Down

Get spooked this Halloween at Castle Espie and bring your little monsters along for a frightfully fun family event, 27th October to 4th November.  Enjoy Jump, Jiggle and Jive’s Broomstick Disco, enter our fancy dress competition and have a close encounter with mini-beasts, reptiles and more! Get your faces painted and enjoy some spooky storytelling out on the reserve!

Armagh

Enjoy some spooktacular family Halloween fun at the Navan Centre, Armagh 28th to 31st October.  Are you brave enough to pass through the Bone Taker’s garden and see their Palace of Bones?  Watch out for the Wicked Witch and don’t be tricked into joining Rapunzel in her tower!  Test your Halloween knowledge and follow our Spooky Riddle Trail if you dare! Booking is essential. Don’t forget to come in fancy dress – prizes in every show!

Fermanagh

Put on your scariest fancy dress costume and journey underground on a nail biting, spine tingling guided tour of the fantastic Marble Arch Caves this Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October.  Come and meet the ghost of Edouard Martel, the Wheathill Witch and their spooky friends! Booking is essential. Please note Caves may close following periods of heavy rain.

Tyrone

The Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh host their Halloween Festival this weekend.  Are you brave enough to take a stroll through the outdoor museum as darkness falls with only the light of a torch to guide you? Ghosts, ghouls and witches will lurk in the shadows as you sample traditional foods such as barnbrack, pumpkin and shoofly pie. Not for the faint hearted, booking is essential for these evening tours.

Derry/Londonderry

This year’s Hallowe’en celebrations in Derry and Strabane promise to be “Out of this World” when the City and District throws a party like no other as it celebrates 30 years of being spooktacular.  Among the key highlights of the festival include a welcome return of the Awakening of the Walls when the ancient City Walls will come to life with music, animation and light, creating a realm of fantasy fire and flame from Friday 28 to Sunday 30th October from 6-8pm each night.  Other highlights include spooky Gothic organ recitals at the Guildhall on the evening of Sunday 30 October, terrifying haunted tours at the Tower Museum, Weird and Wonderful Witches Tales at the Guildhall, a Hallowe’en panto at Strabane’s Alley Theatre, Monstrous Halloween workshops and Storytelling at Strabane Community Library and family entertainment including mask making workshops and arts and crafts at the Craft Village.

Antrim

It’s Halloween season and the Giant’s Causeway will be exploring how other cultures remember loved ones who have passed with their Mexican Day of the Dead. This event is suitable for families and will feature face-painting, a sugar skull trail and you can create beautiful floral headpieces out of tissue paper. The café will be serving tasty treats with a Mexican twist and will also have Latin music being played live in the Visitor Centre. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, all at no extra cost. This Saturday 29^th and Sunday 30^th October.

Belfast

Join Belfast Zoo for a packed day of eerie activities, including creepy crafts, face painting, bat talks and much more at Boo at the Zoo this Saturday.  People under 18 can get in free if they come in fancy dress. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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.

The historical Abbey at Greyabbey will be the beautiful backdrop for the Ghostly Greyabbey event, hosted by Ards and North Down Borough Council which takes place on Saturday October 29.

The free family event is part of The Council’s hugely successful Peninsula Food Showcase series of events which has seen food events take place in Portaferry, Portavogie and Donaghadee as part of Northern Ireland’s Year of Food & Drink and will include Halloween themed food, drinks, tours and theatrical re-enactments.

SERC Student Theatre Company The Glass Umbrella have been working hard in conjunction with Friends of Greyabbey and Magnus Vikings, creating and developing a ‘Living History’ performance project as part of the event. The students have been involved in all aspects of devising and creating performance material based on historical characters associated with the abbey. Renowned figures such as Princess Affreca, John De Courcy, Hugh De Lacy and of course the Cistercian Monks will be making an appearance! There will be Swordfighting, Gregorian Chanting, lyrical dance, and traditional Halloween games for all the family!

With over fifty students working on the project, from dancers and actors to costume designers and prop making, this promises to be an energetic unique spectacle! SERC is currently promoting a Project Based Learning approach to curriculum delivery, and this exciting collaboration with Ards and North Down Borough Council is the perfect conduit for this style of learning to flourish.

There will be plenty of food on offer too with a series of Halloween themed cookery demonstrations from local chefs. Kids can also join in the culinary fun with a chance to make their own chocolate apples!

Provided by an array of artisan traders, there will be plenty of warming foods and drinks available on site. For more information on a series of Year of Food and Drink events in Ards and North Down see www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/food. Council Recycling Officers will be available at the event to answer all your recycling and food waste questions.

Ghostly Greyabbey runs from 5pm to 9pm and is a free event.

For further information check www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Nicholas Collett returns to The Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey on Wednesday 9 November with Your Bard.

Set in the Shakespeare pub, Professor Nother is giving a talk about Shakespeare authorship, but does not believe the man from Strafford wrote those plays.

That’s Will’s cue to kick the door off the hinges and defend his reputation. Come and meet the man himself and take the lid off a legend in your local. He’ll tell you all about his family, what it’s like on tour and the glory days at the Globe.  Queen Elizabeth I, Christopher Marlowe and Ned Alleyn – you’ll meet them too.

Intermingled with a few of his greatest hits, maybe a sonnet or a song. There’s no fourth wall here – we’re all in this together!!  Ladies and gentlemen raise your glasses – Your Bard!

Tickets for this one man show are available from Box Office 028 9034 0202 or online www.thecourtyardtheatre.com

Are you trying to keep the children entertained over the Halloween school break?

You need to read on.  At the Palace Stables Armagh we are running a Halloween Craft and Games club. Taking place on Monday 31^st October & Tuesday 1^st November from 10.00am – 4.00pm, this club is packed full of games, crafts and activities all with a Halloween theme.

Suitable for 5-12 year olds, all your child needs is a wonderful imagination to unleash their inner artist to create some amazing artwork!

Admission is just £12.50 per day, £10.00 per day for 2nd & 3rd child. Take advantage of our early bird offer and book by 21st October and get 20% discount!  Booking in advance is essential on www.armagh.co.uk/halloweencrafts

For further information please contact:  Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh. BT60 4LD.   Tel 028 3752 9644 or visit www.navan.com

€50,000 prize fund confirmed for Grade 2 WKD Hurdle

A €50,000 prize fund has been confirmed for the Grade 2 Hurdle on Day one of the Down Royal Festival of Racing taking place Friday 4^th and Saturday 5^th November.

The action packed Grade 2 Hurdle on the first day of this year’s Festival, which is once again sponsored by ‘WKD’, has attracted a wealth of talent over the years including the legendary AP McCoy, with last year’s race won by record-breaking jockey Bryan Cooper.

Mike Todd, General Manager at Down Royal, said:

“The Festival of Racing is just around the corner and we’re delighted to confirm a €50,000 prize fund for the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle. Attracting such a high calibre of entrants, the Grade 2 Hurdle is always an action packed race and a highlight of the Festival.

“In recent years, Down Royal has established itself not only as a premier sporting destination in Northern Ireland but also the venue of choice for corporate and social days out alike.

“Our first class facilities, coupled with some of the most exhilarating horse racing in Ireland sees thousands of both seasoned and first time racegoers from across the country flock to the Festival, which this year will take place on 4^th and 5^th November.

“Down Royal has a long standing partnership with WKD and we’re delighted to have them on board once again, particularly as the brand celebrates its 20^th anniversary and unveils a new look.”

Brendan Loughran, Head of Business Unit, SHS Group, which owns the WKD brand, said:

“Down Royal is a world-class venue, and a fantastic backdrop for a great day out. The Festival of Racing is a highlight in the racing and social calendar and we’re thrilled that WKD, Premium Sponsor of the first day of the Festival on Friday 4^th November, will be unveiling its new look to racing enthusiasts.

“WKD is an iconic brand, launched in 1996, and its innovative flavour and identity resonates with racegoers here. The new transformational pack design indicates how the WKD brand is metamorphosing as it celebrates its 20^th anniversary.

“There are four variants in the WKD range:  the original WKD Iron Brew & Blue; WKD Berry and WKD Passion Fruit, which was previously named WKD Blush. Contemporary new bottle shapes with clean, stylish lines incorporate a fresh new WKD marque bringing a sophisticated feel to the design.  Adding an element of fun, the new bottle caps come in a variety of bold, bright colours.  No fundamental changes have been made to the liquid in terms of flavour or ABV (alcohol by volume) which remains at 4%, and there are no changes to the recommended retail price.”

Racegoers will also be raising the fashion stakes for the WKD Best Dressed Lady competition on Friday 4^th November which will see the best outfit win an ‘Ultimate Night Out’ prize package.

Brendan Loughran added:

“To reflect the glamour and elegance of the female racegoer that Down Royal attracts, this year WKD is offering a superb prize for the Best Dressed Lady on Friday 4th November.

“The winner will receive an amazing ‘Ultimate Night Out’ prize which includes a Ciara Daly Makeup session for four people, transfers by limousine, dinner in Belfast City followed by VIP tickets to a top nightclub.”

Gates will open at 11am on both Friday 4^th and Saturday 5^th November. General admission can be pre-booked online starting at £12 and a range of corporate and hospitality packages are also available with more information at www.downroyal.com

The Everglades Hotel is hosting a scrumptious weekend to remember on Saturday 19^th November as they launch their first ever, ‘Foodie’ weekend package.

This tasty package starts from only £85 per person and includes an overnight stay with bed and breakfast, plus tickets for a fun-filled food tour, the Made in Derry Food Tour, on Saturday 19^th November.

The Made in Derry Food Tour will give food lovers the chance to visit six local eateries and learn all about what Derry~Londonderry has to offer in terms of delicious produce and refreshing drinks, all from the chefs and crafters themselves.

Neil Devlin, General Manager of the Everglades Hotel is encouraging everyone to try out the new ‘Foodie’ weekend:

“This exciting new package is the perfect weekend for seasoned foodies or for those who would just like to try out something a little different.

“Derry~Londonderry is simply bursting with delicious restaurants and quirky places to eat and for maximum enjoyment start and end your gastronomic tour at the luxurious, Everglades Hotel where our warm atmosphere and comfy beds will end your day on a relaxing high,” added Neil.

As well as an overnight with breakfast at the Everglades Hotel, the ‘Foodie’ package tour attendees will taste over 20 different types of food and drink from mouth-watering street food to freshly prepared fish, washed down with local beers and other drinks.  Not forgetting of course, some sugary sweet treats.

For more information and to buy tickets go to www.hastingshotels.com/everglades-hotel

To celebrate the success of the first season open as a five-star rated attraction, unique First World War ship, HMS Caroline will be hosting an action-packed weekend of activities that are free for kids (0 – 16 years).

This weekend (October 22^nd and 23^rd), bring the little ones along and watch as they become an ‘objective detective’ by identifying mystery maritime objects. They can listen to traditional sea shanties with Young at Art from 11am to 3pm and chat to HMS Caroline’s puppet captain as he roams the ship, follow family trails and discover all the areas on board.

Why not join the storytelling workshop with Performing Starz on Saturday? This workshop is recommended for 3–8 year olds, and runs from 11am–12noon. Booking is essential as spaces are limited. Please call 028 9045 4484 to book.

Get crafty on Sunday and join the Young at Art team creating Sea Creature Crafts. Be sure to visit the Mess Deck café on board and car parking is free, located beside the ship.

The ship is open from 10am until 6pm, last admission 5.15pm. We recommend 1 hour 30 minutes for the self-guided tour. Activities will be running from 11am to 4.30pm both days.

This is your final chance to visit in 2016 as HMS Caroline will close for refurbishment from 23^rd Oct until Spring 2017.

For more information please visit www.hmscaroline.co.uk

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (October 24 – October 30).

• The Addams Family, Grand Opera House, Belfast, October 25 – 29. Dah dah dah dum, click, click… The perfect Halloween treat for all the family! The Belfast Operatic Company returns to the Grand Opera House with The Addams Family, bringing your favourite kooky, creepy family to life in this new musical comedy. Come meet the family, giggle at the ghouls and boogie with the bogeymen for an unforgettable night.
• Roe Valley Folk Festival, Various locations, Limavady, Derry~Londonderry, October 28 – 20. The Roe Valley Folk Festival is renowned for its mix of folk music, dance and traditional sessions. This year’s line-up has reflected the many changes in the folk music scene from the present and is always a hotbed mix of old and the new.
• Apple Cart Festival, Orchard Acre Farm, Co. Fermanagh, October 26. Join Teresa as she guides you through her kitchen garden and orchards; explaining how to care for soft fruit plants, fruit trees as well as learn harvesting skills. You will then return to the kitchen to cook up delicious fruit puddings and pies with a cup of tea.
• Hallow’een Pool Disco, Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, October 28. Enjoy a ‘Spooky Splash’ at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre as it welcomes the return of the hugely popular Hallowe’en pool disco. Friday ‘Fright’ night has a live outdoor concert, fancy dress competition, fire dancers and fireworks, before ending with the Spooky Splash Pool Party.
• Speciality Food and Craft Hallowe’en Festival, The Diamond, Coleraine, October 29. Come along and start your Hallowe’en celebrations at the first Causeway Speciality Food & Craft Hallowe’en Market. This outdoor market hosts 40 stalls positioned around Coleraine Town Hall in the pedestrian precinct area of the town. The delicious foods on offer along with varied, locally made crafts make it a unique shopping experience.
• Ulster Bank Belfast International Arts Festival, Various locations, Belfast, until October 30. The Ulster Bank Belfast International Arts Festival is back with a world class programme of theatre, performance art, moving image, visual art, dance and music from folk, to contemporary and classical with opportunities for audiences to directly engage and participate in the creative arts.
• Little Spooks, Navan Centre & Fort, Co. Armagh, October 28 – 31.  The Navan Centre invites you to enjoy some spook-tacular family fun this Hallowe’en. Are you brave enough to pass through the Bone Taker’s garden and see their Palace of Bones? Watch out for the Wicked Witch and don’t be tricked into joining Rapunzel in her tower. Test your Halloween knowledge and follow our Spooky Riddle Trail if you dare. Suitable for under 11 years of age.
• Hallowe’en Tour, Ulster American Folk Park, Co. Tyrone, October 28. Ghost stories, ghouls and witches await you at the Ulster American Folk Park as the staff bring the museum to life as you are guided around the exhibit buildings by torch light.  Booking essential.  Tickets cost £11/£6. Suitable for ages 9+.
• Shakespeare Lives Through Kenneth Branagh, Linenhall Library, Belfast, until October 28. Featuring rarely seen artefacts from the Kenneth Branagh Archive at QUB, this unmissable exhibition celebrates the work of Kenneth Branagh in bringing Shakespeare to life on stage and screen and making the work of the Bard accessible to a global audience. 
• Peninsula Food Showcase: Ghostly Grey Abbey, Grey Abbey, Co. Down, October 29. ‘Ghostly Greyabbey’ will be located within the atmospheric Grey Abbey ruins and grounds in village of Greyabbey, a village renowned for its antiques stores, quaint cafes and historic links. The evening will be filled with food, drink, tours and many more fun activities based on a Hallowe’en theme. Starts at 5pm.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland. 

Following refurbishment of the Causeway Coast Dog Rescue’s Charity shop, located in the Diamond Centre Coleraine, there will be a promotional opportunity for a late night opening on Thursday 27^TH November.

From 4.30pm to 8.30pm with 20% off everything in the shop. Everyone welcome and it’s a great opportunity to meet people and to get to know those in the Charity.  Drop in to say hello, and grab yourself a bargain!!  @CCDogRescue  #causewaycoastdogrescue  www.causewaycoastdogrescue.org

The CCDR Charity shop is located in the Diamond Centre Coleraine, Opening Hours – 10.30am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday.

The Causeway Coast Dog Rescue rescues and rehomes dogs on the north coast and throughout the country. Supporting those to rehome their own dog, rescuing cruelty cases and ensuring each dog finds its forever home.

This Halloween the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh has something with extra spook for you to enjoy but be warned it promises to be spine chilling!

Are you brave enough for some spine-chilling fun and frights this Halloween? Pick your steps through the Bone Taker’s garden and see their Palace of Bones, take care you don’t want to be left behind! Beware of the Wicked Witch, her aim is for you to join Rapunzel in her tower…You have been warned! Now this is where it really starts to get scary, a visit to the Spirit House will really have you wondering about what is out and about on Halloween night! Don’t forget to come in fancy dress – prizes in every show!

Available on Saturday 29^th & Monday 31^st October with shows at 6.00pm, 7.00pm, 8.00pm & 9.00pm.  Admission is just £7.00 per seat and as places are limited, pre-booking on www.armagh.co.uk/extraspook

For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh.  BT60 4LD.  Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com