The Experience Ards and North Down 2016 tours programme is a unique series of guided coach, boat and walking tours, which allow you to experience some of the unique sights and attractions the area has to offer.

Sit back and relax on a coach trip to one of the Borough’s beautiful stately homes, find out more on an historical walk, or take to the water on a boat trip down Belfast or Strangford Lough.  Also included is the opportunity for children to enjoy learning about the world around them through nature trails – hunting for mini beasts and sea creatures at Millisle Beach, making bird boxes at Crawfordsburn Country Park and discovering the wildlife and birds that make Killynether Wood in Newtownards their home. Experience Ards and North Down Tours have something for everyone!

Download the brochure for the full range from visitardsandnorthdown.com and book your tickets on-line or from Ards, Bangor, Cockle Row and Portaferry Visitor Information Centres.

This week’s tours:

Strangford Lough Boat Tour Saturday 11 & 26 June, 2pm – 4pm

Take time away from the fast pace of everyday life and enjoy the magnificent scenery and fascinating wildlife of Strangford Lough.

Tickets:  £8 (Children under 14 accompanied by adult £4)

For further information contact Portaferry Visitor Information Centre 028 4272 9882

Comber Historical Walking Tour Sunday 12 June, 2pm – 4pm

Join this tour to discover points of interest as you stroll through the home town of Thomas Andrews designer of the Titanic.

Tickets:  £3

For further information contact Ards Visitor Information Centre 028 9182 6846

Helen’s Bay in Two World Wars Sunday 12 June, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

This fascinating tour starts with a visit to St John’s Parish Church, exploring its strong historical connections to both World Wars, then proceeds to Grey Point Fort, via the Bayburn Trail.

Tickets:  £3

For further information contact Bangor Visitor Information Centre 028 91270069

Titanic Belfast has been nominated alongside Buckingham Palace, La Sagrada Familia, The Eiffel Tower and The Roman Colosseum to become Europe’s Leading Visitor Attraction at the World Travel Awards.

The world’s largest Titanic visitor experience has been nominated in the prestigious awards, which have been nicknamed the ‘Tourism Oscars’. It is the first time an attraction in Northern Ireland has been nominated in the awards 23 year history.

It is now competing for the top spot in Europe against the following leading attractions – the Acropolis, Athens, Buckingham Palace, England, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, La Sagrada Familia, Spain, Ribeira do Porto, Portugal, The Eiffel Tower, France and The Roman Colosseum, Italy.

To prove that Northern Ireland is home to Europe’s leading tourist attraction, the iconic Titanic Belfast needs local support.

Titanic Belfast Chief Executive, Tim Husbands MBE, commented, “We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated for Europe’s Best Tourist Attraction. After only four years in operation, be recognised alongside previous winners and iconic European landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Roman Colosseum and noted as one of them, is a true honour. We know what we offer at Titanic Belfast is special, something our city and country can be proud of, and deserves to be recognised on a worldwide stage! To do so, we need you help – PLEASE vote and help us be crowned Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction!”

Since opening in 2012, Titanic Belfast has established itself as a world-class attraction on the local, national and international stage, having welcomed over 2.8 million visitors. It was recently included in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travelist of 500 of the world’s most striking locations, featuring everything from imposing temples to hidden gems, after only three years in operation and was named the ninth best rated museum in the UK Travellers’ Choice™ awards, announced by TripAdvisor.

To vote for Titanic Belfast as Europe’s leading tourist attraction, visit http://www.worldtravelawards.com/vote-for-titanic-belfast-europes-leading-tourist-attraction-2016 before 20th July 2016.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice with something different.  We have a little murder planned at the Navan Centre, so if you fancy yourself as a Poirot?

Put your little grey cells to the test on Friday 17^th June as King Conor invites you to join him at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh to celebrate the Summer Solstice.

From 7.00pm – 10.00pm, King Conor plans a night of feasting and entertainment befitting to the Solstice but before the buffet is served a murder takes place.  Can you help solve the murder?

Promises to be a night of great fun for just £20.00 per person, children aged 12 years and under are charged £8.00 per child.

Booking in advance is essential.  Book your tickets today on www.armagh.co.uk/solstice 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

THE annual Armoy Road Races, which take place on 29^th and 30^th July 2016, will once again benefit the local tourism industry by boosting visitor numbers to the area.

Now in its eight year, Armoy Road Races continue to attract large crowds of spectators and bike enthusiasts. Following last year’s record number of spectators who attended the event, the race organisers are confident that they’re on course for another vast turn out.

Chairman of the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club, William Munnis said, “The Armoy Road Races is well established in the calendar of events that take place in the Causeway Coast and Glens. Now a week long event, the races encourage visitors to stay in the vicinity and gives them the opportunity to visit some local attractions such as the Giant’s Causeway, along with other local tourists attractions such as the Dark Hedges as well as our beautiful coast and glens.

“Armoy and the surrounding area has so much to offer visitors and we appreciate the support we receive as it is essential that we attract people to the area to sustain businesses and to keep our economy afloat.  If the Armoy Road Races helps to highlight the area in some way, then we are incredibly proud of that.”

Local hotelier, Trevor Kane who owns the Bayview Hotel in Portballintrae and sponsors the Supersport Race 2 said, “The continued growth and popularity of the Armoy Road Races really is testament to the effort and support put in by the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club. To have such a great event, which is unique to the area, just on our doorstep is a brilliant opportunity for encouraging visitors to stay and enjoy all the area has to offer.

“I wouldn’t miss the road races and more importantly I see visitors return to Armoy each year and also to the Bayview Hotel because of them. We have tourists from across Ireland, North and South, as well as international road racing fans coming to the races. This leads to money going straight into the local economy as the visitors support local businesses.”

The Armoy Road Races 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 us on twitter at @ArmoyRoadRaces.

BuskFest is back and calling on all musicians, singers, bands, solo artists and street performers to register for Ireland’s fastest growing busking festival, which takes place in Banbridge town centre on Saturday 25 June.

The musical menagerie will battle it out in front of an appreciative public audience in the hope of picking up a share of the superb £3000 cash pot.

The competition runs from 1.00pm – 4.30pm and concludes with the all important prize-giving ceremony hosted by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean in the town’s Solitude Park from 4.30pm – 6.00pm. The marvellous Matt McGinn & Friends will kick start the prize-giving event with a foot stomping, sing-a-long, crowd pleasing performance before the winners of each of the six categories are announced.

Categories include overall winner, best individual, best band, best junior performer, best performance which is sponsored by Banbridge Chamber of Commerce and the ‘Spirit of BuskFest’ prize, sponsored by The Outlet, Banbridge.

As well as a superb cash prize, the overall winner will also land a spot on the line-up at Sunflowerfest which takes place from 5 – 7 August 2016 at Tubby’s Farm, Hillsborough plus receive a live acoustic video recording by The Garage Project.

In addition to the musical merriment in the town centre an Artisan Food Market, celebrating NI’s Year of Food & Drink will offer up the best of the Borough’s local produce as well as tasty treats from further afield in Solitude Park from 11am – 6pm.

Speaking at the launch Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Brendan Curran said, “I am delighted to be part of BuskFest. Now in its 13^th year this annual musical celebration has grown both in numbers participating as well as visitors to the town centre.  BuskFest is an excellent opportunity for musicians from near and far to showcase their talents and is a great day out for all the family to enjoy. From budding buskers to seasoned singers everyone is welcome to be part of this exceptional event”

Online registration for BuskFest is now open at www.buskfest.com, further details can also be found on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/buskfest.

This year’s must-see summer exhibition, ‘Race to the End of the Earth’, which will be on display at Titanic Belfast, from 25th June to 28th August has touched down in Belfast for its premier in the UK and Ireland.

This is the first-time an exhibition from the American Museum of Natural History, which has been described by the New York Times as “engrossing”, has visited the UK and Ireland.

The word-class exhibition, which will be in Titanic Belfast’s Andrews Gallery, is a must-see for kids, parents and explorer enthusiasts alike to learn about the most stirring account of Antarctic exploration of all time – Scott versus Amundsen.

Through a series of interactive, multimedia experiences, hands on activities and life-size recreations, the world-class exhibit explores the ‘Race to the End of the Earth’ by two teams with one goal. Northern Ireland visitors for the first time will be brought back in time to follow in the footsteps of Norwegian Amundsen and Britain’s Scott as they embark on a 1,800-mile journey to be the first to reach the South Pole, showing what life was like for the explorers on the ice 100 years ago as they faced not only the ultimate limits of human endurance but some of the harshest weather conditions in the world, as well of the risk of starvation and frostbite.

Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast, Tim Husbands MBE, said “The Race is certainly on – we are delighted to be working with the American Museum of Natural History to bring this exhibition to UK and Ireland for the first-time! Scott and Amundsen were at the forefront of the heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, many people including Shackleton (who was from County Kerry) and local explorer Crozier from Banbridge where inspired and followed in their footsteps! Now Northern Ireland audiences can follow in their footsteps and experience one of the greatest challenges of exploration at our must-see ‘Race to the End of the Earth’ exhibition. Antarctica is no longer the last place on earth – it’s right on our doorstep this summer.”

Race to the End of the Earth is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org), in collaboration with Musée des Confluences, Lyon, France, and Royal BC Museum, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Titanic Belfast’s continues to raise its profile on the national and international stage as a world-class attraction and has now welcomed over 2.8 million visitors. It was also recently included in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travelist of 500 of the world’s most striking locations, featuring everything from imposing temples to hidden gems, after only three years in operation and was named the ninth best rated museum in the UK Travellers’ Choice™ awards, announced by TripAdvisor. For more information, visit www.titanicbelfast.com.

Celebrity chef Rachel Allen will be cooking up a storm and whipping up a treat at Lurgan Show on Saturday 4th June!

Hosted by award-winning chef and proprietor of the Yellow Door Deli, Simon Dougan, the fabulous Food Heartland event has been organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Taking place from 10am – 5pm, renowned chef Rachel Allen will be cooking up a wide range of delicious local dishes and delicacies, featuring our very own Lough Neagh Eels and Bramley Apples! She will also be dishing out some handy hints and tips on home cooking and visitors will have the opportunity to ask any questions they have on how to procuce the perfect feast!

And that’s not all, there will be also be tasty chef demonstrations and cooking tips from skilled members of the Food Heartland Forum, including: The Moody Boar Bistro & Restaurant, The Armagh City Hotel, Uluru Bar and Grill and Yellow Door Deli, Portadown.

After whetting your appetite with the cookery demonstrations you can tantalise your taste buds at the flavoursome Food Heartland Village. There will be gorgeous grub from Abernethy Butter, Wilson’s Country Potatoes, Burren Balsamics, Harnett Oils, Long Meadow Cider (trading non-alcoholic produce only), Yellow Door Deli, Heavenly Cupcakes and Quail’s.

Interactive cookery demos, free prize draws and merchandise and a delicious Food Heartland Village – there really is something for all you foodies out there this weekend! Come along for a great day out!

Cost into Lurgan Show is:  General Show Admission – £6.00, Senior Citizens/Under 16’s – £3.00 or Family Admission – £20.00. Once paid, entry into Food Heartland event and cookery demonstrations is FREE.

For further information log onto www.discovercraigavon.com or www.facebook.com/discovercraigavon

With just three months until this year’s Air Waves Portrush Airshow, organisers have revealed that the jaw-dropping RAF Chinook Helicopter Display Team will be performing on both days: 3^rd and 4^th September.

The Chinook Display Team will join the line-up alongside the Red Arrows to perform on both the Saturday and Sunday of what is Northern Ireland’s biggest and most exciting airshow event.

Paul Sall, Airshow Director, said, “We’ve pulled off a bit a coup! The astonishing display by the Chinook will make its Portrush debut this September and is one of the most talked about and hotly anticipated displays on the circuit. They are displaying in only 11 UK venues this year and we will host the only display in Northern Ireland – it’s going to be show-stopping.”

Weighing around 15 tonnes, Chinooks are the heavy-lifters of the helicopter world, with a lifting capacity of 10 tonnes, the equivalent of 2 African bush elephants. The cabin is large enough to accommodate two Land Rovers, or when in use for search and rescue or casualty evacuation, they can carry a total of 24 stretchers.

Paul Sall continued, “Bearing in mind the might and weight of these aircraft, crowds at Air Waves Portrush can expect to see a display which includes high energy corkscrews, spiralling, a 360 degree orbit low to the ground, rearward takeoffs, a move known as a “noseover” and even a bow to the crowd.  The versatility and manoeuvrability of this powerhouse of an aircraft has to be seen to be believed.”

RAF Air Vice Marshall David Niven said, “The Royal Air Force is proud to bring the RAF Chinook Flying Display to Northern Ireland.  They have worked hard on this new display and are looking forward to showing at Air Waves Portrush.  Alongside the Red Arrows and a few other surprises yet to be revealed, this year’s air show looks set to be the best yet.”

For anyone looking for the best seat in the house for Air Waves Portrush, why not book an exclusive hospitality package in the Silver Wings Chalet, with flightline views, for just £59 each, up to and including 19^th June.

Air Waves Portrush is organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and supported by Tourism NI.  For more information visit www.airwavesportrush.co.uk or follow AirWavesPortrush on Facebook for more lineup news as it is revealed.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council are delighted to welcome Buille, one of the most innovative groups in Irish Traditional Music, to perform at The Old Courthouse on Thursday 9 June.

This show is part of a tour with Moving On Music, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Led by Armagh born brothers Niall and Caoimhín Vallely (Concertina / Piano) Buille create some of the most exciting and innovative traditional music heard today. The formidable lineup features some of the finest traditional musicians around including Ed Boyd (Guitar), Jim Higgins (Bodhrán) and Neil Yates (Trumpet).

Buille formed in 2004 as a vehicle to perform a body of new music composed by Niall, resulting in three critically acclaimed albums to date. The music is based on traditional forms but freely borrows stylistic elements from various genres including Jazz, Blues, and Contemporary music. Buille have toured extensively across Ireland, the UK, Europe, America and Russia.  They have earned the reputation as a must see live act and one of the contemporary Irish bands helping bring new ears to traditional music.

Maria McAlister, Arts Development Officer for Traditional Music, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “The Arts Council is delighted to support this tour through the Northern Ireland Music Touring Programme which has already brought a range of impressive tours to new audiences and venues across the region since its introduction in 2014. Our Five-Year Music Strategy outlines a firm commitment to bringing the best music, from a range of genres, to people across Northern Ireland.  We firmly believe the NI Music Touring Programme helps us achieve that.”

Buille’s latest album ‘BEO’ was released in Autumn 2015 to glowing reviews: described by the Irish Echo as “exquisitely delivered Irish music that has an utterly contemporary and original feel” and “virtuosic” and “extraordinary” by the Living Tradition.

Now in their 12^th year as a band, we are delighted to present BUILLE for what promises to be an evening of the very best contemporary traditional music around.

Local singer/songwriter and musician Ciaran O’Kane from Cushendun, will play support on the night. He sings traditional songs as well as his own compositions, having grown up surrounded by local music and song.

Tickets are priced at £10 & £8 (Concession) and are available from the Box Office: 028 9446 3113 or 9448 1338.

THIS WEEK, Friday 3 June – Thursday 9 June

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June, Sea Bangor Festival

Quay Street, Bangor Seafront

Free event. Sat 4, 10am-6pm and Sun 5, 12noon-6pm

Visit and step on board the Tall Ship ‘Mercedes’, watch fantastic Jet-lev demo’s, Twister Aerobatic Displays, food, music, magic and more!

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 4: Animal Road Show and Children’s Crafts

Sun 5: Clayrazy and face painting

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 4 June until Sunday 19 June, NI Festival of Cycling

Throughout the Ards and North Down Borough

Various activities and events, from a cinecycle in Comber to town races, and a beaches and BBQ’s plus much more.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 4 June until Sunday 26 June, Exhibition: In the Frame

Art in the Loft, Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Admission Free. An Exhibition of Gillian Downing’s collection inspired by her love of nature and wildlife.

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4281 9882, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 5 June, Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia: Strangford Route

Strangford Lough

This fantastic event returns to the Borough with the Strangford Lough route. Why not ‘go pink’ and cheer on the participants.

Info: visitardsandnorthdown.gov.uk or granfondogiroditaliani.com

Until Monday 27 June, Exhibition: Discover Strangford Lough & the Ards Peninsula

The Saddlery, Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Admission Free. An exhibition of beautiful places belonging to the National Trust

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4281 9882, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

NEXT WEEK, Friday 10 June – Thursday 16 June

Friday 10 and Saturday 11 June, Cultra Hillclimb

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra

10am-5pm

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

This event is supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 11: Plant and Play and Children’s Crafts

Sun 12: Brocks4kids and glitter tattoos

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 11 June, Strangford Lough Boat Tour

Starts 2pm, tickets £8 (Ad), £4 (Ch)

Info & tickets: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 12 June, Helen’s Bay in Two World Wars

Starts 2.30pm, tickets £3

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sun 12, Thurs 16 & Tues 21 June, The Big Ards and North Down Footie Family Picnic

Ards and North Down Borough Council is inviting families to join the ranks of the ‘Green and White Army’ and enjoy a family friendly screening of the Northern Ireland UEFA Euro 2016 matches in parks across the borough.

Families can view the matches and soak in the great atmosphere at the following venues:

Sun 12 – 5pm, NI v Poland in Ward Park, Bangor
Thurs 16 –  5pm, NI v Ukraine in Londonderry Park, Newtownards

Tues 21 – 5pm, NI v Germany in Millisle Beach Park, Millisle

Gates open 90 minutes prior to kick-off. Tickets are free

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Thursday 16 to Sunday 19, Portaferry Sails and Sounds Festival

Classic Boat and Music Festival

Free event though charges apply to the Music Festival

Info: (028) 4272 8770

This events is supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Tickets on sale now…

Sea Bangor – Tall Ship Sailings – Sat 4 and Sun 5 June

Sailing into Bangor for the event is the impressive tall ship “The Mercedes” which will be moored alongside The Eisenhower Pier and open to the public for both days of the festival. If you fancy sailing the high seas on the spectacular “Mercedes” there are opportunities available for hour-long sailings on both the morning and evening of June 4 & 5. There will be morning sailings at 9am on both days (£15), then Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 8pm (£20).

Tickets are available now at Bangor Visitor Information Centre, Ards Visitor Information Centre, North Down Museum and online via visitardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Download the leaflet

Theatre in the Walled Garden: David Walliams’ ‘Ratburger’ – Tues 19 and Wed 20 July

£6, 2pm & 6pm

Voted the top children’s book of the year in 2012, David Walliams’ “Ratburger”

Heartbreak Productions returns this summer with the theatrical premiere of “Ratburger”, adapted for the outdoor stage.  Recommended for 7yrs+

Info and tickets: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

UPCOMING EVENTS…

Comber Earlies Food Festival

Saturday 25 June

Download the leaflet

Peninsula Food Showcase

Sat 30 July – Portaferry, Sat 13 Aug – Portavogie, Sat 10 Sept – Donaghadee, Sun 9 and Mon 10 Oct – Ballywalter, Sat 29 Oct – Greyabbey

Download the leaflet