OFFERS OF THE WEEK

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Northern Ireland boasts a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for an ideal short break.

Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

  • Seamus Heaney Sunday Special, Glenavon House Hotel, Co. Tyrone, from £62pps. Situated on the outskirts of Cookstown, the 3* Glenavon House Hotel is a haven for holidaymakers. Overlooking the Ballinderry River and set in nine acres of its own mature grounds, this luxurious hotel offers a wide range of high standard facilities to the discerning traveller. Enjoy one night bed and breakfast with four-course dinner in the Cellar restaurant and entrance ticket to Seamus Heaney Homeplace. Includes use of leisure facilities. Offer valid until 31 December. To book call (028) 86 764949.
  • 3 nights for the price of 2, Arch House, Co. Fermanagh, from £160. 4* Arch House is just a short distance from the island town of Enniskillen, close to the Marble Arch Caves Geo Park and within walking distance of Florence Court. Children are well-catered for with a play area and farm walk where they can see calves or lambs being born, collect eggs from the hens and see rabbits and lamas. Offer valid until 31 May and excludes bank holidays. To book call (028) 66 348452.
  • Shop in the city, Clayton Hotel, Belfast, from £122. Discover Belfast and shop ‘til you drop in Victoria Square or the city’s many high street stores and designer boutiques.  Enjoy an overnight bed and breakfast in the city centre, a Champagne cocktail on arrival, £10 Victoria Square gift voucher and use of the leisure facilities including swimming pool. The 4* Clayton Hotel is ideally located at Ormeau Avenue in the historic Linen Quarter of Belfast and not far from the lively Cathedral Quarter. Offer valid until 31 December. To book call (028) 90 328511.

For further information visit www.discovernorthernireland.com

*All offers are subject to availability.

Ten things to do in Northern Ireland Next Week

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Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland (April 17 – April 23).

 Easter Eggspress Steam Train, Belfast to Whitehead

  1. . April 17-18. All aboard the Easter Eggspress steaming along to Whitehead from Belfast Central Station! Fun for all the family, plus Easter eggs for the children. There might even be an ‘eggstra’ special passenger on board with a special surprise for the best behaved children. All tickets £13.
  2. Tommy Tiernan Comedy Night, Newcastle. Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Sat 22 April. Due to phenomenal demand Tommy Tiernan has added extra shows to his Under The Influence tour. Allow yourself be guided by a language loving and theatrical performer with a half thought out plan, no professional qualifications and a mouth with a mind of its own. Can you trust him? To be silly, yes. To behave, no. Like a bus conductor standing in front of an orchestra with a spoon in one hand and air horn in the other what could possibly go wrong. This promises to be a night of fun and loads of laughter. 8.30pm, over 18s only, £25.
  3. Half-term Multicultural Festival, Omagh. Easter Monday, 17 April, sees the return of the Big Family Picnic at An Creagán. To mark the beginning of Spring the annual event invites family’s to enjoy a fun filled day out in the great outdoors. Experienced picnickers can bring their own lunch or if you prefer the easy option there will be food and snack stalls for you to put together your own lunch without the hassle. A magical family adventure through a journey of imagination. Every clearing and glade holds a new way to unleash your creativity. Unique workshops will allow children to create their very own artworks. 12-4pm, £3, children under 1 enter for free.
  4. Nature Walk and Yoga, Craigavon. Sat 22 April. The RSPB’s Portmore Lough nature reserve is home to all sorts of amazing wildlife – from birds to butterflies, badgers to bees. Join RSPB NI warden Laura Smith for a guided tour of this haven for nature, with highlights including spectacular views over the lough and the hustle and bustle of breeding season on the meadows. After the walk enjoy a cuppa in the community room followed by a relaxing nature-themed indoor yoga session with expert Claire Ferry. This event is designed to clear your mind and recharge your batteries – the perfect antidote to busy modern life. Please note this event is not open to under 16s. All equipment is supplied but please wear/bring suitable clothing and footwear. 2-4pm. £10, RSPB members £6.
  5. 2017 Betway Premier League Darts, Belfast. SSE Arena, Thurs 20 April. The world’s top darts stars will return to Belfast with the likes of Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and Gary Anderson competing for the prestigious title. The Betway Premier League sees ten stars competing across four months at arenas in the UK, Ireland and Netherlands in a bid to win the coveted trophy, which was claimed for a second time by van Gerwen in 2016. The Premier League, televised live by Sky Sports and broadcast worldwide, has also been won six times by legendary Stoke star Taylor since its inception in 2005, with Scottish hero Anderson – the back-to-back world champion – claiming the title twice and both James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld also lifting the trophy. £24.50 – £44.
  6. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Belfast. Grand Opera House, 18-22 April. Christopher, fifteen years old, stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog. It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion… Winner of seven Olivier Awards and five Tony Awards including ‘Best New Play’, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time brings Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel to thrilling life on stage, adapted by two-time Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens and directed by Olivier and Tony Award-winning director Marianne Elliott. Tues – Sat 7.30pm. Wed, Thurs and Sat 2.30pm. Tickets £15.50 – £36.50.
  7. Easter at Carrowmena, Limavady. 16-19 April. There are lots of activities taking place this Easter at Carrowmena with an Easter egg canoe hunt and glamping trail. Visitors can book an action packed Activity Adventure Day and receive 20% of full and half-day activities. Call 02877 763431 for more information.
  8. Showing Off, Derry~Londonderry. Tues-Sat until 20 May. VOID Gallery presents a programme of documentary, experimental and dramatic works in association with Women Make Movies (WMM) New York. ‘Showing Off’ is an exhibition of moving image by women artists and filmmakers that explores the international diversity, history and achievement of women film makers and artists curated by Mhairi Sutherland. The thematic framework is that of civil rights explored from a feminist perspective, viewed through the lens of current events impacting on movement and immigration issues.
  9. Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts, Fermanagh. Bunny’s been up to his old tricks! He’s left clues all over Fermanagh for you to solve and pick up your chocolate Cadbury prize. Cadbury Egg Hunts are running at Castle Coole, Forence Court and Crom from 15 – 18 April from 11am daily. Stop in with our volunteers and staff to pick up your trail sheet, then head out around the grounds to find the answers and solve the clue. All the trails should bring you back to where you started where you can pick up your Cadbury chocolate prize. £1.
  10. Bushmills Food Tour. 21-22 April. Learn how forward-thinking and innovative the people of this village were and how much good food is now on offer. Take a walking tour around local shops, delis and restaurants to taste local soda bread, goat bacon, hot-roasted smoked salmon and wash it all down with a glass of Bushmills 12-year-old whiskey. £40pp.

Jacqueline from whatsonni.com shares her pick of what’s on this weekend across NI

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Down

Calling all kids – WWT Castle Espie have lost their GIANT yellow ducks and Dusty Duck needs you and your family to help him find them this Easter! You’ll need to use all your special detective skills to track down these cheeky birds and be in with a chance of winning a yummy chocolate treat! Daily until 26th April.

Armagh

Bus Conductor ‘Charlie Smiles’ is waiting to click your ticket as you go on a ‘sing-along-a-journey’ at Navan Fort this Easter, 15th to 18th April! Make sure you’re full of song as ‘The Wheels on the Bus Go Round’ but like all adventures something gets in the way! What could it be, well only one way to find out, hop on board and join in all the fun! This is a fun and interactive play with lots of audience participation, you’ll be moving and singing in your seats! Booking in advance essential on www.armagh.co.uk/easter

Fermanagh

Roll up Roll up, or down as the case may be for Share Easter Activities & Cruise Trip on 15th and 16th April. A day with a difference this easter! Take part in fun Easter activities and take a cruise aboard the bunny boat. Activities include a cruise aboard the Bunny Boat, Face Painting, Balloon Modelling, Bouncy Castle, Easter Games, Easter Crafts and Games. £8 per person, Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children) – £24.

Tyrone

Join in the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt at the Argory this Easter! Cracking good fun for everyone with kids easter egg trail and family fun activities, 15th to 18th April. Throughout the Easter holidays the little ones can go wild in our adventure play park. Have a go on the jungle climbing frame, low ropes and balancing logs, rope swings, bridges and zip line.

Derry/Londonderry

Events at Carrowmena this Easter include Glamping, Activities, Easter Egg Canoe Hunt & Easter Egg Glamping Trail along with a massive 20% off their 1/2 day and full day activities what more could you want? Book an Action Packed Activity Adventure Day over the Easter Holidays with 20% off full day and 1/2 day activities. Daily until 23rd April.

Antrim

Rosepark annual easter egg hunt takes place this year on the 16th April 12.00 -4.00pm. All donations are going to COS -Circle of Support for autism parents in return each child will be given a scavenger hunt worksheet, they will have to find all the clues to get to the end. Once at the end, the Easter bunny will be there to present each child with their egg. More activities available on day.

Belfast

Join W5 for a fun family event this Easter. First, you will need to design your own Alien Egghead. Let your imagination run wild and create your own weird and wonderful eggheaded alien. When you are happy with your design, bring your little alien friend to the Spacerace track, place him in one of our “Flying Saucers” and send him spinning through the solar system. Take on other visitors in an attempt to be the first alien to land your UFO on Earth. But beware other aliens will try and bump you off! Will you be the sole alien ruler of earth at the end of the race? Daily from 8 – 23 April.

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.

Easter Fun at Conway Square

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This Friday, 14th April, Conway Square will host fantastic family fun from 12.30pm-5pm

Bruce Airhead-just one of the acts appearing in Conway Square on Friday 14th April

Look out for world class street theatre acts with a spectacular Spring Street Carnival at 3pm, it’s a treat for all the family this Easter holiday!

Over 180 local children will take part in Newtownards debut Spring Carnival, including children from Abbey Primary and dance groups, VAD Productions, Born to Perform, Excel and Le Chance de Danser.

The Spring Street Carnival will leave St Marks on Church Street, travel through Regent Street, Frances Street, Castle Place, High Street, Mill Street, Gibson’s Lane then back to Regent street.

The Beat Initiative have been working for months creating costumes and floats to represent spring.Come watch and welcome spring with giant puppets, animals and creatures with fantastic live music. This will be a chance to show off and celebrate all things Ards!

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Deborah Girvan said ‘It’s very exciting to be leading this Spring Carnival in Newtownards, I am looking forward to meeting all the children who will take part’  

Don’t miss Bruce Airhead, Bang On and Comedy duo Airborne who will entertain in Conway Square form 12.30-5pm. Come and have a go in the 3D Art Workshop or make spring flower bottles, bumble bees and birds throughout the afternoons festivities!

Newtownards is the only place to be this Good Friday!

Holiday Fun In Bangor This Easter

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Come to Bangor this Easter Monday, 17th April to see a Spectacular Spring Street Carnival travel through the town at 3pm. Led by The Mayor of Ards and North Down this is a Springtime spectacular not to be missed!

Over 180 children and young people from local schools, dance and performance groups will take part including Kilmaine Primary, Glenlola Collegiate, Le Chance de Danser, Tiny Beat, SERC Music and NI Stars.

Look out for mythical and magical creatures, budding flowers and baby animals, Spring faeries and fantastic live music as Spring will awake with The Beat Carnivals most ambitious creation yet!

The Spring Street Carnival will leave Bangor Town Hall at 3pm, travel Castle Park Avenue, Main Street, Bridge street, High Street, Bingham Street, Mills Road, Hamilton road back to Main Street and the Town Hall.

Family Fun will be in full swing from 12pm-5pm with Project 24 being the place to be for all you budding artists as there will be an array of interactive and amazing Spring Street Art and Crafts including a giant cube of live cartoon drawing!  Why not stroll the promenade and enjoy the free children’s Land Train?

Bangor Super Trial will transform McKee Clock Arena into an eye opening daredevil course. World number 2 Adam ‘The Destroyer’ Raga will showcase his death-defying stunts The 7 times World Champion will be returning to Bangor where he made his arena debut at the tender age of 16. The event will start at 12 o’clock with two qualifying heats before the final at 4pm. Andy Perry from Trialstar NI said ‘We are very excited to have Adam as part of our many superb Trial Bike supremo’s in our Super Trial in Bangor. With the hugely popular Springtime Carnival and the first class family entertainment on offer, this Easter Monday will be better than ever!’

The North Down Museum will have a fabulous Easter Trial. Tickets £1. Follow clues throughout the museum in order to solve the puzzle and get your Easter egg. Afterwards make Easter crafts to take home. A great time for all the family!

IRISH WOMEN’S LIBERATION MOVEMENT MUSICAL ROLLS INTO THE MAC

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The Train, a musical based on the 1971 contraceptive train with music by Riverdance composer Bill Whelan, takes to the stage at the MAC this Easter.

 By Arthur Riordan and Bill Whelan

Directed by Lynne Parker for Rough Magic Theatre Company

Danielle Galligan, Kate Gilmore, Lisa Lambe, Sophie Jo Wasson & Karen McCartney in Rough Magic Theatre Company’s The Train by Arthur Riordan and Bill Whelan at The MAC 19-23 April, 2017.

Rough Magic Theatre Company have announced that their musical The Train will take to the stage at the MAC in Belfast from April 19-23.

This completes an important step of the journey for this fictional celebration of a remarkable media coup; when 47 women challenged the restrictive laws of the Irish State in 1971, by taking a train to Belfast and returning to Dublin with forbidden contraceptives.

Simon Magill, Creative Director at the MAC, said: “We always strive to offer our audiences the best in homegrown Irish drama and we are delighted to welcome back Rough Magic to present their fantastic musical, The Train, at the MAC. Direct from its run at The Abbey Theatre, Dublin, it is fitting that we re-trace the steps of 47 trailblazing women from Dublin to Belfast.”

The show is directed by Belfast-born Lynne Parker, with book and lyrics by Arthur Riordan (‘Improbable Frequency’) and music composed by Bill Whelan (‘Riverdance’).

“To take The Train – literally – to Belfast is a hugely exciting prospect, mirroring the original journey and giving us a tremendous platform to raise awareness of the issues in the piece.” said Lynne Parker.   It was a time, as the women of ‘71 said, ‘when the world turned on its axis’. We are living through such a time now and this history has real currency.”

The cast will be Clare Barrett, Danielle Galligan, Kate Gilmore, Darragh Kelly, Lisa Lambe, Karen McCartney, Sophie Jo Wasson Louis Lovett and Ross Gaynor, with a live band under the musical direction of Cathal Synnott

In an environment where gender equality in theatre has never been more pertinent, this watershed moment in Irish social and political life is joyously captured by Arthur Riordan’s wit and Bill Whelan’s dynamic score.

Bill Whelan said of this 2017 production, “When Arthur Riordan and I began working on the Train for Rough Magic some years ago, it seemed that the issues raised in 1971 were still startlingly relevant. Given recent political upheavals, it would now appear that the further we move from the actual historical event, the more relevant and urgent those issues have become.”

For more information and to book, visit themaclive.com.

 

Creativity takes centre stage as Burnavon launches new summer programme

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The focus is firmly on celebrating and encouraging creativity for all the family this summer, as the Burnavon releases its brand new summer programme.

 

Covering June to August, musical highlights include Irish Country Music star, Robert Mizzell, and a fantastic line up for the annual July Celebrations Concert, headlined by traditional Scottish and Irish music fusion band, KasK.

Emerging local talent also gets the chance to shine with performances in June from Caroline Creggan Dance School, and the phenomenon that is Superstars, who have been rehearsing their new show, ‘Happily Ever After’ with amazing commitment and dedication!

Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre Company return with their new puppet show, Magic of the Mummy: Tales of ancient Egypt on Friday 2nd June. Suitable for ages 5 – 12 years old, beautifully made rod puppets, intriguing shadow sequences, and masterful storytelling are the key elements in this children’s show, which magically brings the Egyptian world to life.

And of course being summertime, there’s an opportunity to get involved in the Burnavon’s series of workshops in arts, crafts and dance for all those budding ballerinas and makers, as Ballet Ireland return with their annual summer school from Monday 31st July – Friday 4th August. The Burnavon summer scheme runs from Monday 7th – Friday 11th August, ensuring that the focus is firmly on providing lots for the kids to do in the summer holidays.

This August, Star Wars fans will have another opportunity to see the amazing Invasion Mid Ulster II. Ireland’s longest running Star Wars costuming club, The Emerald Garrison take over the Burnavon Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August. Including a line-up of fun, interactive activities, life sized props and sets, the brand new Snow Speeder Spaceship on display this year for the first time will be a highlight for all Star Wars fans, young and old.

The Burnavon is also encouraging you to get out and about, and visit all the interesting places on your doorstep this summer to find out the stories of our local places and faces. Day trips departing from the Burnavon are available to Beaghmore Stone Circles, the U.S. Grant and William Carlton trail, Upperlands Linen Village and Seamus Heaney HomePlace in June, July, August and September.

The Burnavon’s new season programme can be downloaded from their website, www.burnavon.com or is available for free at the Box Office, Burn Road, Cookstown. Tickets can be purchased through Box Office on 028 8676 9949 or online. Become a fan on Facebook or follow the theatre on Twitter @burnavon theatre for all the latest news, reminders of what’s on and a glimpse of behind the scenes during the season.

Tourism NI invites Game of Thrones® fans to follow the Journey of Doors!

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Tourism NI has today launched a Journey of Doors passport that allows  Game of Thrones® fans to visit the 10 Game of Thrones Doors across Northern Ireland and collect a unique stamp at each of the locations.

Judith Webb, Tourism NI gives international visitors Stephen Feeney and Melly Corzo from Chicago, Illinois the first stamp on their Journey of Doors souvenir passport alongside Clair Balmer, Tourism Ireland at the Dark Hedges. Tourism NI has launched a Journey of Doors passport that allows Game of Thrones® fans to visit the 10 Game of Thrones Doors across Northern Ireland and collect a unique stamp at each of the locations.

The Doors, created by Tourism Ireland and Tourism NI, were  carved from trees blown down in Storm Gertrude in January 2016 at the Dark Hedges in Co Antrim – perhaps the most iconic Game of Thrones® filming location in Northern Ireland. Each door depicts moments inspired by Season 6 referencing key scenes and events from the show.

The intricately carved doors are legacy pieces demonstrating the connection between the fantasy world of the show and the reality that is Northern Ireland.  The doors hang in pubs and other venues in Northern Ireland close to filming locations giving visitors a brand new Game of Thrones® territory experience to enjoy.

Judith Webb, Tourism NI Experience Development Officer commented; “Game of Thrones® is one of the most popular TV shows of all time currently broadcast in 199 territories worldwide. Northern Ireland is home to many of the filming locations that frequently appear on our screens and as a result, the show has been transformative for screen tourism in Northern Ireland.

“Fans from around the world are visiting Northern Ireland for the unique Game of Thrones ® visitor experience on offer that combines the stunning filming locations with the doors situated in local bars and restaurants.

“The Journey of Doors souvenir passport is an interactive way for visitors and Game of Thrones® fans to travel to each of the doors and collect a unique stamp at each location. To navigate their way around Northern Ireland to the ten doors and the accessible filming locations visitors can download the Game of Thrones® Filming Locations Northern Ireland  app.“

Brian Twomey, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Marketing Communications, said: “The ‘Journey of Doors’ passport is a really great follow-up to our ‘Doors of Thrones’ campaign from last year. It’s an innovative way to encourage fans everywhere to come and experience Northern Ireland and its Game of Thrones connections – inspiring them to discover the doors which tell the story of series six and seek out the nearby film locations.

“We’ll be distributing the passport through our offices around the world – to our network of international tour operators and travel journalists, as well as to potential holidaymakers for Northern Ireland.

“Our 2016 ‘Doors of Thrones’ campaign reached an estimated 126 million people around the world, with the campaign’s short films being viewed 17 million times – generating coverage worth about £11.3 million.”

The Journey of Doors passport is available from the 10 pubs and restaurants where the Doors of Thrones are located as well as many of the Visitor Information Centres across Northern Ireland. It can also be downloaded from http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/gameofthronesdoors

There are 25 Game of Thrones® filming locations in Northern Ireland that are accessible to the public and visitors can choose from a range of guided location tours or immerse themselves in Game of Thrones® themed adventures such as archery, cycle tours or banquets.

Wanted: Titanic Belfast Seeks Junior Explorers!

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Titanic Belfast, the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction, is once again on the lookout for its latest recruits – two child reviewers for 2017/18!

As Junior Explorers the two lucky children find gainful employment and get to experience all Titanic Belfast has to offer for free – for an entire year – whilst casting their eye over its child friendly offering to ensure it remains world-class. And the best bit – parents and siblings get to tag along too to the world’s largest Titanic Experience, which has now welcomed over 3.5 million visitors.

If your child is …

– Inquisitive
– Enthusiast
– Over the age of 5 and under the age of 13 (as of May 2017)
– with a nose for a story
– as well as an interest in Belfast’s history, the sea or Titanic’s story!

they could be Titanic Belfast’s next Junior Explorer.

Last year, Thomas Costello and Cora Walsh spent the year as Titanic Belfast’s Junior Explorers and reviewed Titanic Belfast brand new kids audio guide, family trail, met the mascots, hopped on board SS Nomadic and were the first to experience Titanic Belfast’s Summer Exhibition and its Magical Christmas Experience.

This Easter, on top of exploring the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Titanic, as well as the City and people which made her, Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic will also have an egg-cellent Easter Trail, special kids offers in the Bistro and a special Easter Sunday Afternoon Tea (16th March).

To enter, please download the form from www.titanicbelfast.com, getting your child or you  (depending on age) to specify why they should be the Junior Explorer and return it by email to competitions@titanicbelfast.com or by post to Junior Explorer, Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast, BT39EP before 3rd  May 2017.

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