Discover Armagh’s rich apple-growing heritage with fun, food and frolics on Monday 4^th May

Fun, food and plenty of frolics are fully guaranteed on Monday May 4th when Armagh officially marks the start of a busy summer festival season with the return of this year’s Apple Blossom Fair.

Held at the beautiful Loughgall Country Park on the first May bank holiday Monday, the annual Apple Blossom Fair brings together a huge range of exciting family-friendly activities and an unrivalled variety of stalls featuring some of the finest local artists and artisanal producers – all of which have joined together to celebrate Armagh’s rich apple-growing heritage in a fun and exciting way.

Famous for its ‘Orchard County’ status, Armagh has long been recognised for growing some of the finest apples in the world, and the annual Apple Blossom Fair is specially-designed to celebrate that tremendous success while showcasing all the top quality of local food and produce available to locals and visitors alike.

There are plenty of activities for children too with traditional country games, a mad-hatters picnic, children’s musical entertainment and much, much more.

There will also be the choice of two specially-designed tours available – the first at Ardress House, a stunning National Trust property set in the heart of an orchard, where visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the farmhouse and savour some home-made apple tart, and the second, at the Armagh Apple Farm owned by Armagh Cider Company.

As part of the fair, Armagh’s orchards will be brought to life with special ‘tasting & pressing tours’, which will combine the unique stores of the local industry and the chance for everyone to sample the produce and get directly involved.

Meanwhile, the award-winning Armagh Cider Company will delight everyone with an exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ glimpse into what goes on at a real working apple orchard, before offering visitors the chance to have a go at pressing their own apple juice and sampling the ciders and juices they make.

And, if that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, there will also be a traditional afternoon tea, an apple tart competition and a barbeque – just in time for everyone to sit back, relax and enjoy the live musical entertainment on offer.

Lord Mayor, Darryn Causby, said:

“The annual Apple Blossom Fair is an integral part of Armagh’s bank holiday and summertime fun, and, after last year’s tremendous success, I’m thrilled that the event will be even bigger in 2015, with a fantastic and exciting mix of live entertainment, food, tours and demonstrations planned to ensure that everyone has a great day out.”

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The Apple Blossom Fair starts at 10:30am on Monday 4^th May and runs until 6:00pm. Admission is only £4 per person – and under 4’s are free. Apple Pressing and Tasting Tours are accessible for an additional fee.

For more information contact Armagh Visitor Information Centre on 028 3752 1800 or visit www.armagh.co.uk/appleblossom

Winner of ‘Best New Play’ at the Irish Times Theatre Awards and the sell-out success of Dublin Fringe Festival, Rise Productions returns to Armagh’s Market Place Theatre with ‘The Games People Play’, a radical re-working of the Tír na nÓg myth.

Meet Oisin and Niamh: married in their early thirties, parents of a young son and daughter, struggling to pay for groceries and knee deep in negative equity. Gavin Kostick’s ‘The Games People Play’ is both a timeless story about two people lost inside a marriage, and a very contemporary Irish horror story of debt, desire and emigration. The drama revolves around an overpriced games set from Argos that Oisin is constructing in advance of his son Oscar’s birthday party. As he puts the finishing touches on it, a discussion with Niamh over white wine on everything from their honeymoon and sex life to the menu for the next day’s birthday party turns into an existential conversation on their future together.

Touching family drama meets epic Celtic mythology, distilled into a Dublin Semi-D and presented in the trademark ‘TheatreStrongStyle’ of Rise Productions.

‘The Games People Play’ will be staged at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh on Wednesday 6^th May at 8pm. Tickets are priced £12.50 or £10.50 (concession), and can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com

And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

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.

• Celebrate in Style, The Merchant Hotel, Belfast.  From £330 per couple per night. If you have something to celebrate, The Merchant provides a wonderful package to make that moment memorable.  The concierge will escort you to your room where you will find chilled Champagne and handmade chocolates. You are them invited to start your evening by retreating to the spa where you can enjoy our hydrotherapy pool and relaxation area. At your leisure indulge in our full tasting menu surrounded by the grandeur of The Great Room where a selection of wines is included. After a restful night in your sumptuous room, wake up to a complimentary newspaper and a delicious full breakfast served in The Great Room Restaurant. Available until 30 Dec, Mon – Sat. To book call (028) 9023 4888.

• Country House Escape, Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Londonderry~Derry. From £129pps. Revitalise yourself by taking a luxurious two night short break at Beech Hill. Amble through the 32 acres of woodland and landscaped gardens. Enjoy a gourmet evening meal on an evening of your choice in our award winning Ardmore restaurant. Breakfast is included both mornings. Available until 30 Nov. To book call (028) 9023 4888.

• Ladies Golf Retreat, Lough Erne Resort, Enniskillen. From £190pps. Join lady golf professionals Lynn McCool and Hazel Kavanagh and enjoy Northern Ireland’s fun ladies golf event. Price includes lunch served on arrival, half day Golf School with lady golf professionals and gala dinner. One night luxury accommodation with breakfast followed by 18 hole tournament on the Faldo Course and prize presentation. Available on selected dates. To book call (028) 6632 3230.

• Dinner, Bed and Breakfast in the Percy French, Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Newcastle, From £70pps. Enjoy one night’s luxurious accommodation including 3 course dinner in the Percy French Restaurant and full cooked breakfast the following morning. Available until Jun 30. To book call (028) 4372 1066.

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

Ards and North Down Borough Council are delighted to announce that this year’s Theatre In The Walled Garden will feature a fabulous production of the celebrated children’s novel by David Walliams – Mr Stink.

The event will run over two days 8 & 9 July in Bangor’s beautiful Walled Garden. To suit this more family audience, the timings for the shows will be 2pm and 6pm each day.

Watch the fabulous characters from the novel by David Walliams come to life in Heartbreak Productions’ adaptation of Mr. Stink for the outdoor stage.

Mrs Crumb (or “Croooombe” as she would have it) is throwing a garden party for her high-achieving daughter, Annabelle. Desperate to appear as posh as possible, Mrs Crumb has organised sweet stalls, croquet and old fashioned party games with the aim to impress everyone. All ages are invited to come along, join in the organised fun and get to know the Crumb family and their community.

One party-goer, however, has not been invited and he happens to be an extremely stinky, homeless gentleman. This doesn’t put off Mrs Crumb’s eldest daughter Chloe. Often overlooked, Chloe and her inquisitive imagination soon put the wheels in motion for an unforgettable tale of friendship.

On a perfectly average afternoon, two restless souls unite on a bench in an average English town – one of them the lonely 12 year old Chloe and the other an incredibly smelly homeless man. Oh, and let’s not forget his loyal dog, the Duchess. Acting upon her curiosity and responding to her kindness, Chloe and Mr Stink forge an extraordinary and rewarding friendship that takes them to the heady heights of live television and Downing Street via a garden shed.

An outdoor show packed with fun, humour and a heart-warming message, Heartbreak Productions’ adaptation of Mr Stink is suitable for the whole family to enjoy together. Pack a picnic to make it extra special!

Tickets for this wonderful event are on sale now from www.northdowntourism.com or from Bangor Visitor Centre, Ards Visitor Centre and North Down Museum. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £5 for children. Book now to avoid disappointment!

~ New advertising campaign to showcase Northern Ireland to millions of Games of Thrones fans worldwide ~

22 April 2015 – Fantastical Games of Thrones props – including dragon eggs and three-eyed ravens – have been appearing in surprising locations around Belfast and Northern Ireland over the past few weeks, as part of a new Tourism Ireland campaign created in partnership with HBO®.

Three-eyed ravens, replicas of those used in Game of Thrones, were seen perched on top of old-fashioned wooden signs, specially erected to point the way to some of the iconic locations around Northern Ireland where the series is filmed. And replica dragon eggs were placed among fruit and vegetables in a market stall in St George’s Market in Belfast. The eggs were ‘for sale’ to people visiting the market for the price of 125 Gold Dragons – the currency used in Game of Thrones. What customers didn’t know was that one of the eggs was controlled by remote control and proceeded to rattle and wobble around, much to their surprise!

Photos and videos were taken of the props in the various locations – and will be promoted by Tourism Ireland to some 100 million Game of Thrones fans around the world, as ‘real news’ items in the new campaign.

Tourism Ireland is once again joining forces with HBO and its smash hit TV series Game of Thrones, to promote Northern Ireland around the world in 2015. The campaign will run for 14 weeks and will build on the hugely successful campaign of 2014 – which generated almost one million clicks, comments and shares and reached about 100 million fans across the world.

Timed to coincide with the return of the long-awaited fifth season of Game of Thrones, the campaign will be rolled out by Tourism Ireland, through Facebook and Twitter, in Great Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. It aims to once again leverage the incredible success of the HBO brand and the huge global popularity of Game of Thrones and its strong associations with Northern Ireland – the physical home of the production for the series and where much of the filming takes place.

As well as extensive advertising on the two social media sites, Tourism Ireland will also target its own active fanbase – posting and tweeting to its almost 3 million Facebook fans and 226,000 followers on Twitter globally. The ads will direct fans to a specially-created section on Tourism Ireland’s international website, Ireland.com.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster said: “Screen tourism is a growth area with high profile, large scale TV and film productions such as Game of Thrones showcasing Northern Ireland on an international scale. Viewers of the series from America, Australia and across the world now know places such as Dark Hedges in Country Antrim and Castle Ward in County Down. I welcome the partnership between HBO® and Tourism Ireland. This campaign will help to encourage audiences from around the world to visit the filming locations and not only experience for themselves the majestic beauty of our countryside but also our local cuisine, restaurants and hospitality.”

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with HBO in 2015, to highlight Northern Ireland and its beautiful landscape – through the exciting events of Game of Thrones – on the global stage. We aim to build on the success of last year’s campaign, reaching out to the show’s global fanbase and demonstrate the spectacular scenery of Northern Ireland. Game of Thrones fans worldwide will see these ads, spiking their curiosity about the landscapes and locations featured in the series and inspiring them to come and explore them for themselves.”

A second phase of the campaign will be rolled out by Tourism Ireland in the coming weeks – with even more surprises in store.

Ards and North Down Borough Council Tourism Events Team, are excited to announce the rest of their programme of events for the coming summer; after the hugely successful Easter Monday in Bangor the fun has only just begun!

The Easter Monday event was attended by 50,000 people, who basked in glorious sunshine and enjoyed the activities at “Pirate 24” and the highly-charged Trialstar bike show at The McKee Clock Arena.  The highlight of the day was the spectacular carnival parade which featured over 500 participants from local youth groups, sports groups, professional performers, live bands and local businesses.

Next up for Ards and North Down Events is the annual May Day event which is taking place on Monday, May 4. The popular annual festival will include top quality musical performances from The Monster Ceilidh Band and Folk Dance Remixed along with popular traditional favourites such as Maypole Dancing, local competitions, children’s entertainment and a huge array of stalls which will also keep all the family entertained throughout the day.

On Saturday May 9, as part of the national celebrations of the 70^th Anniversary of VE Day, Ards and North Down will be hosting a commemoration parade in conjunction with The Royal British Legion. The parade will take place at 2.30pm from The Town Hall and will include a mixture of approx. 500 veterans and serving officers. Also in keeping with the national celebrations listen out as church bells ring out across the town to mark this momentous time in history.

The Continental Market will be arriving at The McKee Clock Arena on Thursday May 14 for a five day stay. Featuring a wonderful range of foods and crafts from across Europe, the market has something for everyone and is a great day out for the whole family.

Then on Saturday, May 16, the Ards & North Down Pipe Championships will be taking place in Castle Park. This ever popular event will see Pipe Bands & Drum Majors travel from all over Northern Ireland to compete to become champions. The event is free and runs from 11am to 6pm.

The much-loved Sea Bangor Festival will be making a welcome return to the town on June 27 & 28. The maritime festival will include a tented village in Quay Street car park featuring the “Big Bangor Bake Off” competition which will be run by SERC, children’s activities, maritime themed street theatre, a food tent, a fantastic live music programme and so much more!  The festival will also welcome the tall ship Morganster along with a navy vessel which will be moored alongside The Eisenhower Pier and will be open to the public for the two days of the festival.  The tall ship will also be doing sailings; tickets for these sailings will be on sale in the coming weeks.

And don’t forget Summer Entertainment, live music in The Bandstand in Ward Park every Sunday in July and August. A wonderful opportunity to relax, with a picnic and listen to some fabulous live music, in the beautiful surroundings of Ward Park. These free events run from 3 – 5pm each Sunday.

This is just a taster of what’s coming up over the summer, please check out the Ards and North Down Events Guide or www.northdowntourism.com for more information on these events and other events coming up in 2015!

Steeped in history and legend, with majestic highlands, lush rivers and rugged valleys, County Tyrone and the Sperrin Mountains is one of Northern Ireland’s most unspoilt and wild areas.

The county is well known for its spectacular countryside, stunning mountain ranges, traffic free wide open spaces and beautiful, largely undiscovered landscapes making Tyrone and the Sperrins ideal for a break in the outdoors.

Accommodation options include the Georgian elegance of the Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Derry~Londonderry, the relaxing Corick House Hotel & Spa, Tyrone and Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown. There is also a range of four and five star self-catering cottages and apartments, as well as B&B retreats in stunning surroundings.   

The region is ideal for those who like to get outside in the fresh air, whether that’s to enjoy a gentle stroll around the Sperrin foothills or a more exhilarating mountain walk.  After an invigorating walk there are lots of cosy pubs and restaurants where visitors can enjoy a drink and rest their feet beside a roaring fire. From walking and cycling to more adventurous pursuits, there’s something to suit all interests and abilities.

Omagh and Strabane District Councils, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council and Derry City Council are working together to promote the Tyrone and Sperrins tourism offering.

For more information on Tyrone and the Sperrins visit: www.nitb.com/Destinations/TyroneSperrins

Sat 25 April to Fri 1 May

Saturday 25 April, Dawn Chorus Walk, Castle Park in Bangor

Free, pre-booking essential. Starts 5am.

Join bird expert Dot Blakely as the sun comes up over Bangor, for an early morning master class in how to recognise the songs of the dawn chorus.

Dot’s tour will also take in the natural habitats of the birds and animals who live in the park.

Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069

Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846

Book online

Saturday 25 April, Meet the Maker: ‘the Beauty of Clay – Get your hands dirty’

Ards Crafts, Craft & Design Centre, 31 Regent Street in Newtownards

Tickets: £12 inc materials; Age 18+. Limited numbers, pre-booking essential.

10.30am – 12.30pm

A ceramics workshop with Ellen Cunningham & Ashleigh Collim

Info and booking: Tel: (028) 9182 6846

Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 April, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 25: Jumping Clay, Children’s Crafts

Sun 26: Casey’s Creatures, Face Painting

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

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

Friday 1 May, Friday Night Live – Sarah McQuaid

Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards

Tickets: £8 in advance*, £10 at  the door  (*booking fee applies)

Doors Open at 7.30pm, starts at 8pm.

A return visit from Sarah who will seduce her audience with cheeky banter and stories from the road as well as her stunning music.

She spans the genres with both beautiful crafted originals and material from around the globe. Bring your own bottle.

Box Office: 028 9181 0803, Book online

Sat 2 May to Fri 8 May

Saturday 2 May, Copeland Island Bird Observatory Tour

Tickets: £12/£10 (Children under 14 accompanied by adult £6), pre-booking essential. Starts 1pm.

This trip to ‘Bird Isle’, home of the Bird Observatory, is a treat for amateur ornithologists, wildlife enthusiasts, and plant lovers alike.

Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069

Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846

Book online

Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 May, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 2: Science Show: ‘Gold and Gem Panning’, Children’s Crafts

Sun 3: Plant and Play: ‘Make your own Fairy Garden’ Workshop

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

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

Sunday 3 May, Hysterical Historics Newtownards Walking Tour

Tickets: £6/£5 concession (Children under 14 accompanied by adult £3), pre-booking essential. Starts 2pm.

Take a ‘hysterical history’ lesson for the whole family as you encounter murky and macabre characters from across the centuries in unexpected corners

of Newtownards Town Centre. Kids and grown-ups alike will love this hysterical twist on tales from the Ards.

Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069

Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846

Book online

Sunday 3 May, Historic Holywood and Ulster-Scots Walk

Tickets: £3, pre-booking essential. Starts 2.30pm.

Enjoy an informative stroll through Holywood’s colourful history.

Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069

Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846

Book online

Monday 4 May – Bank Holiday Monday

Merry May Day, Holywood Town Centre

Free event, 10am-4pm

Family fun for all! Traditional Maypole Dancing, Children’s Fancy Dress Competition, Food and Charity Stalls, highlight of the event is a performance by the Monster Ceilidh Band perform an

infectious blend that fuses UK folk, with drum & bass.

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

Monday 4 May, ‘Happy Bank Holiday’ – Fun children’s Activities

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

Free event, 2pm-4pm

Keep the children entertained on May Bank Holiday with free art and crafts activities for children.

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4272 9882, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Exhibitions

Ards Crafts & Visitor Information Centre

31 Regent Street, Newtownards BT23 4AD

T: 028 9182 6846. Admission Free

Saturday 2 – Saturday 30 May

Meet the Maker: ‘Green Wood Works’

Green Woodworker Alexey Janes

North Down Museum, Bangor

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

T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free

Tuesday 31 March – Thursday 30 April

Paintings: U3A Art Groups

Saturday 2 – Sunday 31 May

Historical Storyboard: Mining Heritage

Until Sunday 17 May

Exhibit: En-gauge with the past, history of the railway

Friday 1 May – Thursday 28 May

The Great War: Through the words of the County Down Spectator & Newtownards Chronicle

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ

T: 028 4272 9882. Admission Free

Saturday 2 – Saturday 30 May

Art in the Loft: ‘Follow the Thread – From Ewe to You’ Fibre art by the Ulster Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers

Downloadable Guides

2015 Ards and North Down Events Guide

2015 Experience Ards and North Down Tours

Return travel by car and seven nights’ accommodation from only £899* with Stena Line

LEADING ferry company, Stena Line, has launched a fantastique special offer giving two adults & two children the chance to enjoy a family break to Center Parcs Les Bois Francs in Normandy from only £899* when booked by Monday April 27.

This includes return travel by car departing on Thursday June 18 from Rosslare to Cherbourg with a 4 berth cabin onboard (on both crossings), seven nights’ accommodation in a Premium Cottage and access to Aqua Mundo tropical swimming paradise, entertainment and selected activities.

This works out at less than £225 per person for travel and seven nights’ accommodation.

Center Parcs Les Bois Francs has lots to keep the whole family entertained including a children’s pool, Water Playhouse providing incredible fun in the water with water cannons; a huge Aqua Mundo with wild water rapids and a 9-hole golf course. Adults can relax in the Deep Nature Spa which includes a large wellness centre with a wide range of massages and beauty treatments.

For further information click on www.stenaline.co.uk/centerparcs call 08445 768 889 or visit your local travel agent.

*Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Brides from all over Ireland will be saving the date for The Vintage & Handmade Wedding Fair taking place at Malone House Belfast on Sunday 17^th May.

Brought to you by the original and inventive folks at Frock Around The Clock, the special event will showcase fifty inspirational wedding exhibitors offering handmade, vintage, bespoke and DIY wedding services for creative couples including dresses, bridal accessories, flowers, stationery, transport, cakes, photography, favours, event styling, bouquets, hair and make-up artistry, jewellery, and much more!

Creative Director Becky Moore says ‘The Vintage & Handmade Wedding Fair is a cool and stylish event aimed at couples who want a personalised wedding; a day that reflects their personalities and celebrates their unique relationship and experiences together. Our wedding fairs are a celebration of the genius crafty and creative wedding talent that we have right here in Ireland, so you will find fashion-forward inspiration and experts who can create tailor-made wedding products and services to suit your taste, personality and imagination. You will also find carefully sourced, authentic vintage treasures from dresses and jewellery to china teasets and sparkling glassware, so you can be sure that no-one else is going to have the exact same look on their wedding day – it all makes for a less ordinary feel with a twist on the traditional. We also address the big trend for DIY weddings – for the couples who want to have a go at crafting various elements of their wedding day we also have sellers who are great at inspiring you to get creative and experimental with gorgeous fabrics, haberdashery, pretty papers, stamps and kits! Our fairs are fun but relaxed, gorgeously glamorous but friendly, designed to put you at ease and make planning your big day a pleasure. Unlike many other wedding events, most of the products and vintage treasures can even be purchased and taken away on the day!’
The impressive exhibitor list includes authentic vintage gowns from Archive 12, and Norma Jean Vintage, limited edition bridal headpieces by Emily Loves Vintage, beautiful handcrafted bouquets from Innocent Chaos, exquisitely designed cakes from The Little Cupcakery and Candytuft Cakes, heirloom quality designer vintage jewellery from Lulu and Belle, couture handcrafted stationery from Arbee* Stationery Design, inspirational photography from You Them Us, and DIY crafty wedding supplies from Hampton Blue and I Of The Needle.

The Vintage & Handmade Wedding Fair will take place on Sunday 17^th May from 12-5pm at Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Belfast BT9 5PB. Admission costs £5 at the door and there will be goody bags for the first 100 visiting brides. Updates and details of special offers available on the day will be posted on facebook.com/frockaroundtheclockweddings and the full exhibitor list is available to view on the website frockfairsni.com.