Every plant in the garden is gearing up to make the most of the summer and there is no better way to appreciate the colourful blooms and luscious green foliage than to visit the Ulster Gardens Scheme’s fabulous array of open gardens.

On Sunday 26 June, Colleen and Nick Lowry, Blessingbourne Estate, Murley Road, Fivemiletown, BT75 0QS are opening their garden from 2pm to 5pm, on behalf of the National Trust, Northern Ireland’s largest conservation charity.

‘Blessingbourne Country Estate where the Manor House majestically overlooks Lough Fadda’. This tranquil location is complimented by a back drop of mature woodlands and delightful gardens featuring a terrace, lawns and borders with sunken garden. There are large mature Yew trees and Holm oak standing at the front of the house. Learn about the rich historical past of the estate and view the memory garden currently being developed to commemorate the American Army who were based at Blessingbourne during the Second World War.

Take a walk around the 4km walking trails, discover the remnants of Mary Montgomery’s Rock Garden and beautiful Rhododendron walk. The garden is partially suitable for wheelchairs.

Location: From Belfast take the M1 and continue onto A4. At Ballygawley roundabout continue on A4 towards Enniskillen. Go through Augher and Clogher and enter Fivemiletown. At roundabout turn right onto Murley Road, signposted Fintona B122 and Omagh. Stay on Murley Road (B122) and look for Ulster Gardens Scheme signs.

From Maguiresbridge take A4 and enter Fivemiletown. Follow signs for Clogher and Belfast A4. At T junction turn left onto Murley Road. Follow Ulster Gardens Scheme signs.

Enjoy a summer’s day wandering around other people’s secret paradises and pick up a few tips for your own garden. While you are there buy some plants and relax with a refreshing cup of tea.

The organising committee is grateful to all the garden owners and very much appreciates all the hard work that goes into preparing the gardens. All funds raised by the Ulster Gardens Scheme are used for work in National Trust gardens in Northern Ireland.

Full details of open gardens are in the Ulster Gardens Scheme leaflet available from National Trust Regional Office, contact 028 9751 0721 or visit www.ulstergardensscheme.org.uk

Admission £3

FATHER’S Day is just around the corner and to help you give your dad a day he won’t forget, Tourism NI has put together an exciting list of things to see and do around Northern Ireland from adventure activities to history days out, interesting tours and nature experiences.

June 19 is the perfect time to show your dad just how special he is and whether you are looking for a relaxing afternoon or a more adventurous time, there is no better way to spend the day than out and about in Northern Ireland.

Tourism NI’s Communication & Destination PR Officer, Rachel Quigg explains why no one should be stuck for things to see or do this Father’s Day:

“There is a wide range of fun activities and fantastic events taking place around the country as well as an endless number of must-see tourist attractions and we have pulled together some of the top highlights so your dad can have a unique and special day,” said Rachel.

HISTORY MAD DAD

There are many things to do and places to see for those fathers who love history and heritage. Treat your dad to a great day out and become photographers for the day on the Father’s Day Titanic Taster Photography Tour.

On this interactive tour you will be transported around Belfast’s Titanic Quarter on the Wee Tram, learning top photography tips and techniques while exploring Belfast’s maritime heritage. The Titanic Taster Photography Tour takes place on June 18 at 10.30am.

Other history themed activities include a trip to the Walled City of Derry~Londonderry, home to the magnificent 17^th Century City Walls.  Crammed full of history, charm and a vibrant cultural scene, Derry~Londonderry is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples in Europe.

A fun day out on Father’s Day can also be had at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, County Tyrone, as there is a fascinating open-air museum telling the story of Irish emigration to the New World.

NATURE LOVING DAD

If your dad enjoys the great outdoors, then there are plenty of places to go this Father’s Day, like one of the many beautiful forest and country parks around Northern Ireland. Why not bring your Dad to Roe Valley Country Park, along the banks of the River Roe in Limavady, which boasts spectacular riverside views and opportunities for trout and salmon fishing; or to Tollymore Forest Park in Castlewellan, County Down, which was a filming location for HBO’s Game of Thrones®.

An Creagán in Co Tyrone is nestled in the ancient landscape of the Sperrin foothills and is the perfect place to spend a day with your dad with lots of walks, cycle paths and areas to explore.

Spend a family afternoon in Belfast Zoo, which is home to 150 species of animal, many of which are endangered, in their natural habitat. Popular attractions include the Asian elephants, giraffes, sea lions, Malayan tapirs and giant anteater.

Your nature-loving dad might also enjoy a visit to Castle Espie Wetland Centre, on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. Home to wild and endangered birds from around the world, you can follow the nature walks to get close to the wildlife, have a picnic or visit the Loughshore Café.

SPORTS MAD DAD

For those dads who want to get out and about this Father’s Day, there is plenty going on to get their adrenaline pumping. It is the closing weekend of the NI Festival of Cycling, packed full of events and festivities to get dad on his bike whilst taking in some of Northern Ireland’s stunning scenery.

Events taking place over the weekend include Banter By Bike, a leisurely yet challenging ride around Ballypatrick Forest, Ballycastle, and Bike Polo in Ormeau Park, Belfast, where two teams will battle it out on bikes instead of horses to be Bike Week Champion 2016.

You and your family could go on a day out to We Are Vertigo just outside Belfast, which has a wide range of activities from climbing walls to sky trail high ropes plus a ski centre and a huge trampoline park, or if your dad is a speed junkie, take him off – road driving at Todds Leap in County Tyrone or karting at Campsie Karting Centre near Derry~Londonderry.

Alternatively, if your dad prefers to watch sport, the Official Euros Fanzone at Titanic Belfast will be open on June 18, showing all of the day’s Euro 2016 matches on the biggest screen in the country with lots of delicious food options, a fun fair and entertainment before and after the games.

FOOD AND DRINK LOVING DAD

It is Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink, so why not celebrate with your dad by sampling some local specialities at one of the many events and tours on offer! On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June, the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival 2016 takes place in Bushmills, County Antrim, with food, drink, live entertainment and cooking demonstrations throughout the weekend, including free whiskey tasting at Bushmills Distillery and Naturally North Coast and Glens Market on the streets.

There are also many food tours happening across Father’s Day weekend, such as the Belfast Food Tour. This fun and relaxed tour will give you and your dad a taste of the food available around Belfast and the best places to find it.

There is also the Ballycastle Food Tour, focusing on the town’s varied cultural history with local producers providing breakfast, lunch, supper and dessert throughout the day.

For further information check out www.discovernorthernireland.com/fathersday/

This summer young girls from Northern Ireland will get the chance to develop essential life skills that will set them up for success and to help ensure females play an increased role in all levels of society.

Little Women NI is a new five week programme beginning on 16 July for young girls in Northern Ireland aged seven to nine years-old.

Aiming to develop essential life skills in communication, confidence, creativity, teamwork and leadership, the initiative will see 20 girls take part in bespoke sessions delivered by industry experts who are the best in their field.

Founded and Directed by Laura Dowie, Senior Marketing Officer at Belfast Met and former Events and Marketing Manager at Women in Business, Little Women NI aims to improve and develop a variety of skills in a unique and fun environment. The skills learned will help them form positive relationships with both themselves and their peers, as well as encourage dreams and inspire success.

Laura Dowie said: “Research has shown that during childhood, girls display confidence levels that are equal to boys of the same age. However, during teenage years confidence levels and self-belief decrease. This affects how girls interact and engage not only with their peers, but with the world around them.

“Over the course of five weeks, Little Women NI will help young girls develop and enhance skills that they can carry through into their teenage years, while having fun and learning about themselves at the same time. Gender equality in the workplace and women in STEM are key issues for both government and businesses and in order to address the imbalance, action needs to be taken from an early age to help ensure that females play an increased role at all levels of society.”

The programme will run every Saturday morning from 16 July to 13 August in Crescent Arts Centre.  Each session will be delivered in a fun environment by a professional in their field. Facilitators include Lisa Duffy, Director of Bright Young Things, Heather Carr, Director of Ten Minutes More, Alasdair McKee, Director of Offload Rugby, Tara Mullan and Jeanette Ranking, Directors of Doodlebugs Creative Workshops and Little Women NI Founder, Laura Dowie.

For more details on the programme and how to register you can visit www.facebook.com/littlewomenni

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (June 20 – 26).

• The Irish Game Fair and Fine Food Festival, Shanes Castle, Co. Antrim, June 25 & 26. This two-day extravaganza is a celebration of all things country with traditional country sports, archery and shooting ranges, fly casting displays and much more. There will also be a Fine Food Pavilion promoting local artisan producers in the NI Year of Food and Drink 2016.

• Belfast Carnival Village, Ormeau Park, Belfast, June 25. Ormeau Park will be transformed into a colourful theatrical set with mad hatters, performing puppets, orchestrated musicians and special landmark appearances for a free fabulous day of fun. Starts at noon.

• Comber Earlies Food Festival, Comber, County Down, June 25. With live cookery demonstrations and tasting sessions come along and sample the world famous Comber Earlies at this specialised food festival. Festival goers can participate in Highland Games, foodie themed activities and enjoy some live street theatre.

• Curtis Magee Fanfayre, The Lodge Hotel, Co. Londonderry, June 19 – 22. From Irish ballads, country gospel songs to sing-a-longs, Curtis will take you on a musical journey through the generations. Special guests include Hugo Duncan, Susan McCann, Gary Wilson and Country Harmony.

• Open Air Cinema, Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Co. Armagh, until July 1. Using state of the art digital projectors and bespoke sound equipment along with the magic of the night stars experience a movie night with a difference in the Walled Garden of Slieve Gullion Country Park. Hot drinks and snacks provided and there will also be pop up stalls selling popcorn and other tasty treats. Booking essential. Tickets available at Slieve Gullion Courtyard, The Wedding Room at Drumalane Mill (Quays Shopping Centre) or at www.openaircinemasni.com

• Minibeast and Moth Hunt, Marble Arch Caves, Co. Fermanagh, June 25. Come along and join staff at the Marble Arch Caves in a hunt for unseen wildlife in the Natural Nature Reserve. You will hunt in habitats, catch and identify invertebrates while learning more about these mini-beasts fascinating lifestyles and their roles in an ecosystem. Booking essential.  Call (028) 6634 8855.

• The Rebel Crown, Burnavon Theatre, Co. Tyrone, June 22. Commemorating the 400^th anniversary of his death in Rome, The Rebel Crown is a poetic history of the extraordinary turbulent life of Red Hugh O’Neill Ear of Tyrone.  Was he a saint or a sinner? Tickets £13.  Starts at 8pm.

• Bad Manners, Limelight, Belfast, June 29. Ska legends, Bad Manners, announce a return to celebrate their 40^th Anniversary with a show at The Limelight featuring some of their biggest hits such as “Lip up Fatty” and “Can.” Shows starts at 7pm. Ages 18+. www.limelightbelfast.com

• Summer Solstice Paddle Power, Castle Ward Estate, Co. Down. Enjoy the tranquillity of Strangford Lough on the longest day of the year on a truly unique experience. Learn kayaking skills and have fun under the watchful eye of expert instructors. Suitable for 18+. Price £38.  To book call (028) 437 23933.

• Belfast City Blues Festival, Various locations, Belfast. June 24 – 26. With three days of great music and over 45 free gigs happening at the Festival Marquee in Writers Square and bars and restaurants throughout the city blues fans will not want to miss out on some cracking shows in Belfast over the weekend.

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.

Down

The stunning Slieve Donard Resort and Spa will become a mecca for lovers of fashion, make-up and style on Thursday, June 16th from 7pm. The Summer Styling Showcase event in association with Victoria Square promises to solve all your summer fashion worries. Get your tickets whilst you can for this popular event by calling the Spa at Slieve Donard on 028 4372 6166 – tickets are priced at £15.

Armagh

We all think of our dads as superheroes, why not celebrate your superhero dad in the ancient way this Sunday with some Warrior Training and Assault Course at Navan Fort!  This Father’s Day they will train your dad in the skills needed to be an ancient superhero, then we can test him!

Fermanagh

Join Share’s 35th birthday celebrations on Friday 17th June in their 5km Colour Run/Walk.  This event is for everyone, it will be a great evening’s craic involving lots of paint, colour and laugh’s. Absolutely no need to be a runner and with free bouncy castle and slip’n’slide children of all ages can be involved. There will be a BBQ and refreshments at the end of the race.  You can sign up online at www.justgiving.com/Share-Colour-Run just donate £12 and reference the donation with your name. You will need to get in touch to fill out a registration form. Share is a registered charity that works for the inclusion of disabled and non-disabled people. We do this by providing opportunities for all to participate in a wide range of creative, educational and recreational programmes through over 30 different Arts, Land and Water activities.

Tyrone

Join The Strule Arts Centre Omagh for ‘A Taste of Summer’ this Saturday 18th June, an exciting day of fun activities.  With music, dance and drama performances plus street theatre, face-painting and balloon modelling, it’s a great family day out!  Enjoy some delicious cuisine by local eateries to celebrate Tourism NI’s Year of Food and Drink 2016.

Derry

This Friday and Saturday evening, enjoy an evening of music with Craig Ogden on guitar in the unique surroundings of Mussenden Temple. Complimentary buffet supper is included. Concert organised by the North Coast Association.

Antrim

The 71st annual Saintfield Agricultural Show, Family Funday and k9 Expo takes place this Saturday 18^th June at the Eikon Exhibition Centre! There will be a horse show in main arena, cow, pig, sheep, goats, alpacas, poultry, donkeys, rabbits, kids petting farm, pony rides, amusements and over 50 craft stalls. There will also be a grooming competition and pet dog show, pet village trade stands and doggie demos, young farmers events, archery have a go, amusements, face-painting, carnival games and much more!

Belfast

Enjoy a fabulous family day out as Kids Go Free to the Titanic Experience and SS Nomadic until 30th June 2016!  The Titanic Experience extends over nine interpretive and interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of RMS Titanic, as well as the city and people which made her. Children can earn a special certificate as they complete the Explorer Trail – allowing them to experience the shipyard, walk the decks, travel to the depths of the ocean and uncover the true legend of Titanic, in the city where it all began.  One free child ticket with every full price adult ticket purchased. Children must be 10 years old and under.

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.

On Sunday 21^st June @ 1.00pm, at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh treat your dad to a Father’s Day he will remember, starting with a wild BBQ and then watch as he tries his hand at making a wattle and daub fence, under the instruction of the Celtic characters.

The Celts were expert fence builders as they needed fences to protect their homes, their crops and their animals.  But for Father’s Day they are looking for some help with this task… your dad.  It is definitely going to be a mucky job!

It’s hard choosing a ‘different’ gift for your father, but we have it all sorted for you with this great idea.  Admission is just £8.95 per adult and £6.00 per child.  Pre-booking is essential, so book today on www.armagh.co.uk/dad or call 028 3752 9644

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

ENTRIES are now open for this year’s Harrigan Fuels Miss Armoy competition, run in association with Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club, which will take place on Thursday 28^th July 2016 in the corporate hospitality marquee, Armoy.

The competition is one of the major highlights of Bike week, with young women coming from all over the Causeway Coast and Glens to take part.

Successful candidates who take part can be promised a platform perfect for pursuing a modeling career, especially with past winners including Miss Northern Ireland 2014 and Miss NW200.

Chairman of Armoy Motorcycling Road Racing Club, William Munnis said, “The Miss Armoy competition is a firm fixture in the Armoy Road Races calendar.  We are proud to host the competition and would encourage visitors to the races to come along and support the event as it will be a great evening.  The event has a set of guidelines and young ladies can expect to be interviewed twice, the first occasion as a ‘biker girl’ and the second, wearing their ‘party gear’. Of course, the winner and runners up must be enthusiastic, up for a challenge and willing to take part on Race Day on Saturday 30^th July 2016.”

2015 Miss Armoy winner, Katherine Kennedy said, “I have loved being Miss Armoy as the competition was great fun and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.  I really enjoyed being involved on race day and helping out on the podium.  I got to meet all of the riders and just loved the buzz of the racing.  I’d recommend taking part in Miss Armoy as it helped boost my confidence and it’s great to be part of a local event.”

The first four runner-ups will also be expected to appear at the Race Event on Saturday 30^th July 2016, from 9.30am until racing finishes helping out on the grid at the start of each race.

William Munnis continues, “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Harrigan Fuels, our main sponsor. They’ve continued to sponsor our Miss Armoy competition each year and without them we really wouldn’t have an event. I’d also like to thank all our other sponsors of the competition, which include; Pacemaker Photography, Nutt Travel, Beauty at Logans and The Scenic Inn.  Their support is invaluable and greatly appreciated by the Club.”

This year’s live music is provided by local band, Roll the Dice and will follow on from the Miss Armoy competition, which starts promptly at 9.00pm.

All entries must be in by Thursday 14^th July 2016 but the sooner the better. Entry forms with full instructions can be downloaded from www.amrrc.com or visit the Miss Armoy 2016 Facebook page.

The event is part funded by Tourism Northern Ireland and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. Bike Week runs from Sunday 24^th July until Saturday 30^th July 2016 with the SGS International ‘Race of Legends’ featuring on the Saturday 30^th July 2016.

For more information visit www.amrrc.com or search for ‘AMRRC’ on Facebook and join the official fan page and you can also follow on twitter at @ArmoyRoadRaces.

The Comber Earlies Food Festival is taking place on Saturday June 25 and promises to be a great day out for food lovers and the whole family.

The one -day festival organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with Food NI, Comber Earlies Growers, DAERA, Tourism NI and the Ulster Scots Agency, takes place in the town’s centre and will showcase the world famous Comber potato which achieved EU Protected Geographical Indication status in 2012.

The event which is part of The Council’s NI Year of Food and Drink programme will have lots of delicious food on offer. Come along and sample the world famous Comber Earlies or some delicious locally produced food from the artisan Food Fair. Celebrity chef Tom Hunt who worked with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on the River Cottage TV series will be making a special appearance at the event. Presenter and author of The Natural Cook: Eating the Seasons from Root to Fruit and co-owner of the acclaimed Bristol based tapas restaurant Poco, Tom is known for creating simple, vibrant dishes made from ingredients chosen for their quality and ethics and will be demonstrating some delicious potato dishes at the festival.

Alongside Tom, local chefs Paula McIntyre, Kyle Greer and Carla Schofield will also be doing live cookery demonstrations at the festival kitchen throughout the day. For more information on a series of Year of Food and Drink events in Ards and North Down see www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/food.

This year’s programme is packed full of activities for all ages. Relax at the hay bale picnic, take part in some Ulster Scots Highland Games or enjoy the live music on offer. Kids can enjoy lots of country-inspired crafts in the Craft Big Top; make a flower, a colourful head-dress or your own scarecrow! In the food activity tent, festival-goers can take part in fun food activities; interactive potato sampling, a potato salad competition and a Man V Food competition. And look out for the tractor display and the street theatre programme which features some roller skating tomatoes!

The festival runs from 10am to 4pm and is a free event.

The Comber Earlies Fringe Festival will be running from 17 to 26 June. Delivered by Comber Regeneration Community Partnership, the Fringe Festival programme includes lots of activities like a supper dance, live music, a Spub Quiz, car boot sale and lots more.

This year’s festival is kindly being sponsored by the Department of Agriculture Environment & Rural Affairs, Tourism NI and The Ulster Scots Agency.

For further information check www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Programme of events continues to commemorate the Battle of the Somme

Throughout 2016 Ards and North Down Borough Council and its partners are commemorating the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme through a series of special events and tributes. A selection of highlights from the extensive programme of events can be found below.

On Thursday 9 June an exhibition relating to the Blackwood family of Clandeboye launched at Ards Arts Centre, highlighting the strong connections that Clandeboye Estate and the beautiful Helen’s Tower had to the First World War as well as the family connection of brothers Freddy and Basil Blackwood.

On the walls and in the cases at the exhibition are examples of letters that Basil wrote home to his family and the sketches that often accompanied his letters and diary entries. You will also see his company drill book and the newspaper notice to say that he was missing in action.  This exhibition focuses not just on the Blackwood’s connections to the War, but on the family’s travels to South Africa and also on Basil’s earlier recognition as an illustrator of children’s books.

‘Blackwood, an illustrated history’ will be on display until Saturday 2 July in the Georgian Gallery at Ards Arts Centre.

World War One themed film screenings will also take place throughout the borough including Steven Spielberg’s epic War Horse on Wednesday 22 June, 8pm in The Web Theatre in Newtownards and on Friday 1 July at 8pm at Portico in Portaferry.

On Friday 24 June at 8pm, The Tudor Cinema in Comber will show the screen adaptation of David Haig’s play My Boy Jack based on the story of Rudyard Kipling with Daniel Radcliffe staring as his son Jack. Tickets for all screenings will be available on the door or to book in advance visit ardsarts.com or contact Ards Arts Centre on 028 9181 0803.

On Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 July guided walking tours will take place at 10am and 2pm each day.  Leaving from the Somme Museum to Helen’s Tower, visitors will step back 100 years to 1916 and the Battle of the Somme. They will learn of the gallant contribution of the soldiers from the 36th Ulster Division and follow in their footsteps as they walk through their training camp to Helen’s Tower. Tickets are £3 each and are available from visitardsandnorthdown.com.

For a full list of REMEMBER AND REFLECT events see visitardsandnorthdown.com.

The Olympia Theatre, Dublin: 18 October

Waterfront, Belfast: 19 October.

Following a sold out Dublin show last month, the cast of Temple Street Productions’ hit series The Next Step have announced their return to The Olympia Theatre on 18 October for one show only due to public demand. The Wild Rhythm Tour will also visit the Waterfront Belfast on 19 October.

Victoria Baldesarra who plays ‘Michelle’ stated today “We simply had to return to Dublin to perform for all of the loyal Irish fans who couldn’t get a ticket for the April show. We can’t wait to return this November!”

The Next Step Wild Rhythm Tour brings spectacular dances to the stage, comprised of entirely original choreography and music from the hit series. From alluring duets and solo performances that shine a light on the superior skill level of the dancers to explosive routines that feature the full cast, the interactive show will capture the attention of the entire family.

Cast members performing on The Next Step Wild Rhythm Tour include: Victoria Baldesarra (Michelle); Trevor Tordjman (James); Jordan Clark (Giselle); Taveeta Szymanowicz (Thalia); Isaac Lupien (Eldon); Myles Erlick (Noah); Briar Nolet (Richelle) and newcomer Isaiah Peck, who stars as Henry in season four.

Tickets for Belfast Waterfront are available:

In person at the Ulster Hall Box Office

By Telephone: 028 9033 4455
Book On Line: www.waterfront.co.uk

In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour): Northern Ireland – 0844 277 44 55
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie