Unleash your inner explorer with adventurous Cadbury Egg Hunts taking place in amazing National Trust locations this Easter.

From spring woodlands at Springhill, to historic houses and farmyards at The Argory and Ardress and wooded glens at Wellbrook Beetling Mill, there’s lots of Egg Hunts and fun to choose from around Mid Ulster – guaranteeing a fun-filled Easter for everyone.
All eggsplorers will receive a delicious Cadbury chocolaty treat at the end of each completed Egg Hunt, and every single Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt will help support our special places for future generations to explore.

Throughout the Easter holidays the whole family can enjoy wide open spaces perfect for exploration, brimming with wildlife and historic houses full of enchanting characters and stories; everything you need for great family fun during the holidays.

Claire Anthony, Visitor Experience Manager for the Mid Ulster properties commented “The Cadbury Egg Hunts add an element of fun to the traditional egg hunt, with plenty to see, do and learn. Whether you’re a child or simply young at heart, adventure is sure to lie ahead”

To join the Easter Egg Hunt, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/ni where you can find your nearest Easter Egg Hunt in Mid Ulster. Adult £5.50, Child £2.50, Family £13.50, National Trust Members and under 5’s go free. Egg Hunts £1 per child.

If you don’t know the voice of Cara Dillon, you’re in for a treat when she returns to Armagh’s Market Place Theatre.

If you are already amongst her legions of admirers around the world, you know you have something special in store. The extraordinary Irish singer makes music that transcends genres and crosses barriers. She has won every folk award going, but confesses to being no purist, making music that reaches beyond the constraints and limitations of tradition.

One of folk music’s best-loved voices, Cara Dillon has earned extensive critical acclaim and a devoted following through both her recordings and live performances. She is regarded by many as possessing one of today’s great voices, not just within the folk scene, but in the music world more widely. Her material spans a broad range, from the traditional Irish roots of her birth to more contemporary flavours, and has even included performing the title track for a Disney movie.

Cara will perform at The Market Place for one evening only on Saturday 2 April at 8pm. Tickets are priced £20 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.

This Easter enjoy our whacky interpretation of the ever popular nursery rhyme, ‘Old MacDonald’s Farm’

Join the gang on an adventure to get to Grandpa’s Farm, will you get there before the animals take over?  This interactive family sing along will feature favourites such as ‘She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain’, ‘Grandpa’s Farm’ and of course ‘Old MacDonald’.

Go on our Easter Trail where you will have lots of fun and even get a treat at the end!

This is sure to sell out, so book your tickets now.  See www.armagh.co.uk/easter for show times, costs and booking.  Remember booking is essential for this event.

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

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.

• Winter Warmer, Ramada Encore, Belfast. From £44.50pps. The stylish 3-star Ramada Encore overlooks St. Anne’s Square, home to many of the city’s most popular bars and restaurants, and is right on the doorstep of Belfast City Centre. This fantastic offer includes overnight accommodation with full cooked Irish breakfast, plus a VIP hamper and £20 food/drink voucher to spend in SQ Bar and Grill. Available until 31 march.  To book call (028) 9026 1800.

• Midweek 2 Nights break plus 1 Evening Meal, Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Newcastle, Co. Down. From £119pps. The magnificent Slieve Donard is situated in the heart of County Down at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. As well as two nights’ stay in a luxurious 4-star bedroom and full Irish breakfast each morning, this offer also includes an evening meal in the newly refurbished Percy French restaurant. Available until 17 April. To book call (028) 4372 1066. Quote spring offers when booking.

• One Night Bed and Breakfast, Roe Park Resort, Limavady, Co. Londonderry. From £34.50pps. The 4-star Roe Park is one of Northern Ireland’s premier golf and spa resorts, blending the charm of a country house estate with the modern conveniences expected of a 4-star luxury hotel. This special offer includes a night’s bed and breakfast as well as complimentary use of Fairways Health Club including heated indoor swimming pool, steam room, jacuzzi, sauna and gym. Available until 17 April. To book call (028) 7772 2222. Quote spring offers when booking.

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

*All offers are subject to availability.

The Matchmaker based on the novella “Letters of a County Matchmaker” by John B. Keane one of Ireland’s most celebrated writers, will play at Theatre At The Mill on Thursday 7^th April at 7.45pm.

The production stars television favorite Mary McEvoy best known for her roles as Biddie in the long running RTE series Glenroe. Irish Actor and comedian Jon Kenny who was part of the Irish comic duo d’Unbelievables with Pat Shortt joins Mary to complete the cast. Kenny is also best known outside Ireland for appearing in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted.   Together they play a myriad of characters in this hilarious and earthy dramatic comedy.

The play follows the efforts of Dicky Mick Dicky O Connor to make matches for the lonely and lovelorn.  Keane, an avid observer of people and the cultures that bind and create their view of the world uses “The Matchmaker” as an exploration of rural loneliness. Aware that generations of people became masters of their own destinies late in life, and only then began to look for companionship and love, once their duties as minder of aging parents were concluded or they had finally inherited, or were the left over brother or sister.

Using his inimitable way with words and his one sense of “devilment” and wit, Keane delves into the longings, hungers, fears and foibles of this collection of lonely county people and creates a marvelously colorful world, taking us back to a simpler time, when phones were few and far between and the only web was one left behind by spiders.

Tickets for this one night only show, The Matchmaker on Thursday 7^th April are available from Theatre At The Mill Box Office – Tel: 028 90 340 202 and online from www.theatreatthemill.com.

~ Actor Liam Neeson lends his voice to Tourism Ireland film celebrating the greenest day of the year and invites the world to visit the island of Ireland ~

10 March 2016 – Liam Neeson is wishing the world a Happy St Patrick’s Day once again this year in a Tourism Ireland campaign.

Over the coming week, Tourism Ireland will roll out its 60-second film featuring the voice of the famous actor in 15 countries around the world – to encourage prospective holidaymakers to come and visit the island of Ireland this year. The film includes wonderful footage shot around Ireland, interwoven with some great images from Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative, which sees hundreds of famous landmarks and iconic sites across the globe illuminated in green each year to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

Liam Neeson and Tourism Ireland are putting a call out to anyone with a love of, or interest in, Ireland to #GoGreen4PatricksDay – by watching and sharing the film – and then to come and experience all that the island of Ireland has to offer. The film will be shared by Tourism Ireland with its 3.4 million Facebook fans worldwide, on its YouTube channels and through email marketing. The film will be highlighted on Tourism Ireland’s international website, Ireland.com; and will also be distributed to influential international travel and lifestyle media, through an extensive publicity and PR campaign. The aim of the online campaign is to create a clear and distinctive link between Tourism Ireland’s very successful Global Greening initiative and holidays on the island of Ireland.

To view the film, click here.

Liam Neeson said: “I’m delighted to be helping Tourism Ireland celebrate St Patrick’s Day. It will be wonderful to see the world turn green again on 17 March as nations come together to celebrate the fun and warmth of the Irish.”

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “We are extremely grateful to Liam Neeson for his tremendous generosity in agreeing to help us promote the island of Ireland. He is an enormously popular, global personality and I am confident that this film will be seen and shared by people across the world – inspiring them to put the island of Ireland on their holiday wish-list for 2016. It’s a fun and innovative way to get people talking about the destination. The #GoGreen4PatricksDay initiative is just one element of Tourism Ireland’s plans to promote the island of Ireland around St Patrick’s Day; our on- and off-line campaigns will be working seamlessly together, to ensure that there is saturation coverage of Ireland across print, broadcast and online channels around the world.”

The #GoGreen4PatricksDay online campaign is part of Tourism Ireland’s extensive programme of consumer, media and trade promotions under way across the world this spring. In total, Tourism Ireland will spend £15 million promoting the island of Ireland around the globe in the first half of 2016.

Last month, Tourism Ireland announced details of some of the famous attractions and sites around the world which will join its Global Greening initiative this year to mark St Patrick’s Day. From Rome to Rio and from London to Las Vegas, a host of major landmarks and iconic sites around the world will be illuminated in green around 17 March – including the Colosseum, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, 7 World Trade Center at Ground Zero in New York, Nelson’s Column in London and even the light rail system in Addis Ababa.

International journalists – representing top media outlets from around the globe – will visit Ireland, taking in the Dublin St Patrick’s Day parade during their time here. And Tourism Ireland will also exploit the profile of St Patrick’s Day with media worldwide – sending images, video footage and news about Ireland to news desks around the world, as well as to its database of 20,000+ influential travel and lifestyle media contacts.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland this week (March 14 – 20).

• St. Patrick’s Day Carnival Parade and Concert, Belfast City Centre, March 17. Belfast city centre will come alive this St. Patrick’s Day with a joyful carnival parade for all the family to enjoy. The city centre will be awash with colour and splendour as the parade leaves Belfast City Hall at 12 noon, making its way to Custom House Square, where a free outdoor concert will take place hosted by Cool FM Presenters and featuring performances from Ben Haenow and Brian McFadden.

• LegenDerry Food Festival, Guildhall Square, Derry, Co. Londonderry, March 19-20. The appropriately named LegenDerry Food Fest is a two-day event of entertainment, excitement, and fantastic local food, taking place in two main locations – the Guildhall Square in the Festival Marquee and the stunning refurbished Guildhall. With markets, live music, cookery masterclasses and more, you can be sure to find something for you at this event.

• Digging Up Your Roots – Family History Fair, Armagh City Library, Armagh, Co. Armagh, March 15. Family history is one of the world’s most popular pastimes, with interest in this subject growing all the time. This drop-in Family History Fair will bring together expert advice and guidance along with practical help for those seeking to discover their local roots. With an array of stalls and expert, this will be an occasion not to be missed, whether you are just starting out or wishing to take your family history to the next stage. Begins at 1.30pm.

• Down to Dine Food Tour, Starting at Denvir’s, Downpatrick, Co. Down, March 16. An exciting and diverse taste of our local culinary delights in Downpatrick, Strangford and Ardglass, The Cuan, Denvir’s of Downpatrick and Currans Bar of Chapeltown are teaming up to offer a food tour package that is sure to impress. Starting the evening off at 6pm in Denvir’s, the tour includes four courses with accompanying beverages, tour guide, and bus transport from Denvir’s and back again.

• St. Patrick’s Day – The Emigrants’ Farewell, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, March 17. Countless thousands of people left Ireland in the 18th and 19th Centuries. For many, the hours before departure became known as the American or Living Wake. Watch this dramatic re-enactment complete with music and songs in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Performances begin at 12 noon and 2pm.

• A Taste of Castle Archdale, Castle Archdale Caravan & Camping Site, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh, March 19. Orchard Acre Farm will host a cookery demonstration for adults and teenagers at Castle Archdale on Saturday 19th March to launch its celebration of Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink. There will be demonstrations of how to make burgers and sausages, warm salads for spring and crusty baps, with tasters at the end.

• Slemish Saint Patrick’s Day, Slemish Mountain, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, March 17. Follow in the footsteps of Saint Patrick in this annual trek up Slemish Mountain. A moderate climb, this trek is suitable for all the family, but suitable footwear and outdoor clothing is essential. Disabled parking only at Slemish, with free parking at Raceview Mill and Buckna Church car park. Last coaches return from Slemish at 4pm.

• Donaghadee Big Weekend, various locations, Donaghadee, Co. Down, March 19-20. Enjoy an action packed weekend in Donaghadee with free family entertainment, family activities, street market, in-store promotions, Cool FM road show, music performances, discount vouchers, fireworks and much more.

• St. Patrick’s Day at St. George’s Market, St. George’s Market, March 18-20. Throughout the weekend at St. George’s Market there will be traditional live music, special trader offers and lots of family fun to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Pop along and enjoy some of the best that St. George’s has to offer.

• Leprechaun Hunt, Hezlett House, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry, March 17. Leprechauns have escaped from the trees of Downhill and hidden themselves around Hezlett House. To join in with the hunt and discover the fascinating story of Hezlett House, come along on March 17 from 10am to 4.30pm.

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.

THE SSE ARENA, BELFAST
9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (Matinee) MARCH 2016

The Seeing Is Believing Live tour comes to Belfast from 9^th March for the very first time. The show run includes a special matinee show with special family tickets available.

For the first time, Northern Irish Dynamo fans will have the opportunity to witness his magic skills live, in what promises to be a spectacular and unique stage production. This will be one of the most elaborate shows ever to visit the SEE Arena, requiring thirty trucks to transport it on tour.

In 2015 the first run of the tour kicked off in Manchester at the Eventim Apollo to a sold out crowd and travelled to London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Birmingham and Leeds.

In 2016 Dynamo will now also be performing at; Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Sheffield Arena, Echo Arena Liverpool, The SSE Arena, Belfast, Dublin’s 3Arena, First Direct Arena Leeds, Barclaycard Arena Birmingham, The O2 in London and finishing at the Manchester Arena.

Dynamo, whose real name is Steven Frayne, hit our screens just three years ago with his first series of Magician Impossible, in that short time he has quickly established himself as one of the world’s most known and most loved magicians, with his series airing in over 180 countries worldwide reaching over 250 million cumulative viewers across the world. He was recently awarded the highest accolade by the magic circle with his promotion to Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, a position only held by 300 magicians worldwide, including HRH Prince of Wales.

Dynamo said of his new venture, “After four series of Magician Impossible, I was ready for a new challenge and for a long time I have wanted to take my show to the stage. I am hoping that like I did for magic on TV, I can reinvent the live magic show and produce something fans have never seen before. This is something I have been working towards for the last 20 years and I can’t wait to amaze audiences what I have in store for them – I can’t wait to get to Belfast, one of my favourite cities.”

Ticket Information

The SSE Arena, Belfast Box Office: Tel. 028 90 739074
Book On Line: www.ssearenabelfast.com

Ticketmaster: Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

This is an 8+ show – under 15s must be accompanied by an adult.

For more see:
Facebook | @Dynamomagician | YouTube

From Andrew Strong, to the Highland Games V Strong Man Competition and an eclectic mix of entertainment for all the family in between, the Dalriada Festival at Glenarm Castle promises to host its strongest, biggest and best festival line-up to date on 16 and 17 July 2016.

Yesterday, Soul Sensation Andrew Strong flew in to launch Dalriada Festival, Ireland’s Biggest Cultural and Heritage Event, in the opulent surroundings of Glenarm Castle.  The star of the epic movie The Commitments says he’s looking forward to his only Northern Irish festival date on Saturday 16th July with his Soul Orchestra, which guarantees to be a sell-out concert. He says;

“This is the 25^th anniversary of The Commitments and I’m really looking forward to celebrating this mile-stone by performing all the movie hits and more at Dalriada Festival.  The setting at Glenarm Castle in the heart of the Glens of Antrim is second to none, and with fabulous acoustics my concert promises to be rockin!”

The launch also unveiled the exciting programme of events to take place at the historic Glenarm Castle on 16^th & 17^th July to include the world famous Highland Games and Strongman, The County Antrim Pipe Band Championships, numerous music, comedy and dance stages, fine foods, and for the little ones, the hugely popular and Official PAW PATROL from Nickelodeon – their first appearance ever in Northern Ireland.

The community of Glenarm will take up the baton from 18^th – 23^rd July and will host an action-packed programme of sporting events and other entertainment including a duathlon, triathlon, super-endurocross, rowing regatta and mountain bike enduro race. The festival will culminate with a street fair, carnival and fireworks finale on 23^rd July.

Nigel Campbell, Events and Marketing Manager for Glenarm Castle, is excited about the forthcoming festival.  He says;

“This is the 6th annual Dalriada Festival and year on year the event gets even bigger and better.  Almost 30,000 people attended our festival in 2015 and we are confident that we’re going to attract even more footfall this year, with such a strong festival line-up. To host Andrew Strong’s only Northern Irish date this year, as well as having Nickelodeon’s PAW PATROL’s first ever appearance in the province, is a real cue. There’s already a great buzz about our festival in the community and further afield and we are indebted to all our sponsors for their continued support, especially The Camlin Group, Tourism NI & Mid & East Antrim Council.  Without their financial commitment to our festival, we just wouldn’t be able to offer this top class entertainment.”

Eddie Rowan from Tourism NI is proud to be supporting the festival.  He says;

“The Dalriada Festival of Sport, Music and Food is recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s biggest cultural family events. This event certainly helps to boost our economy and puts the Antrim Coast firmly on the ‘Best tourist attraction’ map.  It’s encouraging that people travel to the festival from all over Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Europe, The Middle East, America and Canada to enjoy the wide range and diverse program of events on offer.  Tourism NI is delighted to yet again support the Dalriada Festival and we wish the festival every success for 2016.”

Mid and East Antrim Council’s Alderman Tommy Nicholl added;

“The Council is very pleased to support Dalriada Festival again this year.  The Festival offers a really unique visitor experience and we recognise the positive social, cultural and economic impact that the event has had on the Borough and indeed for Northern Ireland in recent years. We’re looking forward to another packed programme of events this summer.”

Day passes for 16^th and 17^th July are now on sale via www.dalriadafestival.co.uk and with an incredible but limited 33% DISCOUNT if purchased before 22^nd March. Children Under 12 also go FREE. Saturday evening concert tickets for Andrew Strong and camping packages are also on sale via the website. Saturday night concert tickets can also be purchased at www.ticketmaster.ie priced at £28.50.

For festival tickets and transport packages direct from Belfast contact www.irishtourtickets.com or phone 028 90310101.

Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council is delighted to host an exhibition of work by design and visual artist Lise McGreevey.

Her exhibition Powerful Natures which celebrates the amalgamation of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Councils will be on display in the Conservatory Gallery, Clotworthy House from Tuesday 15 March – Saturday 23 April 2016.

Powerful Natures, which was inspired by the creation of our new amalgamated  council (Antrim and Newtownabbey) in April last year, is an abstract body of work that takes a fresh, innovative look at the natural and concrete beauty of the two boroughs. The artworks are all designed from original photographs taken on location in both towns and explore the historical and cultural landmarks and beauty of the borough, thus reflecting on the makeup of the districts represented by the council rather than just depicting the hierarchy and establishment of the actual council itself. The title of the collection not only reflects the artworks, but also the joining of the two borough councils into one new stronger entity.

Lise McGreevey is a Belfast based Visual Artist with several years exhibiting experience, including two previous shows at Mossley Mill, who has recently increased her brand and diversified to include producing digital photographic design collections to market as licence to use to fashion and interior design houses.

To reflect the dual nature of her exhibition, Powerful Natures will also be shown at the Flax Gallery, Museum at the Mill , Newtownabbey from 28 April – 28 May 2016.