Kiera McLorinan (age 7) from Lisburn gets into the Festival spirit in anticipation of the fun-packed programme of activities scheduled for Saturday 5^th September that families and kids of all ages are sure to enjoy at the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival.

In addition to the main events such as the World Oyster Eating Championship and the TrustFord Soapbox Derby, with special guest judge Guy Martin, Saturday will see an afternoon filled with activities, starting from 11am in the Fort Field and including an outdoor activity assault course, Kids Fun Fair, a miniature farm, pony rides and much more!

Visitors can look forward to a selection of live performances from local talent, including Triona Carville, as well as the fresh sounds of guitarist Gabriel Grimaldi who will be joining the Festival line-up all the way from the Spain.

After a week of Gourmet highlights, the Festival’s fine food offering continues on the Saturday with a selection of street food, seafood demonstrations, and the Festival’s Gourmet Food Market.

The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival also kindly acknowledges the support of Tourism NI and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in the staging of this year’s event. All net proceeds of the event will go to the Festival’s designated charities Clubs For Young People (CYP NI) and the Hillsborough Village Centre.

Admission to the Festival is £5 per person, £3 for children aged 12-16 years old and children under 12 go free, which includes entry to the Gourmet Food Market, The Fun Fair and The Fort. A Park and Ride facility is also available at Balmoral Park (the old Maze site) and buses will operate from 11am to 7pm every 15-20minutes.  Car Park Admission is £5 and this includes transport.

For further information on the activities taking place on Saturday 5^th September or to book tickets please visit www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com

The rebranded SSE Arena, Belfast is a venue that can rival the best in Europe, if not the world.

That was the bold claim made by the team at The SSE Arena, Belfast, which lifted the curtain at the venue after a major revamp and refurbishment that means attendees will get a truly first-class experience at every event staged there.

Whether visiting the Arena for the biggest concert gigs such as One Direction and Florence & The Machine, comedy shows with Kevin Bridges and Michael McIntyre, or the raucous roar of a Belfast Giants ice hockey game, visitors are set to be wowed by the modernised, digitally enhanced version of Northern Ireland’s largest and most famous entertainment venue.

Formerly known as The Odyssey Arena, the venue has been rebranded as The SSE Arena, Belfast in a 10 year naming rights deal with energy provider SSE Airtricity. The arena first opened its doors in 2000 and has welcomed over 8 million visitors across a wide range of events ranging from concerts and comedy to theatre, family shows and a multitude of sports. The SSE Arena, Belfast has joined the UK-wide stable of SSE entertainment venues including The SSE Hydro in Glasgow and The SSE Arena, Wembley.

The SSE Arena, Belfast is now on course for its busiest year ever, with more than 150 live entertainment events scheduled to be staged at the Arena in the year ahead.

When the doors of the venue re-open this weekend, guests will see more than 180 Digital Screens in and around the Arena; they will have access to high-speed wireless broadband; 9000 new seats in the Arena; and a brand new SSE Reward Lounge for SSE Airtricity customers.

Neil Walker, General Manager of The SSE Arena, Belfast, said: “This investment in transforming Northern Ireland’s most iconic venue is all about making sure our customers have a first class experience at The SSE Arena, Belfast. The Arena has been improved to the highest specifications to ensure we deliver world class live entertainment, with digital and Wi-Fi capacity to help enhance our customers’ enjoyment, providing greater access to an expanding range of products and services.”

Under the new naming rights partnership SSE Airtricity customers will be able to avail of a range of benefits*, including the all-new and exclusive SSE Reward Lounge, special offers on tickets and 48 hour advance tickets to the hottest events.

Jillian Saunders, Brand Manager at SSE Airtricity, said: “At SSE we place our customers at the heart of everything we do. As partner to The SSE Arena, Belfast we’re proud to give our customers access to the widest range of exclusive rewards, including 48 hour advance tickets and access to our new SSE Reward Lounge designed especially for SSE Airtricity customers. Along with the Arena management team we are looking forward to unveiling the new-look SSE Arena, Belfast and to welcoming entertainment fans from across the UK and Ireland to this world-class venue.”

Saturday 5 September – Friday 11 September

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 5: Party Animals NI

Sun 6: Re-enactors, Live music, Clayrazy, Children’s Crafts and Glitter Tattoos.

Note: Sunday 6 will see Cockle Row Cottages close for the summer season. We will re-open for Halloween Fun on Sunday 25 October.

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

Saturday 5 September, Meet the Maker ‘Warp & Welt’

Ards Crafts, Crafts and Design Centre

10:30am – 12:30pm

Tickets: £12 including materials (Age 18+)

A craft workshop with spinner and weaver Rosemary McCartney. Learn to weave a place mat using a card loom.

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

Saturday 12 September – Friday 18 September

Tuesday 15 September, Valhalla Street Theatre presents ‘Winds of War’ in 1914’

Project 24, Bangor Seafront

7pm – 7.45pm & 8pm – 8.45pm

Calling all Amateur Actors & Actresses, join Valhalla Street Theatre in The Hub at Project 24 for an interactive rehearsal of their up and coming play ‘Winds of War’ in 1914.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, project24ni.com

Don’t miss:

Saturday 19 September, Battle of Britain 75

Ards Airfield

12noon – 7pm

FREE

1940s Concert, Vintage Fair, Spitfire and Hurricane Flypast and more.

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

Wednesday 23 – Sunday 27 September, Aspects Irish Literature Festival

Bangor various

Programme and Tickets now available via aspectsfestival.com

Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, aspectsfestival.com

Exhibitions

North Down Museum, Bangor

Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall) BT20 4BT

T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free

Saturday 29 August – Sunday 27 September

Paintings: Bryansburn Artists

Wednesday 9 September – Sunday 1 November

Paintings: Middletown & Music

Ards Crafts and Visitor Information Centre

31 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD

T: 028 9182 6846 Admission Free

Saturday 5 – Saturday 26 September

‘Avalon Pilgrimage’ – Avalon Guitars 

This year European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) have over 400 properties and events across Northern Ireland opening FREE OF CHARGE and Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in throughout the event.

• Bus Tour Of Belfast Historic Buildings, Tour Departs From Athletic Stores, Queen Street, Belfast, September 11. Belfast Civic Trust will run a bus tour of the city telling the story of its history through its architecture. The tour will include buildings such as Belfast City Hall, St Peter’s Cathedral, St. Anne’s Cathedral, Clonard Monastery, Queen’s University, Customs House and other important buildings. Booking essential – telephone (028) 9054 3022.
• Giant’s Causeway Visitor Experience – Guided Tour, 44 Causeway Road, Bushmills, Co. Antrim, September 12. The award winning Giant’s Causeway Visitor Experience, designed by architects Heneghan Peng is an architecturally stunning and sustainable venue combining innovation, precision and craftsmanship to create a building that sits within the beautiful Causeway landscape. There will be two free guided tours of the Visitor Centre focusing on the architecture and sustainable features of this very interesting building. Architectural interest tours at 12pm and 2pm (40mins). Booking essential – telephone (028) 9054 3022.
• Carrick-A-Rede, Whitepark Road, Ballintoy, Co. Antrim, September 12. Suspended almost 100 ft (30 m) above sea level, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen 350 years ago. Today it is a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of thrill-seekers (and birdwatchers!) to the North Coast every year. If you are bold enough to cross the 65 ft (20 m) bridge, stretching from the mainland to ‘Rocky Island’, you will be rewarded with fantastic views of Rathlin Island, Scotland and the Causeway Coast. Get a bird’s eye view of the clear, green water flowing around the ancient caves and caverns far below – if you dare to look down. Open Saturday 9am to 6pm with free guided tour at 10am (1.5 hrs). Booking essential – telephone (028) 2073 3419.
• Kevin McAleer, Omagh Library, Irishtown Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, September 8. Local comedian Kevin McAleer drops in to the library for an evening of vintage comedy in which he will attempt to condense thirty years of talking nonsense into an hour. His carefully worded scripts have been compared to the likes of Beckett or Flann O’Brien, while the timing and delivery are uniquely his own. Expect plenty of word play, bad puns and concentrated laughs from an original master of the comedy craft. Suitable for adults only. Booking essential – telephone (028) 8224 4821 or email omagh.library@librariesni.org.uk.
• The Argory, Moy, Dungannon, Co. Armagh, September 12. The Argory was built in the 1820s, a handsome Irish gentry house surrounded by a 130-hectare (320-acre) wooded riverside estate. The former home of the MacGeough Bond family, a tour of this Neo-classical masterpiece reveals it is unchanged since 1900. The eclectic interior still evokes the family’s tastes and interests. Outside there are sweeping vistas, superb spring bulbs, scenic walks and fascinating courtyard displays. A second-hand bookshop, adventure playground and Lady Ada’s award-winning tea-room provide retreats for children and adults alike. Opening times 12 – 5pm.
• The Inniskillings Museum at Enniskillen Castle Museums, Co. Fermanagh, September 12. A visit to the award-winning museum is a journey through more than 300 years of world history as encountered by two famous regiments. Be inspired by the heroism of the men and their families who served over the world and view a rich collection of personal stories, weapons, uniforms and regimental silver. You will be given the opportunity to use our handling collections and see uniforms and items that soldiers carried with them from different periods of time. Opening times 2 – 5pm.
• Springhill, Moneymore, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry, September 12. Experience the beguiling spirit of this inimitable 17th-century ‘Plantation’ home, with its walled gardens and parkland, full of tempting waymarked paths. There are ten generations of Lenox-Conyngham family tales to enthrall you, as well as numerous portraits, much furniture to admire and not forgetting Ireland’s best-documented ghost, Olivia. The old laundry houses the celebrated Costume Collection, which features some fine 18th to 20th-century pieces that highlight its great charm and enthralling past. Opening times 12 – 5pm.
• Mount Stewart, Portaferry Road, Newtownards, Co. Down, September 12. Following a three year £7million restoration programme, this 18th Century house has been significantly transformed, making it a must-see attraction on the island of Ireland. On Saturday Mount Stewart will be offering free entry to all visitors giving them the opportunity to view collections of national and international significance. Visitors can experience and explore the house at their leisure and learn more about the family and the important role they played in local and international history. You can also take a stroll around the stunning formal gardens which reflect a rich tapestry of design and planting artistry, making them so unique. Opening times 10am – 5pm.
• BBC Screenings, Building Britain: Belfast – City Renewal, Belfast Central Library, Belfast. September 10. Glenn Patterson reflects on Belfast’s industrial heritage and plans for the future. His film includes interviews with architects and developers and footage of early building work at Titanic Quarter. Starts at 6.30pm.
• Ring Of Gullion Coach Tour, Bagenal’s Castle, Castle Street, Newry, Co. Down, September 12. Fully guided coach tour taking in the most impressive sights and monuments the Ring of Gullion has to offer. Una Walsh will lead you on your journey through the breath taking landscape of the area whilst enlightening you about the rich natural, built, archaeological and cultural heritage, not forgetting the many myths and legends in which the area is steeped. Booking essential – telephone: (028) 3082 8590. Opening times 10.30 – 4.30pm.

Please note most 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. 

Although the Titanic lies in 13,000 feet of water, the enduring story still captures minds and hearts throughout the world.  To mark the anniversary, when a team led by American oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard and French diving engineer Jean-Louis Michel discovered the world’s most famous ship’s final resting place, here are 30 things you may not know about the Titanic and its home – Titanic Belfast:

The Ship Itself

1.       Titanic’s design was conceived over a glass of wine and fine food! Lord Pirrie and J. Bruce Ismay decided speed would be balanced with quality of accommodation. It is rumoured that when Pirrie enquired as to the length of the ship, Ismay replied, glass of wine in hand, “build me a stable ship that will not disturb the sediment in these fine wines.”

2.       Titanic (271m) was long enough to span three tempestuous Atlantic Ocean wave crests.

3.       Due to the size of the Olympic-class ships, in which Titanic was one of three, the shipyard, Harland and Wolff in Belfast had to prepare for two years to be able to build them!

4.       At the time, Belfast was the fastest growing city in the British Empire, it was the linen and ropework capital, with the largest ship building firm in the world. Evidence of this can still be seen throughout the city today.

5.       The ship had three wheels for steering!

6.       Titanic’s funnels were wide enough to drive a train through!

7.       Facilities on board included a gym, pool, Turkish bath, a kennel for first class dogs, and a squash court. The first class cabins on Titanic, where the same standard as hotel cabins, second class was as good as first class on other ships.

8.       The famous staircase, which was among the most luxurious appointments on the ship, was inspired by the staircase at Belfast City Hall, which can still be visited today.

9.       Titanic was stocked with literally tons of food and drink – including 40,000 eggs and 15,000 bottles of ale!

10.   Titanic was launched in 62 seconds on 31^st May 1911. The Olympic, and the tender ships, Nomadic and Traffic left Belfast, drawing over 100,000 spectators and journalists travelling from London and America.

11.   Titanic now lies 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, nearly two and a half miles (4000m) below sea level overlooking a small canyon below.

12.   There is no light at this great depth and little life can be found. At Titanic Belfast, visitors can view Dr Ballard’s high definition footage of what Titanic looks like today and can learn more about individual items in the wreckage using the interactive pods.

Titanic Belfast – the Home of the Titanic

13.   Titanic Belfast is built where the Titanic was designed and launched.

14.   The Titanic and SS Nomadic have been re-united again in Belfast. Visitors can experience both the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience together with the SS Nomadic, an authentic piece of Belfast’s industrial heritage, as well as the award-winning Discovery Tour, which highlights the famous barrel-vaulted Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices, the slipways and the building’s iconic structure for one price.

15.   Titanic Belfast is the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience.

16.    It has welcomed approximately 2.5 million visitors from over 145 countries.

17.   From HM Queen Elizabeth, Film director James Cameron, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Former United States Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton to Michael Buble have all visited Titanic Belfast.

18.   It can hold over 3,547 visitors at any one time, the same number as the capacity of Titanic!

19.   Titanic Belfast’s overall shape represents the bow of the ship.

20.   The hulls are the same height of Titanic from keel to Boat Deck!

21.   40,000 tons of concrete was used in Titanic Belfast’s foundations, nearly the same as for Titanic.

What’s new at Titanic Belfast

22.   The world-class exhibition, which has been described by the Prime Minister as ‘absolutely brilliant’ and ‘magnificent and dramatic’ by TITANIC movie director, James Cameron, has recently redeveloped three galleries,  which capture the excitement of launch day, as well as the ship’s maiden voyage. Utilising Pepper’s Ghost illusion that was featured in the James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever, as well as fellow world class attractions such as the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, Titanic Belfast recently introduced Fredrick Dent Ray, a dining room steward and survivor. Visitors will hear what it was like to work on board at the Palm Court Café.

23.   At Titanic Belfast, guests are now transported onto Titanic’s deck promenade as part of the experience. Guests can walk on deck, look out to sea, hear the ocean, hold onto the railings and feel the ships engines rumbling as if they were on the ship itself.

24.   The last letter ever to be written on board the Titanic by Essex-born Esther Hart and her seven-year-old daughter Eva just eight hours before the ship hit an iceberg and sank in April 1912 is on display. It recently sold at auction for a world record sum of £119,000.

25.   A note from the Titanic assistant ship’s surgeon Dr John Simpson, which was believed to long-lost, is also on display at the exhibition.

26.   Titanic Belfast is home to the historic plan, commissioned by the Board of Trade for the British inquiry, was designed and prepared by White Star Line architects. It is the second most expensive Titanic artefact in the world.

Outside Titanic Belfast

27.   It’s not only the galleries that tell the story of the Titanic but the surrounding buildings. On the plaza surrounding the Titanic Belfast is one of the largest maps of the Northern Hemisphere at 10,000 m2 and follows the route of the Titanic from Belfast.

28.   The wooden benches encircling the building and are spaced in Morse code sequence. Moving clockwise around the plaza they read “DE (this is) MGY MGY MGY (Titanic’s call sign) CQD CQD SOS SOS CQD” – the distress message that Titanic sent after hitting an iceberg.

29.   On the slipways, there is life size plan of Titanic’s Promenade Deck which is inlaid in white stone, where the ship would have been constructed, outlining where the liner’s lifeboats and funnels and benches on board would have been.

30.   The Slipways have its own Memorial garden, where four grass lawns alternate with timber decking to illustrate the proportion of those who lost their lives and lived from each of the passenger classes and crew.

To delve deeper, visit the home of the story – Titanic Belfast. For more information, visit www.titanicbeflast.com.

RICHHILL Apple Harvest Fayre is back for a second year with a celebration of County Armagh’s home grown produce combined with a celebration of the centenary of one of the most powerful organizations in the UK – the Women’s Institute.

The fayre, which takes place on Halloween Day this year, will build on the success of the popular village fayre which empowers people to connect with the land through artisan food and drink producers.

To make it extra special, the 2015 fayre is launching in line with the screening of the Great British Menu which will feature Northern Ireland including last year’s fayre where Richhill’s WI showcase the powerful role our local country women play in society.

Over 2,000 people gathered in the village square last year to sample local beef, breads, ciders, juices, potatoes, apples and much more as well as enjoy lots of family entertainment.

Barry Gracey, chairman of the Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre committee, said with three major themes this year – Food and Drink, Halloween and the Centenary of the WI, this year’s display is one not to be missed.

He said: “The interest in the event across Northern Ireland and further afield is phenomenal. The fayre celebrates the end of the harvest and the vital role our food and drink producers play.

“It brings people together including families, foodies, chefs, storytellers, musicians, bloggers, travel writers, our WI representatives and schools who all want to celebrate the natural beauty of our orchard county and Richhill’s built heritage.

“The fayre is an authentic celebration of Armagh’s distinctive local food and drink and celebrates the Armagh Bramley which achieved PGI status in 2012 – something we are very proud of here in Richhill.

“Families will be able to come and spend the day sampling local food and drink, enjoy children’s activities, listen to buskers, watch chef demonstrations, take part in organized children’s activities and meet animals which have featured in the Game of Thrones.”

Nuala Turtle, of the Richhill WI, said: “On September 16, 1915, a group of women got together which started one of the most powerful organizations in the UK. One hundred years later, WI women continue to bring women of all walks of life together to learn, share, contribute, campaign, and, most of all, have fun.

“Here in Richhill we are proud of our contribution to our community and the Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre allows us to showcase that contribution. The current Great British Menu series is a fantastic celebration of the WI and we are honoured that last year’s President, Sybil McNally, features on the popular TV series.”

The Great British Menu featuring last year’s Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre will be screened the week commencing August 31, 2015 on BBC Two and will be repeated on Saturdays at 12pm and Sundays at 11:15am.

Admission to this year’s Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre is free and dedicated parking areas will be clearly signposted.

After a mixed bag of weather over the weekend, Monday night provided a small window of good weather for an upper table clash between the Brawlers and the Angels.

With a possible third place finish in their crosshairs, Jay Slevin and Jonny Craven’s team needed two good results in their last games. On this particular evening however, the potent Brawlers offence showed just why they swept through the league last season.

Almost a month removed from their last competitive game, the Halos started well, Melvin Woods lashing a line drive to right field and, proving he is as quick as he is powerful, easily lapping the diamond. It wouldn’t be Woods’ only roundtripper of the evening.

With Jonny Craven taking on the pitching duties himself, the Brawlers would answer back with a home run of their own to tie the game. At these early stages it appeared that a pitcher’s duel was imminent. Unfortunately for the Halos, the Brawlers exploded for six quick runs to stretch out their lead; a two shot blast from Melvin Woods would keep the visitors within touching distance.

Another burst from the Brawlers countered by another home run from Woods (Colin this time) saw the score at 12-4 but the Angels would not be denied another comeback. Showing great discipline at the plate the visitors would claw the score back to 12-9 but the Brawlers had one final push themselves.

Moving into the last inning 20-10 down, another 2-run home run from Melvin Woods would spur the Halos but the hole was just too big to climb out of. 20-12 the final – the Angels will look back at defensive errors in the field just giving them too much to do at the plate.

This weekend sees the Northstars and the Hornets on the road as the 2015 season winds down. The Stars travel to Cavan to take on the Comets in a double header that will see two teams jostling for the third place in the Baseball Ireland B League North.

Leading 2-1 in the season series, Darwin Sanchez’ team

Audiences at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh can look forward to a thrilling double-bill of drama to kick off the Autumn season of events.

Maggie Muff is back at The Market Place in the hilarious ‘Fifty Shades Of Red, White & Blue’. Her Facebook postings had Northern Ireland in fits of laughter last summer. It all started as a joke when Leesa Harker wrote a Belfast-based spoof of ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’. Very soon it went viral!

‘Fifty Shades Of Red, White & Blue’ tells the story of loveable Maggie Muff and her search for love, featuring laugh-out-loud characters such as ‘Big Sally Ann’, ‘Sinead The Greener’ and of course, the mysterious ‘Mr Red White And Blue’ himself. ‘Fifty Shades Of Red, White & Blue’ will be staged on Saturday 6^th and Sunday 7^th September at 8pm. Tickets are £18 each. Warning this show contains adult humour and strong language.

‘How To Keep An Alien’ is a story about falling in love and proving it to the government. Sonya Kelly is back with a tearfully funny, tender memoir about securing an Irish visa for her Australian partner. Join her madcap odyssey from the stony townlands of Offaly to the leafy depths of the Queensland bush. It’s a tricky business coming from opposite ends of the earth. It takes an Olympian will and the heart of whale, but above all else, paperwork. It takes a hell of a lot of paperwork. ‘How To Keep An Alien’ will be staged on Wednesday 16^th September at 8pm. Tickets are priced £12.50 and £10.50 (concession).

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.

Air Waves Portrush, running from Saturday 5^th – Sunday 6^th September 2015, is set to enthral the 100,000 spectators expected to attend the island of Ireland’s largest airshow.

Organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and sponsored by Tourism Northern Ireland, the major attractions across the weekend will include the world-famous RAF Red Arrows (on both days) who will perform their thrilling flying display of trademark formations, close-passes and dynamic loops.

The last airworthy Sally B, B-17 Bomber, made famous in the 1989 film Memphis Belle will make an appearance on the Saturday of the show. The renowned SAAB Viggen jet fighter ‘Thunderbolt’, one of the most iconic single seat strike fighters will make its first ever display on this side of the Irish Sea on the second day of the show.

The Vulcan XH558 is the only flying Vulcan in the world and this exclusive appearance at Portrush will be its first and last on the island of Ireland before being permanently grounded in September.

Other aerial highlights will include the RAF Typhoon jet, two RAF Hawk jets, Wild Geese Parachute Display Team, the Blades Display Team, Autogyro, and Royal Navy Sea King Helicopter, among the strongest line-up for years.

Family fun is the focus for ground-based activities which include a play zone, the Motor Village, vintage aircraft display, 6 helicopters on static display, Star Wars characters, artisan marketplace, and the very best of North Coast hospitality.

For more information on Air Waves Portrush visit www.airwavesportrush.co.uk or search for Air Waves Portrush on social media.

The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival is hitting all the right notes with its newest addition to the Festival programme, The Oyster Festival Musical Evening which makes its debut on Wednesday 2^nd September.

Soloist Zoe Jackson is pictured with Ulster Youth Orchestra members Grainne White (left) and Angus McCall (right) who along with the Portadown Male Voice Choir will be treating guests to a charming bill of classical music. For the first time at the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival, the ensemble will be performing an eclectic blend of symphonies from renowned composers which will include the works of Holst, Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Hillsborough native, Hamilton Harty.

This event is supported by Music Matters, Phoenix Natural Gas, and SD Bells Tea and Coffee Specialists. To book tickets for this special evening please visit www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com