Author: whatsonni

Historic Royal Palaces is bringing autumnal magic to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens this Halloween with a full programme of activities to celebrate the cosy season.

From conker tournaments to apple bobbing, welly tossing and hay bale mazes, visitors can enjoy classic Halloween fun while enjoying the gardens in their most enchanting season.

Autumn Activities

Enjoy an array of autumn outdoor workshops throughout half term, all included with a gardens ticket. Family bushcraft sessions will test mum and dad’s nature skills, visitors can explore paths with leaves crunching under foot and listen out for bird calls while discovering the garden’s biodiversity. Visitors will be encouraged to use natural materials, leaves, twigs, acorns and feathers to create a piece of Autumnal Art that will be displayed within the Visitor Centre during half term.

Scarecrow Parade

As Halloween approaches, the scarecrows will rise, taking their watch of the Walled Garden from 5^th October – 17^th November. Myths and legends will be unearthed and celebrated through the designs of this year’s Scarecrow Parade, with local artists engaging with schools and community groups throughout Northern Ireland to design, create and decorate a gathering of 27 scarecrows for Halloween.

No spooky festivity is complete without pumpkin carving, and Hillsborough Castle will hold workshops on 27^th, 29^th and 30^th October to ensure everyone has a jack-o-lantern to light on Halloween night.

Mini Food Fair

Local artisans will be popping up in The Walled Garden on Saturday 2^nd and Sunday 3^rd November for a mini food fair, offering their locally sourced and made products throughout the weekend, soundtracked by talented local artists who will play live music in the gardens.

Stuart Campbell, Public Engagement Manager at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens added; “Our family programming for the autumn season has been designed to connect families with the sensory beauty of the season, and with each other, through our beautiful grounds, nature, sights and sounds at Hillsborough Castle.

“Our Scarecrow Parade this year showcases the creativity of local schools and artists, who have been challenged with a Myths and Legends theme for 2024.

“There is plenty to get involved with at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens this autumn and the Halloween holidays, and of course all visitors can upgrade their garden tickets to include our specially designed family fun tour, which will run every day during half term.”

For more on Autumn at Hillsborough Castle and to book tickets, visit Halloween at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens | Hillsborough Castle | Historic Royal Palaces (hrp.org.uk)

The popular John O’Neill Folk and Traditional Music Festival returns to Donaghmore from 27 to 29 September. Bringing a blend of familiar faces and new talent to the Old Cross Arts Centre, the festival weekend is dedicated to honouring the life and legacy of legendary traditional Irish musician, John O’Neill.

Hosted by singer songwriter Malachi Cush, the festival is a highlight in Co Tyrone’s traditional music calendar, attracting top-tier international talent to perform, an enduring testament to the true spirit of Irish music in the area. Festival goers will be enthralled and uplifted by the unforgettable sounds of some of the island’s biggest names in folk and traditional music with the line up including Sean Keane, known for his unique and penetrating voice and captivating talent as a multi-instrumentalist.  

On Friday night Sean will be joined by Máirín Brown and Brendan Browne from the Galway band Backwest. The show will be opened by Brookeborough man, Brian McGrath, a gifted piano and banjo player who carries a stunning knowledge of the ‘old music’ with a distinctive sound that reflects the 1920s piano style, accompanied by accordion player Darren Breslin from Lisnaskea.

On Saturday morning, musicians of any musical prowess can attend a range of workshops for children and adults where they will be tutored by international performers who have a proven track record as teachers and educationalists. There will be workshops in singing, whistle, piano, flute, guitar, accordion, concertina, fiddle and banjo.

On Saturday evening, John O’Neill’s granddaughters, Niamh and Ciara McCrystal will open the evening for Lúnasa, one of the most influential bands in the history of traditional music.

Speaking about the festival which was created by John’s family through The John O’Neill Trust, John’s daughter Clare McCrystal said: “This year’s John O’Neill Folk and Traditional Music Festival programme includes a diverse range of musical talent which will appeal to all ages. From workshops to traditional music sessions and sets by some of the country’s most acclaimed performers, I am thrilled that the festival is firmly established in the traditional music calendar as a lasting legacy to my dad’s memory.

“As well as entertaining traditional music enthusiasts with our concerts, I am passionate about introducing traditional music to the next generation and our music workshops will be open to children from five years and older. This year we are also offering children a complimentary ticket to see the pioneers of Irish music at one of our concerts as I believe it is extremely important for children interested in Irish music to get the opportunity see these wonderful musicians perform.”

The John O’Neill Traditional Folk and Music Festival concerts take place in the Old Cross Arts Centre, St Joseph’s Grammar, Donaghmore, on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September at 8.00pm (doors open from 7.00pm) and weekend tickets granting admission to both evening headline concerts can be purchased for £40.00.

On Saturday, Festival Workshops, priced at £25.00 each, take place from 11.00am to 2.00pm in St Joseph’s Grammar, Donaghmore.

On Sunday 29 September at 3.00pm the Festival will close with a session in Hayden’s Bar in Pomeroy.

Festival goers can also enjoy an exhibition featuring the latest artwork from local artist Jim McKee entitled ‘Keeper of the Flame’ at the Old Cross Arts Centre throughout the weekend where there is also a full bar.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/jonfest

Follow the John O’Neill Folk and Traditional Music Festival on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/johnoneillmusicfestival and on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/john_oneill_trad_fest/

The popular Ards Puppet Festival returns this October, bringing two days of puppetry magic to the heart of Newtownards.

Taking place on Sunday 27 and Monday 28 October, the Autumn-themed festival will welcome a packed programme celebrating animals of all shapes and sizes, through puppetry performances, workshops, and interactive experiences.

Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, this year’s festival promises something for everyone, from world-renowned puppet shows to puppet-making workshops and even a Puppet Petting Farm.

Listen to the Story Man, in Sea Legs Puppet Theatre’s gentle, musical adaptation of The Ugly Duckling and join Henry Clutterback and The Musicians of Bremen on an exciting new adventure in the classic fairytale of friendship and courage. Look out for the wolf in Banyan Puppet Theatre’s classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood, and whatever you do, have lots of fun when Granny has a sleepover in the brand-new show, Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

With cows, goats, pigs, ducks, bugs, and even a temperamental crocodile making appearances, the festival is set to capture the imaginations of children and families alike.

Throughout both days, festival-goers can also enjoy Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre’s rendition of Billy Goats Gruff and Professor Queen-Bee’s It’s Bee-Hind You, a Punch and Judy-style show with an environmental twist. Handmade Theatre Company will delight audiences with their Puppet Petting Farm, where families can interact with handcrafted animal puppets, and children can take part in puppet-making workshops to create their own puppet characters.

Speaking about the festival, Arts Community Development Officer, Amy McKelvey said: “We are thrilled to be running another Ards Puppet Festival and to be welcoming these amazing puppeteers to Newtownards, to entertain and inspire our young audiences and their families. It’s always a gorgeous event and we are super excited to meet all the animal puppets this year and welcome our lovely audiences back again.”

With a mix of ticketed performances and free activities, Ards Puppet Festival promises two-days of fun for the whole family. The festival is a perfect opportunity to embrace the joy of puppetry and explore the wonderful world of animals in a creative, engaging environment.

Ards Puppet Festival takes place on 27 and 28 October in Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards. To view the full programme and to book tickets, go to: https://puppetfestival.andculture.org.uk/whats-on

Belfast Film Festival returns for its 24th edition from 31st October to 9th November, opening with a Halloween night screening of Irish language horror Fréwaka, written and directed by Aislinn Clarke.

After receiving rave reviews at its world premiere in Switzerland this summer, the latest feature from the Belfast-based filmmaker is set to make its Irish premiere at the Cineworld in Belfast on the evening of Thursday 31st October.

Haunted by a personal tragedy, home care worker, Shoo (Clare Monnelly) is sent to a remote village to care for an agoraphobic woman (Bríd Ní Neachtain) who fears the neighbours as much as she fears the Na Sídhe – sinister entities who she believes abducted her decades before. As the two develop a strangely deep connection, Shoo is consumed by the old woman’s paranoia, rituals and superstitions, eventually leading her to confront the horrors from her own past.

Fréwaka is Aislinn Clarke’s second horror feature, after the bold and uncompromising The Devil’s Doorway (2018). Bursting with Irish talent, it features an all-female cast including Clare Monnelly (Moone Boy, Nowhere Fast) who astounds in the lead role Shoo alongside powerhouse Bríd Ní Neachtain (The Banshees of Inisherin, Róise and Frank) as Peig.

Fréwaka is proudly produced by Dermot Lavery of DoubleBand Films and Patrick O’Neill of Wildcard and was made under the CINE4 feature film initiative with the financial support of TG4, Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán.

Director Aislinn Clarke said:

“Twenty-four years ago I moved to Belfast to study film and fell in love with the city. Belfast is where I cut my teeth as a filmmaker. It’s an incredible honour to now have my film opening the 24th Belfast Film Festival. In a way we have grown up together.”

Dermot Lavery from DoubleBand said:

“It doesn’t get much better for an Irish folk horror film than to be the opening film on Halloween night of the Belfast Film Festival. We can’t wait to present Fréwaka to our ‘home-town’ audience – we think they’ll enjoy a truly cinematic experience!”

Patrick O’Neill of Wildcard added:

“Aislinn has made such a unique and terrifying horror film – drawing inspiration from recent and ancient fears in our society, and it is such a great honour for the film to have its Irish Premiere at Belfast Film Festival.”

Belfast Film Festival Programmer Rose Baker said:

“We are thrilled to open the festival with Aislinn Clarke’s latest work. Fréwaka exemplifies the depth and breadth of talent audiences can expect from this year’s festival. We are centring Irish film in this year’s festival, with both North and South represented within a vibrant international cinematic offering.”

Tickets for Fréwaka go on sale on Friday 28th September with the full programme announced on 3rd October. For tickets go to https://belfastfilmfestival.org/

Belfast Film Festival is funded by Northern Ireland Screen, Belfast City Council, the Department for Communities and Film Hub NI. And proudly sponsored by Yellowmoon, Birra Moretti and Hastings Hotels.

Step into Autumn and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of our shoreline at the brand-new Shorelife Celebration! Join us on Saturday, 5 October at the stunning WWT Castle Espie and National Trust Mount Stewart. With free admission to both venues and complimentary pre-bookable bus travel, it’s the perfect day out for families and nature enthusiasts!

This exciting event, brought to you by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with WWT Castle Espie and National Trust Mount Stewart, offers a rare chance to experience the wonders of our shoreline. Enjoy a day filled with fun activities, engaging talks and tours, live music, and delicious local food and drink. Plus, take advantage of the free ticketed bus service for easy access!

With 115 miles of stunning coastline, Ards and North Down is the perfect place to celebrate our shore. Kids and families will love the interactive games and activities, while guided tours and talks will provide fascinating insights into local wildlife and conservation efforts.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said:

 

“We are delighted to partner with Mount Stewart and Castle Espie for this fantastic event. The Shorelife Celebration is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to enjoy free access to both venues. It aims to foster community spirit and environmental stewardship, encouraging everyone to appreciate and protect our beautiful shoreline. The picturesque settings of Mount Stewart and Castle Espie are ideal for this event, offering a variety of activities for all ages to enjoy.”

 

Pre-bookable park and ride services will be available from Newtownards Bus Centre and Dundonald Park and Ride (Dunlady), with stops at both Mount Stewart and Castle Espie.

 

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 5 October, from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free for everyone, including National Trust and WWT Castle Espie members and non-members. Some activities require tickets, so be sure to pre-book in advance. Terms and conditions apply.

 

For more information, visit visitardsandnorthdown.com/Shorelife

 

Don’t miss out on this incredible celebration of our shore.

The 2024 Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival makes its welcome return to the Borough this October, providing a not-to-be missed showcase that brings together local heritage and the best artisan produce the area has to offer.

The popular annual festival, which runs from Friday 4^th to Sunday 6^th October, embraces the Borough’s reputation as an outstanding food and drink destination, providing a platform for local producers to showcase their sumptuous goods to a wider audience. 

Foodies will be able to indulge in all things salmon & whiskey across the weekend, enjoying live cookery demonstrations and the warm hospitality of Bushmills – and maybe a wee dram or two!

With Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market stalls lining Bushmills Main Street, alongside fantastic live music, ‘meet the maker’ sessions and activities throughout the village, it promises to be a long weekend of fun for all.

New for 2024 for all the whiskey lovers out there will be the ‘Whiskey Hub’, set up at Main Street Car Park. Distillers from across the island of Ireland will host sampling sessions on Sunday, October 6, inviting visitors to come and taste a wide variety of locally produced whiskeys.

With the fantastic regeneration of the old Bushmills Courthouse now complete, the beautifully restored building will offer a programme of events across the weekend, welcoming visitors to see its historic transformation into a shared space and creative hub for the community.

Friday, October 4

To launch the festival, the newly established Community Garden will host various activities throughout the day, in conjunction with Council’s biodiversity officer.

A bespoke Coast & Countryside tour will be available to those looking to explore the food and drink offering of Bushmills and other Causeway Coast businesses. Guided by the wonderful Wendy Gallagher. (Pre-booking required)

https://causewaycoastfoodietours.com/product/salmon-and-whiskey-festival/

A highlight of Friday evening, for those lucky enough to get a ticket, is the Bushmills ‘Supper Club’, brought to you by The Tartine and Slemish Market, a brand-new experience created to captivate the taste buds.

And for those who wish to be indulged, The Bushmills Inn, one of the most idyllic places to eat in Bushmills, is creating a unique dining experience. Working with the finest artisan producers, local farmers, and fishermen to source the very best ingredients, this menu will be a culinary delight. This is a limited capacity event. https://www.bushmillsinn.com/

Saturday, October 5

Ian Orr will cook up a storm in the Main Street cookery area, other local talented chefs will also be demonstrating how to use salmon or whiskey in delicious dishes at Sharvagh House Come along and get a tip or two!

The Courthouse will provide workshops and other great activities, while the Visitor Information Centre will host a taste sampling of products from local artisan producers.

The Bushmills Taste Trail highlights many great restaurants and cafes in the town, welcoming you to try a variety of fresh local dishes comprising of locally sourced ingredients, especially salmon and whiskey, tantalising any foodie. Get your tickets for the trail from the Visitor Information Centre or local Bushmills establishments (The Tartine & Maegden Cheese shop) and guide yourself through the Taste Trail businesses.

Bushmills Distillery will be open all weekend and hosting tours. Naturally North Coast & Glens will host a small market behind the Designerie and meet the maker sessions in the Visitor Information Centre.

Sunday, October 6

Main Street car park and Sharvagh House will host an afternoon of live cookery demonstrations, music and market stalls and activities for kids.

In a first for the festival, Main Street car park will also host a new experience for the whiskey enthusiast – the Bushmills ‘Whiskey Hub’. A select range of local distilleries will host a taste and information session across Sunday afternoon, allowing visitors to taste and experience some of the fine whiskeys on offer across the island of Ireland.

The Outdoor (STREAT) programme will consist of a few fantastic demos with our much-loved foodie ambassador, Paula McIntyre. Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market stalls will line Main Street, alongside Bushmills Distillery Whiskey tastings and tours, cookery demonstrations with various talented local chefs and throughout the weekend there will be musical acts and entertainers to add to the atmosphere.

There will also be a quiet time session for children with additional needs from 11am-12noon.  With many ways to enjoy unique food experiences, this festival is not one to miss!

Please note, DAERA has advised Council that, due to budget constraints, it is sadly unable to open the River Bush Salmon Station to the public as part of this year’s festival, as it had done in the past. In a statement, the DAERA explained: “We recognise this event’s importance to the local area, but the Department must prioritise its resources to meet statutory work business needs above non-statutory work.”

However, on Sunday, October 6, Millennium Park will have a host of fishy activities for young and old, experienced or novice, such as fly casting and fly tying. Come and have a go, see if you can hook something!

Newcastle has all the ingredients you need for a fantastic weekend at the Eats and Beats free food and music festival on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September.

With two music stages, local and Northern Irish food producers, and an abundance of food vendors, it will be jam-packed with live music and a world of cuisine.

Festival goers can sample the finest local produce at the Food Pavilion (sponsored by Lexus Belfast) with over 40 local and Northern Irish artisan food producers to sample from and buy.

It’s here that you will find some of the finest food and drink on show from our Savour Visit Mourne’s producers. Killeavy Castle Estate, Crawford’s Rock and NearyNógs Chocolatiers will also be on hand to inspire you with their culinary experiences. For those who enjoy a tipple or two, local distilleries and craft breweries like Shortcross Gin, Two Stacks Irish Whiskey and Whitewater Brewery will whet your appetite with some local craft beers, gin, and whiskey.

There will be a wonderful line-up of cookery demonstrations with celebrity chefs dishing up a delicious serving of tasty treats over the festival weekend in the Mourne Flavours Pavilion. From Jenny Bristow, Ireland’s Good Food Ambassador to Great British Menu chefs Paul Cunningham and Melissa McCabe.

Mrs. C’s Home Kitchen will also delight the crowds with her passion for crafting traditional breads and traybakes. Completing the cookery demo lineup will be the Slieve Donard Hotel, Burrendale Hotel and Harbour Inn who will be on hand to inspire us with their culinary creations.

Music lovers can then dance their way around two music stages, which will offer free live performances on the Homegrown and World Stages over the two days.

On the Homegrown stage in Donard Park its two day line-up will be hosted by QRadio presenter, comedian and DJ Ryan Hand.  The festival weekend will see incredible music from the likes of Claudia Buckley, Reevah, and Belfast’s very own Brian Kennedy who is joined by the Uplifted Gospel Choir who are sure to add to the festival atmosphere.

Anyone looking for something different will find it at the World Stage in Donard Park, hosted by Ripton Lindsey. Loose yourself in the vibes of Manukahunney, Wilson Magwere, Swar Ahmed, The Navigators of Sound and Havana Roots will also take to the World Stage over the two-day event.

Stay tuned to the Visit Mourne Social Media pages where the full festival line-up, carparking and other important festival information will be available throughout the weekend. www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/giant-adventures/eats-and-beats.

 

A new art installation on the River Lagan commissioned by Belfast 2024, ‘DRIFT’ was launched on Friday August 30.

A collaboration between OGU Architects, MMAS and sound artist Matilde Meireles, DRIFT is a temporary floating pavilion where people can come to enjoy the multisensory experience of being on the water. DRIFT will be open until Sunday September 15 at Stranmillis Weir, with the next location to be announced on Belfast 2024 and DRIFT social media channels.

The Belfast 2024 project aims to draw attention to the vital role that the river plays in the life of the city, and through drawing people onto the water, the team hopes to uncover ways that this better connection between people and their river might create opportunities for the people and wildlife who rely on it. Using a variety of recording techniques that pick up sounds usually out of hearing range, Meireles will reveal aspects of the River Lagan that usually go unnoticed.

Visitors to the DRIFT pavilion can experience Meireles’ work at any time on the structure using individual headsets, or by attending one of three Listening Sessions hosted on the DRIFT space. A series of activities are programmed for the pavilion, including talks about the river ecosystem, arts, writing and plant identification workshops, stargazing, a ‘floating cinema’, yoga, and music.

Speaking at Friday’s launch, Belfast Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Andrew McCormick said: “DRIFT is the perfect response to our Belfast 2024 themes of people, place, and planet during our biggest ever city-wide celebration of creativity. This brand-new outdoor spectacle and experience will help to make the River Lagan more accessible to people and give them an opportunity to reflect on the importance of this natural asset to
our city.

“Thanks to the creativity of OGU Architects, MMAS and sound artist Matilde Meireles, I’m looking forward to seeing lots of people enjoy the DRIFT space and the programme of events, whether that’s learning about the river ecosystem, trying a yoga workshop, watching a movie, listening to music, or simply stargazing and enjoying the natural beauty around us.” DRIFT aims to challenge Belfast’s relationship to its waterfront, presenting the River Lagan as a vital public space and habitat. It will also delve into the potential for more wildlife-friendly urban places to be made available along its edge. Engaging with the river’s historical significance and cultural identity, DRIFT will map and reveal significant parts of the Lagan, inviting people and communities to share what is important for them about the river. It is hoped that by sparking people’s curiosity and interest in the Lagan, the project can start a transformative public conversation about the potential of a more accessible river, and how the Lagan’s ecosystem can benefit from a better connection between the city and its waterway.

DRIFT is open to the general public 10am-6pm at Stranmillis Weir until 15th September excluding times when workshops are taking place; check the schedule on www.oguarchitects.com/work/drift.