With over 100 events, many completely FREE, the fifth Belfast Book Festival, 8-14 June, is getting ready to showcase some of the biggest names in the literary world from home and beyond.

The voices of authors, poets and performers will come alive at the Crescent Arts Centre as well as other locations across the city. From young to old from first timers to late bloomers – whatever your age or level of   reading interests the jammed packed programme is guaranteed to have something to encourage you to take part.

Notable highlights for this year include; a conversation with Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee and David Walker on their co-authored book ‘Cameron’s Coup’; 1991 Booker prize winner, novelist and short story writer Ben Okri; writer, filmmaker and radical thinker Tariq Ali in conversation on his book ‘The Extreme Centre: A warning’; Comedian Mark Thomas who will be raising the roof of the Belfast Empire; actress and comedienne Helen Lederer who will discuss her book ‘Losing It’.  Plus hear from Eimear O’Callaghan on her book ‘Belfast Days: A 1972 Teenage Diary.’

The Belfast Book Festival is proud to present a range of firsts, late bloomers, launches, weeklong events, workshops, lunchtime sessions, as well as providing a platform for unknown authors.  Look out for ‘Fiction Firsts’ featuring first time novelists, contemporary writers at ‘Young Irelanders’ and, showing it’s never too late to start writing, will be the ‘Literary Late Bloomers’. Join local author Glenn Patterson as he launches his latest book ‘Here’s me Here.’  Get yourself heard through events such as Self-Publishing Salon, Publishing Day and Squat Pen.  Need a festival fix during the day?  Then, make sure you check out the literary lunchtimes featuring a range of local author’s voices. Weeklong events include ‘SacrumProfanum’ an exhibition in the 1^st floor Crescent Arts Centre gallery whilst workshops range from fiction writing with Claire Keegan to performance reading for writers with Rosie Pelan.

The festival will also provide a voice on interesting topics and debates. Highlights include ‘Writing on Depression’ with Liz Frazer and Carolyn Jess-Cooke, high profile former Premiership footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger in conversation with Denise Watson and racy revelations of a famous Dublin Madame with Julie Peakman and Nuala McKeever – ‘Peg Plunket: Memoirs of a Whore.’

Poetry lovers will be in their element with the wide choice of events available. Some of the events include; ‘The Accessible Muse’ Brian Patten one of the legendary Liverpool Poets; exhilarating performance poet Tony ‘Longfella‘ Walsh; the annual Poetry Slam; award-winning Kate Newmann and Nessa O’Mahony or hear from John F Deane, James Harpur and Anthony Cronin at Three Voices.

The voices of children and children’s authors will also be heard with support from Eason and the best bit – all of these events are FREE. Hear from Julie-Anne Graham’s ‘The Perfect Percival Priggs’, to Chrissie Gittins’ ‘Stars in Jars’ to Derek Mulveen’s ‘Oisin the Brave – Robot Island’.  Kids will enjoy the book detective events where they can track down escaped book characters as well as the outdoor Eason Family Fun Day at Crescent Arts Centre featuring art workshops and magical stories.  Want to spark their imagination then get your 7 – 12 yr along to the Scribbling & Rory’s story cubes workshop.  Local school pupils will get the chance to be involved in the Festival when featured authors will join them for workshops. Register your interest at outtreach@crescentarts.org.

If music is your interest then the Belfast Book Festival has something for you. Look out for a discussion with local musician Duke Special & writer and comedian Andrew Doyle on their forthcoming musical adaption of Gulliver’s Travels at the Lyric Theatre with Youth Music Theatre UK.  Hear from storyteller, illustrator and musician Randall Stephen Hall on his one man show.  Go behind the scenes of the Eurovision Song Contest with David Blake Knox or hear about life in 90s Manchester band Inspiral Carpets with frontman Tom Hingley.
Festival Director, Keith Acheson, said:

“Every year the Belfast Book Festival provides an opportunity for authors, poets and performers, to showcase their work.  Yet again we reveal another packed programme of events which we hope will appeal to everyone – no matter what age or level of interest in literature. Whilst we are delighted to welcome returning supporters we are keen to reach out to those who have never participated in our festival before and encourage them to join us in trying something new.  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our key funders the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council for their continued support as well as all of our many festival sponsors and partners.”
For further details on the Belfast Book Festival including the full festival programme  visit www.belfastbookfestival.com or follow on facebook – Belfastbookfestival or twitter @belfastbookfest #belfastbook.

Sat 30 May to Fri 5 June

Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 30: Bricks4Kidz Lego Workshop

Sun 31: Face Painting, Plant and Play Garden Workshop and Crafts

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

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

Saturday 30 May, Tea with the Lord

Tour Departs from Ards Visitor Information Centre

Tickets: £18 (Ad), £16 (Conc), £4

Embrace the opportunity to visit Ballywalter House, the beautiful stately home of the Dunleath family.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 31 May, Comber Historical/Titanic Walking Tours

Tour departs from The Square, Comber

Tickets: £6 (Ad), £5 (Conc), £3 (Ch)

Join Valhalla Street Theatre as they transport you back in time to Thomas Andrews, designer of the Titanic.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sat 6 June to Fri 12 June

Saturday 6 June, Meet the Maker: Making a Folding Stool

Ards Crafts, Craft and Design Centre

Tickets: £12 inc materials (Age 18+)

A workshop with green woodturner Alexey Janes

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 6: Glitter Tattoos, Casey’s creatures

Sun 7: Aldo’s Magic Show

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

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

Saturday 6 June,  Abbots, Priests & Pilgrims Coach Tour

Tour departs from Ards Visitor Information Centre

Tickets: £17 (Ad), £15 (Conc), £8 (Ch) – Includes light lunch

This tour traces the rise of Christianity in the Ards Peninsula.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Monday 8 June,  Helens Bay in 2 World Wars: St Johns Church and Grey Point Church

Tour departs from St John’s Church car park

Tickets: £3

This fascinating Tour of two of North Down’s hidden gems explores their strong connections to both World Wars.

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

Wednesday 10 June,  Bangor Castle Walled Garden Tour

Tour departs from the bandstand in the Walled Garden

Free tour

This popular tour provides an insight into the garden’s history, its restoration and the vast array of plants, fruits and vegetables which are grown there.

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

Tickets on sale now…

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, Sea Bangor Festival Tall Ship Sailings

Bangor Seafront

The Morgenster will be open to the public over the two days of the Sea Bangor Festival weekend, with evening sailings on both nights from the Eisenhower Pier (limited numbers):
Saturday, departs at 7pm
Sunday, departs at 7.30pm

Tickets cost £15 (no concessions) and the sailing will take you around Belfast Lough over a duration of 1 hour and thirty minutes

Info and booking: 028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Wednesday 8 July and Thursday 9 July, Heartbreak Productions presents David Walliams’ ‘Mr Stink’

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

Shows: 2pm and 6pm

Cost: Tickets £7 (Ad), £5 (Ch). Pre-booking essential

Watch the fabulous characters from the celebrated novel by David Williams come to life in Heartbreak Productions’ adaptation of Mr. Stink for the outdoor stage, working together with Ards and North Down Borough Council.

To book: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, 028 9127 0069; Ards Visitor Information Centre, 028 9182 6846; Book online (ticketsource.co.uk/visitstrangfordlough)

Exhibitions

North Down Museum, Bangor

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

T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free

Saturday 2 – Sunday 31 May

Historical Storyboard: Mining Heritage

Wednesday 20 May – Sunday 28 June

For Whom the Bell Tolls: 9^th Century Bells Exhibition. This exhibition has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ

T: 028 4272 9882. Admission Free

Saturday 6 – Saturday 27 June

Art in the Loft – “Ash artefacts”

Downloadable Guides

2015 Ards and North Down Events Guide

2015 Experience Ards and North Down Tours

Ever seen a Jetlev before? Come to the Sea Bangor Maritime Festival and watch the spectacular Jetlev in action!

The Jetlev Flyer is a water jetpack which the pilot straps into and takes off like a superhero. Water is delivered to the jetpack through a sophisticated device giving enough pressure to lift them out of the water up to heights of 10 metres high and speeds of 40mph.

The Jetlev-Flyer is an exhilarating combination of personal flight and an extreme water sport. These unique £80,000 carbon fibre 260hp machines combine their powerful supercharged engines and unique designs with water nozzle repulsion force to achieve stable, controlled flights. Jetlev demonstrations will be taking place each hour at the Bangor Festival 27 and 28 June.

We are giving one lucky person the chance to have a free ride on a Jetlev at the Sea Bangor Festival (worth £150). If you would like to be in with a chance to win this thrilling prize, please email events@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk and tell us in less than 30 words why you deserve to win! You must be over 18 to enter.

This year’s Sea Bangor, which is being run by Ards and North Down Borough Council and kindly sponsored by Tourism NI, is absolutely packed with something to do for everyone. Situated in a tented village in Quay Street car park, highlights of the festival will include the “Big Bangor Bake Off” competition hosted by SERC which will include baking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a cake contest and pancake challenges. Over in the kid’s tent “Tiddlers,” Cahoots NI will be performing a special theatrical magic show and The Dockside Emporium which is being hosted by Bangor’s Craft Emporium promises to be a world of entertainment and wonder with demonstrations and crafts from lots of local artists.  With maritime themed street theatre, a tall ship, a naval vessel, a gourmet food tent, a fantastic live music programme, an aerial display from the Twister Aerobatic Team, and so much more, Sea Bangor is definitely not to be missed! The festival runs from 10am to 6pm on the Saturday and Noon to 6pm on the Sunday.

For further information check www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

The straw is once more the draw in Magherafelt when the town’s annual festival takes place next month (Saturday 6 June).

Up to a dozen ‘straw people’ are expected to be on show during the festival’s community carnival parade through the town centre, with an exhibition of all the straw creations, entertainment, food and craft stalls on offer during the afternoon at Meadowbank Sports Arena.

All of the straw characters are being designed by local community-based groups for the event which is organised by Mid Ulster District Council.

The Straw Festival takes place on Saturday 6 June, beginning with the community carnival parade at 1pm from Magherafelt High School and finishing at Meadowbank Sports Arena with a family fun day and prizes for the best straw creations. Entertainment will continue on site until 5pm and admission is £1.

For further information on the Straw Festival, contact Magherafelt Visitor Information centre on 028 7963 1510 or visit http://www.midulstercouncil.org/Things-To-Do/What-s-On/Straw-Festival

Now in its 5^th year the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in partnership with UTV, 18 – 25 July continues to get bigger and better every year.

But did you know that the main event the world famous Highland Games, 18 – 19^th July, has been hosted at Glenarm Castle since 1994 and since then has attracted over half a million visitors!  The Festival is now recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s biggest cultural family events which continues to expand and deliver fun filled entertainment under that well-known saying – something for everyone!

Following a record crowd last year, the Glenarm Castle Highland Games, is back on Saturday 18^th & Sunday 19^th July.  Making a welcome return will be strongman events alongside traditional Highland Games.  New to the games this year, and a major coup, is the County Antrim Pipe Band Championships which will feature numerous bands from across N.Ireland and Scotland.  There is also an expanded action packed programme of events including live wrestling, additional music stages, more local foods, pop-up restaurants, shopping, a new kids zone, and back by popular demand, the ‘world’s only’ sheep fashion show. On Saturday 18^th July the evening music concert will rock with nostalgia as Bay City Rollers starring Les McKeown take to the main stage along with Bagatelle, Hothouse Flowers and support from Rob Strong, Runabay and XOD dancers.

Adrian Morrow, Festival Director, commented;
“ We are delighted that we are approaching such a fantastic landmark at Glenarm Castle  – 20 years of the Highland Games and this year is our  5^th P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival.  We are one of the few remaining long standing annual events within the NI events calendar and this is all down to our fantastic team, who are already working on the event for next year, as well as our partners and sponsors who enable us to continue to deliver a diverse and ever expanding programme every year. The line- up this year is phenomenal with more music, more food, more sport – there’s just more festival for everyone. We are of course indebted to our sponsors – P&O Ferries, UTV, Tourism NI plus many more as well as our visitors, who support us every year, to who I say a huge thank you from all the team at Glenarm Castle – without you there is no festival .”

Joanna Walsh from P&O Ferries, title sponsor of the event, said;

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“P&O Ferries is proud to be title sponsor for the 2015 Dalriada Festival. Each year, the festival improves more and more with the promise of fantastic food, great music and sporting action to keep the whole family entertained. It is sure to be another successful year!

“As operators of the shortest, fastest and most frequent crossings between Larne, Cairnryan and Troon, P&O Ferries is looking forward to welcoming many visitors from Scotland on board our sailings this summer to bring them across to the event. We wish the festival every success!”

Michael Wilson, Managing Director UTV, added;

“UTV has been a part of the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival in Glenarm for the last four years and we are delighted to be lending our support once again this year. UTV is all about family entertainment and the Dalriada Festival is a perfect partnership. The event is first class family entertainment with the caliber of the musical line up, the food on offer and events surrounding the week. The Festival just gets better. It will be an event for all the family to enjoy.”

Eddie Rowan, Event Manager, Tourism NI:

“Tourism NI is once again pleased to support the P&O Ferries Dalriada Festival.  It is a pleasure to see this fantastic festival grow from strength to strength as it continues to significantly increase visitor appeal to the North Coast of Antrim.  The range and quality of activity on offer will not only generate a substantial impact on the economy but also contribute to Northern Ireland’s positive profile as an attractive destination.  I wish all the participants and visitors a very memorable trip to Northern Ireland and to Glenarm for this action packed week of events.”

Following on from the Highland Games will be an action packed week in Glenarm Village and surrounding area which will feature  the biggest range of sporting events to be held at any festival in Northern Ireland.  Events include beach mounted relay, Dalraida wipeout, bubbleball soccer tournament, kids duathlon, sprint triathlon, super endurocross, Dalriada 5k and 10k run, rowing and sailing regatta.  Closing the festivities will be the ever spectacular fireworks finale.
For further information including Highland Games day passes (book online and SAVE 20%), Saturday evening concert tickets (£28.50) and camping packages visit www.dalriadafestival.co.uk and www.ticketmaster.ie

The Willis Clan is a family band of twelve brothers and sisters from Nashville, Tennessee – Music City USA, where they perform regularly on The Grand Ole Opry alongside many of the country superstars you may know.

The Willis Clan is a family of amazing musicians, dancers, athletes, writers, and artists. They have Irish roots and started out in Irish music and dance, being placed in the top 5 at the World Championships of Irish Dance in 2013, and winning the Fleadh Cheoil in 2012. Now they perform many genres of music such as bluegrass, country, and pop, in addition to Irish, to create a unique blend of the old and new.

They were contestants on Season 9 of ‘America’s Got Talent’ making it to the live rounds and getting to perform at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

The Willis Clan will perform at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh for one night only on Friday 5^th June at 8pm. Tickets are priced £10 each. Tickets 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.

Famed Iceman Trevor Robertson sails in for Rathlin Maritime Sound Festival

INTERNATIONALLY renowned sailor, Trevor Robertson, is sailing to Rathlin Island for the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, and will be giving a talk on ‘Three Winters on Ice’ on Wednesday, 27^th May 2015 in the Parochial Hall, Rathlin.

Born in Africa, raised in Western Australia and now sailing all over the world, Trevor Robertson initially trained as a geologist and worked on an off- shore oil rig. Trevor built his own 35-foot steel cutter named Iron Bark in Maryborough, Queensland before moving abroad.

Learning that a month on an oil rig could fund a whole year of sea travel aboard his beloved Iron Bark, Trevor repeated this pattern to fund his sailing obsession, allowing him to embark upon some spectacular journeys.

Trevor Robertson is the only sailor in history to have overwintered, frozen in the ice in both the Arctic and Antarctic, both in the same boat. It is these kind of achievements that saw Trevor and his wife, Annie, jointly awarded the highest accolade in the sailing world, the Blue Water Medal of the Cruising Club of America.

Having recently arrived in Scotland from Newfoundland, Trevor passed through the eye of Hurricane Cristobal, which was caused by a post-tropical depression, blowing at force twelve, so a short hop across the Irish Sea in the month of May to the stunning Rathlin Island will be a much easier journey.

Speaking ahead of his talk in Rathlin, Trevor explained: “When I received an invitation to come to the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival to give a talk, I was only too delighted to accept! I’m going to be delivering a discourse on my sailing adventures around the theme of ‘Three Winters in the Ice’, and exploring my time spent overwintering.

“I’m also looking forward to having a chat with some like-minded individuals and engaging on some of the activities on Rathlin.”

Caroline Carey, Tourism Officer at Causeway Coast and Glens said; “The Festival Committee are only too delighted to have the famous Trevor Robertson visit our Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival. Many in the seafaring world will have heard of Trevor and his fantastic sailing exploits. I’ve no doubt that he is a very welcome addition to our many events and activities taking place over the ten day Festival.

“The focus turns to Rathlin particularly over the weekend beginning Friday 29^th May with traditional boat racing and demonstrations, a Vikings battle, a Big Lunch and the Rathlin Coastguard Rescue Team Line Throwing competition.

“There really is something for everyone at this Festival so if you are at loss at what to do, it really would be worth listening to Trevor Robertson telling of his extreme adventures, never mind watching the Viking battle or having a Big Lunch!”

For further information about the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, log on to www.heartofthecausewaycoastandglens.com/maritimefestival or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre on 028 2076 2024 or email ballycastlevic@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk.

Design addicts and home makers will be flocking to Belfast when The Modern Home Show appears at Malone House on Sunday 14th June featuring a perfect blend of vintage interiors and contemporary design for the stylish home.

The unique and exciting event will afford visitors the perfect opportunity to choose unique focal pieces for the home from design originals of the 1930s – 1970s and to invest in the collectibles of the future from a carefully edited selection of Irish vintage dealers, designers and artisans.

Boasting 40 quality exhibitors from all over Ireland, The Modern Home Show will showcase affordable 20th century design classics including the best in vintage furniture and homewares sourced from all around the globe, as well as innovative restyled creations. Visitors will also be able to purchase contemporary designs for the home with everything from ceramics, cushions and art prints to quilts, candles and rugs, as well as textiles, haberdashery and artisan food!

Brought to you by the inventive folks at Frock Fairs NI, creators of the fabulous Frock Around The Clock Vintage & Handmade Fairs, this event promises to be the hottest home and interiors destination this year with the coolest stuff on the planet for your abode! Exhibitors include Dublin-based Kirk Modern and Mid20c who specialise in mid-century furniture and decorative items, Donegal-based artist Paul Brady who designs and builds robot sculptures from found objects and bespoke furniture from aircraft fuselage, ceramicist Patricia Millar who produces unique ceramics inspired by the landscape and history of the Ards Peninsula, beautiful tweed textile art from Laird and Gillie, and limited edition giant bolsters and floor cushions, colourful throws and quilts from Shabbie.

With cool and laid back sounds provided by Back Alley Beats,  who will also be selling original rock prints, The Modern Home Show will enjoy the fun and relaxed atmosphere that has become a trademark of all the events from Frock Fairs NI – it’s a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

The Modern Home Show takes place from 12-5pm on Sunday 14th June at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Belfast BT9 5PB. Admission costs £3 for adults and children go free. More information can be found at frockfairsni.com.

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited one of Northern Ireland’s most famous houses and gardens today as they marked the official reopening of Mount Stewart, following an £8m restoration project by the National Trust.

The Royal couple were met on arrival by Lady Rose Lauritzen and Mr Peter Lauritzen. Lady Rose’s family has lived at Mount Stewart since the 18^th century.

The welcome party also included Heather Thompson, Northern Ireland Director, National Trust and Jon Kerr, National Trust General Manager.

TRHs were invited to tour the reinvigorated house and see previously unopened rooms. They also enjoyed some of the many new items that are on display including no fewer than 11 family portraits by Sir Thomas Lawrence, PRA (1769-1830), perhaps the greatest British portrait painter of the early 19th century.

Amongst the more striking items now on display is the Congress of Vienna Desk which belonged to Viscount Castlereagh when he was British Foreign Secretary at the close of the Napoleonic Wars and is said to have been used at the signing of the Treaties of Paris and Vienna in 1814 and 1815.

TRHs took the opportunity to meet with a number of National Trust staff and volunteers who played a pivotal role in the three year restoration project.

Speaking about the historic visit, Jon Kerr, manager at Mount Stewart said: “It has been a huge privilege to welcome the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to Mount Stewart today and the perfect way to mark the reopening of this famous house which has been restored to its former glory.

“It has taken a team of hundreds of people to bring our vision for this grand house to life including builders, joinery apprentices and expert conservators and curators. So today was a real opportunity to celebrate with some of the team.

“We also couldn’t have done it without our 200 volunteers who have helped with every aspect of the project including the restoration of fabrics and furniture. They will also play a huge role in welcoming many more visitors over the coming months and years. ”

Before departure, the Royal Couple received a gift of plants connected to the world famous gardens at Mount Stewart.

More..

The £8million restoration project at Mount Stewart was funded by the National Trust with support from partners including the Garfield Weston, the Wolfson Foundation, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Royal Oak Foundation, the B H Breslauer Foundation, the Lauritzen Foundation, Friends of National Libraries, NI Museums Council and a range of individual National Trust supporters.

The property stayed open throughout the restoration so that visitors could see some of the conservation in action.

Other highlights for visitors to Mount Stewart will include:

–          A selection of rooms open to view for the first time, including family and guest bedrooms.  Visitors will be able to find out more about key members of the family, in particular Charles and Edith Londonderry and their daughter Mairi in the newly opened billiards room.

–          A world class collection of family portraits by Sir Thomas Lawrence, recognised by many as the greatest British portrait painter of the early 19th century.

–          One of Northern Ireland’s most famous paintings, Stubb’s ‘Hambletonian, Rubbing Down’ has been given a brand new frame.  Hambletonian was one of the best thoroughbred racehorses of the late 18th century, having won all of his races, except one.

–          A collection of beautiful table silver including  ambassadorial silver used by Charles Stewart while British Ambassador in Vienna 1814-22;  a set of early 19th century racing cups including three Doncaster Cups, one of which was won by the great racehorse Hambletonian.

[3] H&J Martin were the lead contractor on this project. H&J Martin were founded back in 1840 and the family owned company has been going strong ever since. H&J Martin have a close affinity with the conservation of historic buildings being responsible for the construction of some of Ireland’s most iconic buildings. Belfast’s City Hall, famous around the world, was built by the company along with other famous city landmarks such as the Central Library (the first free library in Belfast) and the Opera House along with many similar buildings both in Belfast and Dublin. Belfast’s Opera House became the city’s first listed building and H&J Martin has revisited the building twice in recent years, to carry out major conservation works.

H&J Martin’s Chairman Billy Martin MBE stated. “Care for historic buildings is in our blood, everyday our staff pass spectacular buildings which are part of our history as well as the history of the region. We are proud to have been involved in the restoration of Mount Stewart house and we are particularly proud that so much of the works could be carried out by local craftsmen and women, helping to demonstrate the strength of the construction industry in Northern Ireland.”

About the National Trust

The National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 775 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information and ideas for great value family days out go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk