Some of County Down’s finest food and drink artisanal producers will be at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Newcastle on Saturday 8^th September for the annual Slieve Donard Beer, Cider, Spirit and Cheese Festival.

Drinks exhibitors at the festival this year include Whitewater Brewery, Jawbox Gin, Kilmeggan Cider, Shortcross Gin and Echlinville Distillery, home to Dunville Whiskey and Echlinville Gin along with local food producers including Kearney Blue Cheese and Fivemiletown Creamery.

The festival will also welcome the return of the popular Street Food Stall with a wide selection of delicious local treats to taste.

Niall Burns, Operations Manager at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, said: “We are thrilled to announce the return of the Slieve Donard Beer, Cider, Spirit and Cheese Festival following the huge success of the past two years.

“The Festival will showcase many of County Down’s finest brands who will be here to talk about what they do with such enthusiasm that it’s impossible not to get totally drawn in.  On top of that there will be lots of food and drink to sample, ensuring that a good time is had by all.

“At Hastings Hotels we only work with the finest local food and drink producers and we can’t wait for guests to come along and see for themselves just why the Slieve Donard holds them in such vert high esteem,” concluded Niall.

This fabulous food and drink event is supported by both Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Tourism Northern Ireland.

Tickets for the event cost £15 per person, which includes three drinks tokens and a souvenir glass, and are available from the Slieve Donard reception or by calling the hotel on 028 4372 1066.

Spinning Yarns Festival will take place at Antrim Castle Gardens on Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 September from 10am-6pm. This two-day festival has a great line up suitable for the whole family.

We are delighted to welcome MANNS on board who will host The Afternoon Fashion Tea event during Spinning Yarns, commencing each day at 3pm. Afternoon tea will be served consisting of a selection of delicious finger sandwiches, delicate pastries and MANNS famous home baked scones with jam & cream, complimented by Earl Grey or Darjeeling Teas. The Models will then strut their stuff as they walk around the tables showcasing classic designs in natural fabrics mixed with the seasons latest trends from leading fashion houses. The Fashion show is styled by local lady Pearl Mitchell of Style Solutions, an event for all fashion enthusiasts –  not to be missed. Seats are limited so booking is advisable for both days. Tickets £10 per person for bookings T. 028 9448 1338 or online at www.theoldcourthouse.com

Another great attraction for this family event are the NI Alpacas group who will bring two to three herds of these endearing animals each day, showcasing alpaca fleece products and giving demonstrations on alpaca fibre and the process of working it from the animal through to the finished product. Alpacas are one of the camelid species, closely related to the llama and originate from the high plain in west-central South America.

Enrol for one of our workshops ranging from Rag Rug Wreaths to White Work Embroidery squares, view one of the many exhibitions and market stalls and sample some of the culinary delights on offer.

Chef, author & broadcaster Paula McIntyre MBE and Irish fashion designer, Blogger and BBC The Great Sewing Bee contestant Angeline Murphy, will be joining us over the two days giving demonstrations and offering advice.

There are also a number of children’s activities planned for this weekend event making it a family affair. For more details and bookings visit spinningyarnsfestival.com.

A little bit of Broadway comes to Belfast this September when The World Goes ‘Round takes to a newly transformed stage at the MAC Belfast.

Showcasing some of the biggest songs, from Broadway’s biggest productions like New York, New York, Cabaret and All That Jazz, this feel good show is a revue of hits by Kander and Ebb and is performed by a multi-talented cast who sing, dance and play instruments.

A co-production by Blunt Fringe and the MAC and starring a host of local and West End performers, The World Goes ‘Round will open for a two-week run at the MAC from 1^st September until 15^th September 2018.

To enhance the audience experience, the main theatre at the MAC has been totally transformed into an all new club, called the Luminaire Club, complete with at-table seating and waiter service.  Guests are invited to take their seat, have a glass of bubbly and watch the action unfold on stage.   

Co-directed by Stephen Whitson (Associate Director of West End sensation Hamilton), this classic revue has a multi-talented cast of five actor musicians who will sing, dance and play in this spectacular evening of musical theatre. The cast includes Stephanie McConville, originally from Lurgan and has most recently starred in the UK tour of Little Shop of Horrors; Carolyn Maitland, from the Isle of Wight who has had many leading roles on the West End most recently playing Molly in Ghost the Musical; Aveen Biddle, a recent musical theatre graduate originally from Derry; Will Arundell, a singer and talented cellist from Norwich; and Conor McFarlane, an accomplished musician who recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music and is originally from Derry.

Claire Murray, Blunt Fringe said, “We are thrilled to be working with such an illustrious cast and creative team to bring the incredible songs of Kander and Ebb to life on the main stage at the MAC. Our cast will be singing, dancing, playing instruments and maybe even roller skating their way through the most stunning repertoire of musical theatre hits.”

The show was first staged in Belfast in 2014 and The Musical Theatre Review called it, “A success – intelligently staged, impeccably sung, wonderfully entertaining and with enormous style.”  The MAC and Blunt Fringe hope to wow audiences with the amazing setting, style and performance for a thoroughly entertaining night.

Simon Magill, Creative Director at the MAC said, “We’re delighted to be co-producing this musical at the MAC this Autumn with our partners Blunt Fringe. To make the experience extra special, I was keen to play with the flexibility of the MAC theatre space and to create something special for audiences by changing the format from our usual theatre set-up into a more intimate, club feel. We have invested in new seating, staging and dressing to create what we hope will be a really special experience. This is the first opening of the Luminaire Club at the MAC and coupled with the amazing talent on stage, audiences are in for a real treat.”

Tickets for The World Goes ‘Round are now on sale and are selling fast. For more information or to book, visit themaclive.com.  Supported by National Lottery funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

On Wednesday 15^th August we will be celebrating our 2^nd birthday (can you believe it has been 2 years since Exploris Aquarium re-opened) and we want you to join us!

We are having a big birthday bash and offering FREE admission to anyone celebrating their birthday on 15^th August!* There will also be lots of extra activities running throughout the day including;

• Neil the seal mascot meet and greet
• Crabby craft club
• Face painting
• Touch tank talks
• Photo opportunities with Sir David
• Seal hospital talks
• Free prize draw

As you already know no birthday party is complete without cake and presents so we have planned a lovely salad cake for Sir David the Green Iguana, meat loaf cake for the otters and a shark feed at 1.30pm. As for the presents every child will receive a free gift to take home!

Join us for a day of birthday fun as we celebrate turning 2 with you and over 200 underwater species and reptiles!

Pre-book your tickets online today at www.explorisni.com for discount on admission.

*Must be born on the 15^th August to gain free entry. Proof required in the form of driving licence, electoral card, passport or birth certificate. Subject to availability.

Tickets on Sale Now!

Donaghadee’s seaside cuisine is simply “Deelicious”. A brand-new food tour will be served up as part of the Donaghadee Lights up Festival, which takes place from Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 September and celebrates the town’s fantastic restaurants and it’s Ulster-Scots Heritage.

There are five famous Donaghadee restaurants on the menu including Pier 36, Harbour and Company, Grace Neills, Slice of Heaven and Bull & Claw with dishes chosen to reflect the true Ulster-Scots heritage of the town. Guests will be entertained as they move from course to course by a good humoured Blue Badge Tour Guide. Listen to tales of the town, the links to Scotland and Robbie Burns himself may turn up for dinner! Taking place on Thursday 6 September and starting at Pier 36 at 6pm the ticket price of £60 includes five courses, paired wines and craft beers. The evening will end with a lively traditional music session.

Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, Councillor Richard Smart commented:

“Donaghadee is one of our most iconic seaside towns and as such has exceptional coastal eateries. This food tour will cater for everyone who wants to sample local produce at its best whilst getting a real taste of the Ulster-Scots heritage of the town.  Whether you enjoy fine dining, are a regular foodie who loves tucking into local food, or just want to enjoy the crack, Donaghafeed is the night out for you.”

Tickets for the event are limited so booking essential. Strictly over 18s only. Kilts kindly supplied by Focus, Bangor.

For further information check out www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary are currently celebrating their third otter litter, which is the largest they’ve welcomed to date.

On the 26^th June Asian Short Clawed Otter, Sungari, gave birth to 4 healthy pups. Now 5 weeks old the news had been kept under wraps to protect the new born and ensure that all otters settled into their new family group.

Sungari began her labour in the early hours of the 26th June and had successfully delivered 3 pups by 9am when staff arrived on site.

“Looking in that morning Sungari looked so content, all cuddled up with the 3 babies in her straw nest” describes Curator Pete Williams. “After initially checking on the family we retrieved the families breakfast and on returning realized Sungari was not finished having her babies.”  Otter number 4 arrived just before 2.30pm.

Small-Claw Asian Otters form monogamous partnerships and much like human beings, share parental duties. Together they build and maintain a nest as well as feeding and attending to their young with which they form a close bond.

Sungari’s first 2 litters of just 1 pup each time were delivered in the winter with their eldest, a female called Brunei, born in December 2016 and a 9 month old Yalu, a male, born in October 2017.

It was during the early days of the litter that it was discovered that Brunei is actually a female. Originally thought to be a male, Brunei began to bed down with the pups with staff identifying the mix-up very quickly.

The new additions to the otter family are made up of 3 females and 1 male. Following their 5 week health checks the pups will soon be making their outside debut. When this will happen curator Pete is unsure. “The pups have only just opened their eyes so will take some time to adjust to their surroundings. I’m sure in a few weeks they will venture outside, whether its Sungari’s choosing or not. She will certainly have her hands full”.

Make sure to follow the progress of all our work on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or why not become a Member which allows you unlimited entry to our five star visitor attraction for a full year.  It is affordable with prices starting at £20 for children and £30 for adults with 25% discount in our café (excluding alcohol beverages), and in our shop.

Exploris Aquarium, located in Portaferry, opens daily from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. Pre-book your tickets online at www.explorisni.com to avail of discounted admission.