Open House Festival has added to its summer programme in Bangor with a week-long Blues & Jazz event, the first to be held in the city.

Supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council and Beamish, The Bangor Blues & Jazz Week will host more than forty free events across Bangor during the August Bank Holiday weekend. And from Monday 18^th August until Monday 25^th, there will be an additional fifteen ticketed events in the Court House and Walled Garden under the Blues and Jazz banner.

“With the development work about to begin on Bangor seafront, it wasn’t possible to schedule our annual Seaside Revival Vintage Festival this year,” said Open House Festival director, Kieran Gilmore. “So we came up with the idea of a small Blues & Jazz event instead, a sort of festival within the main August festival. The idea snowballed however, and now it’s not so small. We’ve collaborated with ten city-centre bars to produce a Blues & Jazz Trail that will run from Central Avenue, down to King Street, up High Street, and along the seafront. And thanks to support from Ards and North Down Brough Council, and Beamish, it’s all free.”

Acts performing at the Bank Holiday Weekend Trail include the Lee Hedley Blues Band, the Linley Hamilton Trio, Double Standards, Frank Carberry, Belfast Groove Collective, and In Full Swing. And participating bars and venues include The Imperial, The King’s Quay, Rabbit Rooms, Wolseys, and The Nines.

Ticketed events featured in the Blues & Jazz Week include award-winning singer-songwriter Katharine Timoney who is making waves as one of Ireland’s leading jazz-soul crossover artists and has been tipped as ‘One To Watch’ by BBC Introducing. Katherine will perform at the Court House on Sunday 24^th August. Also appearing at the Court House are the electrifying blues-rock trio The Zac Schulze Gang from England, and local keyboard maestro Scott Flanigan will be celebrating the 50^th anniversary of piano virtuoso Keith Jarett’s Köln Concert live album recording, the best-selling solo jazz album of all time, with his own tribute on a baby grand piano. Renowned Irish blues artist Grainne Duffy will also be appearing at the venue during the Blues & Jazz week.

Mary Coughlan, Dana Masters, and Ronnie Greer, whose gigs have already been announced, will be representing the week-long Blues and Jazz theme at Bangor Castle Walled Garden.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum said: “Bangor buzzes in August every year thanks to the Open House Festival but with the addition of a Blues & Jazz week to the programme this summer we can look forward to getting an extra soulful dimension as well!  This is music to my ears, as I am sure it will be for many. With around 50 events held in ten or more different venues across the city, many of which are free, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy this exciting new event.”

“Beamish is proud to be one of the sponsors of the Bangor Blues & Jazz Week,” said Andrew Hollywood, Marketing Manager for Beamish. “We’ve been working in collaboration with the Open House Festival team for many years now and see the Court House as the home of Beamish in North Down, so the Bangor Blues & Jazz event is a perfect fit for us. It promises to be a fantastic showcase for blues and jazz music, and will no doubt generate a wonderful atmosphere in the city, especially over the weekend trail.”

The addition of the Bangor Blues & Jazz week brings the total number of events in this year’s Open House Festival programme to 136, with the potential for more to come. Full details of the free Blues & Jazz Trail and tickets for the ticketed events are available via the Open House Festival Website: www.openhousefestival.com

Open House Festival is an arts charity supported by Ards & North Down Borough Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland

 

Sailortown Festival Belfast is set to return this weekend with Northern Ireland’s first-ever Night Market.

Taking place from June 20th–22nd, the three-day festival event will feature music, markets, and maritime mischief, as well as food and entertainment, at various venues including Barrow Square in Clarendon Dock and St. Joseph’s Sailortown.

Kicking things off on Friday night is Sailortown’s first ever Night Market, an open-air evening experience inspired by the world’s great market cities, the Night Market will run from 5pm–10pm on Friday 20^th June, transforming Barrow Square in Clarendon Dock into a buzzing festival of sound, flavour, and street culture.

Visitors can expect an unmissable mix of live DJ sets from Bang Bike, carnival beats from Beat Carnival, street performers, and dockside drinks by local bar Seatons of Sailortown.

The trader line-up is packed with standouts: Oui Poutine, Knead Pizza, and Carolyn Stewart’s Totally Hot NI, founded by Sailortown’s own radio legend, brings the heat. Alongside them, a curated selection of handmade art, food, fashion, and gifts will keep browsers busy all night long.

Festival organiser Maeve O’Connor, Sailortown Regeneration said “It’s a real privilege to organise the Sailortown Festival, which has grown over the past four years. It’s wonderful to see the area come to life with culture, creativity, and community spirit. We’re very grateful for the ongoing support of Belfast Harbour, Belfast Maritime Trust, and Belfast City Council, their backing has been instrumental in helping the festival evolve and thrive. We are especially excited to bring our first ever night market which brings something entirely new to the local scene. From Bangkok to Berlin, night markets are vibrant social spaces where people gather to eat, drink, shop and soak up local culture. Now, Sailortown joins that global map.”

It’s full steam ahead on Saturday 21st June, with the Sailortown Speciality Market (11am–4pm). A relaxed daytime event where visitors can meet local makers, discover one-of-a-kind handmade goods, and enjoy live sets from some of Belfast’s most beloved acts, including the genre blending brilliance of Belfast’s The String Ninjas.

Just around the corner, St. Joseph’s Church on Princes Dock Street becomes a cultural hub for the day. Hosting a series of musical workshops and the annual Sail Back to Sailortown event, a lively mix of jazz, poetry, and spoken word performances that honour the area’s rich heritage and talent.

Sunday 22nd June brings the festival to a joyful close with the Family Market (12pm–4pm), a playful afternoon packed with walkabout characters, a pooch parade, inflatables, street theatre, live music, and plenty of nautical fun for kids and families.

The Sailortown Festival reconnects people with Belfast’s first dockside village and the city’s maritime heritage. Bringing life to Belfast’s historic docklands through celebration, creativity, and community spirit. It’s community lead regeneration with soul, anchored in local pride and powered by cultural energy. The festival receives annual support from Belfast Harbour, Belfast Maritime Trust and Belfast City Council.

Speaking ahead of the Festival Jenni Barkley, Belfast Harbour said “We’re delighted to support the Sailortown Festival and to see public space in Clarendon and City Quays brought to life in such a vibrant and inclusive way. Events like this link to our aim of animating the Maritime Mile and create opportunities for people to reconnect with the waterfront in new and exciting ways.”

Commenting on the Festival Maeve Moreland, Maritime Belfast Trust said “We’re really pleased to continue our support for the Sailortown Festival. It’s such a brilliant example of local people coming together to celebrate their own stories and bring this historic part of the city to life. Supporting events like this is a key part of how we animate the waterfront – creating shared experiences, championing local talent, and making sure the Maritime Mile is a place that feels alive for the people who live, work and visit here.”

Getting there: From North Belfast, Festival entrances are located on Pilot Street and Princes Dock Street, and if coming from the city centre, it’s just a 7-minute walk from the Big Fish through Clarendon Dock. Visitors are encouraged to travel by public transport or on foot, and are also invited to explore the brand-new City Quays Gardens beside the AC Marriott Hotel on their way.

Free entry all weekend
Visit stjoessailortown.org and follow @stjoesbelfast and @nightmarketni for updates.

Ards and North Down Borough Council are delighted to announce a brand-new tour set in the bustling seaside town of Donaghadee, which many have come to recognise over the years as Hope Street’s Port Devine.

Celebrate all that is divine about this beacon of great taste which also has a gloriously rich history to explore.

Join them on any of the following dates:

21 June

16 August

20 September

Tasting stops on this tour take in the 400-year-old Grace Neills, Irelands Oldest Pub Est. 1611; an introductory peek around the award-winning The Copeland Distillery; the scenic harbour views from Harbour and Company, and the delicious café culture vibes of Bridewell Coffee

Tours run 2pm until 5pm (approx)

Tickets cost £62.50pp, and they are on sale now!

For more information, including the menu, visit >> https://bit.ly/4mMyODG

An online booking fee applies. To avoid the online fee, you can book in person or by phone via our Visitor Information Centres:

https://bit.ly/3WZw0Xk

This tour is organised and hosted by Ards and North Down Borough Council

www.whatsonni.com | Visit Belfast | Discover Northern Ireland | Food NI

#TasteAND #TasteANDEnjoy #BeDrinkAware #Donaghadee #HopeStreet #PortDevine #VisitAND #BelfastPlus

Shelley Cowan knows all too well the challenges that come with trying to find accessible accommodation in Northern Ireland. After spending more than a decade as a wheelchair user due to severe ME and complex health needs, she experienced first-hand the difficulties of navigating the hospitality sector when mobility is restricted.

With support from the now-completed Northern Ireland Explore Enterprise Support Service , Shelley turned her experiences and academic research into a business. She launched Access Avenue, a consultancy aimed at improving accessibility across the hospitality industry. The company supports hotels and accommodation providers to make practical changes that allow people with disabilities to travel, stay, and participate more fully in everyday life.

Shelley, who lives in Enniskillen, took part in the Explore Enterprise Support Service in 2024 through the Fermanagh Enterprise. The programme was delivered by Enterprise Northern Ireland in partnership with The King’s Trust NI, and received 1.8m funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It offered tailored support for people who were economically inactive, helping them to explore employment or self-employment through mentoring, skills development, and business guidance.

Speaking about her background, Shelley explained that her decision to start Access Avenue was rooted in both lived experience and academic research. “It’s a combination of nearly 30 years lived experience as a disabled person who required a wheelchair and dire statistics following a Masters degree. I felt major changes are needed in society to help those with mobility issues, particularly within the hospitality industry.”

The issue, according to Shelley, is more widespread than many realise. Her own research revealed that there are only 17 fully accessible hotels in the UK, and none in Northern Ireland. “There are more pet-friendly hotels than fully accessible ones,” she said. “The majority of rooms were not spacious enough to manoeuvre and use the equipment safely.”

She added, “Guests with disabilities want fair, equal service and prices comparable to other guests. We want to enjoy hotels as much as anyone else.”

Shelley came across the Explore Enterprise service  on social media and was drawn in by the promise of mentorship and guidance. At the time, she was searching for someone to help point her in the right direction for her business idea, which she acknowledged was operating in a unique area.

“I was needing someone to point me in the right direction as the area of work I’m involved in is quite unique,” she explained.

As part of the service , Shelley engaged in one-to-one meetings with business mentors to shape and refine her plans. She said, “I had one to one meetings with mentors for business advice and direction. We discussed my business plan at length and I was guided to funding opportunities.”

She also attended a number of in-person and online workshops, something she hadn’t expected to be such a central part of the experience. “The service is beneficial to all businesses as all topics are discussed,” she said. “I did not realise how many workshops were available.”

The skills Shelley developed through the service  covered a wide range of business areas, including social media and digital content. “Business development skills, social media tips and search engine optimisation and creating high-quality, relevant content,” she said, listing what she had gained.

Shelley had never been in formal employment due to her disability. Her entrepreneurial journey aligned directly with the aims of the Explore Enterprise Service , which was designed to support people into economic activity through enterprise.

Since launching Access Avenue in 2024, she has developed an industry-focused initiative called #AccommodationForAll, backed by a hotel accessibility grading classification system. This system provides a framework for hospitality venues to understand and improve their accessibility features. It takes into account the needs of guests who use mobility aids or require specialist equipment.

She said, “I started my business Access Avenue last June and I’m developing a web app.”

The idea is simple. By working directly with hospitality venues to assess their properties, Shelley can recommend practical, often low-cost changes that would make a significant difference for guests with disabilities. In turn, venues can tap into what is known as the “purple pound,” referring to the spending power of disabled people and their households. This is currently estimated at £274 billion annually in the UK, with £12 billion of that attributed to accessible tourism.

“There is a misconception that disabled people don’t go on holidays and this is not true,” she said. “People with mobility issues tend to be loyal customers if the product is right. They also bring carers with them, so you get extra guests. They are also able to stay midweek and off season. One hotel that went fully accessible last year made an extra £217,000 revenue in their first quarter of trading after the changes were made.”

Access Avenue’s customer base includes hotels and hospitality venues across the UK and Ireland. Shelley’s ambition is to grow the business and roll out a recognised industry standard for accessible accommodation.

“This is a vast market both north and south of the border and relates to accommodation and hospitality venues no matter the size,” she said.

As well as supporting hotels, Shelley is committed to wider societal change. She is the founder of JustUs, a not-for-profit organisation that provides activities and events for adults with disabilities in rural areas, aiming to prevent social isolation.

Shelley sees her business and campaigning work as part of a larger mission. “Access Avenue inspires others with disabilities to be included in society,” she said. “I want to empower others to have equal opportunities and experiences in life.”

With a clear growth plan, strong personal motivation, and a timely business proposition, Shelley credits the Explore Enterprise Support Service with providing the tools and guidance she needed to turn her vision into a functioning enterprise.

“The amount of advice and services that were offered was incredible and if there was ever a question they didn’t know the answer to, they found someone who did,” she said.

Her advice to others thinking about starting their own business is clear. “If you’ve got that feeling in your gut, don’t ignore it because you don’t need all the answers to start, you just need to take the first step. The help from the Explore Enterprise Support Service is fantastic and there’s someone there who wants to see you succeed.”

To find out more about Enterprise Northern Ireland and its programmes, visit www.enterpriseni.com.

Craft makers across Ireland are being urged to register their interest in taking part in the annual month-long celebration of Irish craft that takes place in August.

This year’s August Craft Month will bring together an array of talented makers as it celebrates a rich craft heritage with artisans keeping traditions alive and new talented makers bringing real vibrancy to the scene.

With events taking place across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, August Craft Month represents a unique opportunity for people to get involved as well as supporting makers by buying products and learning more about their work.

Suzy O’Keefe, Head of Digital and Communications, Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), said, “We at Design & Crafts Council Ireland are thrilled to once again work with Craft NI on the all-island August Craft Month.

“This is the fourth year we’ve partnered to generate and promote August Craft Month events, and we’ve seen increasing engagement from craft makers across the island, introducing new audiences to ways to take part in craft.      .

“It is a fantastic opportunity for people to take the plunge into the craft world, to see the amazing craft happening in their local communities and across the country.”

Katherine McDonald, Director of Craft NI, said, “August Craft Month is a fantastic platform to honour and acknowledge the skilled makers we have right on these shores.

“With over 400 events last year, we want to encourage as many makers as possible to take part and we are delighted to see the applications already from councils, arts venues, guilds, galleries and individual makers.

“From hands-on experiences to inspiring talks, we welcome a variety of craft events. Your event could take the form of a hands-on workshop, meet-the maker session, a talk or even a craft trail.

“This is a fantastic way to share your work with the world.”

The deadline for entry is Sunday, 8^th June to register your interest in taking part please visit augustcraftmonth.org/applications.

Epic adventure awaits as Stena Line’s popular family cruise returns

 

Parents searching for a magical day out to create memories with their kids need look no further as Stena Line has confirmed the extension of its popular Pirates and Princesses Cruises.

Sailing from Belfast to Cairnryan this fun filled, non-landing, family adventure will provide memories you’ll treasure forever.

The latest dates for the cruises have just been announced. They are July 8, August 6 & 13, September 6 & 20 and October 29 & 30.

The party starts as soon as you step on board, as your little Jack Sparrows, Annas and Elsas enjoy a disco, and some action-packed games.

And as you make your way to Cairnryan there’ll be plenty to keep your young ones entertained, kicking off with a ‘ferry-tale’ puppet show and a variety of interactive games.

The return journey will kick off with another disco and feature a spellbinding magician before a fancy-dress parade brings the day to a close.

Orla Noonan, Stena Line Travel Commercial Manager, said the family favourite cruises have been particularly popular.

She said: “At Stena Line, we understand how important it is to create memories with your children and what better way than by welcoming lots of little pirates and princesses onboard.

“We’re delighted to once again welcome families onboard this cruise and can’t wait for what is sure to be an exciting event.

“We have lots of magical adventures planned and we know our young passengers will have a brilliant time.”

And, while the kids are having the time of their lives, adults can enjoy the unrivalled style and comfort onboard Stena Superfast and enjoy a great value meal at the onboard Taste

Restaurant where you can feed a family of four for just £36.

Prices start from just £15 per child and £12 per adult. For more information and to book your next trip, visit Stena Line’s website.