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.

• Mix It Up This May, Europa Hotel, Belfast. From £95 per room. This special offer includes a luxurious overnight stay in the 4-star Europa Hotel in the heart of Belfast City Centre. Be treated to a complimentary cocktail or mocktail upon arrival and enjoy a full Irish breakfast in the morning. Available until 31 May. To book call (028) 9026 6009.

• Complimentary Bushmills Whiskey, Shola Coach House Boutique B&B, Portrush, Co. Antrim. From £45pps. The 5-star Shola Coach House is a beautifully restored historic coach house dating back to the 1860s, set in a secluded location just over a mile from Portrush town centre. When you book a 2 night stay in the B&B, discover the taste of Bushmills Irish Honey spirit drink, the newest addition to the Bushmills family from the distillery on the doorstep of Shola Coach House. Each guest over the age of 18 will receive a free 50ml bottle. Available until 31 May. To book go to www.sholabandb.com and quote BUSHMILLS.

• Family Activity Weekend, Share Discovery Village, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. From £330 for a family of four.  Enjoy a 2 night weekend for a family of 4 on the shore of Lough Erne in one of Share Discovery Village’s self-catering cottages and take part in a wide range of activities on offer. The package includes a family leisure pass and a day of activities including archery, climbing and canoeing or kayaking. Available until 31 May. To book call (028) 6772 2122.

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

*All offers are subject to availability.

Country music fans are in for a big treat in Ballycastle on Sunday 29^th May as the sensational Lisa McHugh will take to the stage and bring the crowd to their feet, during the opening weekend of the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival.

Originally from Glasgow, but living in Fermanagh for the last four years, Lisa has been filling dance floors in venues up and down Ireland.  The massive YouTube sensation has won the hearts of country fans across the island and has also captured the attention of Nathan Carter who dueted on Lisa’s album track “You Can’t Make Old Friends”.

Lisa McHugh is one of the few women in the Irish country music scene and she brings her lively and fun style of music, which is guaranteed to get fans to their feet for a good old country dance night.

Her current album “Wildfire” was released last year, reaching number 7 on the Official Irish Charts.  Fans will be hoping to hear Lisa’s top hits “Why d’ya come in here”, “Applejack” and “Hillbilly Girl” and perhaps a first taster of some new material.  The talented country starlet has a new album coming out later this year, which is expected to be a runner for the top spot in the charts.

Winning “Female Vocalist of the Year” for the third year in a row in 2016, Lisa is ready to “Bring on the Good Times” as her live Irish tour comes to Ballycastle on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.  Grab your dancing shoes and get your tickets booked for what promises to be a great night’s entertainment.

The dance is at 9pm at the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle on Sunday 29^th May.  Tickets are priced at £15 and are available from Ballycastle Visitor Centre on 02820 762024; or from the Marine Hotel on 02820 762222.  Pre-booking is strongly recommended.

For more information on the full Festival programme of activities in Ballycastle and on Rathlin Island, between 27^th May and 5^th June, visit www.rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com

~ Tourism Ireland’s 2016 Game of Thrones® campaign is showcasing Northern Ireland to millions of fans worldwide ~

Episode three of the sixth season of Game of Thrones® aired last night (Monday, 9 May) and Tourism Ireland unveiled its third ‘Door of Thrones’ – this week in the Percy French Restaurant in the grounds of the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Co Down.

The door is part of Tourism Ireland’s 2016 Game of Thrones® campaign, created in partnership with HBO, which is showcasing Northern Ireland to millions of the show’s fans worldwide.

The organisation is encouraging fans everywhere to come and “witness where it all began in Winterfell at Castle Ward, enter the grasslands of Vaes Dothrak in the Mourne Mountains, or dare to march in the footsteps of a White Walker in Tollymore Forest.

Earlier this year, the Dark Hedges – the Game of Thrones® filming location known to the people of Westeros as the Kingsroad – were battered by Storm Gertrude. Tourism Ireland saved the trees that fell that day, to turn them into a piece of Game of Thrones® history for fans – creating 10 intricately carved doors, each one telling the story of the latest episode in season six.

The doors are being unveiled by Tourism Ireland each week as season six unfolds, in restaurants, pubs and other venues near Game of Thrones® filming locations across Northern Ireland – so, by the end of this season, we’ll have a brand new Game of Thrones® trail linking the major filming locations around Northern Ireland. The first door (from episode one) is hanging in The Cuan guest inn in Strangford – near the filming locations of Castle Ward and Audley’s Castle. The second door is hanging in Fiddlers Green in Portaferry, near Quintin Bay. This week’s door, in the Percy French restaurant, is near Tollymore Forest Park.

Tourism Ireland has also unveiled its third – limited edition – Game of Thrones® stamp, another element of its campaign.

On Saturday, May 14, the Ards & North Down Pipe Championships will be taking place in Castle Park, Bangor.

This ever popular event will see Pipe Bands & Drum Majors travel from all over Northern Ireland to compete to become champions.  The event is free and runs from Noon to 6pm.

The competition which is being run by RSPBANI in conjunction with Ards and North Down Borough Council has attracted a large entry of 47 bands with bands travelling from as far as Cork to participate. Former Grade 1 World Pipe Band Champions, the Field Marshal Montgomery and St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Bands take part in the grade 1 competition along with newly promoted Bleary and District. The Drum Major competition has attracted an entry of 40 whilst a new addition of a Highland Dancing Championships has attracted 50 Highland Dancers.

Speaking about the event, The Mayor of Ards and North Down Alderman Alan Graham said: “As Mayor of North Down I am delighted to welcome the Ards and North Down Pipe Band Championships to Bangor and am especially honoured to act as ‘Chieftain of the Day’ for this prestigious event.

The Championships are a firm favourite in the Council’s Events Programme and brings a great day of family entertainment to Bangor, to be enjoyed by competitors and supporters alike.”

RSPBANI Chairman Ray Hall said, “I am pleased to see a very large entry for the Championships which makes for a great start to the 2016 season. We have worked with North Down Council down the years to promote Pipe Band Championships and now we are working with the new Council and I would like to thank Ards and North Borough Council for continuing to support the event and look forward to working with them in years to come.”

The event kicks off at 12 noon and runs till 6pm so come along for an afternoon of pure entertainment for all the family!

~ Tourism Ireland ensures millions of ‘foodies’ will see fabulous footage of Northern Ireland ~

Tourism Ireland’s latest promotion to highlight Northern Ireland and our special Year of Food and Drink is bringing Jamie Oliver’s hugely popular Food Tube channel to film in Fermanagh.

Tourism Ireland has invited two video bloggers from the network to come and film here. The first video was created over the weekend – when chef and broadcaster John Quilter, aka Food Busker, hit the streets of Enniskillen to create a ‘brilliant bacon sandwich’. His video – which is due to go live at the end of May – will feature Pat O’Doherty’s famous Fermanagh Black Bacon and will showcase the beautiful Fermanagh Lakelands and scenic shots of Enniskillen.

Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube is one of YouTube’s most successful food channels, featuring Jamie and a number of his friends and up-and-coming cooking talent. With some 22 million monthly views, it’s a really popular community for food lovers – and a superb platform to showcase Northern Ireland and the wonderful culinary experience on offer here.

The Fermanagh film will be promoted on Food Tube’s social platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, using #EnjoyNI. Filming for the second video will take place this week, in Co Antrim. Tourism Ireland worked closely with Tourism NI to agree the locations to feature in both films.

David Boyce, Tourism Ireland’s Deputy Head of Great Britain, said: “We’re really excited to work with Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube to promote Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink in GB. Our message here in GB is that Northern Ireland is a superb choice for ‘foodies’ for a holiday or long weekend break. We’re inviting them to come and discover our wonderful food and drink – and also hear the stories of the passionate people who rear, make, cook, distill and serve this superb produce.”

This promotion is just one element of Tourism Ireland’s busy programme of activity throughout 2016 to highlight Northern Ireland’s Year of Food and Drink. A specially created section on Tourism Ireland’s international website, Ireland.com, is also encouraging prospective visitors everywhere to come and “take a bite out of Northern Ireland”.

Over 30 artists, musicians, writers and performers are getting ready to showcase their talent at an exciting new event taking place in Larne Market Yard on Saturday 14^th May, 11am-4pm.

The Latharna Creative Collective is a new group which hopes to showcase the multiple talents that exists within the Larne area.

The new group of artists covered all art mediums (visual, applied, performance and literature) and they all hail from the Larne area including Carnlough, Glenarm, Islandmagee and Ballycarry.

Lauren Dawson, member of the collective, said

“Visitors on the day will be able to participate in art demonstrations and workshops, including Have A Go sessions and Meet the Makers. Live performances from local performing arts group Uplift and Larne Music Yard will keep everyone entertained, and art and craft stalls and children’s art activities will add to the atmosphere.”

Participating artists include Geraldine Connon, Jon Lashford, Miguel Neves, Laura Butler, Ann Caldwell, Audrey Kyle, Louis Humphrey, Rosalind Topping, Sasha McVey, Amanda McAfee, Trisha Campbell, Juliane Keane, Philip Malcolm, Helen Burgess, Rufyroohah, Larne Art Club and Larne Gramma School.

Writers involved in the event, include Ian Andrew, Angeline King, Thomas Jobling, Luan Ingram and Hilary Bailey.

There will be performances from The Music Yard, Matthew Malcolm and Lisa Dawson, Larne Drama Circle and Uplift Performing Arts.

Photographers Bernie McAllister and Vincent Taggart will also be exhibiting.

The event is free and will run from 11am-4pm. The event has been kindly supported by Mid and East Antrim Borough.

For more information check out www.facebook.com/latharnacreativecollective.

Lovers of craft are in for a treat this Summer!

Craftswirl at Armagh Visitor Information Centre is hosting a ‘Crafts Super Six’ series, where each month they will showcase the work of one of the finest crafters Northern Ireland has to offer.  Each month a different medium will be highlighted including ceramics, garden sculpture, willow weaving and wood turning.

The series has opened with Irish Casks.  Based in the Glens of Antrim, Irish Casks produce a range of unique, quirky furniture and everyday products from authentic Bushmills Whiskey Barrels! You will be amazed at what this unique designer can do with an old barrel – this has to be the ultimate and best example of upcycling to be found.

Make a date and call in each month to see this wonderful work for yourself.  Craftswirl is open Monday – Saturday 9:00am – 5:30pm and Sunday 1:00 – 5:30pm.

For information please contact: Craftswirl, Armagh Visitor Information Centre, 40

English Street, Armagh  BT61 7BA  Tel 028 3752 1800

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (May 9-15).

• International North West 200, various locations, Co. Antrim & Co. Londonderry, May 10-14. Every May, the beautiful Causeway Coast plays host to one of the most spectacular events in motorcycle racing. The International North West 200 attracts the finest line-up of road racers of any race on the planet, drawing thousands of visitors to the superfast 8.9 mile circuit that links the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine. Hitting top speeds of over 200mph, racers like Michael Dunlop and John McGuinness thrill 85,000 fans during the week-long event of speed on roads that locals normally use to make their way to work. The North West 200 is a must see event for everyone, petrol heads and new recruits alike!

• Balmoral Show 2016, Balmoral Park, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, May 11-13. Visitors old and new will be welcomed to Balmoral Park for food, farming, family and fun at the 148^th Balmoral Show. In these packed few days there will be competitions featuring top international show jumpers, a wide variety of the best livestock on show and over 500 trade stands. In keeping with the NI Year of Food and Drink, show goers will be able to see the food they have on their plate growing in the ground, bridging the gap between farm and fork where over 60 local food and drink companies will celebrate the best of local produce in the NI Food pavillion.

• · Creative Hat Couture, Market Place Theatre, Armagh, Co. Armagh, May 14. Creative hat Couture allows participants to make their very own headpiece within a day! Whatever your level of expertise, you will enjoy working with an array of fabulous millinery materials and be sure to leave the course with a glamourous and bespoke head piece. If you have a wedding or special occasion to attend in the coming months, it is recommended that you bring along your outfit and any particular material or accessories you might like to work with. Entrance fee £30/£25 (materials included). Begins at 10am.

• Enniskillen Big Bat Walk, Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, May 13. Have you ever wondered what a bat sounds like? Or wanted to learn more about what these nocturnal creatures are doing whilst you are asleep? Join Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to celebrate International Biodiversity Day and find out more. Places are limited and on a first come first served basis. All children must be accompanied by an adult and please bring a torch. Begins at 8.15pm.

• Thiel College Choir Concert, Belfast Cathedral, Belfast, May 11. Enjoy a free concert given by the Thiel College Choir, Greenville, Pennsylvania, USA on a first time visit to Belfast. Through the years the Thiel Choir has performed all over the United States and has embarked on nine European tours. The programme will include choral classics, spiritual and traditional folk songs from both sides of the Atlantic. Show begins at 12pm.

• The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio, Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, May 12. Pinocchio leaps off the page and onto the stage in this unique retelling of the epic tale. Patrick Lynch from CBeebies pulls the strings and brings you the true story of Pinocchio and his adventures on his quest to find his father and become a real boy. Come and join him on this incredible journey. Show begins at 10am. Suitable for ages 4+.

• Taste of Florence Court, Florence Court, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, May 14. Spend a day at Florence Court learning about cooking and growing your own produce. Join the gardener in the Walled Garden to hear tips on how to grow your own fruit and vegetables, and afterwards join chef John Roche as he cooks up some fresh produce from the soil for you to taste. From 12-4pm.

• North Down & Ards Pipe Band Championships, Castle Park, Bangor, Co. Down, May 14. The North Down & Ards Pipe Band Championships will return to Castle Park in Bangor which is sure to be a spectacular backdrop for this year’s event. With over 40 bands and 50 Drum Majors competing, the event promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family. From 12-5pm.

• Wicked Weddings, the Alternative Wedding Fayre, Derry, Co. Londonderry, May 14-15. Not your standard wedding fayre, this alternative wedding show is here to help turn those quirkiest of dreams into a reality all under one roof, with leading Irish, British & international wedding suppliers, designers, venues & much more.

• Film and Comic Con, Titanic Exhibition Centre, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, May 14-15. Celebrating all things film, TV and fantasy, Film & Comic Con is a must for fans of popular culture and a chance to see and meet some amazing guests, with numerous exhibitors and much more.

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 Eta Aquarids meteor tends to peak around May 6. The shower is named after the brightest star of the constellation, Eta Aquarii. Enjoy this amazing sight on Friday evening with Clearsky Adventure over Strangford Lough, take in beautiful surroundings while paddling on the water with this stunning backdrop. A truly unique experience! Learn kayaking skills and have fun under the watchful eye of expert instructors. Weather dependant.  Suitable for 18 years plus.

Armagh

Puckoon is back by popular demand at the Market Place Theatre Armagh this Thursday!  The show’s sell-out 2009 and remounted 2011 tour had audiences all across Ireland screaming with laughter at its Goonish blend of theatrical anarchy, musical wit, and impossible plot. Based on the book by Spike Milligan, this comic masterpiece is an irreverent and hilarious story which takes the mick, celebrates the absurd, and paints a picture of a simple life that borders on the ridiculous.

Fermanagh

The Enniskillen Comic Fest will take place in the McArthur Hall in Darling Street on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th May, with a wide range of events taking place to celebrate comic art, culture and promote sequential art and storytelling.  The Festival includes a variety of workshops, talks, mentoring sessions and portfolio reviews over the two days with Friday 6th seeing the schools programme being run, while Saturday 7th is a full open day for the public. Celebrating the iconic British Comic 2000AD there will be top creators from the UK and Ireland who have been a part of “The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic” as well as all aspects of the comics industry

Tyrone

After performing at the City of Derry Jazz & Big Band festival and the Jazz Festival in Dunfanaghy, Limavady Big Band group are making their way to the Alley Theatre this Saturday. 25 musicians including a female vocalist will bring you music from the 1930’s & 40’s such as Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Etta James right up to big band arrangements of Van Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Caro Emerald & many more.  This will be a great night of music & craic.

Derry/Londonderry

Charity motorcycle ride out in aid of Sands, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity, Sunday 8th May. Leaving Maghera Medical Centre car park at 1.30pm sharp with refreshments and a raffle on your return. So dust of your leathers and enjoy a scenic ride out for a good cause!

Antrim

Fortwilliam Musical Society Youth are delighted to be making a return to Theatre at The Mill with their production of Cats this Saturday 7^th May.  Based on T S Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show is set in a junkyard playground alive with feline characters. The Jellicle Cats come out to play on the night of the Jellicle Ball, telling their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise leader.  Cat is a brilliant song and dance spectacular not to be missed! Show Times: 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Belfast

The Frock Around The Clock Vintage & Handmade Wedding Fair will be returning on Sunday 8th May 2016 from 12-5pm to the beautiful location of Belfast Castle. Featuring around 50 inspirational wedding suppliers and designers including vintage, handmade, unique and bespoke services and products, this is the perfect place for creative couples to find the perfect people to help make their wedding day dreams become a reality.
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