The much‑loved Comber Earlies Food Festival will return this summer, Saturday 20 June, 11am – 5pm, once again taking centre stage as a flagship event within Taste Summer in Ards and North Down, 17-28 June the borough’s annual celebration of local food and drink.

Taking place in Comber Leisure Centre Carpark, the free, family‑friendly festival celebrates the iconic Comber Earlies potato, which has held Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status since 2012. The event brings together food lovers, families and visitors for a vibrant day showcasing local produce, culinary talent and community spirit.

Festival‑goers can look forward to a packed programme including live cookery demonstrations in the Festival Kitchen from guest and local chefs, an artisan food and drink market, vintage tractor displays, live music and hands‑on activities for all ages. Family entertainment will be at the heart of the day, with children’s crafts, planting activities, walkabout performers and the return of popular festival favourites.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said:

“The Comber Earlies Food Festival is a fantastic celebration of one of our most iconic local products and the people who grow it. Events like this showcase the strength of our local food and drink sector, while creating a fun, welcoming day out for families and visitors alike. I’m delighted to see the festival return once again as part of Taste Summer in Ards and North Down.”

To help visitors travel to the event sustainably and with ease, free Event Shuttle Buses will operate on the day, connecting Bangor, Newtownards, Dundonald Park and Ride, Downpatrick, Crossgar, Saintfield and Ballygowan with Comber. No booking is required and the service operates on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

The Comber Earlies Food Festival forms part of Taste Summer in Ards and North Down, a wider programme of food‑focused events and experiences taking place across the borough throughout June, celebrating local producers, hospitality businesses and the area’s rich food culture.

New for 2026, a quiet hour will be introduced from 10am–11am each day, welcoming people with a disability, neurodiverse conditions, carers and parents/guardians.  After this quiet hour, the event will officially open at 11am with a fun-filled programme running through to 5pm.

Further information on the Comber Earlies Food Festival, including shuttle bus routes and accessibility details, and the full Taste Summer in Ards and North Down programme is available at visitardsandnorthdown.com/TasteSummer

Titanic Belfast Curates… a celebration of style, creativity and contemporary design in NI.

Titanic Belfast has launched a new summer exhibition, bringing together some of the most exciting local designers to showcase how fashion and textile design can be bold, expressive and deeply connected to Northern Ireland.

Titanic Belfast Curates… Northern Threads is a free, ticketed exhibition running from 1^st May to 30^th September. At its heart are four designers, Gráinne Maher, Hope Macaulay, Kindred of Ireland by Amy Anderson and Éadach by Sara O’Neill.

Each brings a distinctive approach, spanning sculptural knitwear, contemporary linen, narrative textiles and handcrafted accessories. Together, their work reflects a creative scene that is confident, evolving and increasingly visible on a global stage, while remaining grounded in Northern Ireland’s landscape, culture and craft traditions.

Woven throughout the exhibition are threads of Northern Ireland’s rich textile heritage, offering context to the materials and influences that continue to shape design today.

Also featured within the exhibition space will be Una Rodden, along with her Tribe collective who will be designers-in-residence, as well as the innovative Threadlab research piece from Ulster University lecturers Dean Liggett and Grainne Taylor.

Judith Owens MBE, CEO of Titanic Belfast said, “We are immensely proud to unveil our first exhibition under the Titanic Belfast Curates banner – an initiative shaped and delivered by our own team, whose passion and expertise bring a distinctive perspective to the storytelling. Northern Threads invites visitors to engage with the creativity emerging from Northern Ireland today, highlighting how a deep-rooted sense of place continues to inform and inspire contemporary design.

It is a privilege to collaborate with local designers Gráinne, Hope, Amy and Sara, each of whom is making a significant impact on the global fashion stage. As we broaden our offering, particularly during the vibrant summer season, we remain committed not only to enriching the visitor experience at Titanic Belfast, but also to enhancing Belfast’s appeal as a destination in its own right. With this free exhibition we believe we are delivering meaningfully on that ambition.”

About the designers…

Sara O’Neill, founder of Éadach, uses fashion as a form of storytelling. Raised in Portrush, her work is inspired by music, subculture, mythology and coastal landscapes, creating hand-drawn prints on silk, linen and natural fibres, bringing Irish stories to a global audience.

Amy Anderson founded Kindred of Ireland after discovering a photo of her grandmother spinning linen in a mill in Moygashel, inspiring a reconnection with lost textile traditions. The brand reimagines Irish linen for a modern wardrobe, working with family-run mills and local seamstresses.

Gráinne Maher is a Belfast-born designer known for combining traditional craftsmanship with a rebellious, avant-garde style. She moved from music into millinery, creating bold contemporary headpieces that challenge traditional occasion wear and has expanded into leather goods.

Hope Macaulay creates bold, colourful, sculptural knitwear inspired by the landscapes of Northern Ireland’s North Coast. Taught to knit by her grandmother, she has built her globally recognised, family-run label. Her pieces celebrate craftsmanship, community and the reinvention of tradition.

To complement the exhibition, Titanic Belfast will see the addition of Eimear Magee’s Singing Threads into the Grand Atrium. A large-scale textile installation exploring the human stories embedded within Ulster’s linen industry.

This year, Titanic Belfast will host Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art Graduate Fashion Show on Thursday 28^th May as well as Titanic Pre-Loved x Cathy Martin on 7^th June and a Fashion Tea hosted by Eddie Shanahan, Council of Irish Fashion Designers, during the run of the exhibition.

For further information on Titanic Belfast Curates… Northern Threads and to book your free tickets online go to www.titanicbelfast.com

Take the time to truly connect with people and place

In a world that’s always rushing, Northern Ireland offers a refreshing invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and truly connect with the landscape, culture, and people around you.

‘Slow Tourism’ is more than just a travel trend – it’s about visiting places in a way that’s helpful to the environment and uncovering the beauty in unrushed experiences by staying longer. It’s not about doing less, it’s about feeling more.

Discover Northern Ireland has suggested six themes of experiences that invite you to slow down, pause and embrace the moment.

1. Remote Getaways

Whether you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life or simply enjoy the beauty of the countryside, Northern Ireland provides the perfect balance of off-grid and unique accommodation. Sperrinview Glamping in County Tyrone located in a designated Dark Sky Park offers pods with its own stargazing viewing window.

Lough Neagh Mirror Houses feature floor to ceiling reflective glass exteriors that make them almost invisible, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of nature in privacy. Rainfall showers, private hot tubs, and a shared sauna make these cabins the ultimate unwind and relax unique stay. Retreat to Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes in County Down where adult-only luxury lodges combine experiences such as alpaca trekking, yoga classes and foraging for complete relaxation.

2. Glorious Gardens

Voted one of the top ten gardens in the world, Mount Stewart’s bold planting schemes coupled with the mild climate of Strangford Lough allows rare and tender plants from across the globe to thrive in this celebrated space. For a different view of the 19th century house, stroll around miles of walking trails and woodland. Garden Show Ireland, set amidst the stunning grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens from 12-14 June, is a three-day extravaganza promising a vibrant celebration of flowers, food, and fun for the whole family.

3. Sauna & Sea

Is it even 2026 without a sauna and sea experience? Northern Ireland has some fantastic offerings in iconic locations. Try the energising HotBox sauna experience on Benone Beach in County Londonderry for a dip in the wild Atlantic waters or the Hidden Garden Warrenpoint at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. Sauna & Sea are based on the Blue Flag Beach at Portstewart while Revive Saunas at Rostrevor Mountain Lodge offer unparalleled relaxation at the Natural Spring Water Plunge Pool.

4. Savour the flavours

Slow down and let your senses do the exploring, with culinary delights and local produce around every corner. Lir in Coleraine showcases a delicious menu that changes daily based on the freshest ingredients. The Enniskillen Taste Experience brings the flavours of Enniskillen’s vibrant food scene to life. Meet Emily at Lo & Slow Wild & Fired BBQ School where she combines foraging, dining, and live fire workshops in a historic, private walled garden in Derry~Londonderry. Savour the crisp and quenching taste of Armagh’s ciders on a tour of Orchard County with Armagh Cider Company or Long Meadow Cider.

Explore Northern Ireland’s passion for distilling with the Northern Ireland Spirits Trail. From Wild Atlantic Distillery Gin School & Distillery Tour in Castlederg to McConnell’s Distillery, located in the historic A-wing of Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast, there is a whole world of spirits to discover here, with a special welcome for everyone who explores it.

5. Whatever Floats Your Boat

Host to some of the most beautiful coastlines and bodies of water, Northern Ireland offers an incredibly diverse selection of unique experiences such as cruising on the Fermanagh Lakes or dolphin-spotting along the Causeway Coast.

Explore the sights of Strangford Lough on board a canoe or limber up as the sun comes up with stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). Discover the breathtaking beauty and rich history of the River Foyle with Foyle Adventures. Experience the Northern Ireland’s longest river on a River Bann boat trip with White River Charters or savour the panoramic views of Lough Neagh as your guides regale you with stories of history and legends.

6. Tracks and Trails

The benefits of a good walk in the outdoors and connecting with nature has been proven to lift our moods. With a magnificent array of walks around our Lakelands, beaches, mountains and more, there are endless opportunities to embrace the natural beauty of this land. Let our landscapes do the talking and hear how they’ve shaped our history through a guided walk, such as a gentle 6km walk up the Carntogher Mountain in County Londonderry with The Emigrant’s Walk, led by renowned famine expert Cathy O’Neill or enjoy a clifftop walk with Eimear Flanagan from Away A Wee Walk along the Causeway Coast. Tourism NI also recently launched their first signature walk, from Castlerock to Mussenden Temple with fabulous views and open windswept cliff top walks.

May is the start of many summer festivals. Check out the Ballyscullion Park Book Festival (16 – 17 May) in County Londonderry, or switch off to the soothing sounds of the International Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival in Warrenpoint (20-26 May).

For inspiration and itineraries visit discovernorthernireland.com

– Call out for buskers to come along and be in with a chance to win a share of the £4,500 prize pot –

Shining a spotlight on a wealth of talent, from solo acts to groups, and with the introduction of a new youth category to enable younger performers to have their moment to shine, both emerging and seasoned artists will join in this celebration of live music and  compete for a chance to win a share of this year’s increased prize pot which now stands at a fantastic total of £4,500.

‘I’m just a daft lad who wants to come to the North West and ride a motorbike and take in the atmosphere.’

BSB star, Storm Stacey, says that is his mindset as he prepares to make his debut on the Briggs Equipment North West 200’s 8.9 mile Triangle course this week. The announcement that the 23 year old is to race a V4RR Superbike-spec Ducati at Portrush for Michael Rutter’s Bathams AJN Racing team has been met with great excitement by road racing fans.

‘I think there is maybe a gap in the market at the North West for Storm Stacey.’ he smiles. The rising star had his first taste of the event as a spectator 12 months ago.

‘I like the Irish fanbase and I love how passionate they are for motorbike racing.’ Stacey smiles.

‘You can see they really believe in it and I want to be part of that, in amongst it.’

Does he have any particular goal or expectation from his North West debut?

‘Everyone has hidden expectations in their head and if I’m feeling comfortable and I’m up for it who knows but I also think it is perfectly OK to say that I am nervous as well. It is quite a big thing to take on, isn’t it? So, we will see how we get on.’

Stacey paid a recent fact finding visit to the north coast where the young racer was given a guided tour by former BSB champion and NW200 veteran, Josh Brookes, in the company of fellow 2026 newcomer, Franco Bourne.

‘We had a good look around with Josh but the biggest struggle for me was seeing the roads as a race circuit, imagining riding a motorbike around it.’ Stacey reflected afterwards.

‘I kept thinking we were driving to the supermarket! It was nice of Josh to show us around and I trust what he says. He said we would all be on different bikes. It is up to us to understand what we feel and he showed us what to look out for – the bumps, the manholes, grip levels and stuff like that. It is just going to be about finding that feel myself. The road surface looks amazing and I can’t wait to get out there.’

Stacey will be in full race mode as he arrives at Portrush direct from the opening BSB round of the 2026 season at Oulton Park. He intends to retain at least some of that approach for the North West.

‘I am really looking forward to coming into the chicanes.’ he smiled.

‘Big heavy braking, backing it in sideways and seeing how quickly I can get through them without messing up!  Coming past the church and under the railway bridge looks amazing too.’

‘There’s not really one part of the course that you can pin down and say I can’t wait for that bit. I can’t wait for all of it! I’m glad I’ve come today, it has been a worthwhile visit. Sitting at home you just think I’ll go there and just get on with it but I’ve a few different things to think about now with the bike that are different to BSB.’

Slated to ride only the fearsome Ducati on his North West debut, the young BSB star admitted to some nervousness alongside his excitement to get going.

‘Everyone says that after five laps you’ll know where you are going and that looks pretty true but seeing it this morning brought me back down to earth.’ Stacey reflected.

‘It’s getting close and it will be a baptism of fire on a Superbike. It’s going to be a fast first practice session round there on a Superbike. It might have been good to have had a Supersport bike for the first few laps but that’s the way it goes.’

Balancing his nervousness, the young star talked up the reassurance that comes from having the vastly experienced Michael Rutter in his corner at Portrush this year. The 14 times North West winner has competed in 100 races around the famous Triangle circuit and Stacey says he will rely upon his mentor’s steadying influence

‘Michael is a big influence and I sponge up his knowledge. He knows the place inside out and I knew that if I was going to do the North West, now is the time because I know he has my best interests at heart.’

‘I want to go home having achieved my first appearance at the North West with a nice safe ride, no crashes and not having given my Mum too much of a heart attack!’

Coleraine BID is bringing the Irish Cup Final to the heart of the town this Saturday, 2nd May, with a live big screen showing at the Event Space at Coleraine Town Hall.

As Coleraine FC prepare to take on Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park, local supporters who can’t make the trip to Belfast will still have the chance to be part of the occasion.

The free, family-friendly event will run from 1pm to 5pm, creating a matchday atmosphere in the town centre. Alongside the live screening, there will be family activities and the opportunity to win a signed Coleraine FC shirt.

Coleraine BID is encouraging locals, businesses and visitors to come together, show their colours and get behind the Bannsiders as they aim to lift the Irish Cup.

Event Details:

Event Space, Coleraine Town Hall
Saturday, 2nd May, 2026
1pm – 5pm
Free

Wear your blue and white, and cheer on the Bannsiders as Coleraine FC chase Irish Cup glory.

Castlerock’s historic Victorian railway bridge will reopen next Friday, May 8, following a major restoration project commissioned by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

The listed wrought iron structure, originally removed in October 2018, due to safety concerns and significant decay, has now been carefully restored and reinstalled, marking an important milestone for local heritage in the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

The restoration, carried out by Adman Civil Projects, at a cost of £730,000, involved complex overnight operations over the past two weekends to safely return the bridge to its original position.

Welcoming the reinstalment, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “I am delighted to welcome the return of Castlerock’s historic railway bridge.

“This has been a significant investment for Causeway Coast and Glens Council, and we have worked hard to ensure it delivers long-term value by preserving an important part of our local heritage.

“This well-known landmark holds a special place in the hearts of the local community here in Castlerock, and it’s been encouraging to see such strong local interest and support throughout the restoration process.”

Chief Executive of Causeway Coast and Glens, David Jackson added: “This has been a complex and demanding project requiring specialist engineering, delivered under significant constraints, including the closure of the railway line, which inevitably impacted the progress of the project.

“Throughout, the safety of railway users and the wider public remained our highest priority.

“After many years of closure and a substantial investment of ratepayers’ money, we are pleased to see this iconic structure fully restored and preserved for future generations.”

Paul McBurney, Translink Head of Structures said: “Translink welcome the restoration of this historic pedestrian bridge at Castlerock Train Station.  

“We have worked with Causeway Coast and Glens Council, who carried out the restoration work, to facilitate their plans to reinstate the bridge and hope it will be enjoyed by the local community, passengers and all those that visit the village.”

Spring has arrived in all its colour and energy, creating the perfect backdrop for the launch of the newly branded ‘Antrim and Newtownabbey in Bloom’ competition. Formerly known as the Best Kept Garden competition, this refreshed initiative invites residents, community groups, schools and businesses to celebrate spring and showcase their outdoor spaces.

As bluebells and other spring wildflowers fill local woodlands, residents are encouraged to take inspiration from nature and enter this year’s competition. BBC Gardeners’ Corner presenter and Irish Garden editor David Maxwell is set to return for the Awards Ceremony.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, said, “We are delighted to launch this year’s brand‑new In Bloom campaign, offering more categories than ever for our residents, businesses and community groups.

“Gardening has no barriers, anyone can take part, from planting seeds in a window box to creating a front or back garden bursting with colour. We also want to see more schools involved, helping pupils learn the importance of growing their own food and developing skills that will last a lifetime. Across the Borough, our community groups and businesses take great pride in their surroundings, and I would encourage everyone to get involved.”

Antrim and Newtownabbey In Bloom 2026 Categories:

• Best Front Garden
• Best Rear Garden
• Best Commercial Premises
• Best School Gardening Project (Nursery & Primary)
• Best School Gardening Project (Secondary)
• Young Gardener of the Year
• Best Allotment Plot
• Gardening for Wildlife Award
• Best Community Garden
• Best Communal Garden
• Volunteer(s) of the Year (individual or group)

The closing dates for entries is 29 May 2026 for schools and allotments, and 17 July 2026 for all other categories. Entries should be submitted online at: antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/in-bloom