Gin lovers are in for a treat this summer as The Merchant Hotel plays host to a very special event in its Rooftop Garden.

The Shortcross Twilight Picnic event will take place on Wednesday August 10 at 7.30pm and will showcase the locally crafted Shortcross Gin which is distilled just outside Downpatrick.

Gin connoisseurs will hear the story behind the brand from one of its founders and will have the opportunity to discover more about the distilling process, while enjoying gin cocktails, signature serves and delicious picnic food that will complement the drinks.

There will also be a specially made gin cocktail that has been inspired by a luxury summer picnic with gooseberry, elderflower yogurt and lavender hued Parfait Amour all making an appearance.

Michael Patterson, Manager of the Cocktail Bar at the Merchant Hotel is looking forward to the event;

“Northern Ireland, along with most of the world, is currently experiencing a gin revival and this event is designed to give gin lovers the opportunity to really find out about the brand.

“We’ve purposely selected the locally distilled Shortcross Gin and hope that the event will provide an educational experience for those attending.

“The event is set to be very popular and what better way is there to spend a summer evening than in relaxing surrounds of The Merchant’s Rooftop Bar.”

For further information, or to book a ticket, call The Merchant Hotel, Belfast on 028 9023 4888 or visit themerchanthotel.com

Following on from the success of last year’s production of Oliver, Theatre at The Mill’s successful Summer Youth Group performs Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Now in its 30^th year, Phantom of The Opera is one of the most successful pieces of entertainment of all time and will run from Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 August at 7pm.

Far beneath the majesty and splendour of the Paris Opera House, hides the Phantom in a shadowy existence.  Shamed by his physical appearance and feared by all, the love he holds for his beautiful protégée Christine Daaé is so strong that even her heart cannot resist.

Under the direction of Anna McNamara, director at the leading conservatoire for musical theatre GSA, this summer treat will feature some of the most talented young artists and musicians in Northern Ireland.  In a fully staged production, this youth group production will include outstanding musical numbers All I Ask of You, The Music of the Night, Think of Me and Phantom of the Opera.

Tickets are available from Box Office 028 9034 0202 or online www.theatretathemill.com

The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival is gearing-up for the 2016 Phoenix Natural Gas Soapbox Derby which will be held on Saturday 3^rd September 2016 as part of the Festival’s annual showcase.

Sponsored this year by Phoenix Natural Gas, the Soapbox Derby is a highlight of the Festival with community and youth groups from all across Northern Ireland entering the race each year. The competition is calling for entries from racers of all ages and backgrounds who are keen to design and race their own soapbox at the event for a chance to win a variety of cash prizes as well as a surprise prize from Toyota which be unveiled in the weeks leading up to the race!

Don Spence, Chairman of the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival organising committee said: “The Soapbox Derby is always a highlight of the Festival; it really encourages team spirit amongst entrants and promotes community interaction. We are very grateful to Phoenix Natural Gas for coming on-board to support this long-standing Festival favourite and look forward to working together to make this year bigger and better!”

The competition is now open for entries to all community groups, youth clubs and children accompanied by an adult. Teams are being invited to design and construct their own soapbox before racing it down Hillsborough’s Main Street for a chance to win one of the event’s sought-after prizes.

Alastair Pollock, Business Development Director from sponsor Phoenix Natural Gas added: “The Soapbox Derby is one of the most exciting aspects of the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival and we’re delighted to be helping to put the wheels in motion. The competing teams are very imaginative and are always thinking outside the (soap) box with their designs!”

There will be a number of race categories on Saturday 3^rd September with drivers able to enter the following classes:

• Junior Race – open to drivers aged 12-17 years old.*
• Senior Race – open to drivers 18 years old, and over.
• Best Warm up performance.
• Best Overall Team.

Runners-up from the Junior and Senior Races will also receive cash prizes and their marks will be based on finishing times. The Best Overall Team will speed home with £500 and the special Toyota prize will be awarded to the group that demonstrates an exemplary spirit of comradery.

Entries will incur a fee of £40 (Junior) and £60 (Senior) and the deadline to enter is Monday 19th August 2016. Full competition entry details and terms and conditions can be found at www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com.  Completed entry forms should be sent to: Stephen Patterson, C/o ER Wilson’s Grocers, 1 Main Street, Hillsborough, BT26 6AE.

The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival programme runs from Tuesday 30^th August – Saturday 3^rd September 2016 and is proudly supported by principal sponsors Turkish Airlines, Quilter Cheviot, Phoenix Natural Gas and Tourism Northern Ireland.

For further information on all events taking place and to book tickets visit www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com.

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

• Stay and Play, Galgorm Resort & Spa, Co. Antrim. From £90pps. Set in 163 acres of lush parkland and with the spectacular River Maine flowing through the estate, Galgorm Resort & Spa has a truly unique and beautiful setting.  The gold club is host to the annual Northern Ireland Open. Enjoy one night’s bed and breakfast and a round of golf at the Galgorm Castle Golf Club. Available until December 31.  To book call (028) 25 881001
• Girls Night Party Package, Marine Court Hotel, Co. Down. From £60pps. Beautifully situated overlooking the marina on Bangor’s seafront, the hotel is ideal for both business and pleasure. Your package includes one night’s accommodation, a four-course evening meal, cocktail making lesson, VIP entry to Calico Jacks, Residents Bar and a full cooked breakfast the following morning.  Available until Dec 17. To book call (028) 91 451100

• Fitz Escape, Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast. From £170pps. Located in the city centre, the Fitzwilliam Hotel is adjacent to the Grand Opera House and close to various attractions.  It’s a haven for art lovers and shoppers alike due to its location. Enjoy a two-night city break with a four-course evening meal on one evening with a bottle of house wine, full Irish breakfast on both mornings and two entrance tickets to Titanic Belfast.  Available until Dec 31. To book call (028) 90 442080

For further information log on to www.discovernorthernireland.com/offers.

*All offers are subject to availability.

Members of the East Antrim Boat Club (EABC) gathered at Larne Harbour ahead of the Rooster International Topper Class World Championships which commences this Saturday, 23^rd July to Friday 29^th July at Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor.

Pictured (Left – Right) are sailors Matthew Liddle aged 11, Hannah Liddle aged 15, Iain MacRea aged 11, Trevor Wright, Larne Harbour Master, Rory Williamson aged 12, Abby Williamson aged 14, Joshua Kane aged 10, Lucy Kane aged 15 and Michael Kane, Honorary Secretary, EABC. P&O Ferries, which operates the fastest and most frequent crossing from Larne to Cairnryan, is proud to sponsor the Topper World Championship.

The annual event, which takes place all over the world, will attract UK and International sailors of all ages to the waters of Belfast Lough, including members of the EABC. International competitors plan to come from the USA, Canada, Taiwan, China and Singapore as well as from across Europe.

The skills and experience gained during this International Topper Class event provides sailors with great foundations from which they could go on to become European, World and Olympic champions.

The family friendly event at Ballyholme Yacht Club will commence at 10am this Saturday, 23^rd July. A climbing wall and virtual reality helmets will add to the fun, creating a great family atmosphere.

In recognition of our four local football players who were part of the Northern Ireland Football team at the recent European Championships, we had banners displayed around the Borough showing our support.

Following the interest shown in these banners we are delighted to offer you the chance to own these exclusive pieces of memorabilia. A banner for Craig Cathcart, Paddy McNair and a joint correx board for the Evans brothers are now available to bid for via a silent auction.  All proceeds from the auction will go to the Mayors designated charities, Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, Help The Heroes and Lighthouse.

If you would like to make a bid for these unique collectors’ items, whilst also helping a worthwhile charity please send your bid to comms@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk . The auction will begin at 6pm today and close on Wednesday 3 August @ 10am.  The successful bidders will be notified once the auction has closed.

One of the  highlights of this year’s  John  Hewitt International Summer School’s  busy programme  at The Market Place Theatre, Armagh,  should be the two performances of  “Percy French: Melodies of Unforgotten Years”, a hugely popular one-man show written and performed by Sam McCready, one of Northern Ireland’s best-known theatre people, now resident much of the year in USA.

This new Percy French show, presented by Two-for-One Productions and directed by Joan McCready, also features musician Kyle Riley, and was a sell-out success when it was staged for a week at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast in May.  “Percy French: Melodies of Unforgotten Years” will be presented at The Market Place on Thursday 28 July at 7.00pm and on Friday 29 July at 8.30pm.

Author of some of the best-loved songs in the Irish repertoire, among them “The Mountains of Mourne” and “Phil The Fluter’s Ball”, Percy French is brought to life in Sam McCready’s witty and amusing one-man show, which celebrates the music and the life of one of Ireland’s best known and best loved entertainers,

Sam McCready’s  highly entertaining show traces Percy French’s career from his days as Cavan’s most notable “Inspector of Drains” to his success as a performer in London, where he not only gave concerts in the most prestigious halls but also performed for the Prince of Wales and distinguished members of the aristocracy.

Yet French was most at home in Ireland, performing in almost every town and village in the country, including Armagh’s City Hall,  and taking the opportunity to paint the many landscapes for which he has become famous as an artist.

Sam McCready is an internationally respected actor, theatre director, teacher, painter, adjudicator and published author.  Born in Belfast, he was a founding member of the Lyric Players Theatre, and later a Trustee and Artistic Director of the company. He emigrated to the United States in 1984, when he was appointed Professor of Theatre at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Since his retirement, Sam McCready has devoted himself to performing and writing a series of one-person plays, “The Great Yeats”, “Dickens at the Ulster Hall” and  writing and directing his wife, Joan, in “Coole Lady” and “A Time to Speak”, both seen on tour at The Market Place Theatre. Sam McCready’s   memoir, “My Life with Mary O’Malley and the Lyric Players”, is published by Lagan Press.

In this  Percy French show, McCready is joined by American actor and singer/guitarist , Kyle Riley, who brings a fine singing voice and a fresh interpretation to many of the best-known songs.

Tickets for “Percy French: Melodies of Unforgotten Years” at The Market Place Theatre on 27 & 28 July are already on sale and early booking is advisable. Booking at The Market Place Box Office on 02837521821 or Online at www.marketplacearmagh.com.

Schools out for summer and the MAC’s exceedingly popular retro roller derby returns at the end of July (29-31).

This family roller disco is one of the most feel-good family events of the summer! See the theatre transformed into a roller disco for a weekend of fun for mums, dads and little ones. With sessions starting on the hour from 12noon on Sat 30 and Sun 31 July, this is a family day out you won’t forget. Ticket price includes a 45-minute skate session and the hire of your roller boots and protective gear. Get your skates on!

And just for the adults, our evening skate sessions start from 7pm on Fri 29 and Sat 30 July. With DJ Carolyn Stewart on decks, get nostalgic as party-goers dash excitedly around the transformed theatre to the best of 80’s classics.

For more information on both events, visit themaclive.com or call the box office on 028 9023 5053.

This Sunday, July 24, the Ards and North Down Music In The Park programme continues when the Chris Keys Band will perform in the bandstand in Ward Park.

Award winning singer-songwriter Chris Keys grew up in Portstewart. In his early twenties he started writing songs and developed an easy listening acoustic sound with hints of pop, folk & country.

Since then he has gone on to perform at shows and festivals all across Europe and has supported many great bands and artists along the way as well as performing in the round with two Grammy award winner’s Nanci Griffith and Jim Lauderdale.

So if you’d like to enjoy some smooth sounds in the great outdoors, get down to Ward Park with your picnic this Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. This is a free event.

Please note that Ward Park is an alcohol-free zone. All events are weather dependent and therefore subject to change. This year’s music programme is being provided by Open House Festival.

Keep an eye out in local press each week for details on each artist or for more information phone Bangor Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or visit:

www.visitardsandnorthdown.com