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

Northern Ireland has a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for the perfect short break and Discover NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

• Three Night Stay with an afternoon tea, Maryville House Tearooms & Boutique B&B, Belfast. From £270.00. Maryville House is a fine example of a Victorian gentleman’s residence on the cosmopolitan Lisburn Road in Belfast, renovated and opened in 2010 as a boutique B&B. Offer includes 3 nights stay with an afternoon tea included. Offer is for two persons sharing a double room. Available Sunday – Thursday until September 30. To book call (028) 9068 1510.

• Just the Two of Us, Ramada Da Vinci’s Hotel, Derry, Londonderry/Derry. From £89pps. Enjoy a romantic weekend getaway in the City of Derry at Da Vinci’s Hotel and experience our ‘Just the Two of Us’ couples offer from £89.00 per person sharing. Offer includes 2 nights’ accommodation for 2 people, full Irish breakfast each morning, couples 3 course evening meal on an evening of your choice, bottle of wine in your room OR a free walking tour of the historic City of Derry, complimentary parking, unlimited Wi-Fi and weekend entertainment. Available until December 31. Book by calling 028 7127 9111 or visit www.davincishotel.com.
• Summer Sizzler, Marine Court Hotel, Bangor. From £99.99 per room. Beautifully situated overlooking the marina on Bangor’s seafront, the hotel is ideal for both business and pleasure. Offer includes Lunch and Dinner with wine, overnight accommodation with breakfast. Available Sunday-Thursday only until August 31. To book call (028) 9145 1100.

For further information, contact TNI on 028 9023 1221 or view on www.discovernorthernireland.com/offers.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (August 31 – September 6).

• The Belfast Tattoo 2015, SSE Arena, Belfast, September 4-5. The Belfast Tattoo returns with over 600 performers. There will be a magnificent showcase of the finest marching bands, musicians, and dancers from across Ulster and beyond in a two hour show building up to the Grand Finale of the Massed Pipe and Drums. Show times: Fri at 8pm Sat 5 at 2.30pm and 8pm.

• Gobbins, Visitor Centre, Islandmagee, Larne, Co Antrim, Now Open! Experience one of Northern Ireland’s newest and most exhilarating attractions. On the very edge of the Irish Sea lies The Gobbins cliffs where you will find a unique coastal experience re-imagined for the 21st century. A guide will escort you on a journey along the narrow winding cliff edge path which rises and dips and follows the curves of curious geology. Bridges, tunnels, caves, steps, unique rock formations and stunning views will punctuate your path as you walk, presenting themselves in a different light for your return journey.

• Air Waves Portrush 2015, East Strand Beach, Portrush, Co Antrim, September 5-6. Air Waves Portrush is the biggest air show on the island of Ireland. Each day there will be a four and a half hour air display featuring some of the most exciting aircraft including the ever popular Red Arrows. The North Village (Lansdowne Green) and the South Village (East Strand Car Park) will be filled with static helicopter displays, entertainment, stalls, crafts, living history installations, armed forces displays and the latest in cars. Show from 11am – 18pm.

• Titanic Bank Holiday Weekend, Titanic Belfast, Belfast, August 29 -31. Titanic Belfast is going nautical for the Bank Holiday Weekend, from 29 – 31.  From meeting the mascots to an Ocean Explorer Trail, Clayrazy, Ocean Exploration Face Painting and Under the Sea colouring in, Titanic Belfast has it all.

• 30th Anniversary of the discovery of the Titanic, Titanic Belfast, Belfast, September 1. To mark the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the Titanic, from 5 – 6pm Titanic Belfast will be hosting a live interaction with Dr Ballard, where guests can ask questions to the explorer who discovered the Titanic. Keep an eye out for more information.

• Summer Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages, Cockle Row Cottages, Main Street, Groomsport Harbour, Co Down, September 5-6. Come along and enjoy family fun at Cockle Row Cottages with free entertainment from 2pm – 4pm including magic shows, crafts and workshops and so much more.

• Family Fun Afternoon Climbing and Archery, Mobile Team Adventure, Old Milltown Road, Belfast, August 31. Try something new and exciting with the family. Ascend the mobile rock climbing wall and see who can hit the target as you take aim at archery. Everyone will have the opportunity to try both activities. Instructors will be on hand at both stations to show you the ropes, provide some encouragement and generally help you to have a really great time.

• Autumn Book Fair, The Argory, Moy, Co Armagh, September 5-6. Calling all Bookworms. Browse through the hundreds of second-hand books in the courtyard and stock up on your winter reads. There’s sure to be something for everyone. There will be live music and Punch and Judy shows on Sunday. Donations of unwanted books, CDs and DVDs are welcome prior to the event. From 12-5pm.

• Pleasure Ride/ Go as You Please, Lissan House Estate, Drumgrass road, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, September 5. Who’s ready for another day at Lissan? Lissan Horse Riders host a fantastic open this September! With hacking or jumping options around this beautiful 300 acre estate from 11am to 3pm. This event will be a safe environment for off road hacking and jumping trails with over 40 natural type jumps over a 4 or 6 mile route.

• Last Family Fun Day of the season! The Jungle NI, Moneymore, Co Londonderry, September 6. The Jungle will host the last Family Fun Day of the season offering unique, adventure activities at the discounted rate of £3 each or 6 activities for £15. Suitable for ages 4+. The quirky Coffee Shop and BBQ Bar will be selling a range of hot-food and snacks ensuring your energy levels are well stocked to take advantage of the vast range of activities available. From 11am – 4pm.

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.

This August bank holiday will see Lough Neagh light up in a weekend of festival fun in Ballyronan and Toome.

Friday 28 August kicks off the bank holiday weekend of festival fun with Lumarina at Ballyronan Marina. This annual spectacular illumination has gained a reputation for amazing audiences on the picturesque backdrop of the lough at this family themed event. While dancing displays, food stalls and a live band entertain and tickle the tastebuds on dry land, boats will light up the night sky on Lough Neagh before the evening draws to a close with what promises to be a fabulous fireworks display.

Eimear Kearney, Marketing Manager, Lough Neagh Partnership, said: “The unique illuminated event, Lumarina has gained a reputation for being a great night out for all the family, becoming a real attraction for the destination.”

This event has been made possible by Lough Neagh Partnership, Mid Ulster District Council and Tourism NI.

More details can be found a​t www.lumarina.co.uk a​nd you can follow Lough Neagh on Facebook at www.facebook.com/loughneaghanditswaterways, call Lough Neagh Partnership on tel 028 7941 7941 or email at info@discoverloughneagh.com.

Join W5 at Greenmount Campus Conference Centre on Wednesday 16^th September for a free Ultimate Farming event where engineering meets farming for a better future!

Can agricultural engineering help improve your farm efficiency? W5 brings you a Farmers Lunch event which aims to promote agricultural engineering, showcase current innovations in agriculture and highlight their importance in improving farm efficiency.

Join W5 to experience:

• A tour of Greenmount’s state-of-the-art Dairy Development Centre

• Lely product showcase

• Inspiring examples of agriculture engineering

• Link and share knowledge with other farmers and engineers

• Enjoy a free lunch!

This event is open to all farmers, agricultural engineers or those employed in or connected to the agriculture industry.

Numbers are limited therefore pre-booking is essential.

For more information or to register please contact:

Email: educationqueries@w5online.co.uk

Or call: 028 9046 7799 or 7836

Website: www.w5online.co.uk

2015 marks the 75^th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain – the greatest aerial conflict of the Second World War, which turned the tide in the war against Germany.

In recognition of this important anniversary, Ards and North Down Borough Council is holding a special commemorative event featuring a Spitfire and Hurricane fly-past, jazz picnic and Vintage Fair at Ards Air Field on Saturday 19 September. The sounds of the 40s will be recreated by headline act The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, known as the ‘Best Big Band in the Land’.

Following an Opening Address and Commemorative Service, Dave Martin and The Casino Cats will start the stage programme at 2pm.  Led by the charismatic Dave Martin with his smooth velvety vocals, the band offer authentic smooth sounds from the 40s era with a set list of popular big band tunes.

Next up is the fabulous Syd Lawrence Orchestra.  Founded in 1967 by trumpeter and arranger Syd Lawrence, the orchestra has been thrilling audiences in concert halls, theatres, TV shows and music festivals all over Great Britain and Europe for over 40 years.  Renowned for its exciting blend of high octane big band swing and classic dance music, The Orchestra’s repertoire ranges from the wartime million sellers of the legendary Glenn Miller, through the era of the great Count Basie Orchestra, to the hit songs of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.  The concert will be compered by local broadcaster Frank Mitchell.

At 6.30pm spectators will be invited to look to the skies as a genuine Spitfire and a Hurricane aircraft perform a special fly-past finale over the Air Field.  Both of these famous aircraft were typical of the planes that fought in the Battle of Britain and these restored versions are very rare examples that will lend authenticity to this commemorative event.

Also on site throughout the day will be a vintage fair from Frock Around The Clock. Guaranteed to delight the vintage lover and shopaholic like, the fair will feature a fabulous line-up of around 30 hand-picked local vintage dealers and creative designers offering a huge array of vintage and handmade fashion, jewellery, furniture, home-wares, collectables, gifts, sweet treats and so much more.

A display of military vehicles, street theatre, vintage dancers and a food-fair will make this commemorative event a day out for all the family.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, commented: “This commemorative event to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain will be a very special and fitting tribute to the men and women who fought in the Second World War.  It is important that we continue to remember their sacrifice and the programme we have planned will encourage this as visitors have the opportunity to experience some of the most iconic sights and sounds associated with the period.”

Gates to the venue are open at 12noon and car-parking is available on-site.

For further information on this event please contact Ards Visitor Information Centre on (028) 9182 6846 or email ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Belfast Programme

ExKitement is soaring for the first ever display of professional kite-flying to take place in Dungannon.

Kites of all shapes, sizes, characters and colours, will take to the skies above Dungannon Park in a precision flying event, where professional pilots will showcase their skills in flying kites into stack formations and other intricate manoeuvres.

The kites are the main attraction at the free ‘Picnic in the Park’ on Bank Holiday Monday (31^st August) being organised by Mid Ulster District Council.

As well as the entertainment in the air, there will be a range of activities on the ground, including live music from Whistlin’ Donkeys and Afrikan Warriors, magic shows, carnival games, cage football, puppet workshops and jump, jiggle and jive.

The Picnic in the Park takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, 31^st August, from 12noon to 7pm and entry is free. For further details contact Dungannon Park on 028 8772 8690 or visit www.midulstercouncil.org/whatson.