Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic experience, is on the lookout for its latest recruit – a child reviewer for 2016/17!

Is your child…

– Inquisitive
– Enthusiast
– Over the age of 5 and under the age of 13 (as of May 2017)
– with a nose for a story
– as well as an interest in Belfast’s history, the sea or Titanic’s story!

Then, you may want to find them gainful employment as Titanic Belfast’s Junior Explorer this Easter?

Titanic Belfast, the word-class visitor attraction, is offering one lucky child the opportunity to experience all it has to offer for free – for an entire year – whilst casting their eye over its child friendly offering.

This includes its brand new audio guide, family trail and mascots, which allows children to learn about the world’s most famous ship in a fun and challenging way interacting with characters throughout the exhibitions nine interpretive galleries, as well as hopping on board SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line vessel with an array of WW1, WW2 history on top its Titanic connection. Not forgetting its world-class and exclusive summer exhibition and Magical Christmas Experience!

And the best bit – parents and siblings get to tag along too to the world-class attraction, which has now welcomed over 2.7 million visitors. It was also recently included in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travelist of 500 of the world’s most striking locations and was named the ninth best rated museum in the UK Travellers’ Choice™ awards, announced by TripAdvisor.

This Easter, on top of exploring the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Titanic, as well as the City and people which made her, Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic will also have an egg-cellent Easter Trail, Kids Eat Free in Bistro 401 (with one adult meal – 25th – 29th March) and a special Easter Sunday Afternoon Tea (27th March).

To enter, please download the form from www.titanicbelfast.com, specifying why your child should be the Junior Explorer and return it by email to competitions@titanicbelfast.com or by post to Junior Explorer, Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast, BT39EP before 9^th May 2016.

THIS Easter, Hastings Hotels is offering an exciting range of ways to relax and enjoy time off with friends and family – from luxurious overnight stays and afternoon teas, to tasty dining experiences and rejuvenating spas.

Enjoy a delicious Easter Sunday Lunch with family and friends at a Hastings Hotel on Sunday 27^th March. All six hotels and the Percy French at Slieve Donard, and Cultra Inn at Culloden are hosting a range of superb Easter dining options with an opulent array of the finest locally sourced produce.  With a host of stunning locations to choose from and something to suit everyone, including the kids, there’s nowhere better to enjoy a special lunch and get together with the family.

Get away this Easter!

Everyone loves a short break away to celebrate spring!  Hastings Hotels is offering guests some exciting offers for a fun short break in either the Europa or Stormont Hotel in Belfast this Easter.  There is an excellent family break offer available which includes overnight accommodation, full Irish breakfast, a chocolate welcome treat on arrival, late checkout and complimentary WiFi, starting from just £100 per night for a family room with up to two children.

The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle is offering visitors a choice of three fantastic Easter Break packages which include breakfast and dinner each evening, with one night stays from only £85pps, two nights from only £150pps and three nights from only £210 pps.

For further information or reservations contact Hastings Hotels on 028 9047 1066 or visit hastingshotels.com

Ireland’s leading Status Quo band, Q The Quo will be ‘Rockin all over the World’ when they play The Europa Hotel on 2 April. This gig will kick off the band’s European tour.

Daniel Crozier from Q The Quo says;

“Thousands of Status Quo fans were left gutted a couple of weeks ago when the band announced that they’re hanging up their electric guitars this year and not doing any more electric concerts, so hopefully all the Status Quo fans will come out to our gig and enjoy all the energetic Status Quo hits.”

Tickets for Q The Quo concert at The Europa Hotel on 2 April cost £12 and are available from The Europa Reception on 02890 271066 or from ticketmaster.ie and www.irishtourtickets.com or phone 028 90310101

Tickets include ‘Johnny’s Big Night Out’ disco after the gig with U105’s Johnny Hero.

The Multi-award winning Stendhal Festival of Art is back this summer on August 12/13 and now is your chance to get on the bill and play at Ireland’s Best Small Festival.

The submission process for musical acts opens on Monday, March 21 and will be ongoing until Sunday April 3, so if you or your band wish to be considered for a place on the line-up at the annual arts extravaganza at Ballymully Cottage farm the team at Stendhal want to hear from you.

To apply simply visit www.stendhalfestival.com and click on the news link, fill in the form and email the team at talent@stendhalfestival.com and you will be in the running to take part in an event which boasts an alumni the likes of Donovan, The Undertones, The Divine Comedy, Frightened Rabbit, SOAK and a who’s who of the very best talent from the UK and Ireland.

Festival Director Ross Parkhill says that the submission process is one of his favourite parts of running the festival.

“We really look forward to the submission process every year,” he said. “There is so much talent out there and every year we hear loads of stuff that excites us and we always come across a couple of real gems that go on to put on a great show at the festival.

“We are interested in all genres of music, we pride ourselves on our wide and eclectic mix of musical styles each year and this year will be no different. So if you are a metal band or if you play the harpsicord and harmonica at the same time, please be sure to get your application in.”

“So drop us a line via the website between March 21 and April 3 and you could have the opportunity to help us be Ireland’s Best Small Festival again in 2016.”

• The Easter Bunny stops off at Castle Ward to celebrate the National Trust’s nationwide Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts
• He is set to deliver 362,592 chocolate bunnies to 271 National Trust places across Northern Ireland, England and Wales

The Easter Bunny has kicked off his 2016 schedule in style, with the National Trust unveiling a series of show-stopping topiary bunnies, one of which can be found in the grounds of Castle Ward in County Down.

The 4ft topiary bunnies have been created to celebrate the ninth year of the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts. The hunts will be taking place at 12 National Trust places across Northern Ireland over the Easter holidays and families are invited to unleash their inner explorer at these adventurous hunts.

The 820 acre walled demesne at Castle Ward, on the shores of Strangford Lough is just one of the locations providing a beautiful backdrop for an Easter day out.

Visitors to National Trust places across the Easter holidays will be able to take part in special Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts, with every child receiving a Cadbury chocolate treat for getting involved.

Jacqueline Baird, Castle Ward Visitor Services Manager said:

“We’re really excited that the Easter Bunny dropped off at Castle Ward on his journey to prepare for the Easter celebrations, and are thrilled to play home to one of his exclusive 4ft topiary replicas in our gardens.  We are open every day of the Easter holidays and are encouraging people to try our fun activities throughout the week, not just the Easter weekend.

There is plenty to enjoy on various days including the adventure and woodland playgrounds, animals in the farmyard, ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ adventures with maps and scrapbooks, local food and craft stalls… and not forgetting the famous Cadbury Easter Bunny Hunts. After a very wet winter please bring your wellies for a ‘Welly Big Adventure’ of Easter fun and activities.

“We hope visitors and families participating in our Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts enjoy trying to spot our topiary Easter Bunny. Such visits over the Easter period are so important to us, as they help the National Trust, Northern Ireland’s largest conservation charity continue its conservation work.”

To find other Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts across Northern Ireland head to: Cadbury.co.uk/Easter

The Ashley Hall Red Choir and Chamber Choir from South Carolina will stop off in Derry for a very special Easter Monday performance in the beautiful surrounds of St. Columb’s Cathedral.

Ashley Hall is a preparatory girls’ school in Charleston, South Carolina and the Red Choir is an auditioned ensemble for students who are dedicated to the art of choral music. The choir performs throughout the school year, with major performances at Christmas and graduation. In addition to performing in the Charleston community, members of the Red Choir have performed throughout the United States and Europe, most recently completing a successful tour of Italy.

The choir is conducted by Dr. Robin Garner who is in her tenth year as Director of Choral Activities at Ashley Hall. Dr. Garner studied music and conducting in both Ireland and the USA and is a founding member of the Southern Appalachian Chamber Singers, a professional choir based in Asheville, North Carolina.

The youngest member of the group described how “this is the first trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland for many of our singers and we are very excited to have the opportunity to perform in such beautiful venues and to take in so many counties in one tour. We have a beautiful programme of music to share with our audiences and look forward to making friends along the way who share a love of music and singing!”

The choir will complete an Easter tour of Ireland that includes a series of free concerts in St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Dublin), Kylemore Abbey (Galway), Glenstal Abbey (Limerick) and St. Columb’s Cathedral (Derry).

All concerts are free of charge and all are welcome.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Dublin), Saturday 26^th March, 1pm

St. Columb’s Cathedral (Derry), Monday 28^th March, 7.30pm

Kylemore Abbey (Galway), Wednesday 30^th March, 12pm

Glenstal Abbey (Limerick), Thursday 31^st March.

For more information contact Conor Ellard, Tour Operator, 00353 87 290 3407.

Come and enjoy a night of great music and food at our popular Jazz Supper Club on Friday 8^th April.

Taking centre stage will be the hugely popular Linley Hamilton Quartet. A familiar voice on the airwaves trumpeter Linley Hamilton regularly shares his love of jazz with music lovers through his BBC Radio Ulster show ‘After Midnight’. Linley and his talented quartet are a regular feature on the festival circuit, drawing the crowds with their refreshing take on classic jazz, and sheer love and respect for the music.

Tickets for this event are priced £11 for the performance only and £21 for the performance and supper. Supper will include a menu of Spiced BBQ Pork with Sir-Fired Vegetables, Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, Cajun Spiced Meatballs, all Served With Cajun Wedges, Salads & Breads.

Saturday 9 April will see yet another musical performance with ‘Singing Nina’. Known for her powerful and emotive performances, vocalist Victoria Geelan, and her trio of outstanding Northern Irish musicians bring their celebration of a woman who defied convention and categorisation – Nina Simone.

Jazz favourites mix with stomping gospel, piano ballads and civil rights anthems to create an intoxicating insight into an artist whose musical mastery continues to inspire generations. Together, they tell the story of the life of the late and very great Nina Simone, through songs such as ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’, ‘Feeling Good’, ‘To Love Somebody’ and ‘Ain’t Got No – I Got Life’. Like the woman who inspired it, it’s a night sure to live on in the memory of all present for many years to come. Tickets for Singing Nina are priced £10 each, and can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

Preparations are well underway for the eagerly anticipated Good Life Festival at Oxford Island this Easter.

The last festival in 2013 attracted up to 8,000 people over 2 days and hopes are high for another great weekend on the shores of Lough Neagh!

Organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the free festival takes place on Friday 25th March and Saturday 26th March.  There are several different zones to explore within the festival, from ‘Good Music’ to ‘Good Laughs’ and even a Viking Village, each zone has plenty of activities to offer for the whole family.

At the centre of the festival site, ‘Good Music’ will showcase some of Northern Ireland’s finest musical talent. Hailing from Lurgan, Garage-punk-blues two-piece the Bonnevilles headline on Friday at 4pm, promoting their brilliant new album ‘Arrow Pierce My Heart’.    At the other end of the musical spectrum, internationally renowned flautist, uilleann piper and singer-songwriter Barry Kerr also plays on Friday.

On the Saturday, the eclectic line-up continues with the ‘Dangerous Harpist’ Ursula Burns, who combines beautiful harp playing with earthy humour to create a truly unique act. Tennessee Hennessees and Cup O’ Joe will both bring a Bluegrass feel to the weekend.

For all you festival foodies, Jenny Bristow will be sharing her culinary tips in the Good Grub Zone. With locally produced chocolate, gourmet street food, and home-baked treats on offer, there will be plenty to tempt your taste buds and keep you going through the day.

Kids both young and old will find plenty to enjoy in the Viking Village, with hands-on activities, longboat races, medieval music, mock battles and fearsome fur-wearing, sword-wielding Vikings everywhere!

Barren Carousel will amaze the crowd with their comedy trapeze routine, while kid’s zones and walkabout circus entertainers will keep the little ones smiling!

If you enjoy the outdoor life, Kinnego Bushcraft will take you on a tour of the woods, demonstrating which wild foods are good to eat, teepee building, kayaking and archery, all you need to survive in the wild!

Meanwhile, adventurous visitors can try their hand at a variety of crafts and age old techniques in the ‘Good Wood’ zone. Get your hands dirty with Moneypenny’s Blacksmith Workshop, try wood turning with Green Woodwork Ireland, or willow-weaving with Welig Crafts. Or why not try playing one of Andrew Cooke’s hand-made ceramic diddley-bows? If you don’t know what a diddley-bow is, come along and find out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed!

After all that, if festival-goers need a refreshing cup of coffee to perk them up, try our Love Music tent where Lurgan based company Love Coffee will be supplying exotic blends as well as acoustic vibes from a variety of local artists.

All in all, it promises to be an unforgettable weekend at Oxford Island!

You can park your cars at McCusker’s Equestrian Centre on the Kinnego Embankment, where regular shuttle buses will be available to ferry you to the festival site.

This project is part funded by the Tourism NI Regional Events Fund.

For further information log onto www.goodlifeoxfordisland.com or find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/goodlifefestivalni or Twitter www.twitter.com/goodlifeox

Ards has always celebrated the adventurer Lieutenant Colonel Paddy ‘Blair’ Mayne, and his statue remains in the newly refurbished Conway Square in the heart of Newtownards.

Therefore it seems only appropriate that to celebrate the progression of the Public Realm scheme in the town, the Square will for one day only become Ards Adventure Arena on Friday 25 March from 12 noon to 6pm, with free fun activities for all the family.

Conway Square will transform into an exciting outdoor pursuit’s arena with the centrepiece being the only High Ropes Assault Course in Ireland.  Visitors will also be able to experience many other adventure activities including a climbing wall, archery, body zorbes, space horses, bash board, adventure bikes, a jungle photo studio, the latest hits from DJ Dave, meeting jungle creatures in an extreme petting zoo, in-line hockey and golf and special themed art workshops.

Explorers can follow an adventure trail around the Town Centre to see what the retailers in Newtownards have to offer, with prizes for those who complete the trail.

Further information can be found on Ards Adventure Arena at www.visitardsandnorthdown.com.

Theatre at The Mill and The Courtyard Theatre are delighted to offer a variety of workshops to keep budding performers entertained over the Easter holidays.

This year we have exciting drama projects for children and young people from ages 5 to 18 from Monday 28 March to Saturday 2 April.

At Theatre at The Mill our celebrated team of professionals return with smash Broadway hit Oklahoma from Monday 28 March to Fri 1 April, providing students with the opportunity to learn from the best in the business, mastering the dance routines, perfecting the lines and putting on a show for family and friends in just one week.

Celebrating the vigour of America’s pioneering spirit with classic tunes and boot-stomping dances; we follow Curly and the girl of his dreams, Laurey, as they travel down love’s highway on an extremely bumpy surrey ride.

The Cat has Got The Cream at The Courtyard Theatre this Easter with The Aristocat’s  Kids, Monday 28 March to Sat 2 April. Following the success of last Easter’s Youth Theatre productions, Sean and Anna, directors at the Guildford School of Acting return with their talented team this Easter. This unique musical theatre adventure for little ones has been designed so that they too can take part in a fun and structured theatre school environment.

Find out just what a cat is to do when kidnapped and abandoned to the Parisian countryside.  Join Thomas O’Mally and his rag-tag bunch of Alley Cats as they race to the rescue. This comic filled adventure includes the Disney Favourites. The Aristocat’s , Scales and Arpeggios and Ev’rybody Wants to be a Cat Don’t You?

For further information or to book a place on any of our Easter Workshops contact the box office on 028 9034 0202 or visit www.theatreatthemill.com or www.thecourtyardtheatre.com