August, Guided Walks & Tours: Bangor Abbey Graveyard Tour

£3, 7pm – 8pm

Uncover the history behind Bangor Abbey’s most famous graves and memorials

Info and Booking: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Friday 12 August – Thursday 19 August

Until Sunday 14 August, Creative Peninsula

Various locations within the Ards and North Down Borough

The Creative Peninsula is now in its 15^th year and the programme just keeps getting better.

Throughout the week there will be a number of events taking place in celebration of Art and Craft such as workshops, demonstrations, guided tours and so much more! Something for everyone – discover the artist within or simply come along and enjoy a week long explosion of creativity!

Info and booking: see visitardsandnorthdown.com/creative-peninsula

Until Saturday 20 August, Clandeboye Festival Camerata Ireland

Clandeboye Estate, Bangor

A prestigious annual event founded by Barry Douglas, international pianist, conductor, educator and recording artist.

Info: (028) 9042 7600, camerata-ireland.com

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

Saturday 13 August, Peninsula Food Showcase: Portavogie ‘Seafood Festival’

The Harbour

Free, 12noon-6pm

The Portavogie Seafood Festival will be a celebration of Portavogie’s seafood heritage. Celebrity chef Jenny Bristow will be doing live cookery demonstrations alongside local chefs. The beach huts will be filled with local artisan producers from the Peninsula; there will be children’s activities, a fun fair, street theatre, sand pits, and much more.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 13 August, Family Entertainment

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Free, 2pm-4pm

13 Aug: Animal Roadshow and Balloon Modelling

Visitor Centre open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4281 9882, portaferryvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 August, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm

Sat 13: Magic Show

Sun 14: Face Painting, traditional crafts and Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm, daily. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Friday 12 August and Saturday 13 August, Working Vintage Festival

Rosemount Estate, Greyabbey

£10, Fri 4pm-10pm | Sat 10am-5pm

Come along and enjoy large displays of vintage tractors, steam engines, vintage cars

and motor cycles, vintage lorries, stationary engines, implements, craft tents, trade

stands, food outlets, amusements, live music and much, much more for all the family.

Info: 028 9754 1334, Secretary@countydowntractionengineclub.com, countydowntractionengineclub.com

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

Sunday 14 August, Guided Walks and Tours: Strangford Lough Boat Tour

£8 (Ad) | £4 (Ch),  2pm-4pm

Take time away from the fast pace of everyday life and enjoy the magnificent scenery and fascinating wildlife of Strangford Lough. See where Saint Patrick first came ashore, view landscapes used in Game of Thrones filming and hear of Viking raiders.

Info and booking: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Every Sunday in July and August, Summer Music in the Park

Ward Park Bandstand, Bangor

Free live performances, every Sunday 3pm-5pm

14 Aug: Punk in the Park – Shock Treatment 21. Once the stomping ground of the BBA, punk is back with the reincarnated Belfast punk band, Shock Treatment 21.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Monday 15 to Friday 19 August, Arts: Creative Summer Schemes for Kids Comber Arts Summer Scheme

Comber Leisure Centre

1pm-3pm

These fun arts-based workshops will include various different types of art activities, ensuring that each child gets the opportunity to learn and develop a range of creative skills. Suitable for ages 6-12yrs.

Fees: £30 (10% discount for second child in same family).

Info: (028) 9181 0803, ardsarts.com

Thursday 18 August, Guided Walks & Tours: Bangor Abbey Graveyard Tour

£3, 7pm – 8pm

Uncover the history behind Bangor Abbey’s most famous graves and memorials

Info and Booking: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Exhibitions

The Space, Ards Crafts and Visitor Information Centre

31 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD

Mon–Sat 9.30am–5pm, (028) 9182 6846

Until Saturday 27 August

Meet the Maker: ‘Papercrafted’

An exhibition by visual artist Emma Davison

North Down Museum

Castle Park Avenue, Bangor

(028) 9127 1200, northdownmuseum.com

Until Tuesday 30 August

Ulster Woodturners Exhibition

An exhibition of woodturnings made by members of the Irish Woodturners Guild in the Ulster Area

Until Sunday 28 August

Creative Peninsula

A celebration of artwork produced by local artists and craftspeople

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street

Mon–Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

(028) 4272 9882

The Loft Gallery

Until Sunday 28 August

Art in the Loft: ‘I Made This for You’

A collection of work inspired by old postcard images of Bangor Town by Jessica Hollywood

The Saddlery

Until 28 August

Community Coastal Rowing Exhibition

By Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership and Portaferry Rowing Club

The Donaghadee Festival Fortnight is back and it promises to be better than ever!

The event runs from Thursday 4^th August – Sunday 14^th August.  Saturday 6th August is Lifeboat Day when trips to the lifeboat and lighthouse entertain as well as educate about Donaghadee’s strong maritime past and present.  During the remainder of the festival there is an action packed programme featuring Formula One racing simulators, Laser Quest , a 5K run, Bubble Football and a Aquathon.  The Ulster Under 16 Golf Championship will also be held as part of the Festival.

On the final day of the Festival, Sunday 14^th August, Donaghadee will host an Artisan & Craft Market at Lemon’s Wharf from 10am to 5pm.  We are proud to welcome many local Producers including Great Taste Award-winners and members of the Guild of Fine Foods.  A Mobile Farm Display with star animals from Game of Thrones and Frankinstein will be there, the display includes  deer, pigmy goat, sheep and piglets.  There will also be a chance for all the family to join in with rhythimical play of Community Drumming. Buskers including Matthew O’Reilly, singer songwriter will be playing on the day.   Last but not least a a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids.   It will be  a great day out for the whole family.  Look forward to seeing you there!

Full details are available on www.visitdonaghadee.com

Make the most of the last remaining days of summer with a visit to Springhill.

Kids can grab a ‘50 Things to Do’ scrapbook from Reception and explore the fantastic Natural Play Trail. Make a mud pie, set up a snail race, see what’s inside a tree and hunt for bugs. The Springhill Natural Play Trail is one of the best in the country and comes complete with rope swing, dens and mythical creatures including their new tree guy ‘Ernie’ who is always ready to give hugs.

Be prepared for hours of fun in the all new ‘Costume Closet’. Kids can let their imagination run wild in this fun dress up area. Those who enjoy dressing up as a King, a Queen or a Princess can even have their photo taken in front of one of the magical backdrops and have a go on the interactive costume games.

The Springhill team is also pleased to announce the opening of the all new ‘Barn Café’. The Café which has been recently relocated to the 1690 Barn and will be serving homemade soup, fresh scones, tray bakes, cakes, hot and cold drinks and ice creams. There’s free Wi-Fi too so the big kids can catch up on the latest news over a speciality coffee and a mouth-watering slab of carrot cake while the little ones make their own fun.

Young detectives can join the Pest Quest in the house and see what’s eating Springhill’s collection. Help the conservation team track down all the pesky pests hiding out among the furniture and fabrics and receive a sticker when the quest is complete.

Edward Mason, General Manager commented “We have so much to offer families and individuals alike this summer at Springhill. Go wild in the outdoors or revere in the history of this remarkable plantation home on a tour of the house. At Springhill you can make your own adventure!”

In addition to the daily offer at Springhill, local musicians will entertain visitors every Sunday throughout July and August in the old Laundry Yard. The Drying Yard Nursery, recently launched by Cherrie McIlwaine from Gardeners Corner will also be open to visitors.

Springhill is open 7 days a week in July and August from 12-5pm and promises lots of fun for all the family. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/springhill or find us on facebook NationalTrustMidUlster.

Northern Ireland’s leading music and arts festival, Sunflowerfest, which runs from 5th – 7^th August 2016 at Tubby’s Farm, Hillsborough, will be teaming up with advocates of Laughter Yoga to co-host another Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest Laughter Yoga class!

Having won the title in 2014, the festival was moved off the top spot last year by a group in Hong Kong who set a new record.

While over 400 people participated to break the laughing record in 2014, this year the festival aims to beat the current record of 1030 and needs people to come to Sunflowerfest’s Main Arena and join organisers Kathy Barenskie, Nuala McKeever, and Irish singing duo the Twisted Sisters in a 30 minute laughter yoga class on Sunday 7^th August at 11am, to ‘laugh’ their way back to the title.

Speaking about the world record attempt, Kathy Barenskie, Bliss co-ordinator said, “This unusual event was inspired by Jackie Ingram, a laughter yoga teacher, and Siobhan Bogues, founder and director of the Lighthouse Centre, Belfast, who both sadly passed away in recent years after battling cancer and we hope to regain the title in their honour.”

The concept behind Laughter Yoga is that it is a unique form of exercise that gives us a complete, holistic workout – influencing our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.  With this in mind  the World Record attempt  is also an opportunity  to raise awareness for Bliss  partners Lifeline 0808 808 8000, Northern Ireland’s 24/7 crisis helpline and counselling service. Lifeline is available for people of all ages and  from all walks of life who  may experience  feelings of distress and despair and need to speak to qualified crisis counsellors to access  immediate support.

Offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the vibrant weekend-long festival, Sunflowerfest Bliss area, will feature complementary therapies, all-inclusive yoga sessions, and a tranquil chill-out zone. This year we will use this attempt to raise the profile of LIFELINE, Northern Ireland’s only free phone crisis helpline and counselling service available 24/7 on 0808 808 8000. Lifeline is for people of all ages and all walks of life who at times may be in distress and in need of emotional support and often have nowhere to turn.

Claire O’Prey from Lifeline said: “Sunflowerfest attracts a cross section of people from across Northern Ireland and beyond, Lifeline is delighted to be involved with the 2016 festival. Our  staff will be present over the weekend  and we look forward to meeting new people at our promotional stand, to tell them more about how  Lifeline service can help them, their friends and family . The event also offers us an excellent opportunity to promote the 24/7 free-phone number 0808 808 8000,  recommending to all who attend the festival to add  the number to their phone before they leave the festival.”

Work is progressing on Belfast’s newest hotel, as the Beannchor Group announces it plans to open its highly anticipated new £4M hotel, Bullitt Belfast to the public this October.

The brainchild of the people behind the city’s five-star Merchant Hotel, The National Grande Café/sixty6, The Dirty Onion, Little Wing Pizzeria and over 40 pubs across Northern Ireland – the new hotel promises to bring a new and exciting hospitality concept to Belfast.

As construction of the new hotel steps up a gear, media were given a first sneak peek of the property, which wraps Victoria Street and Ann Street with a guided hard hat tour on Tuesday 2^nd August.

Named after the Steve McQueen movie of the same name, Bullitt Belfast is a vibrant new concept that will provide a cool new space for people to Work, Play and Stay in the heart of the city. It will feature 43 stylish bedrooms, three bars (including Baltic, NI’s first ski-themed bar), a courtyard garden, 68-seater restaurant ‘Taylor and Clay’, an Espresso bar and a versatile private events space.

Blurring the lines between work and play, this urban playground will be the perfect hangout spot, with a relaxed atmosphere and laid back sophisticated vibe.

Accommodation comes in three options with double rooms and twin rooms, ranging from compact to spacious, and apartment accommodation planned for the second phase of the development.

In addition to the positive economic impact of the new hotel, which will create 100 new jobs when it opens, Bullitt will assist in fulfilling the demand for additional hotel bed space in Belfast.  The city ranked first for hotel occupancy rates, standing at 84%, in a market tracking index released in March this year (Colliers International UK Hotels Market Index).
Commenting on the announcement, Conall Wolsey, director, Beannchor said:

“Our vision for Bullitt is to create a new and exciting hospitality concept.  The hotel will offer so much more than just a bed for the night, it will also be a place where people can work, relax and socialise.

“It will be a space for meetings, coffee and lunch during the day and a place to meet and mingle over cocktails and food at night.  Also on offer will be an eclectic calendar of events for both locals and visitors to enjoy.

“Design, technology and efficiency are at the heart of all of our plans; the hotel will be equipped with super-fast Wi-Fi, the only Kees Van der Weston coffee machine in Ireland, super-fast check-ins for guests, NI’s first ski-themed bar and of course, stylish bedrooms.

“Bullitt will also provide a welcome boost to the NI jobs market.  We’re proud to be creating 100 new jobs that will offer employees a unique and exciting opportunity to work in an innovative setting and to become part of our business, which creates meaningful and rewarding long-term careers.”

For more information, visit bullitthotel.com, follow @bullittbelfast on Twitter or like Bullitt Belfast on Facebook.

**Programme now available!

Experience and enjoy some of the best art and craft Northern Ireland has to offer at the Creative Peninsula, a superb fun, friendly and creative series of events taking place in Ards and North Down from Friday 4 until Sunday 14 August.

Now in its 15th year, the Creative Peninsula, organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, offers a range of free and bookable opportunities for people of all ages and levels of experience to see, learn about and even ‘try their hand’ at some of the many art and craft forms that are practiced in the local area.

Highlights of the 2016 programme include:

• Creative coach tours visiting the many art and craft studios that are often not open to the public.  Meet the Artists and Makers, watch then at work and of course treat yourself to a unique piece of artwork.

• Creative workshops for adults and young people, which offer the opportunity to learn and develop painting, drawing and craft work skills with teaching from a range of local experts. Including the immensely popular creative café series where you and a friend can combine a coffee, cake and catch up with the fun challenge of making some jewellery or ceramic items for the home.

• Outdoor experiences such as wood carving in the Bangor Castle Walled Garden, where you can see artists at work and learn how they take inspiration from the beautiful surroundings of the local area.

• Creative development workshops, aimed at professional and semi-professional Visual Artists and Makers will explore how to achieve the very best opportunities for your creative business. From building a selling platform to having the best images for your work.

The 10 days of creativity starts with ‘Craft in the Square’ at Conway Square in Newtownards on Friday 5 August.  For one day only the space will be transformed into a creative hub with more than 35 artists and makers displaying and selling their work and talking about what inspires them.  Free demonstrations including silver jewellery design, watercolour painting, linocutting and woodturning will run throughout the day.

Welcoming the return of the popular annual event, Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Deborah Girvan, said:

““With one of the largest concentrations of Artists and Craftspeople living and working in Northern Ireland, Ards and North Down is home to a thriving creative industry.  The Creative Peninsula gives visitors the unique opportunity to see some of the very best of local arts and crafts, and to meet and engage with the makers behind the pieces.”

“Whether you just want to observe and soak up the atmosphere, or you prefer to try your hand at making, this year’s programme offers something for everyone.  I hope to welcome many visitors to our Craft in the Square event, on our coach tours and at our creative workshops.”

The 2016 Creative Peninsula brochure is available to download at visitardsandnorthdown.com//creative-peninsula.  Tickets for bookable events are also available from this website.

You can pick up a programme or find out more information on all the events on offer from Ards Arts Centre, Ards Crafts and North Down Museum, at any of the local visitor information centres (Ards, Bangor, Groomsport and Portaferry) or by contacting the Council directly on 0300 013 3333.

This Sunday, August 7 the Ards and North Down Music In The Park programme will take on a more traditional air with lively jigs & reels from Bangor-based trad group Inverberg.

Following on from the huge success of the first ever Ulster Fleadh in Bangor, the band stand will provide the perfect setting for a showcase of some of the finest up-and-coming traditional musicians from the local area.

Bring a rug and a picnic and enjoy a lively afternoon of traditional folk songs and tunes.

This is a free event and runs from 3pm to 5pm.

Please note that Ward Park is an alcohol-free zone. All events are weather dependent and therefore subject to change. This year’s music programme is being provided by Open House Festival.

Keep an eye out in local press each week for details on each artist or for more information phone Bangor Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or visit:

www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

SSE ARENA, BELFAST: WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER

3ARENA, DUBLIN: THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER

Bastille have announced their much anticipated live return with their biggest headline shows to date at the SSE Arena, Belfast on November 9^th and 3Arena, Dublin on November 10^th.

Tickets now on sale from:

The SSE Arena, Belfast Box Office: Tel. 02890 739074
Book on Line: www.ssearenabelfast.com

Ticketmaster: In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):   0844 277 44 55 (ROL: 0818 719300)
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

At first glance the striking artwork for Bastille’s second album, ‘Wild World’, may prompt a number of questions. Who are the two individuals balanced precariously above a cityscape? Why are they there? What will happen next? But Dan Smith’s own interpretation of the image is one that runs through many of the songs on Wild World, “To me, the image isn’t about what’s just happened or what happens next,” he begins. “It’s not about how they got there or how they get down. It’s about showing a moment — two friends existing in that split second in that exact space, two people framed in the vast context of this huge mad metropolis that we’ve all built. They’re there out of choice.”

It’s just five years since South Londoner, Dan, started Bastille alone in his bedroom, releasing 300 copies of Bastille’s debut single. Relentless gigging, genuine word of mouth and some smartly curated mixtapes meant that within three years, Bastille became a global phenomenon; the band’s chart-conquering debut album ‘Bad Blood’ selling over 4m albums alongside 11m singles. In the UK, the twice Number One album was certified double-platinum and named the biggest-selling digital album of 2013. Hit singles ‘Pompeii’, ‘Flaws’, ‘Laura Palmer’ and ‘Things We Lost In The Fire’ helped Bastille become that year’s biggest-selling global breakthrough act, with over a billion Spotify streams and in turn earning the band British Breakthrough at the following year’s Brits, along with two Grammy nominations. They have also collaborated with acts like Haim, Kate Tempest and Angel Haze, and Dan co-founded and co-runs an indie label, Best Laid Plans, helping to develop acts like Rag ’N’ Bone Man and Rationale.

And that, it turns out, was only the beginning. Bastille’s second album ‘Wild World’ retains the vivid, rich, filmic song-writing of its predecessor but pushes the band’s distinctive sound in exciting new directions. Lyrically, too, it’s a leap forward. “If our first album was about growing up and freaking out about it” Dan explains, “Our second is about trying to make sense of the world around you, both as you see it and as it’s presented to you through the media. It’s also about asking questions of the world and of the people in it. We wanted the album to be a bit disorientating – at times extroverted and introverted, light and dark.”

A sense of escapism runs through ‘Wild World’, but at the heart of it all is a fascination with the human condition, and the relationships we all forge, fight over and sometimes forget. “The world can seem fucked up,” Dan concludes. “But people — well, people can be amazing. The relationships you choose to have in your life are the main solace. They’re the things that make life awesome.”

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