10 things to do in Northern Ireland

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Here are ten exciting things to do 24 – 30 November

 

  1. Armagh Georgian Weekend, Armagh, County Armagh, 27 – 30 November. Step back in time as the Georgian Festival returns to Armagh. Delve into the Georgian history of Armagh through the buildings, characters and customs of the latter half of the 18th Century. Armagh Georgian Festival promises to be a weekend which brings the city’s Georgian history and stories to life, where you can uncover some of our city’s hidden gems and take part in a range of activities and experiences.
  2. Friendship Four at The SSE Arena, Belfast, 28 – 29 November. Set to take place at The SSE Arena, the Rochester Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart University, Miami University, and Union College will go head-to-head for the coveted Belpot Trophy, which was last won by Boston University in 2024. For local ice hockey and sports fans, the tournament provides a rare opportunity to see four top U.S. college teams go head-to-head in the heart of Belfast.
  3. Thanksgiving at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, 29 – 30 November. Join the Partridges of Slippery Rock in the Folk Park’s Western Pennsylvania Log House as they prepare their turkey dinner and eagerly await the return of their only son, Joseph, an infantryman in the Union Army. This performance will take place several times throughout the day, so you’ll have multiple opportunities to catch it. Sample traditional Thanksgiving food like Succotash, try your hand at American games and enjoy toe-tappin’ live music.
  4. Christmas at The Ballance House, Glenavy, County Antrim, 29 November. Lots of festive fun and flavour awaits you – visit Santa & his elf in the Parlour by lamplight and a warming turf fire. There’ll be plenty of free Christmas fun in their kids barn with take-away crafting decorations. Start your Christmas shopping in their craft market and enjoy soup and mince pies in the tea barn. Plus, the special musical guest is Kellswater Band, while a piper will start the Christmas Fair.
  5. Ballycastle Christmas Market at The Marine Hotel, Ballycastle, County Antrim, 30 November (and 14 December). A fabulous festive fanfare is in store for all. The market will be festooned with artisan treats galore, quirky gift ideas, sumptuous, handcrafted treats, and much more. The market will be filled to bursting with eclectic treasures, delicious seasonal temptations and quirky handcrafted gifts from the very finest artisans.
  6. Mission Santa at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Armagh, County Armagh, 29 November – 23 December. It’s a real code red. Join their E.L.F. crew on Mission Santa and blast off on a Christmas adventure. Your out-of-this-world adventure will include admission to a full-dome show in the dome theatre, help save Santa inside mission control during a live theatrical show, along with a visit to see Santa, a present for each child and a printed family photograph.
  7. Christmas at W5, Belfast, 29 November – 23 December. Step into a world of wonder as the spirit of the season takes over every corner of W5. From magical storytelling sessions and indoor snowball fights to festive quizzes and creative crafts, there’s something to fill every heart with holiday cheer.
  8. Christmas Art & Craft Fair with North Down Craft Collective at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Comber, County Down, 30 November. Meet local artists and makers and shop their beautiful, handmade craft pieces. From textiles to ceramics, paintings to prints, and plenty more in between, it’s the perfect opportunity to find unique and thoughtful Christmas gifts.
  9. Christmas Wonderland at The Jungle NI, Moneymore, County Londonderry, 29 – 30 November and 5 –7, 11-14, 16 – 23 December. The Jungle becomes a twinkling world of festive wonder, where every path sparkles and every corner hides a little Christmas cheer. Families can wander through their enchanted woodland, meet Santa and his merry elves, and soak up the glow of dazzling lights and joyful laughter.
  10. The Spirit of Christmas Lunch Experience at The Boatyard Distillery, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, 26 November – 19 December. Treat your colleagues, friends, or family to a festive experience that’s fun, indulgent, and perfectly timed for busy schedules. Their Christmas distillery soirée offers a sophisticated, stress-free way to celebrate the season, all in just three hours.

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

 

Discover NI’s Offers of the Week

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The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine, County Londonderry

 

Embrace the crisp air and golden hues of the season with the Lodge Hotel’s Autumn Escape Getaway, from £115 per room (based on two adults sharing). Stay in one of their comfortable rooms and enjoy a bed and breakfast package designed to make your stay feel like a true seasonal treat. As part of your escape, you’ll receive a £15 dining credit per adult to use in their restaurant. Offer valid until 15 December. Visit www.thelodgehotel.com for more information. Ts and Cs apply.

Ballygally Castle Hotel, Ballygally, County Antrim

 

Relax and rejuvenate this winter with Ballygally Castle’s whiskey retreat package. From £125 per person, sink into your own slice of coastal calm. Unwind in the privacy of your charming room, complete with Netflix, and savour a complimentary miniature of McConnell’s Irish Whiskey while enjoying popcorn to share. Awake the next morning and enjoy a full Irish breakfast. Offer available until 31st December 2025. Visit https://www.ballygallycastlehotel.com/offers/ for more information.

 

For more inspiration or to plan your next adventure in Northern Ireland, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com.

Offers are correct at the time of publication and are subject to availability and change without notice. Terms and Conditions apply to each offer and can be viewed on the individual provider’s websites. Tourism NI acts as a promoter of third-party offers and accepts no responsibility for any changes, withdrawals, or inaccuracies made by providers. 

 

Mums at Work Elevate Your Business Event Returns to Belfast’s Merchant Hotel

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The Mums At Work Elevate Your Business event will return to Belfast this Thursday.

Following on from the success of their annual conference at the Tullyglass Hotel in Ballymena in March the Belfast event will once again highlight and celebrate the incredible work of businesswomen across Northern Ireland.

The Elevate your Business showcase was designed with working women in mind to enable them to make valuable local connections in business, increasing their brand visibility and opening doors for growth and referrals.

The Belfast instalment will take place in the Rita Duffy Suite at the Merchant Hotel on Thursday November 20 from 6:30pm.

Mums at Work was founded by Sinead Norton, a mother of seven and a passionate entrepreneur who wanted to create a network of women in business to form a supportive and uplifting community across all industries.

Sinead tragically lost her battle to Pancreatic cancer in November 2023, but left a powerful legacy behind. This has been carried on by her daughter, Danielle Norton, who has taken the helm of Mums at Work to continue providing businesswomen across Northern Ireland the opportunity to connect with each other and strengthen their community.

This year, the event will host a range of inspiring speakers from across Northern Ireland, including Sarah Lacey, founder of Nourish and Nurture, and Claire Boyle, founder of Groom the Groom.

Sarah will be sharing practical tips to manage stress and wellbeing in her talk, The Entrepreneur’s Toolkit: Stress-Busting Strategies for Success.

With over 20 years of experience in mental health and recently awarded Highly Commended for Excellence in Female Healthcare at the Private Healthcare Excellence Awards, she brings both lived experience and expertise to the stage.

Claire is a multi award winning businesswoman who has years of experience in male grooming and is the winner of several awards such as Men’s Stylist of the Year, 5-Star Barbers status, Male Grooming Venue of the Year, and a Mighty Women NI Award.

In her talk, Claire will talk about her entrepreneurial journey and will delve into how she built two thriving businesses while also balancing motherhood. 

She will also speak about the support that the Mums at Work Network provides, and how it helped her through one of the toughest periods of her life.

Speaking of the significance of Mums At Work and its respective gatherings Danielle said: “The purpose of the Elevate Your Business events is for women to have a chance to meet other women who are looking to grow their businesses. 

“It is a welcoming and supportive environment for women to feel comfortable and gain confidence. We hope the attendees will make new connections, receive referrals and increase their brand visibility. 

“We also hope they leave feeling inspired and motivated by our speakers who will give valuable insight and tips on how to take your business to the next level.”

For more information, to book a ticket or a stand at the Elevate Your Business event on November 20 go to eventbrite.co.uk

Belfast Agency Excalibur Press Strengthens Commitment To Accessibility & Neuroinclusion With JAM Card Certification

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(L-R) From left Excalibur Press staff Tina Calder (chief vision officer), Carole King (client liaison and business development), Alex Feher (managing director), Adam McBride (senior developer and digital transformation specialist), Lyndsey Hodgkinson (social media and video coordinator), Carly Curley (office manager) and Niamh Cooper (publicity and publishing assistant).

Belfast based communications company Excalibur Press have cemented their commitment to inclusion, accessibility and neuroinclusion by completing a company wide JAM (Just A Minute) Card certification.

The training, as part of the Belfast Business Promise programme, reinforces the ongoing work by the company to embrace and promote inclusion in their daily operations.

For Excalibur Press founder and Chief Vision Officer, Tina Calder it was a personal mission.

“Accessibility and neuroinclusion is massively important here at Excalibur Press,” she said.  

“Inclusivity isn’t a tick box exercise that you do and forget, it must be ingrained in the very fabric of your culture and team.

“As someone with ADHD and chronic pain conditions and who has staff, family, clients and friends with disability and neurodiversity I think it’s important for us, as a business, to show people that we are an empathetic and caring team.”

The Excalibur Press team’s ongoing commitment and passion for inclusivity is what drove them to seek out the training.

“Doing business should never be at the expense of being a good human, I don’t care what anyone says and, ultimately, no doubt I’ll pay the price for being so staunchly rigid on this but our values of integrity, honesty, respect, teamwork, creativity, innovation, education and inclusivity aren’t just fancy words in our handbook; they are the very fabric of who we are, what we stand for and why we do what we do every day.

“Like any business we understand there are limitations to what we can do within our available finance, resources and capacity, however, the Belfast Business Promise programme at Belfast City Council has made this achievement possible for our team and we’re immensely proud to now be JAM Card certificate holders.

“All businesses should strive for inclusivity where they can. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Continual improvement is important and being mindful of the needs of those around you.

“Neurodivergent and disabled people should not be expected to always ‘fit’ into an able-bodied, neurotypical world. As citizens, entrepreneurs, colleagues, family and friends we have a responsibility to reach out and be better.”

Tina said she’s proud her team is as committed to the company’s values and ethos of the training as she is.

“They weren’t just willing to embrace the JAM Card and its philosophy, they were motivated by our values and mission and, because of that, I’m proud to call them my team.

“Embracing accessibility and neuroinclusion isn’t just about ticking the boxes here, for us it’s the right thing to do and I personally believe it should be non-negotiable in business.”

Set up in 2017, Excalibur Press has grown from a solopreneur led journalism and media services business to a full multidisciplinary media, marketing and consulting firm with seven departments and a six-figure turnover.

Recently the business conducted a full restructure promoting Alexandra Feher to the newly created managing director role. The company now offers clients a holistic service offering covering everything from generalised marketing such as social media, PR, website development, video production, copywriting, crisis comms, research, event management and digital transformation to training, mentoring and consulting services such as entrepreneurial programme delivery and design, community outreach, business mentoring and media production and publishing.

Speaking of the JAM Card participation Alexandra said: “I am delighted to have overseen this initiative as one of my first projects as managing director at Excalibur Press. I believe it shows our clients, colleagues and community exactly who we are and what we’re about.

“In a time-starved economic landscape it’s easy to deprioritise things like training, continual development, accessibility and working on improving your services. 

“Very often we get caught in the hamster wheel of delivery and when working at capacity it can be hard to set aside time for things like the Belfast Business Promise and JAM Card.

“However, as a business that is no stranger to challenges, my team embraced this with positivity and we’re all proud to be able to display the JAM Card sign at our events and training.

“Not only did the team learn from the process but the getting our photos with our certificates and taking time out to discuss the process was a welcome break and opportunity to discuss issues such as accessibility, disability, neurodiversity and more.” 

The Belfast Business Promise contains eight pledges, driven by a commitment to making a better Belfast and shaping a better city for everyone.

For more information about Excalibur Press go to excaliburpress.co.uk 

Ulster-Scots Leid Week To Feature Six Hours Of New Programming Across Ireland

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A major new season of Ulster-Scots programming, including six hours of brand-new content will air from Monday 24th to Sunday 30th November as part of Ulster-Scots Leid Week, celebrating the language, music, and culture of the Ulster-Scots community.

The programming will be broadcast on That’s TV (Freeview Channel 7 / Virgin 159) in Northern Ireland and for the first time, will also be shown on Dublin Community Television (DCTV Virgin 802) and Cork Community Television (CCTV Virgin 803), extending the reach of Ulster-Scots stories to two million households across the island of Ireland.

At the heart of the schedule is the flagship documentary The Man Who Fell into Muttonburn Stream, premiering on Sunday 30th November.

A partnership showcasing Ulster-Scots culture

This new series marks the continuing partnership between NVTV and That’s TV who are commited to sharing authentic local stories and celebrating the cultural diversity of our communities. Through their partnership, now joined by Dublin Community Television and Cork Community Television, Ulster-Scots language and creativity will be showcased to an all-Ireland audience, connecting communities across regions and traditions.

Together, these stations will broadcast a wide-ranging selection of programmes exploring Ulster-Scots language, heritage, poetry, dance, and storytelling, offering new perspectives on identity and belonging.

Supported by the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund

The Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund has played a central role in supporting this special schedule. The Fund champions high-quality productions that reflect Ulster-Scots life, ensuring that the voices, experiences and creativity of the community are shared with audiences both locally and internationally.

Its support has enabled the creation of new content that celebrates the shared cultural bonds between Ulster and Scotland, and between Ireland and America.

Six hours of new Ulster-Scots programming

As part of Leid Week, viewers will be able to watch six hours of new Ulster-Scots content, with a mix of documentary, discussion, music and storytelling. 

On Monday 24 November the schedule includes European Highland Dance 2025, in which dance teacher Georgina Kee-McCarter looks at how Highland dancing continues in Ulster-Scots communities, Gathering Together, where Helen Mark, Iona Fyfe and Anne McMaster focus on storytelling, song and poetry, and a short film on the Louise McIlroy blue plaque, marking Dame Louise McIlroy as the first woman Professor of Medicine. 

On Tuesday 25 November, the line-up features Charlotte Riddell, a portrait of the Ulster-Scots novelist on what would have been her 193rd birthday, Eva’s First Twelfth, which follows presenter Eva Jackson, who is sixteen and from England, as she experiences her first 12th of July and hears the stories behind the tradition, and The Hamely Tongue, filmed at the Linen Hall Library and centred on poetry, humour and the living Ulster-Scots language.

On Wednesday 26 November, Fragments of Scotch Language, curated by poet Maria McManus and featuring Pàdraig MacAoidh and Anne McMaster, looks at shared linguistic roots between Ulster and Scotland. On Thursday 27 and Friday 28 November, Ireland and America: 250th Anniversary (Parts 1 and 2) marks 250 years of links between Ireland and America from an Ulster-Scots perspective. The season concludes on Sunday 30 November with The Man Who Fell into Muttonburn Stream.

The Man Who Fell into Muttonburn Stream

A lyrical and reflective film, The Man Who Fell into Muttonburn Stream explores how memory, language and landscape intertwine within Ulster-Scots culture. Through rich imagery and poetic narration, the documentary traces connections between family, place and belonging with the stream itself serving as a metaphor for continuity and change. Blending local voices, music and archival material, the film invites viewers to rediscover the Ulster-Scots experience as something both deeply personal and universally human.

The Borough of Mid and East Antrim will host the premiere screening of The Man Who Fell into the Muttonburn Stream at Larne Museum & Arts Centre on Friday 28th November 2025 at 2.00pm, as part of the celebrations for Leid Week.

The premiere will include a post-screening discussion with the producer, Dean Hagan and presenter, David Hume, giving attendees a unique insight into the making of the film and the enduring influence of William Hume’s Ulster-Scots voice.

Dean Hagan of NVTV said: “Our ongoing partnership with That’s TV, now joined by Dublin and Cork Community Television, gives Ulster-Scots culture a new and exciting platform. With support from the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, we are proud to share six hours of new programmes that bring language, landscape and heritage together, with The Man Who Fell into Muttonburn Stream as a central highlight of the week.”

Ulster-Scots Leid Week runs from Monday 24 to Sunday 30 November 2025 on That’s TV, Dublin Community Television and Cork Community Television. Full details and timings are available in local TV listings.

Discover NI’s Offers of the Week

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Culloden Estate and Spa, Cultra, County Down

 

As the days grow shorter, retreat to the warmth and comfort of the historic Culloden Estate. Enjoy an exclusive 15% discount and a complimentary upgrade to the next room category. Melt away tension in the spa, complemented by 10% off spa treatments and ESPA products. From £195 per room, available until 19th December 2025. Visit https://www.cullodenestateandspa.com/offers/ for more information.

 

 

Bushmills Townhouse, Bushmills, County Antrim

 

Nestled in the captivating town of Bushmills, a short distance from the iconic Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills Townhouse offers an exquisite blend of luxury suites and superb dining. Starting from £90pp, the offer includes complimentary bubbles on arrival, a three-course dinner and breakfast the next morning. Available now through to end of December. Visit  https://bushmillstownhouse.com/ for more information.

 

 

For more inspiration or to plan your next adventure in Northern Ireland, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com.

Offers are correct at the time of publication and are subject to availability and change without notice. Terms and Conditions apply to each offer and can be viewed on the individual provider’s websites. Tourism NI acts as a promoter of third-party offers and accepts no responsibility for any changes, withdrawals, or inaccuracies made by providers. 

10 Things to do in Northern Ireland

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Here are ten exciting things to do 10 – 16 November

 

  1. Belfast Christmas Market, 15 November – 22 December. With over 100 international and local traders, the festive village offers a delightful array of quality Christmas fayre, handcrafted goods, and bespoke artisan products. Set against the magnificent backdrop of Belfast City Hall, the market is an ideal destination, offering the perfect place to tick off your holiday shopping list.
  2. Belfast Punk Music Walking Tour, 15 November. Come explore the story of punk music in Belfast on this walking tour, with a specialist music guide who has loved punk music since the 1970s. Since bands like The Outcasts, Rudi, Stiff Little Fingers, Ruefrex and Victim erupted onto the scene in Belfast back in the late 1970s, Belfast punk has held a special place in music history, near and far.
  3. Christmas Craft Market at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, County Londonderry, 15 November – 23 December. Now firmly established as the ‘must go to’ festive shopping event, the best contemporary craft market on the North Coast returns with over 35 independent makers and uniquely special gifts for all tastes and budgets. Featuring homeware, jewellery, textiles, clothing, artisan food and more, you’ll find the perfect present from a bespoke range of beautiful ceramics, glass, necklaces, artwork, candles, luxury skincare, throws, stationery, festive décor and beyond.
  4. Traditional Irish Breadmaking, Killinchy, County Down, 15 November. Join Tracey in her kitchen on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down, just 30 minutes from Belfast. You’ll be welcomed into her home with the aroma of homemade fruit soda bannock as it comes out of the oven. You’ll enjoy this sweet treat with some award-winning Irish butter.
  5. Atlantic Sessions, various locations, Portrush & Portstewart, County Antrim and County Londonderry, 13 – 16 November. A high quality, musical feast, showcasing original music. From traditional to contemporary, electric to acoustic, Atlantic Sessions has emerged as a permanent feature on the cultural calendar creating an energetic, vibrant atmosphere in the pubs, hotels, coffee shops and town halls across Portrush and Portstewart.
  6. Northern Ireland Music Prize at Ulster Hall, Belfast, 12 November. The Northern Ireland Music Prize is an annual awards night curated by Oh Yeah to recognise and celebrate the incredible and diverse talent we create. With categories such as Album of the Year supported by PPL as well as Live Act of the Year, and the Oh Yeah Legend Award, the NI Music Prize is the local music scene’s biggest night.
  7. From Darkness to Light – Black & White Photography Exhibition at The Cathedral Church of Saint Patrick, Armagh, County Armagh, until 29 November. Now that we have reached that part of the year with fewer hours of daylight, St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh is delighted to be hosting a black and white photographic exhibition with the title ‘From Darkness to Light’. As the Cathedral community celebrates the completion of its new lighting system which transforms the interior of the Cathedral and shines new light on its unique architectural details, the timing and theme of this exhibition could not be more appropriate.
  8. National Trust’s Florence Court, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, visit website for open dates and times. Located around eight miles from Enniskillen, Florence Court is one of the most beautiful Georgian houses in Northern Ireland, nestled against the wild mountain backdrop of Benaughlin and the Cuilcagh Mountains. You can enjoy glorious walks around the grounds which include a walled garden, holiday cottage, sawmill and ice-house. In the gardens you will find the famous Florence Court Yew – reputedly the ‘parent’ of all Irish yew trees.
  9. OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Omagh, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. Take a journey through time and space with a visitor experience that’s out of this world. Book your visit to Northern Ireland’s only International Dark Sky Park. Fully guided by an experienced tour guide, the centre will give visitors a unique opportunity to experience the night sky as it is rarely viewed.
  10. Festive Fair at Magheramorne Estate, Magheramorne, County Antrim, 11 and 12 November. As the holiday season approaches, the upcoming Festive Fair at Magheramorne Estate will bring together an incredible selection of local suppliers. The fair will be held in their charming and cosy drawing rooms and elegant ballroom, creating the perfect ambiance for a delightful Christmas experience.

 

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

Flowerfield Christmas Craft Market returns – bigger, brighter and bursting with creativity!

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Get ready to start off the festive season at Flowerfield Arts Centre as the much-loved Christmas Craft Market returns from Saturday 15th November 2025.

Join us from 11am – 4pm for the official opening, when Naturally North Coast and Glens Market will be there to add even more Christmas cheer!

This year’s market promises to be the most exciting yet. Following the largest number of applications to date, a line-up of 50 outstanding makers from right across Northern Ireland has been curated – a vibrant showcase of creativity, craftsmanship and festive inspiration.

Expect a wonderful mix of ceramics, jewellery, glass, woodcraft, homeware, clothing, scents, food and mixed giftware – with something to suit every taste and budget. From delicate handmade jewellery to beautiful pottery, cosy textiles, aromatic candles and delicious local produce, you’ll find thoughtful gifts that tell a story.

Many of our talented makers hail from the Causeway Coast and Glens area, but every purchase directly supports small creative businesses, helping to sustain Northern Ireland’s thriving craft community.

The Flowerfield Christmas Craft Market runs from 15th November to 23rd December, with late-night shopping on Wednesdays and Thursdays, giving you plenty of time to discover something special for everyone on your list.

Come for the bespoke handcrafted gifts, enjoy the festive atmosphere – and celebrate the very best of local creativity this Christmas at Flowerfield Arts Centre.

SIMPLY THE ‘BEAST’ SHOW AROUND AT ARMAGH’S MARKET PLACE THEATRE

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Be our guest this Christmas at The Market Place Theatre’s furry-tale pantomime spectacular, ‘Beauty and The Beast’. Prepare yourself for a tale as old as time but told in a way you won’t have seen the like of before!

Can Belle save the day before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose? Join our heroine as she tries to break the Wicked Fairy’s curse and escape the castle of the ‘monstrous’ Beast… but is he really as bad as he seems?

There’ll be talking teapots, singing candlesticks, dancing dogs and a bunch of wily wolves to deal with, but with your help, can Belle reverse the curse?

Beauty and The Beast will be sure to make you laugh, sing, shout and cheer as you fall in love with a host of hilarious (and hairy) characters. Get ready for magic, music and mayhem aplenty, all rolled up in one action-packed show that’s sure to be simply the beast!

‘Beauty & The Beast’ will run at Armagh’s Market Place Theatre from Saturday 29 November to Sunday 21 December, with a range of times to suit all busy schedules!

 

Prices range from £15 to £19. Tickets are flying out the door, so hurry to book yours now!

 

To book your tickets for the most exciting pantomime of the season, phone the Box Office now on 03300 561 025, or book online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre.. The house is sure to be packed to the rafters for this festive hit! There will be BSL signed, captioned and relaxed performances during the run. Please contact the Box Office for full details.

 

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.

 

Belfast Agency Excalibur Press Appoints Managing Director To Lead Ongoing Growth And Development

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Excalibur Press chief vision officer Tina Calder and managing director Alexandra Feher

Belfast based communications company Excalibur Press have appointed Alexandra Feher to the role of managing director to support the company with their growth.

In eight years the business, set up by comms strategist and business mentor Tina Calder in 2017, has grown from a solopreneur led journalism and media services business to a full multidisciplinary media, marketing and consulting firm with seven departments and a six-figure turnover.

According to chief vision officer Tina the new appointment signifies a new era for the business.

Alexandra, 30, who has been with the business for just under five years, started as a short-term contractor with general duties in marketing and communications. Having been promoted to head of content at the beginning of 2024 she has been instrumental in the restructure of the organisation over the last 10 months.

Speaking about the appointment Tina, who will now step away from the day to day running of the business, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to offer Alex the position she deserves within the business. She has been a key part of our survival journey over the last few years and has proven time and time again that she’s the woman for the job.

“Following the decimation of the business during Covid Alex was part of the new team who worked hard to bring us back to life when many businesses were going through significant difficulties.

“In October 2022 we were victims of the Cathedral Buildings arson attack and lost four offices, significant revenue and equipment. This pushed the business back into survival for the second time since Covid.

“Since then Alex has led the team through a difficult, but successful, regrowth period and I am delighted to be able to work with her to build on that success.”

Following a full restructure of the business Excalibur Press now offers clients a holistic service offering covering everything from generalised marketing such as social media, PR, website development, video production, copywriting, crisis comms, research, event management and digital transformation to training, mentoring and consulting services such as entrepreneurial programme delivery and design, community outreach, business mentoring and media production and publishing.

Alexandra will now lead an internal team of eight and a contractors and mentors network of over 25 managing day to day projects and workflows whilst Tina will move into strategic work for clients including fractional roles and consulting as well as delivering training, entrepreneur support programmes and mentoring.

Alexandra said: “It’s no secret the journey with Excalibur Press has been a bumpy one with many challenges along the way but throughout my time here I’ve been given the opportunity to craft a unique role that allows me to showcase and develop both my leadership skills and career goals.

“Excalibur Press is a fast-moving, vibrant business with a varied client base that gives the team a chance to learn and develop in many sectors and skills. Being part of that journey of course can be stressful but it’s also rewarding and exciting when you see the plans and new ideas come together.

“The world of agency life is changing, being ready and able to pivot quickly, efficiently and effectively is key to survival and I am delighted to say we have a team that allows us to do that.

“In the last few months we’ve been through a significant restructure and I’m excited to work with Tina and the team to announce our new plans for 2026 later this year.”

Alongside the restructure and appointment of Alexandra the Excalibur Press leadership team have reinforced their commitment to nurturing new talent and providing the next generation with much needed skills and experience through their work experience, internship and training schemes.

This announcement comes on the back of the company recently being awarded the Go Succeed Get Started In Business programme aimed at economically inactive individuals for six councils across Northern Ireland (Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Ards & North Down Borough Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Mid Ulster District Council), the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Go Succeed Digital Edge programme and being appointed to the Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council ASK mentoring programme.

The company are already working with a number of large organisations and local councils on projects such as PR and comms for the Digital Transformation Flexible Fund (DTFF), media and marketing training programme with Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) as well as marketing and business development consultation for Arts Care and website development for Seaview Stadium.

“Business is hard all round let’s not pretend it isn’t, I’ve been very open that my journey with Excalibur Press has been a difficult one having had to build the company to where we are today three times since its inception” said Tina, adding: “But, when you have family, staff, contractors, friends and partners like I have it’s easy to weather the storm, stay focused and stay resilient.

“I am excited to see what the new chapter of Excalibur Press will bring and to watch my staff grow and develop their departments. Personally, I’m also very excited to be able to focus my attention on our strategic vision and to support our clients at a strategic level whilst delivering my training and mentoring day to day.”

For more information about Excalibur Press go to excaliburpress.co.uk or email alexandra@excaliburpress.co.uk 

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