The final dramatic moments of season six of Game of Thrones® aired last night (Monday, 27 June) and have now been immortalised in Tourism Ireland’s tenth and final ‘Door of Thrones’ – in The Dark Horse on Hill Street, Belfast.

This week’s door marks the culmination of Tourism Ireland’s hugely successful 2016 Game of Thrones® campaign, created in partnership with HBO, which has been promoting Northern Ireland to millions of the show’s fans worldwide since season six began back in April.

The huge popularity of Game of Thrones® presents a fantastic opportunity for Tourism Ireland to promote Northern Ireland. The organisation’s innovative campaign has been bringing Northern Ireland to the attention of fans of the fantasy drama everywhere – spiking their curiosity about the landscapes and locations featured in the series and inspiring them to come and explore them for themselves.

This year’s campaign saw Tourism Ireland unveil a different door every week as season six unfolded – with each door referencing key scenes from the latest episode and incorporating various symbols from the show. The ten doors were all carved from the trees blown down in Storm Gertrude at the Dark Hedges in Co Antrim – which serves as the backdrop for the Kingsroad, perhaps the most iconic Game of Thrones® location. Tourism Ireland saved the trees that fell that day to turn them into ten intricately carved doors – legacy pieces which are now hanging in pubs and other venues near filming locations across Northern Ireland, giving visitors a brand new Game of Thrones® Territory trail to follow.

Tourism Ireland has also unveiled its tenth and final – limited edition – Game of Thrones® stamp, another element of its 2016 GoT campaign, produced in conjunction with the Royal Mail.

You can celebrate Lough Neagh Eel all this week!  An elite group of Northern Ireland restaurants are offering the delicacy during the first ever restaurant week aimed at celebrating Lough Neagh Eel because eels are tasty.

Lough Neagh Eels have been awarded for their heritage, tradition and authenticity and the inaugural ‘Eel-Eat’ week will culminate in the third annual River to Lough Festival on Saturday 2 July.

Organisers have been overwhelmed by the interest in the event and Eimear Kearney of Lough Neagh Partnership says this is proof that we are all keen to taste and enjoy Lough Neagh Eel.  Eimear said:  “The concept has been cooking for a while but the discussions about whether to host a restaurant week dedicated to Lough Neagh Eel and the reality of Eel-Eat shows that the general public in Northern Ireland either already love Lough Neagh Eel or their curiously hoping to tempt their taste buds with Lough Neagh from now until Saturday 2 July.”

Participating restaurants include:

CO ANTRIM: Deanes Love Fish, Belfast; The Londonderry Arms, Carnlough; The White River House Hotel, Toomebridge; Safari Grill, Junction One, Antrim; Daniel’s at Tweedies, Ballyclare; La Scala at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast; The Causerie at the Europa Hotel, Belfast; The Garden Restaurant, Ballygally Castle, Larne; Truffles Restaurant, Randalstown; Slemish Market Supper Club, Glenariff; River to Lough Festival Eel Eatery, Antrim; Paula McIntyre Cookery School, Antrim

CO ARMAGH: The Moody Boar, Armagh; Uluru Bar & Grill, Armagh

CO DOWN: The Downshire Arms Hotel, Banbridge; The Percy French at the Slieve Donard Resort, Newcastle; The Cultra Inn at the Culloden Estate and Spa, Holywood

CO LONDONDERRY:  Whoosh, Coleraine; The Grill at the Everglades Hotel, Derry~Londonderry; Lime Tree Restaurant, Limavady; Beech Hill Country House, Derry~Londonderry

CO TYRONE: The Cellar Restaurant at Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown

You can also celebrate the delicacy at the River to Lough Festival at the end of Eel-Eat on Saturday 2 July.  Foodies and families will be able to enjoy the family festival right in the heart of Antrim at Antrim Castle Gardens.  Festivities will run from 12noon until 5.00pm with a cookery school hosted by celebrity chef Paula McIntyre, a pop-up restaurant, cookery demonstrations and a craft and artisan food market.

Eel-eat is supported by Tourism NI, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Food NI and The Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative Society.

www.eel-eat.co.uk; www.twitter.com/eel_eat; #EelsAreTasty

The world-famous Hillsborough International Oyster Festival, supported by principal sponsors Turkish Airlines, Phoenix Natural Gas and Quilter Cheviot will return on Tuesday 30^th August to Sunday 4^th September 2016, with a spectacular showcase of the best in hospitality, local produce, arts and entertainment.

Now in its 24^th year, this important event in the Northern Ireland Tourism calendar attracts over 14,000 visitors annually from across the world and this year boasts a packed programme of popular events and activities including;

Oyster Masters Golf Day, supported by GMcG Chartered Accountants

The ‘Magic of the Movies’ – Musical Evening in association with Lockton

The Smeg Pop-up Restaurant

The Quilter Cheviot Pearl and Oyster Ball

The Turkish Airlines World Oyster Eating Championship

The Phoenix Natural Gas Soapbox Derby

The Flash Harry Live Concert and BBQ, supported by New City Cabs

Supercar Sunday, supported by Charles Hurst Premium

Don Spence, Chairman of the Festival’s organising committee, said: “We are thrilled with the support the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival is receiving in the run-up to this year’s event. The number of big-name brands coming on-board in 2016 is testament to the Festival’s long-standing position as a successful and prestigious event. We are confident this additional support will help continue the Festival’s reputation as one of the best Festivals in the UK.”

The Festival’s signature oyster-eating showcase will be returning as challengers take on the reigning champion and Guinness World Record Holder, Colin Shirlow, at the Turkish Airlines World Oyster Eating Championship on Saturday 3^rd September 2016. Julienne Marie Curran from sponsor, Turkish Airlines said: “The World Oyster Eating Championship attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe and Turkish Airlines is looking forward to partnering-up with the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival to welcome them to Northern Ireland.”

The Quilter Cheviot Pearl and Oyster Ball is a fabulous evening and a famous element of the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival’s longstanding calendar of events. Nigel Crawford from Quilter Cheviot said: “We are excited to be supporting one of Northern Ireland’s landmark events and Quilter Cheviot’s Belfast team looks forward to welcoming guests to the Ball.”

Community and youth groups are being invited once again to enter the Festival’s renowned Phoenix Natural Gas Soapbox Derby which is staged on Hillsborough’s Main Street on Saturday 3^rd September 2016 and sees budding racers go bumper to bumper. Alastair Pollock, Business Development Director, from sponsor Phoenix Natural Gas said: “Phoenix Natural Gas is excited to be involved in this year’s Soapbox Derby. The competition is great fun and attracts support from local communities all over Northern Ireland. We are looking forward to seeing how creative, inventive, and passionate the entering teams are this year.”

This Festival is delighted to announce the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as the beneficiary of this year’s fundraising activities.

The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival also kindly acknowledges the support of Tourism Northern Ireland and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in the staging of this year’s event.

Ticket prices vary, based on events running throughout the Festival. For further information on all events taking place and to book tickets visit www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com.

Northern Ireland has a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for the perfect short break and Tourism NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

• Taste of Our Waters, Newforge House, Co. Armagh. From £117.50pps. Cradled in beautiful gardens and green fields, five-star Newforge House offers warm hospitality and superb food in tranquil surroundings. Celebrate the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink ‘Sea, Rivers and Loughs’ month with a menu showcasing our local fish. This one of a kind unique tasting break includes one night’s Bed & Breakfast, tea/coffee and homemade bakes on arrival and a six-course Fish & Seafood Tasting Dinner. Available 16/17 July.  To book call (028) 611255.

• Sneak Away Sunday, Corick House Hotel & Spa, Co. Tyrone. From £80pps. Nestled in the heart of the Clogher Valley where style and elegance meets country hospitality, this idyllic four-star 17th Century House offers a haven of tranquillity. Check into your deluxe room to find a bottle of bubbly and fresh strawberries awaiting your arrival. Change into your fluffy robe and head to the Thermal Suite, where you can relax with a 25 minute treatment of your choice.  Breakfast and a late check-out of 1pm included. To book call (028) 85 548216.

• Date Night Package, Ten Square Hotel, Belfast, Co. Antrim. From £175 per couple. This unique four-star Belfast hotel is located just steps from the historic City Hall, Belfast Waterfront and Victoria Square. Treat yourself and a loved one to a romantic date night, where chilled Prosecco and strawberries await you on arrival. Enjoy a sumptuous 3 Course Meal in Jospers Steakhouse before enjoying an overnight stay with full breakfast the following morning. To book call (028) 90 241001.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (June 27 – July 3).

• River to Lough Festival, Antrim Castle Gardens, Co. Antrim, Jul 2. Showcasing the unique cultural heritage of Lough Neagh & Its Waterways, this award-winning event celebrates the ancient fishing tradition associated with the area. This year’s festival will include cookery demonstrations, fishermen story-telling sessions and lots of entertainment throughout the day. Starts at noon.

• Battle of Somme Commemoration, Enniskillen Castle, County Fermanagh, Jul 1. An iconic 100-year-old Bugle belonging to Drummer Downs will be sounded at Enniskillen Castle to mark the Somme Commemoration as part of special service.  Starts at 6:30am. www.inniskillingsmuseum.com.

• Celtronic, Various locations, Derry~Londonderry, until 3 Jul. Ireland’s premier electronic music festival, Celtronic returns to the city this year for its sixteenth anniversary. As always, the festival will feature some of the best DJs from across the electronic music spectrum.

• Pirates off Portrush, Portrush Amphitheatre, Co. Antrim, July 2 – 3. Discover the shenanigans of Tavish Dhu, a Scottish Pirate through drama, costumed characters, floats, music, street parade and children’s entertainers.
  A Medieval Tented Village will play host to a display of ancient crafts, skills, tastes and sounds while locally caught fish on the day will be used for the cookery demonstrations on the Sunday.

• American Independence Celebrations, Ulster American Folk Park, Co. Tyrone, July 2 – 4. Celebrate the 240th Anniversary of the Declaration of the United States of America in the unique setting of the Ulster American Folk Park. With live Bluegrass and American Folk music, traditional Punch and Judy Shows and American games, this will be a great family day out this summer!

• Hillsborough Farmers Market, The Courthouse, Co. Down, Jul 2. Stock up on your favourite products and discover a wealth of talented artisan food producers that are springing up across Northern Ireland. There will be something for young and old, big and small, with face painting, potato printing and music from local musicians. There will even be a picnic area to kick back and sample some of the food on offer. From 10:00 – 15:00.

• Smiley, Lyric Theatre, Belfast, until Jun 30. A former professional footballer puts a five-a-side soccer team together to win a lucrative competition but things don’t always go to plan. A witty comedy from the highly acclaimed Gary Mitchell, Smiley promises to be a high octane production.

• Remember the Somme Walks, Somme Centre, Co. Down, Jul 2-3. Step back in time to 100 years ago to 1916 and the Battle of the Somme.  Learn of the gallant contribution of the soldiers from the 36th Ulster Division and follow in their footsteps as you walk through their training camp to Helen’s Tower. Booking essential.

• Cuilcagh Mountain Jeep Safari, Co. Fermanagh, Jul 3. Jump on board one of the Geopark Landrovers and explore the stunning scenery of Cuilcagh Mountain Park. Ranging from the rugged upland cliffs to the weathered limestone landscapes on the lower ground, this safari is a chance for you to experience and explore the patchwork of landscapes found on Cuilcagh Mountain. Suitable for 12+.

• Stretcher Bearer, Linen Hall Library, Belfast, until Jul 30. New and exclusive to the Linen Hall, artist Leslie Nicholl unveils a series of stunning and intricate paintings exploring the humanity shown by Irish, Ulster, British, German and French stretcher bearers in the Battle of the Somme.

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.

From Friday 01 July 2016 to 31 August 2016 W5 is going to need the help of budding architects, builders and engineers in their new hands-on block play area – Build It!

You can build it really big with Imagination Playground’s Big Blue Blocks. You can build it in all sizes with KAPLA or build it small with a wide range of natural wood blocks, bricks, logs and shapes. Build bridges, towers, animals, abstract structures, whatever you want! Whatever your age, whatever your experience, whatever inspires you – just BUILD IT!

Many celebrated architects, engineers and designers claim that their inspiration came at an early age through playing with wooden blocks and block toys. Who knows, perhaps through creative play W5 can help inspire the next generation of design and construction professionals.

Build it if FREE with admission to W5. For full information visit www.w5online.co.uk.

If you are hosting a conference or event in Belfast this summer, then take a look at these amazing deals from Hastings Hotels.

They are a trio of tempting packages that give event organisers the chance to impress their guests in luxurious surroundings coupled with 21st century facilities and excellent customer service.

Hire a room at Stormont Hotel’s purpose-built Confex Centre, one of the best equipped conference facilities in Northern Ireland, from just £30 per person, and enjoy tea, coffee and fruit skewers upon arrival, energising fruit smoothies for a mid-morning pick-up, BBQ style finger food for lunch from the top class chefs, and iced coffee with home-baked delights in the afternoon. All the essential facilities such as data projector and screen, flip-chart, paper and pens are also included in this fantastic offer. Valid until August 31, minimum booking of 15 delegates. For more information call 028 9065 1066.

Book one of the stylish conference suites in the Euro Business centre at the Europa Hotel and enjoy fantastic rates this summer. The state of the art meeting rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flipchart, projector and screen, with sweets and chilled water on the table. A dedicated events co-ordinator will be on hand to cater to your needs leading up to the event and on the day itself. Not only this, but one in ten delegates eat for free! Room hire is just £100 for a half-day and £150 for a full day, valid until August 31. For more information call 028 9027 1066.

The seasonal delegate offer at Culloden Estate and Spa is a 5-star offer for anyone hosting a conference this summer. The deal includes conference suite hire for the day from only £45 per person, with refreshments and essentials such as screen, projector and stationery. Homemade soup and sandwich platters are provided for lunch, and not only do all delegates get a complimentary day pass for the Spa and Health Club, a Lunch Time Express Destress including neck and shoulder massage and express aromatherapy facial can be added for just £25 per person. Valid until August 31, minimum booking of 10 delegates. For more information call 028 9042 1066.

To find out more about Hastings Hotels go to www.hastingshotels.com.

Local band Paper Dogs, known for their funky blues rock sound, the 4 piece have been announced as the winners of the inaugural Sunflowerfest ‘Grass Roots’ band competition.

Over the past months, heats were held for the competition across Northern Ireland, including in Bangor, where Paper Dogs took the top prize. The winners from each heat then played a final gig to an enthusiastic crowd in Voodoo Belfast this week, where judges, picked Paper Dogs as the firm favourite on the night. As their prize, the group will now get the fantastic opportunity of playing a set on the barn stage at Sunflowerfest on Friday 5^th August 2016, at 1.50pm.

The band includes Chris Rooney (Guitar and Vocals), Nick McCully (Guitar), Mark Mahood (Bass), Kris Young (Drums) and has been together since 2012, and record their own material at Vega studio in Bangor and have recorded their most recent EP with Chris Ryan at Start together Studio, the oh Yeah Center. They hope this opportunity to play at Northern Ireland’s fastest growing festival will give them a step-up and the chance to reach more people with their music.

Inspired by bands 70’s bands such as Thin Lizzy and current artist Graveyard Paper Dogs deliver a funky or groovy blues rock sound and will be playing their own music as they take to the stage at Sunflowerfest. They also plan to debut 2 new songs they are working on at the moment. The band is just finishing their second EP, which is due for release this summer.

Speaking at the competition Chris Rooney said “Playing Sunflowerfest is going to be the highlight of our summer.”  When we entered Grass Roots, we just wanted decent exposure and to meet other bands we could gig with in the future; we didn’t think we’d win!  Now we’re going to be playing among 120 of the best acts in NI and further afield at the festival; we can’t wait to get down to the farm!

Michael Magowan, festival organizer, said “We are absolutely over the moon that Paper Dogs have taken home the Grass Roots crown. We couldn’t be more proud of the band! Right from the beginning they have been amazing to work with, from the initial heat through to the final, and we see big things in the group’s future.”

“Very well done to Chris, Nick, Mark and Kris. We can’t wait to see them live on stage at Sunflowerfest this summer and we will continue to support them as much as we can.”

Sunflowerfest takes place at Tubby’s Farm, Hillsborough, 5^th to 7^th August. As always, the music line up at this year’s Sunflowerfest covers all genres with a wide range of local and international acts confirmed for the festival’s six diverse stages… something to suit all tastes. Weekend tickets cost from £79.95 per adult and each adult ticket admits 2 children aged 15 and younger for free. Day tickets are also available £28.

For further information or to purchase tickets visit: http://www.sunflowerfest.co.uk/

We are delighted that Northern Ireland has reached the knockout stages at the European Championships.

We will continue with our family fun football events at both Mossley Mill and Antrim Castle Gardens, with a live screening of Northern Ireland v Wales on Saturday 25 June.  The event will begin from 4pm with kick off at 5pm.

Tickets will be released today at 3pm for both sites and are available to book online at www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/football or in person from Theatre at The Mill Box Office, Clotworthy House or Antrim Civic Centre.  Due to high demand tickets are restricted to four per person.

You know Summer has arrived in Bangor when the Sunday music returns to The Bandstand in Ward Park.

Ards and North Down Borough Council’s popular Music In The Park programme has been running for 11 years now and has become hugely popular with visitors who look forward to kicking back in the sunshine and enjoying some quality music acts. This year the Open House Festival will be programming the events, providing the most eclectic line-up of acts ever seen at The Bandstand!

Kicking off this year on Sunday, July 3, then running every Sunday for the whole of July and August, this year’s programme features a mix of blues, folk, easy listening and even some punk! Featuring gems such as; The Blues Street Preachers, Les Petits Hardchargers, Chris Keys Band, Sam Wickens, Jigs & Reels, & Nathan O’Regan!  The finale event will be the fabulous Open House Bluegrass Picnic taking place on the last Sunday in August.

One of the highlights of the 2016 programme will be ‘Punk In The Park,’ taking place on August 14. Shock Treatment 21 a modern day reincarnation of a late 70s punk new/wave outfit will take park-goers on a trip down memory lane to their punk hey-day – a new departure for Ward Park! So spike up your hair and don’t miss it!

Opening the programme on July 3 is The Salvation Army Brass Band playing a traditional programme of music to commemorate the 100^th year anniversary of The Battle of the Somme.

So if you fancy a lazy Sunday in the park, enjoying live music from the comfort of a deck chair, stick the dates in your diary, gather your family and friends, pack a picnic and head to Ward Park, every Sunday in July and August from 3 – 5pm.

Please note that Ward Park is an alcohol free zone.

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