Friday 2 – Thursday 8 June

 

Saturday 3 June

Cultra Hillclimb

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

10am – 5pm  | For prices see website

From classic rally cars to motorbikes, this annual celebration of Irish motorsport covers every era in an exuberant display of style, sound, smell and colour.  This is a Tourism Grant Aided event.

T: 028 9042 8428 | nmni.com/uftm

 

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport Harbour

2pm – 4pm  | Free

Come along to Groomsport for free family fun every weekend from now until September

Sat 3: CSI workshop and Children’s Crafts
Sun 4: Traditional Crafts and Glitter Tattoos

T:  028 9127 0069 | visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Wednesday 7 June

Bangor Castle Walled Garden Tour

6.30pm-8.30pm | Free

This popular guided tour provides an insight into the garden’s history, its restoration and the vast array of plants, fruits and vegetables which are grown there.

T:  028 9127 0069 | visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Friday 9 – Thursday 15 June  

 

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 June, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport Harbour

2pm – 4pm  | Free

Come along to Groomsport for free family fun every weekend from now until September

Sat 10: Science Workshop and Face Painting
Sun 11: Crafts and Mr Hullabaloo Puppet Show

T:  028 9127 0069 | visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Saturday 10 June, Great Wars Coach Tour

Departs from North Down Museum, Bangor

9.30am – 1.30pm | Tickets £10

Join us on this half day coach tour and discover the area’s deep connections with the Great Wars of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.

T:  028 9127 0069 | visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Tickets now on sale…

 

Walled Garden Theatre performances this summer:

 

Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 July

Theatre in the Walled Garden: Billionaire Boy

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

2pm and 6pm | Tickets £6

 

Thursday 20 July

Theatre in the Walled Garden: Northanger Abbey

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

7pm | Tickets £10

 

Friday 21 July

Theatre in the Walled Garden: Murder on the Terrace

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

7pm | Tickets £10

 

T: 028 9127 0069 | Book online (Fees apply) | visitardsandnorthdown.com

 

Exhibitions

 

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street, BT22 1NZ

T: 028 4272 9882

 

Saturday 3 –  Sunday 25 June

Art in the Loft: Sea

Textile Artist Jenni Cheung presents a collection of mixed media artwork inspired by the sea.

 

North Down Museum, Bangor

Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall), BT20 4BT

T: 028 9127 1200 | northdownmuseum.com

 

Wednesday 31 May – Sunday 25 June

The Millennium Art and Craft Club

See paintings in all mediums from the club members.

 

Wednesday 7 June – Thursday 27 July

Fleadh Exhibition

Explore the history and culture of Irish Traditional Music and Dance in the local area.

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall), BT20 4BT

T: 028 9127 1200

 

Saturday 3 –  Sunday 25 June

ForM Sculpture Exhibition 2017

Art and nature collide in a unique garden experience

 

Ards Crafts and Visitor Information Centre

31 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD

T: 028 9182 6846

 

Saturday 3 –  Sunday 25 June

Portaferry Gala: The first 50 years

See how Portaferry Gala has developed and grown over the years.

 

Bullitt Hotel is bringing Banter to Belfast. Quite literally.

Banter is an ongoing series of public interviews, discussions and conversations, which has featured on the programmes of top festivals (including Electric Picnic and Other Voices), venues and spaces across Ireland, Britain, Europe and the United States. Since its launch in 2009, the Banter event series has welcomed a cast of thousands, covering topics from craft beer, football, nudge theory, Madonna, David Bowie and much more besides.

Now, a new monthly residency will take place in Belfast. For Banter’s first outing at Bullitt, the panel will explore the sound of the city, asking just what is the current state of Belfast’s musical nation?

The debut Banter at Bullitt event takes place on Wednesday 7^th June, promising compelling chat and lively discussions around NI’s top musical talent.

Banter host and producer, Irish Times journalist Jim Carroll will be joined by Sarah McBriar (director and creative producer of the AVA Festival), Jonny Carberry (resident DJ and music creator at Bullitt) and Stuart Bailie (music journalist and co-presenter of Across the Line) to discuss what the future sound of Belfast will be.

To book your place email events@bullitthotel.com or ring +44 (0)28 9590 0600, or visit www.bullitthotel.com for further details.

 

What: Banter at Bullitt. This month’s topic: Is there life beyond Van: The state of Belfast’s musical landscape.

Where: Baltic at Bullitt Hotel, 40a Church Lane, Belfast, BT1 4QN

When: Wednesday 7^th June, 6.30pm

Tickets: £5 which includes a Jameson Black Barrel cocktail on arrival. Contact events@bullitthotel.com to book your seat.

Banter will take place on the first Wednesday of every month at Bullitt. Next Up: The Robots are Taking Over Belfast; What will your job look like in 2027? On Wednesday July 5^th.

On Friday 16 June, at 7.30pm, The Ulster Orchestra will be performing at Bangor Abbey as part of its ‘On Your Doorstep’ concert series.

 

Now in its second year, this initiative, sees the Orchestra play in as diverse a range of venues as possible across Northern Ireland.

Musicians from the Orchestra’s wind section will be centre stage for the performance which is focused around French music perfect for a Midsummer evening of music.

For almost 50 years, the Ulster Orchestra has been at the forefront of musical life in Northern Ireland. Founded in 1966 and comprised of 63 full-time musicians, the orchestra forms the region’s only professional symphony orchestra and celebrates its 50^th anniversary in 2016/17.

Speaking about the event, Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Arts Officer, Patricia Hamilton said: “Once again we are delighted to have the Ulster Orchestra play at Bangor Abbey in what promises to be an entertaining evening of classical music in a beautiful venue. We hope everyone will come along and enjoy this wonderful event.”

Tickets for the concert cost £10 for adults and £6 for children and are currently on sale at www.ardsarts.com

Antrim, 30th May 2017: Antrim Agricultural Society and Randox Laboratories have announced they’ve agreed a three-year deal whereby Randox will be the new title sponsor of the annual Antrim Show.

 

The Randox Antrim Show will take place this year on Saturday 22^nd July at Shanes Castle, Antrim.

 

With 111 years of events under its belt, Antrim Show is one of the longest running and most highly regarded of Northern Ireland’s regional agricultural shows.  It is a showcase of country life with an eclectic mix that includes the best of the best livestock competitions, equine events, local food and rural crafts, set amongst stalls, marquees and family entertainment.

 

Randox is one of the most important businesses in Northern Ireland. For over 35 years, it has been committed to transforming global healthcare. A world-leading medical diagnostics manufacturer, its products and services are used in hospitals, universities and laboratories in 145 countries. Spearheading the drive towards preventive healthcare, it opened Randox Health clinics across the UK to offer its diagnostic expertise directly to the public. Headquartered in Crumlin, Randox recently invested over £161m on Randox Science Park, redeveloping the former Masserene Barracks in Antrim into a state-of-the-art R&D, engineering and manufacturing hub.

 

Welcoming this show of support from Randox, a neighbouring company of the Show, Fred Duncan, Chairman of Antrim Agricultural Society, said:

“This partnership with Randox offers us a fantastic and refreshing opportunity to enhance our marketing plans as well as add to the Show’s offering of activities. We welcome the return of regular visitors and newcomers to enjoy our fun packed day in the country that we offer within the beautiful setting of the Shanes Castle Estate.

 

“Antrim Agricultural Society is a not for profit organisation. It’s thanks only to the support of sponsors and the hard work and dedication of a team of volunteers that the Show can continue to go from strength to strength.”

 

Randox is also well-known for its veterinary division and in line with its new commitment to equine events, through its sponsorship of the Randox Health Grand National, is developing a leading equine health programme. Show-goers are guaranteed an eye-opening experience when they visit the interactive stands at the Randox Health marquee at Shanes Castle on the 22nd July.

 

Randox’s founder and managing director, Dr Peter FitzGerald, said:

“This partnership means a great deal to Randox and we’re delighted to work with the very committed team behind this event. Our success is in no small way down to the support we’ve received from the local community and the people who work with us, and we believe that it’s vital to give back wherever possible. This is one way of the ways we are doing that and we’re all looking forward to the very first Randox Antrim Show.”

 

Coinciding with the news of this valuable support from Randox, the Show has unveiled a new logo as part of a rebrand that will also include an update of the website in time for the opening of competition entries in the early half of June. To stay up to date with Randox Antrim Show’s news, visit www.facebook.com/AntrimShow or www.antrimshow.com.

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is the place to be this summer as it launches its June to August programme.

Crammed full of light-hearted comedy and drama, chilled out musical performances, loads of entertainment for the little ones including the massively popular Showstoppers musical, and not to mention the now annual John Hewitt Summer School. Here’s just an outline of what’s available to enjoy during those long summer evenings.

A host of local talent will take to the stage in June with performances from the children of The Jennifer Marshall School Of Dance with their spectacular production ‘Gotta Dance’. The students of Drama For Kids offer an amusingly different take on everyone’s favourite fairytales in ‘Into The Woods’. Spotlight Studio are back with the much-loved tale of ‘Chara And The Beast’, and Stage Stars Youth Theatre present ‘Musical Mayhem 3’.

June will also see a host of creative opportunities with three superb workshops in Pastel Painting, Silver Jewellery and Pin Hole Photography, all led by expert tutors, allowing you to learn a superb new skill in a relaxed and fun environment.

For the kids, the ever-popular Family Super Saturday will take place on 29 July, this time featuring the Dinosaur Detectives. Follow a fascinating journey of discovery, fun and conflict surrounding the first fossil finds of Mary Anning, William Buckland and Gideon Mantell. A show with puppetry combined with projection and shadow theatre create their fascinating world. Boys and girls who are into Dinosaurs will love this show! A fossil table will be available at the end of the show for everyone to study fossils – including Dinosaur Vertebrae and Dinosaur Poo!

Families will also be delighted with the return of ‘Showstoppers’, our annual Musical Theatre workshop. Why not make good use of the holidays to learn or perfect your skills in acting, singing and dancing. Over the course of five days a professional director, musical director & choreographer will work with you on scenes, songs and dances from some of the most popular musicals around, before you perform ‘Showstoppers’ on The Market Place’s Main Stage in front of your own live audience. Believe us, it’s the best fun the summer can be!

There’ll be laughs aplenty with some fantastic stand-up comedy and comedy drama. Micky Bartlett’s hit 30 and he’s unapologetically taking on the big issues in his new show ‘Typical’: racism, sexism, his doctor telling him to avoid dairy. Don’t miss Northern Ireland’s favourite stand-up from BBC’s ‘Bad Language’, ‘Monumental’ and Radio 4’s ‘State Of The Nations’ with his funniest hour yet. Or so he hopes… bloody typical!

The craic continues with ‘Stop It Nurse’. Belvoir Players proudly presents this hilarious Ulster comedy by Sam Cree. Set in a Belfast hospital during the 1960’s, the Ward Sister rules the roost! We follow the fortunes and misfortunes of the patients in the male surgical ward. When Sammy, a Linfield supporter is admitted, followed by Felix who supports Glentoran, we can be sure mayhem follows! Add to the mix a giddy nurse, a domineering wife, a femme fatale and an all-in wrestler, then we have all the ingredients for a typical evening of pure Cree manic magic!

August will see the return of The 7 Hills Blues Festival with performances by Dana Masters and The Henry Girls. Originally from the Deep South in the United States, Dana Masters grew up with sound of soul, rhythm and blues and gospel music all around her. From live work with BBC radio 4 and ‘Proms In The Park’ to singing regularly with Van Morrison, Dana’s reputation as one of Ireland’s top vocalists continues to gain momentum.

‘The Henry Girls’ are an Irish folk and roots music group consisting of three sisters, Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin. You’ll often see The Henry Girls on stage with a fiddle, ukulele, banjo, guitar, harp, mandolin, piano and accordion. Their new album ‘Far Beyond the Stars’ was named are RTE Radio’s Album of the Week in March 2017, an incredible achievement.

For details of all events can be found online at www.marketplacearmagh.com, and tickets for can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821.

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.

 

Highly Commended in the NI Year of Food and Drink 2016. Comber Earlies Food Festival makes a welcome return on Saturday 17^th June promising a fantastic free family day out.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Deborah Girvan said ‘‘I thoroughly enjoyed The Comber Earlies Food Festival last year and look forward to this year’s event celebrating our local food heroes and all the entertainment on offer’

The one-day festival organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with Food NI, Comber Early Growers and DAERA, takes place in the town centre and will showcase the world famous Comber Early which achieved EU Protected Geographical Indication status in 2012. Richard Orr, Chairman of Comber Earlies Growers Co-op, said ‘We are really looking forward to showcasing this year’s crop. The festival is a great way to celebrate our produce and the season ahead’

 

There will be a packed programme from 10am-4pm. A Local Artisan food fair will pave the way to a Hay Bale picnic and Big Tops filled with music, children’s crafts and cooking demonstrations and activities showcasing all things potato! At the festival kitchen, local and well known chefs will be showcasing their cooking skills live throughout the day.

 

Look out for the tractor display, band performances and world class street theatre including Mr and Mrs Spud and a hilarious comedy chef show, Liver Cottage!

 

So Come along and sample and celebrate the world famous Comber Earlies or some delicious locally produced treat while soaking up the festival atmosphere at this great family day out!

 

The Comber Earlies Fringe Festival will run from 9^th to 20^th June. Delivered by Comber Regeneration Community Partnership, the programme includes lots of activities for all ages including a Barn dance, live music, Festival quiz and lots more!

For further information check www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Calling all budding scientists! Bright Sparks is W5’s unique and exciting week-long summer camp for inquisitive young minds aged 8 to 11.

 

Participants in Bright Sparks will get hands-on in a range of exciting, science-based activities such as crime labs, rocket races, animation and building challenges. Each day will have its own theme and our young experimenters will be encouraged to explore and learn in a fun and positive environment.

 What W5 Offer

• A fun-filled programme of hands-on activities, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm
• Exciting and engaging topics covering a wide range of STEM disciplines
• Opportunities to explore W5, including Climbit
• Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and experienced staff
• Drop-off and pick-up times designed to accommodate working parents
• A free ‘Bright Sparks’ T-shirt

 Programme

The programme of activities at the summer camp will be exciting and varied. To give the week a unique structure each day will follow a specific theme. W5’s Bright Sparks will also get to explore and enjoy W5’s shows, workshops and supervised exhibition floor visits. Throughout the week participants will also keep a record of their activities through a student-driven digital portfolio which will allow them (as well as parents!) to look back on their summer camp achievements.

 Dates & Costs

Bright Sparks Summer Camps is running on the following dates:

Week 1: Monday 3 – Friday 7 July

Week 2: Monday 17 – Friday 21 July

Week 3: Monday 31 July – Friday 4 August

Week 4: Monday 7 – Friday 11 August

Week 5: Monday 14 – Friday 18 August

The total cost for one week is £125 per child (with a reduction for additional children). Numbers are limited, therefore please book early to avoid disappointment.

 Visit www.w5online.co.uk for full information and to download a booking form.