Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this weekend across NI

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Down

Join in the festive fun and entertainment at the Christmas Lights Switch on in Dromore town centre this Saturday 1st December. There will be carol singing and festive fun in the market square, followed by free Santa’s grotto for the kids and a craft market for the grown-ups with lots of entertainment and fun for everyone!

Armagh

Leave winter behind this Christmas and escape to balmy oriental nights as The Market Place Theatre takes you on a high-flying, magical carpet ride headed for the exotic and mystical lands of The East, with the spectacular and breathtaking pantomime ‘Aladdin’.  Join a cast of well-loved characters including old Widow Twanky and her poor son Aladdin, and let your imagination take flight with this action-packed and mesmerizing pantomime. 1st to 23rd December.

Fermanagh

This Saturday 1st December will see the Christmas lights switched on in Irvinestown. Come along and enjoy the festivities as Irvinestown lights up for Christmas with a fun day and bazaar in the Church of Ireland Hall with Santa in attendance.

Tyrone

Little Red Riding Hood & The Silly Billy Wolf comes to the Burnavon Theatre Cookstown this Sunday afternoon, 2nd December.  This colourful, fast–paced all singing and dancing show is a fun and gentle re–telling of the classic fairy–tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Little Red Riding Hood is adventuring through the woods to visit her Granny, but somewhere along the way the Silly Billy Wolf is waiting. Children with have great fun joining in on the action, singing songs and playing games and meeting some amazing characters in this original show, written especially for this touring spectacular.

Derry/Londonderry

Join Seamus Heaney HomePlace for some Christmas celebrations on Friday 30th November and Saturday 1st December. Opening times are: Friday: 3pm-7pm (last admission 6pm), Saturday- 10am-4pm (last admission 3pm).  Listen to Mrs Claus read tales of Christmas adventure, take part in the sparkling arts and crafts, get your photograph taken with Santa Claus himself and receive a special present and finally, make your way through the candy cane garden to collect as many candy canes as you can.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Antrim

Colin Glen Forest Park hosts their annual Santa Run & Walk this Saturday 1st December!  Get in the festive mood & get fit for the Christmas Break. Take on the 5K Santa Run & Walk at Colin Glen Forest Park and help raise funds for 2 great causes. All you need is a Santa Hat and your running gear. Santa Hats are provided!  Location: Colin Glen Forest Park. Registration Open from 11:15,  Race starts at 12 Noon Sharp.  Price: £12pp. Entry Fee includes medals, prizes, timing chip & bib, Santa Hat, AND a Goody Bag!. Profits from the run will be split between Colin Glen Trust and Glen Parent ‘families in need appeal’.

Belfast

Be a Claus for a good cause!  This year’s Santa Dash is on Sunday 2nd December at 10.00am, kicking off from Writers Square in Belfast City Centre.  It’s a fun-filled morning for families and friends. With hundreds of Santas expected to join in at the biggest Dash yet!  There are two options to get involved in. Join Santa and the Cool FM Breakfast team on his sleigh as they sing carols and wander on the 2K family walking route. Or take part in the official verified and timed new 5K route and get your PB in a Santa suit! All 5K participants will receive a Santa Dash finishers medal.  Registration  is £7.50 per adult for the Original 2K Dash and £25 for the 5K, and includes your free Santa suit!  Visit cancerfocusni.org to register.  Every pound from registrations and sponsorship will go towards the Family Support Service which helps local children when a significant adult in their lives has cancer.

 

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.  

Jacqueline McGonigle

Titanic Belfast Adds Sparkle to Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice families

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Young Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice patients and their families had the chance to enjoy some festive cheer at the exclusive launch of Titanic Belfast’s Magical Christmas Experience.

Rory and Ellis McCloy. Credit ©Press Eye/Darren Kidd

Titanic Belfast invited the families to the world leading attraction to see Father Christmas arrive and launch the Magical Christmas Experience.

The event enabled families to start the festive season at the visitor attraction where they stepped through the Old Curiosity Shop to enter into the Elves’ Workshop, join Mrs Claus at her cosy kitchen, hear Christmas tales, enjoy festive games, badge making, look up their names on the naught or nice list and meet Father Christmas himself.

Titanic Belfast’s Chief Executive Judith Owens, commented: “Christmas is a truly magical time of year and our Experience is all about embracing festive cheer and creating unique memories, which couldn’t be more important for the children and their families. We are delighted to support Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice by adding some sparkle to families this festive season, and hope the Experience will be a shining memory for them.”

Grace Stewart, Head of Children’s Services at Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice said: “We are delighted that Titanic Belfast invited our patients and their loved ones to a very special Christmas experience. Christmas can be a challenging time for some, so it is important families get opportunities like this to be together.”

Titanic Belfast’s Magical Christmas Experience runs until 23 December. To book, visit www.titanicbelfast.com

A CHRISTMAS CAROL WITH A DIFFERENCE

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The Dicken’s mystical Christmas fable – ‘A Christmas Carol’ is brought to you at The Market Place Theatre, Armagh, on Sunday 25 November.

Olivier Award winner, Guy Masterson, brings us Dickens’ classic festive fable. Famed for bringing multiple characters to vivid life, Masterson recreates Scrooge, Marley, the Fezziwigs, Tiny Tim and more, in an enchanting performance that will dazzle and linger long in the memory.

Guaranteed to get you into the Christmas Spirit – in more ways than one!

‘Just when you thought you’d seen enough Christmas Carols to guide you to your grave, along comes one of the best yet!’ BBC Radio.

Tickets for all performances can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre

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.

 

Christmas Craft Market at North Down Museum

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North Down Museum’s Christmas Craft Market is taking place this weekend, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November.

 

The Neill’s Teddies have changed into their festive outfits and are all ready for Christmas thanks to their little helpers Maddie Keenan and Sonny Bryans. The famous bears will be on display at North Down Museum’s Christmas Craft Market on 24 & 25 November.

A popular date on the shopping calendar, the market will be packed with a total of 20 local artists and crafters providing an array of handmade goods, ideal for those special stocking fillers.

Come along and browse the stalls which will be dotted around the historical museum building – start your Christmas shopping or even finish it!

Coffee Cure, the museum café will be open throughout the event where visitors can enjoy tea, coffee, lunch and snacks.

There will be live music in the café from 1pm – 3pm on both days. Up and coming talent Courtney Craig will be performing on the Saturday and popular local artists Rachel McCarthy and Stephen Macartney will be playing on Sunday.

Speaking about the Christmas Craft Market, North Down Museum Manager, Heather McGuicken said; ‘The Museum’s Christmas Market is a fun and festive way to purchase unique, local, hand crafted items for your loved ones.  Come and see something different while shopping this year’.

 

The market runs from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday 24 and 12pm to 4.30pm on Sunday 25 November. Parking and admission is free at North Down Museum.

For more information on the Christmas Craft Market and other events and exhibitions, visit www.northdownmuseum.com

 

Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this week across NI

By

Down

Join in the festive fun and entertainment at the spectacular Christmas Lights Switch On in Holywood this Saturday! Holywood Chamber of Commerce have organised a Christmas market along Hibernia Street from 12.00pm – 6.00pm, the perfect way to soak up the seasonal atmosphere and even purchase some gifts. A real highlight for children will be a giant inflatable snowman that they can climb inside. Holywood District Community Council will be providing free family activities throughout the afternoon at Holywood Library. They have an exciting children’s fancy dress competition planned that will see the winner join Santa on his sleigh as he makes his way through the town centre and then the lucky child will join Santa and the Mayor of Ards and North Down on stage to switch on the Christmas lights at 4.30pm.

Armagh

Join Armagh Planetarium this Christmas as they journey back more than 2000 years to Bethlehem, and seek to discover an explanation for the star the Wise Men followed to find the baby Jesus in “Mystery of the Christmas Star”.  The show opens on Saturday 24th November and runs until Saturday 5th January 2019.  Show Times: Tuesday – Friday at 2.00pm, Saturday/School Holidays at 2.00pm and 4.00pm.  Evening shows on Tuesdays 4th, 11th and 18th December at 7:30pm.  For more information on show times and to book online visit www.armaghplanet.com.

Fermanagh

Craigville Garden Centre Christmas Craft and Food Fair Enniskillen takes place from  22nd –  25th November.   The Christmas market will be packed full of gorgeous gifts, freshly baked treats, multicultural cuisine and warm drinks, from Craigville’s very own Log Cabin Coffee Shop. The fair also has great potential for some Christmas shopping as Crafters will be offering a range of unique handmade gifts. You are sure to find something special for your nearest and dearest! Entry to the fair is free and kids will have the opportunity to take a selfie with Elfie.

Tyrone

Make your way to Dungannon’s Magical Christmas Kingdom at the Hill of the O’Neill and Ranfurly House, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November, for lots of festive fun and entertainment for all the family to enjoy.  In Ranfurly House you will find; face painting, arts and crafts, the Elf n Safety team, Jump Jiggle and Jive (Saturday only) and the Fizz Wizz Pop magic show (Sunday only).  At the Hill of the O’Neill journey through the Nutcracker realms as you make your way to Santa’s Grotto. Then visit Santa’s stables to meet his real reindeer, make your own reindeer food, meet the LED spinning elves, enjoy a funfair ride, face painting and much more.

Derry/Londonderry

Visit the Magherafelt Christmas market from 11.00am on Saturday 24th  and 1.30pm on Sunday 25 November, and enjoy the vast array of food, craft and entertainment on offer over the festive weekend. On Saturday evening from 6pm – 8.30pm, Santa will arrive for a Street party on Broad Street with a Samba band, fire performers and entertainment before counting down to the magical Christmas lights switch on and fireworks display! Over the festive weekend the Bridewell, Magherafelt will also be home to Santa’s Grotto, Mrs Claus Storytelling & craft activities for children to enjoy. Opening times are: Saturday: 11.00am – 5.00pm; Sunday: 1.30pm – 5.00pm.

Antrim

Stuart Robinson kicks off Christmas in Antrim this Friday evening!  Santa and his friends will arrive at 7.20pm to officially light up the town but be sure to book the kids into the fun and furry teddy bear workshops beforehand. Taking place in Castle Mall at 4pm, 5pm or 6pm, tickets for the workshop are priced at £5 per child and £2.50 per adult. Tickets must be bought in advance from www.theatreatthemill.com.   Adding to the festive spirit will be a Twilight Market which will line the Square offering everything from Christmas gifts, food and treats from local traders as well as Bonkers Betty’s Bizarre Bazaar’s festive craft market.  A spectacular fireworks display will round off a great festive evening.

Belfast

Winter Wonderland is coming to Belfast City Centre this Christmas!  This Christmas spectacular will help you get into the festive mood from 23rd November, running daily apart from Christmas Day until Sunday 6th January!  Get your skates on for the covered open air ice rink!  Other activities to enjoy include Gandeys Greatest Snowman Circus, Christmas Attractions, Big Wheel, Festive Games, Festive Food, Festive Bars and much more!  Plus Santa’s reindeer will be coming to visit on 15th and 22nd of December. Opening times : 10.00am – 10.00pm daily. New Year’s Day 12 noon – 10.00pm.

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.  

10 things to do in Northern Ireland

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DiscoverNorthernIreland.com has stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events. Here are ten exciting things taking place this week (19 – 25 November)

 

  1. The Guildhall Craft & Artisan Food Fair, Derry~Londonderry, 23 – 25 November. Offering a unique Christmas shopping experience with over 40 crafters to choose from, ranging from ceramics, leather, glass and jewellery. With a dedicated Food Fayre located within the ground floor of the Guildhall, this event has something for everyone.
  2. Kirkistown Point to Point, Portavogie, 24 November. Kirkistown point-to-point is the perfect day out for all the family, where you will get to witness the future stars of the racing industry make their introduction into competitive racing.
  3. Armagh Georgian Festival, Armagh, 22 – 25 November. Historic buildings open their doors allowing visitors a true insight into life in Armagh City during the Georgian era. This festival includes a Georgian banquet, Georgian costumed figures, street entertainment and festive market stalls, carriage rides, live music, talks and tours.
  4. Pete Tong Presents Ibiza Classics, Belfast, 25 November. This union of classical music and iconic dance tracks is another bold, brilliant move from one of the most influential figures in dance music performed at the SSE Arena.
  5. Elf The Musical, Belfast, 23 – 24 November. Elf The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Elf The Musical, performed at the Waterfront, is packed full of songs that will have you humming all through Christmas.
  6. Foyle Film Festival, Derry~Londonderry, 16 – 25 November. Showcasing a range of contemporary, classic, cultural and new cinema, the Foyle Film Festival presents a fantastic line-up to suit any film fan. For full line-up, visit FoyleFilmFestival.org.
  7. Studio Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert, Lisburn, 24 November. The Studio Symphony Orchestra returns to the Lagan Valley Island for a Christmas concert guaranteed to get everyone in the festive spirit. This will be a special fun concert, as the orchestra performs a beautiful selection of music with a seasonal theme, from popular Christmas favourites to much-loved orchestral music.
  8. NCAA Friendship Four Ice Hockey Tournament, Belfast, 23 – 24 November. The Friendship Four tournament is a unique opportunity to watch the only NCAA College Hockey tournament to be held outside of the United States. This four game tournament will feature elite athletes from Boston University, Yale University, The University of Connecticut and Union College all competing to lift the Belpot trophy for their University at the SSE Arena.
  9. Cookstown Christmas Lights Switch On, Cookstown, 23 November. With several trees and lights decked along its long main street, combined with stunning views of the Sperrin Mountains in the distance, Cookstown’s Christmas lights are some of the prettiest in Northern Ireland and are truly a sight to behold. With a range of activities for the kids, local vendors supplying tasty food and an appearance from Santa Claus himself, this promises to be a fun night for all the family.
  10. Jimmy Buckley – Live in Concert, Coleraine, 21 November. Jimmy possess a very rare talent, not only as a phenomenal singer but also as a hilarious mimic of other major stars. Jimmy’s show contains a wide variety of material, Country, Big Ballads and tribute medleys to the greats of country music such as Hank Williams & Charlie Pride performed at the Riverside Theatre.

 

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.

OFFERS OF THE WEEK

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Northern Ireland boasts an irresistible collection of places to stay including beautiful B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and great value self-catering properties. Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week to help you plan a short break.

 

  • Winter Escape, Cottage Loft, Co. Down from £325 per stay

This five-star apartment offers breathtaking views across Donaghadee Sound towards the Copeland Islands, the Irish Sea and beyond. Take a leisurely walk into the town and visit Ireland’s oldest pub ‘Grace Neills’ or simply relax in this beautiful self-catering apartment. Offer includes two nights’ accommodation with the 3rd night half price. To book call 07496 851 992. Offer available until 10 March 2019.

  • One Night Wine and Dine, Westville Hotel, Co. Fermanagh from £148 per stay

Perfectly located in the heart of Enniskillen’s waterside historic quarter, the four-star Westville Hotel is a sophisticated, yet understated, boutique destination. Offer includes one night’s luxury accommodation, a three-course dinner in the evening with a bottle of house wine and a traditional Irish breakfast in the morning. To book call 028 6632 0333. Offer available until 30 June 2019.

  • One Night B&B, O’Neill Arms Country House Hotel, Co. Antrim from £69 per person sharing

Located on the banks of the River Bann and in the village of Toome, the three-star O’Neill Arms Country House Hotel is a beautiful property surrounded by picturesque countryside. They pride themselves on providing an experience like no other and are located in the perfect area for exploring Mid Ulster. Offer includes an overnight stay with breakfast the following morning. To book call 028 7965 0800. Offer available until 30 November 2018.

A HIGH FLYING PANTO ADVENTURE… BOOK NOW FOR ALADDIN AT ARMAGH’S MARKET PLACE

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Leave winter behind this Christmas and escape to balmy oriental nights as The Market Place Theatre in Armagh takes you on a high-flying, magical carpet ride headed for the exotic and mystical lands of the East, with the spectacular and breathtaking pantomime ‘Aladdin’.

This year’s Christmas spectacular, ‘Aladdin’, will combine dazzling costumes, stunning sets, mischievous fun and thrilling musical numbers all wrapped up in an adventure unlike any you will have ever witnessed….oh yes it will!!

Join a cast of well-loved characters including old Widow Twanky and her poor son Aladdin, and let your imagination take flight with this action-packed and mesmerizing pantomime. Times are tough but Aladdin’s life is dramatically changed when he falls in love with the most beautiful woman in the Kingdom. Enter the evilest baddie in the Kingdom, Abanazer. Will the evil Abanazer destroy Aladdin’s dreams to get rich and marry the Princess? A high-flying adventure you won’t want to miss.

Performances will run from Saturday 1 December, right up to Sunday 23 December, at a variety of times to suit all ages! Ticket prices range from £10 to £15. Tickets are selling fast, with the best availability remaining on the last week.

To book your tickets for the most exciting pantomime of the season, phone the Box Office now on [028] 3752 1821. The house is sure to be packed to the rafters for this annual festive hit, so book now, before it’s too late! There are BSL signed, captioned and relaxed performances during the run. Please contact the Box Office for full details.

Tickets for all performances can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre 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.

 

FESTIVE MISCHIEF AT THE MAC WITH ITS CHRISTMAS SHOW ‘THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER’

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This Christmas, the MAC is delighted to announce it will once again be collaborating with award-winning children’s theatre company Cahoots NI for a magical production of the classic fairytale, The Elves and The Shoemaker.

Treat the whole family by picking up the most flexible Family Saver ticket in town, valid Monday – Friday, save 10% when you purchase 4 or more tickets.

Based on the much-loved story by the Brothers Grimm, The Elves and The Shoemaker is the uplifting story of a kind-hearted tradesman who has fallen on hard times and is assisted by a mischievous band of nocturnal fairy folk. Suitable for all ages, audiences will need to keep their eyes peeled for some of the fairyland’s best-known characters who just might pop up to make it Belfast’s funniest, festive family show.

As ever with the MAC’s Christmas shows, expect a unique twist on the traditional fairytale format with a funny script co-written by Simon Magill and Stephen Beggs, under the direction of Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney, and an enchanting festive score from Garth McConaghie.

Simon Magill, Creative Director at the MAC has said, “Simply put, this year’s Christmas show promises to be absolutely spectacular. With the inimitable Sean Kearns as our eponymous shoemaker and some stellar performances from the likes of Clare Barrett and Jolene O’Hara, we’re really excited to revive this classic story for a modern family audience.”

Paul Bosco McEneaney adds: “We are very excited to be back at the MAC this Christmas after the huge success of Under the Hawthorn Tree in September. The Elves and the Shoemaker is packed with Cahoots NI’s signature magical touch and we cannot wait to welcome audiences into the Elfin world we have created!”

The show will run from Tuesday 27th November until Saturday 6th January, but with tickets selling out fast, book now to avoid disappointment! Avail of discount prices when you purchase a Family Saver ticket, valid Monday to Friday, which will save you 10% when you purchase 4 tickets or more.

This has been the busiest year for school bookings, with schools making a visit to the MAC an annual Christmas tradition. MACtile Tours, the MAC’s award-winning initiative to make the theatre a more relaxing experience for children with Autism Sensory Disorders, continues to bring the magic of theatre to more and more audiences. School Bookings
MAC school tickets are very good value, at only £8 per pupil. Plus, for every 10 tickets booked, we’ll give you an 11th free – making it more affordable to bring a whole class. To make an enquiry, simply email Melissa McMinn at the MAC  Under The Hawthorn Tree is perfect for families and children age 7+Treat the whole family by picking up the most flexible Family Saver ticket in town, valid Monday – Friday, save 10% when you purchase 4 or more tickets.School Bookings
MAC school tickets are very good value, at only £8 per pupil. Plus, for every 10 tickets booked, we’ll give you an 11th free – making it more affordable to bring a whole class. To make an enquiry, simply email Melissa McMinn at the MAC  Under The Hawthorn Tree is perfect for families and children age 7+Treat the whole family by picking up the most flexible Family Saver ticket in town, valid Monday – Friday, save 10% when you purchase 4 or more tickets.School Bookings
MAC school tickets are very good value, at only £8 per pupil. Plus, for every 10 tickets booked, we’ll give you an 11th free – making it more affordable to bring a whole class. To make an enquiry, simply email Melissa McMinn at the MAC  Under The Hawthorn Tree is perfect for families and children age 7+Treat the whole family by picking up the most flexible Family Saver ticket in town, valid Monday – Friday, save 10% when you purchase 4 or more tickets.

School Bookings
MAC school tickets are very good value, at only £8 per pupil. Plus, for every 10 tickets booked, we’ll give you an 11th free – making it more affordable to bring a whole class. To make an enquiry, simply email Melissa McMinn at the MAC For more information about the show or to book tickets for your festive family trip to the MAC, visit themaclive.com.

Studying Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths… Are you up for the STEM Quest Challenge?

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As part of the NI Science Festival, Titanic Belfast and The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), are calling all whizz kids to get involved with its annual STEM Quest (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths challenge).

To date, over 170 teams from across Northern Ireland have competed, with Lumen Christi triumphing last year.

Titanic Belfast and CCEA are now on the lookout for this year’s best science, technology, engineering and maths Key Stage 3 (1st – 3rd year) quiz teams of four to compete and test their knowledge against their peers from across the region, in a bid to become Northern Ireland’s top team.

The teams will compete in a ‘University Challenge style’ Grand Final, hosted again by well-known personality, Joe Lindsay, at Titanic Belfast on 12th February 2019. The closing date for entries for the STEM Quiz is 19th January 2019, spaces are limited and will be given on a first come first serve basis. To enter, visit www.titanicbelfast.com.

Siobhan McCartney, Titanic Belfast’s Learning and Outreach Manager, commented, “We are absolutely thrilled to host our fourth STEM Quest Challenge supported by CCEA. To date, we have seen over 170 schools compete, and it is brilliant to see so many schools, teachers and pupils get involved and compete at such a high standard every year, especially as the need for Northern Irish STEM graduates grows. We are looking forward to this year’s competition so if you are science mad, geek chic or a mathematical whiz kid get your teacher to sign up and get involved!”

Justin Edwards, CCEA’s Chief Executive commented: “CCEA are delighted to be working together with Titanic Belfast on this year’s STEM Quest challenge, as part of the NI Science Festival.  NI’s young people continue to display an interest and enthusiasm in STEM, with our latest figures showing that over 40% of all GCSE entries are STEM subjects. The competitive, learning, fun environment that the STEM Quest challenge offers learners is wonderful and something which CCEA are delighted to encourage”.

The event is just one of the Titanic Belfast’s learning and outreach activities. It now a total of eight workshops and three guided tours and was recently awarded the prestigious Sandford Award for Heritage Education, joining leading historic houses, museums, galleries, such as Hampton Court Palace, Brunel’s SS Great Britain in Bristol and Edinburgh Castle.  For more information, visit www.titanicbelfast.com/learning.

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