Rainy Days and Sundays don’t always get me down!

When it comes to Sundays in our house, it’s a bit of a lost day spent eating, lounging on the sofa and watching tv. So when Tourism NI asked me if I would be interested in blogging for them I jumped at opportunity of getting out and unplugging the kids from the matrix for a few hours.

Our first trip was a day in Belfast, yesterday 13th December. So, like the Griswolds on tour we set off from our home in Upperlands for the BIG SMOKE (girls up front and boys in the back to avoid any unnecessary arguing – it really gets on the kids nerves!).

The secret to harmonious car journeys, divide and conquer - girls in the front and boys in the back!

Living in the heart of mid Ulster is great as it means nowhere in NI is more than a 1 hour drive (apart from Fermanagh), so after an hour we arrived at our first port of call – the Ulster Museum and found it surprisingly easy to find on road parking literally steps away from the entrance. Admission to the Museum is FREE with a suggested voluntary donation of £3.00.

At the Ulster Museum

The staff on duty were extremely helpful, however we were warned that we were not allowed to leave without visiting the Mummy!

We spent at least two hours at the museum which opens at 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday and there is something there to appeal to all tastes and ages.

Charlotte and I were more keen to see the art – and were not disappointed. The Colin Davidson exhibition “Silent Testimony” had been on my to do list for a while so I was pleased to get the chance to see this which is very moving.

Charlotte and Joseph were surprised by the diversity of art on display as you can see by Joseph’s face! He was more interested in the Natural History section.

There are plenty of activities on offer – yesterday there was a lantern making workshop for children in the run up to the Lantern Parade next week.  The children had a stab (successfully) at creating a compound (their teachers would be pleased!). So all in all it was educational, entertaining and thought provoking and the general consensus of opinion was that we would need to go back for a full day to see everything. Oh and yes we were allowed out – after seeing Takabuti – she has great teeth for a lady of her years!

Two old mummies.... well she's about 2,500 years older than me!

We then made our way to the Cathedral Quarter and parked at St Anne’s Square, which is only short walking distance to the City Hall where we visited the Continental Christmas Market. Despite the constant drizzle of rain the good folk of NI were in good spirits – we are a hardy bunch and won’t let a bit of rain spoil our fun or dampen the Christmas spirit.  The market was very busy and if you like crepes be prepared to queue for a while.

Enjoying the sights, sounds, and amazing smells of The Continental Christmas Market at City Hall

Suitably hungry, we made our way to Little Wing Pizzeria on Ann Street – you can’t really go wrong with pizza for teenagers (or my husband).  This branch of Little Wing is walk in only, you can’t book a table in advance, but thankfully we only had a 5 minute wait before we were seated. This was my first Little Wing experience and found it very relaxed, with friendly staff and authentic pizzas. The varied menu also includes pasta dishes, salads and vegetarian and gluten free options, and is good value for money. We paid around £70 for four starters, four main course pizzas, four desserts, four milkshakes, a coke and a pot of tea.  Probably double what we would pay in the usual stopovers at McDonalds or KFC so this was a treat, but felt that it was well worth it for the quality of the food and the standard of service.

Tucking into Pizza!

Our final stop was Downstairs at the MAC to see Rumpelstiltskin – tickets start at £12, the show runs until the 3rd January and is suitable for all the family.  The MAC is located in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter in St Anne’s Square with a fantastic programme of events to keep the family entertained over the Christmas period.

Waiting for the fun to begin at the Mac

So as you can see we managed to cram a lot in to one rainy day in Belfast and it didn’t cost an arm and a leg. The kids were entertained, fed and watered. Joseph’s highlight was Little Wing Pizzeria, Nigel’s highlight was the Colin Davidson exhibition at the Ulster Museum, Charlotte’s was Rumpelstiltskin and mine was seeing the Mummy Takabuti for the first time.

That’s all for now, until the next time.

Jacqueline

Manager

www.whatsonni.com

Big Launch Event at W5 Belfast!

Join W5 on Tuesday 15 December for one big day of space-related science and awesome astronomical activities to celebrate the launch of the Principa mission which will see Tim Peake become the European Space Agency‘s first British astronaut!

Watch the rocket launch live from screens inside W5, learn about rockets with Scientific Sue, meet the experts from Queen’s University Belfast Astrophysics Research Centre, Culture Tech FestivalSTEM Aware and more!

As part of our celebration on launch day, W5 is offering free admission for any child dressed as an astronaut on the 15th December 2015 when accompanied by a fee-paying adult. The building will be filled with talks, activities, workshops, competitions and photo opportunities which means that there will be something to suit people of all ages!

The star attraction of the day however, will be a visit from ESA astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy. Jean-Francois has been on three Space Shuttle missions and will be giving a number of talks and meeting schools and the public throughout the day!

For further information visit http://www.w5online.co.uk/fs/doc/Destination_Space_-_Flyer.pdf

10 THINGS TO DO IN NORTHERN IRELAND NEXT WEEK

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (December 14-20).

  • Snowtube with Santa, Craigavon Golf & Ski Centre, Turmoyra Lane, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, December 16-22. Snowtubing with Santa is the perfect treat for kids aged 3 and above this Christmas. Children will spend 30 minutes Tubing and then meet Santa afterwards to receive a festive gift.
  • The Music Box, Belfast Waterfront, Lanyon Place, Belfast, December 17-19. A firm favourite for the festive season, this lavish and family friendly show is an entirely new production filled with a magical selection box of music gems past, present, traditional and contemporary. The Music Box wouldn’t be complete without some of our very finest local talent including guest choirs, ballet girls and boy trebles… all to get you in the festive mood!
  • Barn Session at Orchard Acre Farm, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh, December 18. Join the farm family and other local musicians for the last ‘wee’ session before Christmas. Whilst the majority of music played during the evening will be Irish traditional tunes; in the spirit of a traditional session they will be welcoming acoustic musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers.
  • Christmas BOUNCEMANIA, Score Football Centres, Hillmans Way, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, December 19-20. There will be over 30 inflatable’s spread over three halls for kids to bounce, slide and climb on to their hearts content – creating a wonderland of fun for them to enjoy. Santa will also arrive to meet and greet the kids and spread some Christmas cheer and treats.
  • Belfast Castle Christmas Tours, Belfast Castle Estate and Cave Hill, Belfast, various dates until December 23. Take a walk through time this festive season with one of Belfast Castle’s popular Christmas tours. Tickets cost £4 per person and include tea or coffee and mince pies.
  • Strabane Community Carol Service, Alley Theatre, Railway Street, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, December 17. Join in on this very heart-warming festive evening.  Enjoy music from St Joseph’s Brass Band and the wonderful harmonies from Strabane Chamber Choir and soloist Roíse Ó Murchú with readings from local clerics. From 8pm to 10.30.
  • Santa Paws, Castle Coole, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, December 19. Make sure that special member of the family is part of the fun at stunning Castle Coole this Christmas! Bring your pooch to Santa Paws to enjoy a canine Christmas treat. From 11am – 12.30pm.
  • Christmas Night at the Movies with Elluna, Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Co. Down, December 17. An enchanting candlelit evening of Christmas and Movie favourites performed and hosted by one of NI’s finest sopranos, Michelle Baird and her musicians, pianist Stephen Carlisle and violinist Michelle Haughian. Tickets £12 and includes mulled wine and mince pies.
  • Christmas at Gracehill House, Stranocum, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, until December 23. Visit Santa and his elves in his Grotto at Gracehill House and explore Santa’s mail room, pet shop and workshop.  Children can bring their letter for Santa and post it in Gracehill House’s magical North Pole post-box. There will also be Christmas stalls and a winter wonderland!
  • Winterland Express, W5 at Odyssey, Queen’s Quay, Belfast, until December 23. Take a trip on the Winterland Express, the magical miniature train ride. Travel through the enchanted forest into the icy cavern to emerge in the courtyard of Winterland Castle, where a few surprises await! The Winterland Express is free with admission to W5 and the ride lasts approximately 5 – 8 minutes.

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.

Jacqueline from whatsonni.com shares her pick of What’s On this week across the NI

Down

Elsa and Anna are coming to the Newcastle Centre on Sunday 13th December at 11am and will perform live all the favourite tunes from Frozen.  The world’s most popular snowman, Olaf will also join the princesses and a visit to Santa will be included.  Tickets are £8 per child and £4 per adult each.  To book log on to www.buytickets.at/tinylife.  Book early to avoid disappointment.  This is a ticket only event.

Armagh

Santa’s Magical Elves at Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh will take you on an enchanted Christmas Journey with Santa’s little helpers who arrive on their very own Elf Mobile!  How did the Elves come to be at Navan?  How did they help Santa make Christmas?  Be captivated by the secrets of the Elves as you journey with them from Navan to the wonderful ‘Elf-ville’.  On your travels the Elves will stamp your Christmas Ticket allowing you unlock the gates on ‘Elf-ville’ to meet with Santa in his magical kingdom, where he has gifts for all the boys and girls!  Pre-booking essential on www.armagh.co.uk/santa. Open until 22nd December.

Fermanagh

Visit Castle Coole while Santa and Mrs Claus make it their home this Christmas. Castle Coole will be home to Santa and Mrs Claus from 11th – 20th December as they busily prepare for Christmas.  Journey up the magical tunnel to the basement kitchen where Santa and Mrs Claus will be waiting to welcome you into their winter home. Grown-ups can enjoy a warming mulled drink and a mince pie from the kitchen as the children meet Santa and Mrs Claus and receive a special gift from Santa.  Booking is essential.

Tyrone

Kinturk’s magical Christmas Trail opens this Sunday. Write your letter to Santa in the Reindeer Room and make some magical glistening reindeer food for Rudolf and his friends.  Step into Mrs Claus living room for a Christmas tale or two before stepping outside to be greeted by our Chief Elves toasting marshmallows for your delight and waving you on your way up Kinturk Road.  Don’t forget to call into the Elves craft workshop, where you will be able to make your very own Christmas craft to show Santa and take home.  Santa will be waiting for you in his cottage and if you’ve been good, he may even have a little gift for you.  On return to the Centre, warm yourself up with a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows or maybe Mum and Dad would prefer a little Mulled wine option whilst listening to Christmas carols.

Derry/Londonderry

No stranger to yap, Alan Carr is yapping his way around the UK & Ireland with his brand new stand up show ‘Yap, Yap, Yap!’ The BAFTA and British Comedy Award winning comedian, author and chat show supremo returns to his stand up roots with his hilarious take on life at the Millennium Forum 10th – 13th December.

Antrim

See Antrim Castle Gardens transformed into an enchanted world where the magic of Christmas fills the air Saturday 12 December to Sunday 20 December 4.00pm to 8.00pm.  Make magical Christmas memories as you enjoy a stunning light installation, Forest of Fire, Santa Grotto, Reindeer Trail, Christmas Train, Christmas Carousel, Festive Fayre and Christmas Lights. Extra special treats are available on both weekends when Christmas characters spring into life and fire shows feature in the Forest of Fire.

Belfast

This Christmas take a journey to the fairytale world of Winterland at W5. Take a trip on the Winterland Express, the magical miniature train ride. Travel through the enchanted forest into the icy cavern to emerge in the courtyard of Winterland Castle, where a few surprises await!  The Winterland Express is FREE with admission to W5 and the ride lasts approximately 5 – 8 minutes. To guarantee a place, the Winterland Express must be pre-booked. Open until 23rd December.

Add your events free at www.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.

SANTA’S REINDEERS ARE PAINTING THE CITY THIS CHRISTMAS HAVE YOU SPOTTED THEM?

Special individually decorated reindeers designed by children from schools across Lisburn and Castlereagh, have been hidden around the City for locals and shoppers to find and be in with the chance to win some great prizes.

Pictured: Lucy McKibbin, aged 8 and Emma McKibbin, aged 5.

Throughout the month of November, school children have been tasked with painting ten life size reindeers as colourfully and as vibrantly as they wish, ready for them to be hidden in shop windows throughout Lisburn City Centre.

Hunt cards have been distributed around all the local Lisburn Primary Schools and can also be picked up at a number of shops across the City Centre.  Once you have spotted eight out of the ten reindeers and had your card stamped by the participating stores, hand them in. Completed cards can be left at the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum; Visitor Information Centre in Lisburn Square or the Council’s City Centre Management Office at Market Square.  There are a number of exciting prizes to be won.

Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Economic Development Department in Lisburn & Castlereagh Council said: “The local schools have done a fantastic job decorating our reindeers and we cannot thank them enough.  This is a great initiative that is currently in its sixth year.

“Lisburn & Castlereagh has invested heavily in increasing the festive fun within the City and we have a series of great events planned throughout the month of December. With the City being the perfect place to shop, eat, stay and visit….it is now the perfect place to come and have a little fun – so join the hunt to find our reindeers.”

The Reindeer Hunt competition will run throughout the month of December. Participating primary schools included Largymore, Forthill, Harmony Hill, Brownlee, Tonagh, Killowen, Knockmore, Central and the Mothers and Toddlers at Island Arts Centre.

MONTH OF MIRTH AT THE MARKET PLACE

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is gearing up for month of mirth with the arrival of three of Northern Ireland’s finest comedians.

The hilarity kicks off with Colin Murphy on Saturday 12th December and his show ‘Artificial Hipster’. As Blur once said, ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’ but that was ages ago, they had no idea how crappy things were actually going to get. After a hiatus [not a small van, just a posh word for lying about eating biscuits for a while] the monger of mirth is back! Expect gripes, whinging, some swearing and, unexpectedly, poetry. That guy from the Blame Game on the BBC and that other thing that used to be on the RTE.  [If you need to be told then this isn’t the show for you!] Tickets for Colin Murphy are priced £18 each.

Then on Tuesday 29th December, it’s the turn of Jake O’Kane with ‘Gaggin’ On It’ – the 2015 news reviewed, the big stories, small stories and everything in between! Hot on the heels of last year’s sell-out tour, ‘Mouthful’, Northern Ireland’s finest comic, Jake O’Kane, is back. In his inimitable style, Jakes takes no prisoners as he deals with the good, the bad and the ugly of 2015. Best known for the infamous ‘flegs’ piece on BBC’s ‘The Blame Game’, Jake weaves stories and news photos to give his take on the people, the places and the politics that made up the year. Those of a sensitive disposition, and politicians of all shades, should be afraid – very afraid. Tickets are priced £18 each.

Neil Delamere’s show ‘CTRL+ALT+DELAMERE’ on Saturday 9th January is now sold out, but fear not, a new date has been released on Sunday 10th January. Neil returns to The Market Place with a brand new show brimming with hilarious stories and incisive wit. 2015 saw the award-winning comedian continue his star turn on the perennially popular ‘The Blame Game’ for BBC NI on TV and radio. Neil also landed his own weekend national radio show for Today FM. Now, however, he’s back to his first love, telling tall tales and spinning side-splitting yarns about the events of the last year. Tickets are priced £20 each.

These performances are recommended for age 18+ as they may contain material that some people could find offensive.

Details of all events can be found online at www.marketplacearmagh.com, and tickets can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821. 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.

Enchanted Winter Garden

This Christmas we invite you to join in the magic at the Enchanted Winter Gardens from Saturday 12 December right through until Sunday 20 December, at Antrim Castle Gardens.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Councillor Thomas Hogg, is the first to get his Christmas wishes taken by Santa's number 1 Elf in the Enchanted Winter Gardens at Antrim Castle Gardens. Also in the photo is Ursula Fay (Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council), Sharon the Elf and Golly the Elf.

Feasts of seasonal festivities await to delight the whole family and bring the magic of Christmas alive from 4pm until 8pm each day.

Be amazed at the stunning light installations from the spectacular transformation of the formal gardens and trees with multi-coloured lights, to the cascading courtyard lighting and the traditional sparkling Christmas tree.

The Forest of Fire brings a warm glow whilst the Christmas train, Christmas crafts, Festive fayre, Santa’s Grotto and Reindeer trail, will stimulate all of the senses and promise to give a magical Christmas experience for all the family. All of these enchanting activities are available for the duration of the event with no admission fee.

The weekends see the addition of some special Christmas characters including the “Elf Who Forgot Christmas” as well as fire performers and the Snow Queen, to provide an extra touch of sparkle to this wonderful family event.

For further information please contact Antrim Castle Gardens on 028 9448 1338 or visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/christmas

Opening Night of Little Red Riding Hood at the Market Place Theatre Armagh

Having never been to a pantomomime at the ripe age of 47 I was extremely pleased to be invited along for my first ever Panto experience – and I was not disappointed.

Little Red Riding Hood, Nanny No Hood and Prince ChopperWood

Accompanied my my husband and 13 year old twins we settled into our seats with the other families, lots of whom where dressed for the part and getting into the spirit of panto with their red riding hood costumes – ready for some serious audience participation – and there was plenty of that even when it wasn’t encouraged!

The production  introduces elements of other fairy tales including the Three Little Pigs, “Goldisocks” and Hansel & Gretel, and of course no fairytale is complete without a handsome prince – bring on Prince “Chopperwood”.

The production was musical, witty, energetic and uplifting.  We laughed, cheered, booed at the Big Bad Wolf, my husband was told off by Goldisocks at one stage and got up close and personal when the cast come through the audience at one point, much to the delight of the audience!

If you are looking for a fun night out with the kids – or friends, because this really is an all ages show, then Red Riding Hood is the show for you.   All of the cast were superb but for me the highlight was the singing solo by “Nanny No Hood” that would have melted even the coldest heart!!

The Market Place Theatre is state of the art – it could not be easier (park on level 3 at the St Patrick’s Trian multi story and walk straight through to the Theatre).

Jacqueline McGonigle, whatsonni.com

Make a night of it and pre-book a meal at the Bistro!

Performance Times:

Sat 5 Dec 11.00am & 3.00pm & 6.30pm | Sun 6 Dec 1.00pm & 4.30pm | Fri 11 Dec 6.30pm | Sat 12 Dec 1.00pm & 5.00pm | Sun 13 Dec 1.00pm & 4.30pm | Mon 14 Dec 6.30pm | Tues 15 Dec 6.30pm | Thurs 17 Dec 6.30pm | Fri 18 Dec 6.30pm | Sat 19 Dec 11.00am & 3.00pm & 6.30pm | Sun 20 Dec 1.00pm & 4.30pm

BOOK TICKETS


TICKET PRICES:

TICKET OFFER… What big discount we have… all the better to offer you even greater value…Fri 4 Dec 6.30pm | Mon 14 Dec 6.30pm | Tues 15 Dec 6.30pm OFFER £12.00 | £10.00 [CONC]

TICKETS FOR ALL OTHER PUBLIC PERFORMANCES £14.00 & £12.00 [CONC]

Schools Performances & Prices: Contact Group Booking 028 3752 1828

BSL Signed Performance: Sat 12 Dec | 5.00pm

Captioned Performance: Thurs 17 Dec | 6.30pm

Enjoy a Georgian Christmas @ Craftswirl, Armagh

Celebrate Christmas with a visit to the beautiful Craftswirl, based at Armagh Visitor Information Centre.

The gift shop has crafts and gifts to suit all tastes and budgets and for the Christmas period enjoy some festive fayre as we savour the tastes of Christmas through the ages.

On Saturday 12th December from 11.00am – 4.00pm take a step back to a Georgian Christmas.  While you browse the extensive gift range in the shop, savour a taste of Georgian Christmas with a slice of our rich fruit cake, a popular table centre-piece of the Georgians.

Our festive celebrations continue with a flick back through the Armagh of yesteryear with a photographic exhibition provided by Armagh County Museum.

Craftswirl is open April to September… Mon to Sat 9.00am – 5.30pm | Sun 1.00pm – 5.30pm and October to March… Mon to Sat 9.00am – 5.00pm.

For further information contact Craftswirl / Armagh Visitor Information Centre, 40 English Street, Armagh  BT61 7BA Tel 028 3752 1800 www.armagh.co.uk/craftswirl

Antrim Christmas Carol Concert

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council will be spreading some Christmas sparkle as they host their annual Christmas Carol Concert on Saturday 12th December at 3.30pm at Antrim Forum.

: Isabella, Bethany & Grace practising their singing for the Carol Concert.

The Senior Wind Band from the Education Authority, North Eastern Region will add musical magic to the voices of the children from primary schools throughout the Borough, capturing the true spirit of Christmas through readings and song. This year’s event will be hosted by BBC’s Claire McCollum.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg said “It promises to be an enjoyable afternoon for all the family. At such a busy season, it is lovely to take some time out to enjoy traditional Christmas Carols, readings and prayers.”

Admission is free however there will be a door collection with all proceeds donated to the Mayor’s nominated charities: ABF The Soldier’s Charity, Autism NI and Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. These charities touch many people’s lives and carry out a lot of great work right across the Borough.

For more information on the Christmas Carol Concert please contact Antrim Forum on 028 9446 4131 or email forum@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk