The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (May 26-June 1).

• Food for Spring, Celtic Style, Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh, Co. Armagh, May 24-26. Navan Centre & Fort will be celebrating the luscious food of spring with a Celtic style cooking experience, guided foraging walk, wild food displays and much more.

• Family Fun Day, Stormont Parliament Buildings, Belfast, May 26. Come along for lots of family fun and entertainment with activities including sheepdog trials, motorcycle displays, treasure trails, food zone, laser game and dog agility competitions.

• The Kilkennys in Concert, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, May 29. At the forefront of the new generation of folk groups, The Kilkenny’s are a youthful and energetic four piece group, performing their own material they will also perform songs by The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers and much more.

• Rathlin Island Roonivoolin Walk, Rathlin Island, Co Antrim, May 30. Enjoy a beautiful walk, on a route less travelled to the Rue, to the most southerly point on the island and then on to the RSPB Roonivoolin reserve before returning to the Harbour area.

• Abandoman, Waterfront Hall, Belfast, May 30. Offering an original mix of rap music and comedy, Abandoman perform mashups and futuristic jams using the history of hip-hop as their blueprint and the audience as their inspiration.
• International Carriage Driving Festival, Langley Road Playing Fields, Ballynahinch, Co. Down, May 31. The very popular carriage driving festival offers a great family day out as horses, carriages and carts take part in the display and presentation of driving skills.

• Ballygowan Festival Concert, Ballygowan Church Halls, Ballygowan, Co. Down, May 31. An evening celebrating the fabulous swing music of Count Basie, Glen Miller and Duke Ellington featuring the Belfast Big Swing Band and swing diva Caroline Brown.

• Carnivale of Colours, St Columb’s Park, City of Derry May 31-June 1. The very best of international street theatre and local acts will be interspersed with an eclectic mix of side shows and attractions to guarantee a magical experience for folk of all ages.

• International Children’s Day, An Creagán, Omagh, Co. Tyrone June 1. A fun and interactive family festival will include arts and crafts from around the world, family yoga, martial arts, storytelling and much more.

• European Geoparks Festival Geofoodology, Marble Arch Caves, Florencecourt, Co. Fermanagh, June 1. Enjoy a culinary and geology masterclass all rolled in one and impress friends and family with conglomerate buns, ammonite shortbread and chocolate volcanoes.

Down

The Bangor Car & Motorcyle Show takes place this Sat 24th May. There will be a massive display of modern, vintage & classic cars, motorcyles and mechanical oddities. Enjoy top stunt shows including the Broke Freestyle Motocross Team and top European muscle bike stunt rider, Mattie Griffen and an interactive reptile experience by Rep-Tails and live Blacksmith display.  There will be a spectacular musical variety show, binocular football, climbing wall and more.  Adults £5 Child £3 special family Ticket £10.

Tyrone

You may think you know the story of The Jungle Book, but Indigo Moon Theatre brings you a surprisingly good story that harkens back to the poetry and spirit of Rudyard Kipling’s original books.  Fearless and free, Mowgli the ‘man–cub,’ finds fun and friendship as he learns to live by the Law of the Jungle.  Mowgli’s wild adventures in the dangerous world he inhabits are brought to life with inventive shadow theatre, powerful original music and colourful digital projections. See this production at the Burnavon Theatre Cookstown Thursday 22nd May.

Fermanagh

Enjoy a Spring Bank Holiday Extravaganza at Share Discovery Village Sat 24th – Mon 26th May, 10am – 4.30p with a fantastic day visitor activity programme for visitors to Fermanagh ideal for individuals and families alike. Enjoy the thrills in a variety of Arts, Land and Water activities in one hour or two hour sessions in  Orienteering, Archery, Circus Skills, Banana Boating, Climbing, Canoeing, Sailing, Windsurfing, Mountain Biking, Kayaking & Combat Corps.

Derry

The Jungle Moneymore’s Family Fun Day offers a colourful carnival of exciting activities, arty happenings, locally sourced craft stalls and tasty treats, promising an unforgettable adventurous escape. With adventure activities, such as Archery, Boat Rides, Body Zorbs, Fun Zorbs, Climbing Wall, Crazy Golf Kart Challenge, Llama Trekking to name but a few, locally sourced trade stalls and hot food all available onsite there is a little something for everyone. Activities are just £3 each or 6 activities for £15.  The Family Fun Day is suitable for all ages and available on selected Sundays and Mondays, from 11am to 4pm, May to September. No need to book, simply turn up and enjoy all the fun laid out.  Next date Sunday 25th May.

Armagh

The Armagh Craft Fair takes place Sat 24th May at The Market Place Theatre This high quality event offers something for everyone with even more beautiful and affordable craft, new craft makers, free craft demonstrations, a free craft exhibitions, great food, musical entertainment and much more. Featuring many varied craft stalls, displaying and selling high quality craft from makers across Ireland. On show will be textiles, jewellery, wood, glass, soaps, ceramics and candles and more. Admission is free.

Antrim

Ballyclare May Fair 20^th – 24^th May.  The fun  begins today  when the Main Street will be closed off for horse trading from 11am-6pm and a gourmet food market throughout the town. See Hugo Duncan in the Square and enjoy the family fun day at Sixmile Leisure Centre. To mark the Ulster-Scots theme, a Uileann and Highland pipe and Lambeg drum workshop will take place from 7-9.30pm in the Town Hall.  The Fair will end on Saturday 24 May with the Mayor’s Parade at 1pm, Family Fun Day from 2-5pm at Sixmile Leisure Centre and a family music concert featuring Jordan O’Keefe from Britain’s Got Talent. The May Fair will close with a spectacular fireworks display at 10.15pm in the Town Centre.

Belfast

The award-winning Belfast Operatic Company brings you Cinderella at the Grand Opera House, 20^th – 24^th May. This is an enchanting new musical featuring an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all those ‘Cinderella’ moments – the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more – the timeless enchantment of this magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance..

For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland, news and competitions see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @whatsonni and like us at fb.com/www.whatsonni. Add your  events FREE OF CHARGE at www.whatsonni.com

Choo choo! All aboard! Take your family to Bangor and back for a bob this 7 & 8 of June on a vintage steam train courtesy of Translink and The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland as part of North Down Borough Council’s Seashore Festival – Ships, Trains, Planes & Automobiles Event.

Train lovers young and old will be thrilled at the opportunity to travel aboard a No. 85 Merlin express steam locomotive with 6 bright green carriages. Merlin, built in 1932 by Beyer Peacock, Manchester for The Great Northern Railway, was last steamed in company service in 1962 and was eventually presented to The Belfast Transport Museum.  In 1982, Lord Henry Dunleath of Ballywalter provided funding to have the locomotive restored and today it is still owned by National Museums Northern Ireland.  Step back in time with The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland and watch the countryside and coastline rolling by during this truly special experience.

The train will be leaving from Belfast Central on the Saturday at 10.55am and 1.25pm and will return from Bangor Train Station at 3.40pm and 5.35.pm. On Sunday 8^th June, the train will depart from Belfast at 10.55am and 1.10pm and return from Bangor at 3.25pm and 5.25pm. Tickets for the return journey cost £1 and will be available from Bangor Visitor Information Centre and North Down Museum. There will be children’s entertainment onboard the train and refreshments will be available from the dining car.

Train enthusiasts will also enjoy a small exhibition at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, to mark 70 years of Northern Ireland’s Model Engineers’ Society. This exhibition will highlight the skills of Northern Ireland engineering by featuring a variety of models – both complete and under construction – along with demonstrations of the skills and tools used to make them. Normal admission rates apply to the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum.

In addition to the steam train, Translink NI Railways will be operating their normal scheduled train service between Belfast and Bangor.  1/3 off day return train tickets are available after 9.30am.  Or bring the whole family by bus and train with the Family and Friends Ticket priced at £20 for up to 2 adults and 4 children!

A little taste of Long Island luxury will be available to Belfast socialites this summer, with the launch of The Merchant Hotel’s new Hamptons themed rooftop garden.

In the States, The Hamptons is the summer playground for the rich and famous; with upwardly mobile New Yorkers and famous faces flocking to its stylish ocean view mansions and country clubs for an annual escape from the rat race.

Now, The Merchant’s exciting new rooftop events space is bringing the glamour of The Hamptons closer to home. The stunning new space provides the perfect backdrop for social events in the city, where guests can experience the glamour of the popular North American VIP resort in the heart of Belfast.

The new rooftop events venue at the city’s luxury 5 star Merchant Hotel features a purpose built beach hut bar and a chic nautical décor, creating the illusion of being at a VIP seaside resort in the heart of the city.

The food offering for the venue has been inspired by laid back summer evenings, bringing the aromas and tastes of The Hamptons alive, with native favourites including buttermilk chicken, crispy calamari, shrimp, corn fritters and Padron peppers, as well as a refreshing range of cocktails, which will be served up at private events between now and the end of September.
Located in the hotel’s fourth floor Rooftop Garden, the pop-up Hamptons at The Merchant events space offers stunning panoramic views across the city and features a state-of-the-art retractable roof for protection against the elements, should summer showers try to spoil the party.

Commenting on the launch of the exciting new space, Gavin Carroll, general manager of The Merchant Hotel said:

“The Hamptons is one of the most glamorous summer destinations in the world and we have emulated this in the theming of our luxurious new rooftop events space.

“The Hamptons at The Merchant offers companies and individuals a unique space for their private events this summer, providing a laid back ambience, chic surroundings and great summer themed food and cocktails. Its unrivalled rooftop location also offers stunning panoramic views right across Belfast.”

The Merchant’s versatile rooftop events space first launched in November 2012 and has been reinvented over the past 18 months, with several seasonal theming changes, including a Tiki Bar theme in summer 2013 and an Alpine Ski Lodge theme in Winter 2012 and 2013. The space is also proving popular as a space for quirky, intimate weddings.

The pop-up Hamptons at The Merchant Rooftop events space is available now for private hire. Packages for private events are available from £30 per person (minimum 40 guests/maximum 60), including room hire, a cocktail drinks reception and food.  For further information, contact The Merchant Hotel’s events team on 028 9026 2717 or visit themerchanthotel.com

Red Arrows to provide a stunning send-off to Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race

The world-famous Red Arrows will take to the skies over the North West Coast of Ireland at the end of June with their display of daredevil aerial manoeuvres, to bring a spectacular close to the 2014 LegenDerry Maritime Festival.

Brought to the North West by a partnership between Donegal County Council, Limavady Borough Council and Derry City Council, the RAF Red Arrows will perform their thrilling flying display as the stunning send-off to the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race on Sunday 29^th June 2014.

The distinctive red jets, which are this year celebrating their 50^th display season, will execute their trademark formations, close-passes and dynamic loops and rolls at the mouth of the River Foyle between Greencastle in Co. Donegal and Magilligan/Binevenagh in Co. Londonderry.

Thousands of people are expected to descend upon the North West Coast to capture a clear vantage point of the Red Arrows’ stunning performance and celebrate the official Race Start of the Clipper 2013-14 Race at Greencastle, Co. Donegal.

Mayor of Donegal County Council, Councillor Ian McGarvey said: “Along with my fellow Mayors from Derry City Council and Limavady Borough Council I am delighted to confirm the staging of this spectacular Red Arrows event.  I am sure this will attract visitors from across the region and beyond to the Lough Foyle area. Their exciting air display will be an excellent way to see off the Clipper Race as the fleet prepares to sets sail off the coast of Greencastle.  I hope that everyone who comes to Donegal has a safe and enjoyable time.”

Mayor of Limavady, Councillor Gerry Mullan said: “I am delighted to welcome back the spectacular Clipper Race event and am looking forward to seeing the boats sailing into Lough Foyle past Magilligan Point. I wish all the crews a warm welcome to the area and hope they get the chance to explore all it has to offer when they come ashore.”

Mayor of Derry City Council, Councillor Martin Reilly said: “It is a major coup to have the Red Arrows perform and their display will provide a suitably spectacular final flourish to our week-long LegenDerry Maritime Festival.   We are delighted to have been able to facilitate this in partnership with our friends in Limavady and Donegal, who are bringing the world-famous Red Arrows here.

“Our stunning North West coastline will provide the perfect backdrop for the official Race Start of the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race.  We are thrilled that thousands of local people will be able to share the celebrations and the spectacle on land, on the sea and now, also in the sky.”

Derry~Londonderry is the penultimate stopover for the Clipper 2013-14 Race, the world’s longest ocean race. After a gruelling journey of almost 40,000 miles, 11 month circumnavigation of the globe the City will welcome the 12-strong fleet of Clipper Race yachts back to the city, including its very own Derry~Londonderry-Doire yacht, with a weeklong LegenDerry Maritime Festival from 21^st – 29^th June 2014.

The LegenDerry Maritime Festival will transform the River Foyle’s quayside into a summer promenade, with race village, award winning continental market, seafood festival, music extravaganza and a host of sea-faring activities on and off shore for families, sailors and land-lubbers alike.

For information visit: www.legenderrymaritimefestival.com or www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

Dyad Productions creates, produces and tours classic theatre with an innovative and contemporary emphasis.

This radical interpretation of one of the world’s most famous women is Dyad’s fifth original production in as many years, and, although a work of fiction, exposes the truth behind the legend.

This is Monroe as we’ve never seen her before: alone in her bedroom in a dressing gown and underwear; no glitz, no glamour, no masks.  Overdosed on pills, the woman behind the icon unravels her remarkable life and travels back through the memories of her closest relationships.  Repeatedly stalked by a mysterious caller, the Hollywood icon tells all (Joe DiMaggio, Clark Gable, Arthur Miller, her mother – it’s all here), revealing a biting intelligence and an imperfect body, and leads us in real time to the very moment of her death.

‘The Unremarkable Death Of Marilyn Monroe’ will be staged at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Friday 23^rd May at 8pm. Tickets are priced £14.50 and £12.50 (concession), and can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

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.

Banbridge BuskFest is once again sending the call out to buskers from near and far to take part in the 11th annual busking festival, which takes place on Saturday 21 June.

Every year at BuskFest the streets of Banbridge town centre are bustling with hundreds of musicians, singers, bands, solo artists and street performers from across the globe entertaining the appreciative crowds in the hope of winning a share of the £3000 cash prize pot.

BuskFest offers a number of categories for would-be buskers, including overall winner, best individual, best band, best performance, best junior performer and the ‘Spirit of BuskFest’ prize, sponsored by The Outlet, Banbridge.

The competition runs from 1.00pm to 4.30pm and will culminate in an awards ceremony hosted by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean in Solitude Park from 5.00pm to 6.00pm.  Music fans will be in for a treat with singer/songwriter Allison McGrath performing on stage, followed by the winners of each of the six competition categories.

As in previous years, the overall winner of BuskFest will have the opportunity to perform live at Sunflowerfest music festival, which takes place at Tubby’s Farm in Hillsborough from 22 to 25 August.

Online registration for BuskFest is now open via the festival website www.buskfest.com and buskers of all ability are encouraged to enter. Remember, if you’re not in you can’t win!

For further information and registration details log onto www.buskfest.com and connect with www.facebook.com/buskfest.

Critically acclaimed play from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, ‘Ernest and The Pale Moon’ awaits audiences at Theatre at The Mill on Thurs 19 June. This spine-chilling tale of obsession and murder is inspired by Hitchcock’s masterpieces and the tales of Edgar Allen Poe and is on stage for one night only.

Ernest spends his days watching the beautiful young woman who lives in the apartment opposite.  Upon seeing her with another man he is thrown into a jealous rage and driven to murder, though all is not what it may at first seem and slowly Ernest’s guilt sends him on a spiralling descent into madness.  The piece contains narrative twists and turns, live music, inventive design and physical storytelling to provide a thrilling and terrifying experience.

From the award-winning team behind ‘The Trench’ which visited Theatre at The Mill in 2013, drama company Les Enfants Terrible have built a formidable reputation for playful macabre tales by mixing drama, music, storytelling and inventive staging to create a gothic fantasies reminiscent of Tim Burton’s works.

To get a ticket for this thrilling theatre experience, visit www.theatreatthemill.com or call the Box Office on 028 9034 0202.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (May 19-25).

• Spring Exhibition, McKenna Gallery, Omagh, Co. Tyrone until May 31. An exhibition of collectable new work by gallery artists including a special feature of two portraits by Selena Mowat of comedy actress Pauline McLynn and model Sophie Dahl which have both been displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

• Divis Ridge Trail, Divis and Black Mountain, Belfast, throughout the year. Take a pleasurable walk along the brand new 4.2 miles Divis Ridge Trail and enjoy the spectacular 180 degree views across the city and beyond.

• Dean Herbert Cassidy Memorial Organ Recitals, St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, Co. Armagh, May 18-19. Dr Malcolm Sim, organist of Glasgow Cathedral will perform works by Handel, Bach, Messiah and Vierne.

• 16^th Annual International Guinness Blues on the Bay, various, Warrenpoint, Co. Down May 21-26. The festival includes music workshops, Jazz picnic and food festival as well as busking competitions and over 90 free fantastic blues gigs throughout Warrenpoint.

• Micky Bartlett, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, May 23. A brand new show from the young local comedian who is fast becoming one of the funniest and most popular acts on the entertainment circuit today.

• An Evening with Doris Day and Gordon MacRae, The Playhouse, City of Derry, May 23-24. Transport yourself back to the era of romance as the story of Hollywood’s golden couple is told via a new piece of musical theatre.

• Glen Fest, Owen Roes Club Rooms, Glenmornan, Co. Tyrone, May 23-25. The summer of fun kicks off with a great weekend of activity from a country fair and family fun day to an angling competition, boxing tournament and entertainment.

• Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival 2014, various, Ballycastle &Rathlin Island , Co. Antrim, May 23 – June 1. A family friendly festival which includes various water sport activities, guided walks, seafood themed markets, music and entertainment.  The opening weekend is hosted in Ballycastle and closing weekend in Rathlin Island.

• Curadmir Ulster Cycle 2014, Aghnablaney, Co. Fermanagh, May 24-26. A three day rolling base camp sportive where completion rather than competition is the aim. The challenging event will see Rider Villages set up across Northern Ireland where riders will finish and depart each day.

• Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival 2014, Queen’s Quaysides, Belfast, May 24-26. Belfast’s quaysides play host to a fleet of Tall Ships with free activities, pop-up market and a chance to learn more about Belfast’s unique maritime history.  

Down

Northern Irelands favourite Circus makes a long awaited return visit to Newcastle from 15^th – 18^th May and this year’s show is sure to thrill.  Duffy’s is one of the world’s longest-established circuses, amazing family audiences across Ireland over three centuries. The new show blends the traditional and the twenty-first century. Acts enjoyed by generations of circus-goers are brought right up-to-the-minute with a spectacular light show, state of the art sound and expert choreography. With the glamour of elaborate hand-made costumes, glittering lights and stunning special effects, you’re sure to be astounded by Tom Duffy’s.

Tyrone

The Strule Children’s Arts Festival presents Peter and The Wolf on Saturday 17th May.  Follow the adventures of Peter’s visit to his grandfather’s cottage on the edge of The Great Forest.  Meet all the familiar characters – the Duck, the Cat, the Little Bird and of course, the wonderful life-sized Wolf!

Fermanagh

Enjoy an evening of classical music in the stunning surroundings of Castle Coole Enniskillen this Friday 16th May at 7.30 pm as the magnificent Grand Hall is brought to life with an array of musical scores.

Derry

Magherafelt Saint Vincent de Paul are holding an Antique and Collectables Fair this Saturday 17th May at the Parish Centre. The sale will include Fine Furniture,Irish Art, Victorian Jewellery, Vintage Clothing, Belleek, Silver, Silver, Linen and Lace, Militaria and much more.

Armagh

Spend a night with the stars at Armagh Planetarium. On Friday 16th May all the action at the Planetarium will take place late at night.  And best of all, admission is free! Blasting rockets is always great fun, but have you ever launched a rocket at night?  Well, now is your chance in the twilight rocket launches which take place during the “Museums at Night” festival.  Come in fancy dress, maybe dress as an alien, an astronaut or your favourite character from Star Wars and you could win a prize.  With other activities planned and special Digital Theatre shows screened, this is a night you will not want to miss!

Antrim

The ever fantastic Frock Around The Clock is on the road again, and off to Kells Ballymena for a fabulous outing of the famous Vintage & Handmade Fair. Around 50 exhibitors will be showcasing authentic vintage, stylish handmade and uniquely upcycled fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares, collectibles, crafts & gifts, art & photography, sweet treats and much more! Taking place on Sunday 18th May from 12-5pm at Rosspark Hotel, Doagh Road, Kells, Ballymena Admission £3.

Belfast

Celebrate Belfast Zoo’s 80 year history by taking a special guided tour of the old zoo site on Sunday 18th May. The tour focuses on the Bellevue area, where the original zoo gardens were built in 1934. Visitors can also find out how the zoo adapted to the changing face of Belfast, particularly during World War II when the Cave Hill area came under heavy attack. The tour starts at 2pm.  Tickets must be booked in advance. For more information or to book, call 028 9077 6277or email events@belfastzoo.co.uk