On Sunday 24^th May dig out your wellies and enjoy a fabulous, FREE event at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh celebrating our unpredictable Spring weather!

From 11.00am – 5.00pm the Navan Centre will be going wellie crazy with lots of activities like wellie throwing, wellie games and much more.

We will even help you turn your old wellies into a useful garden planter to take home and enjoy.  It is amazing how the humble wellie can create such fun.  All we ask is that you bring any old wellies you have to create your garden planter.

Jumping in muddy puddles on the day is a must! So wear your favourite wellies.

For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh.  BT60 4LD.  Tel 028 3752 9644 or www.navan.com

BuskFest is sending the call out to buskers from near and far to take part in the 12th annual busking festival, which takes place on Saturday 27 June in Banbridge town centre.

Every year at BuskFest the streets of Banbridge town centre are bustling with hundreds of musicians, singers, bands, solo artists and street performers from across the globe entertaining the appreciative crowds in the hope of winning a prize from the £3000 cash pot.

The competition runs from 1.00pm – 4.30pm and will culminate in an awards ceremony hosted by BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean in Solitude Park from 4.30pm – 6.00pm.

Music fans will be in for a treat, with BBC’s The Voice contestant and local singing star Daniel Duke and band kicking off proceedings, followed by performances by the winners of each of the six competition categories.

Categories include overall winner, best individual, best band, best junior performer, best performance which is sponsored by Banbridge Chamber of Commerce and the ‘Spirit of BuskFest’ prize, sponsored by The Outlet, Banbridge.

As well as a superb cash prize, the overall winner will also land a prime spot on the line-up at Sunflowerfest music festival, which takes place at Tubby’s Farm, Hillsborough, Co Down from 31 July – 2 August 2015.

Online registration is now open via the website at www.buskfest.com and further details can be found on the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/buskfest

With a large number of performers already registered this year promises to deliver another bumper Buskfest. Remember, if you’re not in you can’t win.

Festival Launches with Packed Schedule

IT’S anchors aweigh as Northern Ireland’s leading maritime festival, the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, is launched by the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan, on Friday (1 May 2015).

Organised by the Council Harbour & Tourism Section, Ballycastle Community Development Group, the Rathlin Development & Community Association, and the Ballycastle Chamber of Commerce and Industry and sponsored by the Tourism Northern Ireland, Malin Waters, Fair Head Tidal, and Rathlin Island Boat House there will be something for land and sea lovers, with sailing, historic and modern craft, demonstrations, exhibitions and guided walks, seafood themed markets as well as great music and entertainment.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan said, “Last year’s festival was a huge success and we are looking to build upon that this year. We wanted to have even more for all the family at this year’s festival! Once again, we are really looking forward to welcoming visitors to Rathlin Island and Ballycastle. The beauty of the Causeway Coast and Glens is renowned the world over and the Rathlin Sound is a hidden gem that is ready to be discovered.”

Caroline Carey, Tourism Development Officer, Causeway Coast and Glens, said “The Festival is celebrating its third year now and promises to be awash with activities for all the family, with this year promising to be the biggest and best yet!

“Dad will be distracted by the Bushmills Whiskey Tasting whilst mum inspects the delights on offer at Ballycastle Market. All the while, the two kids can dress up as Vikings before taking on Finn McCool and his wife Oonagh who have been interrupted by their arch enemy, Benandonner!

“With everyone else preoccupied, Grandad signed up to a power-boating lesson whilst Granny is on a fishing trip on the Lord Moyle!”

The celebration is centred on Rathlin Sound, the body of water that lies between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle on the spectacular north coast of Ireland, right in the heart of the Causeway Coast and Glens. Kicking off on Friday 22nd May, the opening weekend will feature a fancy dress parade followed by the uniquely traditional blessing of the boats at the Marina in Ballycastle.

“Over the course of the week we will be celebrating our passion for the sea, local culture, heritage and history, culminating in Rathlin’s ‘Big Lunch’, music from ‘Runabay’ and our ‘Living Seas’ event on the 31st May. We look forward to visitors arriving by boat, by car, bike and bus and cannot wait to share our little island and causeway coast with the world.

“The packed programme includes walking tours, boat trips; sports such as kayaking and dinghy sailing and both Ballycastle and Rathlin will definitely be ‘sounding off’ with a programme of traditional music including street entertainers competition open to everyone, traditional sessions in local pubs and hotels.

“The Ardglass Vikings will be docking in Ballycastle on Friday 29^th May ahead of their epic battle with the Currachs and Drontheims on Saturday 30^th May which could well continue into the next day! Come along on Friday to view the long boat as it arrives at Ballycastle Harbour before setting off for Rathlin”.

For further information about the festival log on tohttp://www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com/maritimefestival or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre 028 2076 2024 or ballycastlevic@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk.

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is set to send little imaginations soaring with two enthralling kid’s performances.

‘The Elves & The Shoemaker’ is a fantastic blend of immersive storytelling with music and unbelievable aerial circus for children aged between 4-8yrs and their families. There is no stage. Instead you will join the shoemakers inside their workshop and actually help them to make the best pair of shoes ever made. Herman, Daisy and the Elves need you! They want to make shoes for your feet. But they owe so much money they barely can eat. Don’t worry though, because magic is always just around the corner. The Elves are here to help! And sometimes the answers are literally right above your head.

‘The Elves & The Shoemaker’ will be staged as part of the Family Super Saturday on Saturday 9^th May at 11am and 2pm. Tickets are priced £6 each which includes an hour of post-show family fun including themed crafts, face painting, balloon modelling, and a fancy dress competition. The show will also be staged solo on Friday 8^th May at 6.30pm. Tickets for this performance are priced £4.

As if that’s not enough excitement, in ‘The Adventures Of Robin Hood’, the audience is transported back in time to the days of legend and heroes. In Sherwood Forest, Robin must team up with Friar Tuck, Will Scarlett and Little John to defeat his enemy – the evil Sheriff Of Nottingham. He steals from the rich, gives to the poor, and wins the heart of Maid Marion. With exciting swordplay, fast action, catchy brand new sing-along songs, puppets and humour, ‘The Adventures Of Robin Hood’ will delight all children aged 4-9yrs.

‘The Adventures Of Robin Hood’ will be staged on Thursday 21^st May at 7pm. Tickets are priced £6 or £4 (concession), with a family special price (4 tickets) of £20 or £12 (concession). Schools performances of both shows are also available. 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.

To celebrate the 70^th Anniversary of Victory in Europe, Ards and North Down Borough Council will be holding a series of commemorative events, which will take place on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 May.

Joining the National Commemoration Programme, the events will give people the opportunity to reflect and remember this momentous date, marking 70 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.

On Friday 8 May there will two commemorative Beacons lit, one in Bangor and one in Ballyhalbert. The programme will consist of a fanfare to announce the start of the lighting ceremony, followed by a short tribute led by a veteran and member of the Clergy. In conjunction with the national programme, the beacons will be lit at 9.30pm. The beacon in Bangor will be lit on the Central Pier, Bangor, which can be viewed from the Eisenhower Pier and Pickie Pier and the one lit in Ballyhalbert, will be at the Harbour car park. The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham will officiate in Bangor and the Deputy Mayor Councillor Carl McClean, will officiate in Ballyhalbert. Over 100 beacons will be lit across the UK to mark Victory in Europe on the same date.

On the following day, Saturday 9 May, a Wreath Laying Ceremony and Service will take place at 11am at the War Memorial, Ward Park, Bangor, led by Reverend Charles McMullan.  Also at 11am in Bangor, in keeping with the national celebrations, listen out as church bells ring out across the town to mark this momentous time in history. A wreath laying ceremony will also take place at 12.30pm at the Cenotaph, Newtownards.

At 2.30pm on the same day, a VE Commemoration Parade in conjunction with The Royal British Legion will leave The Town Hall, Bangor, and will include a mixture of approximately 500 veterans and serving officers led by the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment.   A salute will be taken at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Main Street.   The parade will then continue down Main Street, proceed back around to High Street, past the back of The Flagship Centre and will finish at The Royal British Legion on Hamilton Road.

Speaking about the VE Day events: The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham said: I am extremely proud to be part of these events, remembering such an important date in the history of our nation.  I look forward to joining with the many veterans and serving officers who will be on parade on May 9 and hope that the people of The Borough will come out to support them.”

Walk Enniskillen is a new way to discover the many gems and facets of the history of Ireland’s only Island Town. The guided walk is accessible through an innovative web based App, which you can access from your smart device.

Simply go to www.ekn.guide there are 30 stops along the way; each one with a story to tell whether it is a church, a pub or a convent! You can follow the route as you wish and pick it up at any of the stops; imagining the footprints and echoes that have been before.

Enniskillen with its many splendid architectural gems is a town with a remarkable past; a past which continues to define its present.  The new ‘Walk Enniskillen’ App will allow visitors to explore and uncover Enniskillen’s fascinating past and architectural beauties.

The town has many captivating beauty spots; with its own Victorian secret garden-once Commons Hill, Cammomile Hill-now the Forthill. Standing tall on the west of town are proud reminders of grand Georgian architecture at Willoughby Place.  St Michael’s church  is celebrating its 140th year in a grand gothic renaissance style; while Blake’s of the Hollow has been described as a “cathedral of a pub” ,“Coming into Blake’s you leave the twentieth century behind.”

Enniskillen has been 400 years in the making. The town has seen many changes over the last 400 years witnessing periods of extensive growth-particularly in the latter part of the nineteenth century. While much change has occurred there is much in Enniskillen today which would be familiar to a traveller from times gone by. There is much still to celebrate in terms of the architectural heritage of Enniskillen and ‘Walk Enniskillen’ is the perfect means to do so!

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (May 4-10).

• Daily Mirror May Day Race Meeting, Down Royal Racecourse, Maze, Lisburn, Co Antrim, May 4. Visit Down Royal, a racecourse steeped in history, on May Day for an afternoon of thrilling racing. Gates open at 12 noon. First race at 2.25pm.

• Allianz Garden Show Ireland 2015, Antrim Castle Gardens, Randalstown Road, Co Antrim, May 8-10. Antrim Castle Gardens will be bursting with colour and sweet smelling flowers at this year’s Garden Show. A three day festival of flowers, food and fun awaits visitors who will get to enjoy some magnificent gardens.

• The Shadow of a Gunman, Lyric Theatre, Belfast, May 3 – June 6. The first of Sean O ‘Casey’s Dublin plays, which is sure to be an exciting production, the Shadow of a Gunman is set during Ireland’s War of Independence.  The Lyric Theatre will host the performances in the first arts venue to receive a 5 star accreditation from Tourism NI. From 7.45pm Tuesday – Saturday with 2.30pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

• Armagh Apple Blossom Fair, Loughgall Country Park, Armagh, Co Armagh, May 4. Visit the annual Armagh Apple Blossom Fair and delight in the chance to sample different apple produce and enjoy the rural ambience with stunning pink and white blossom providing a spectacular backdrop for this special event. There will be food and craft stalls, orchard tours and cookery demonstrations along with live music and a BBQ! From 10am to 6pm.

• May Day Pony Trekking Special, Mount Pleasant Trekking Centre, Castlewellan, Co Down, May 4. Jump onto your horse and into summer at Mount Pleasant Trekking Centre. Enjoy a trek through the stunning scenery of Castlewellan Forest Park and after the trek the kids can enjoy a free pic-n-mix bag and free soft drink from the colourful candy table. Bring a picnic and enjoy the enclosed paddock with picnic tables and tea/coffee for adults. Available all day.

• May Day Celebrations, Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, Cultra, Holywood, May 4. Have a go at stripping the willow in preparation for the Basket Maker to weave into traditional baskets and then get your feet tapping to the music of the traditional Strip the Willow set dance in the Parochial Hall. May Day will be thoroughly enjoyable at Ulster Folk & Transport Museum with storytelling and seasonal food available throughout the day. From 10am-5pm.

• Bank Holiday Blow Out!, Carrowmena Activity Centre & Hostel, Limavady, Co Londonderry, May 4. Fancy a Family Bonding Day? Look no further and enjoy a day of action packed activities at Carrowmena Activity Centre where zip lining, climbing wall and archery are all on offer throughout the day. From 10am.

• Lisa McHugh, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co Tyrone, May 7. With enough determination and talent to last a lifetime, Lisa McHugh is a Glasweigan born star that’s more than ready to shine. Having gained thousands of fans, the 26 year old beauty has won many awards including ‘Female Vocalist of The Year’ 3 years running. Lisa will be joined on the night by special guest, Malachi Cush, for a great night of musical entertainment. From 8pm.

• Geo Detectives and Fossil Fun, Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, May 4. Come along to the stunning Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre and enjoy some hands-on fun and learn a bit about the fantastic fossils that make up the fascinating rocks beneath our feet. From 12-4pm.

• Annual Vintage Rally, Ballymoney Showgrounds, Ballymoney, Co Antrim, May 9. Visit the Annual Vintage Rally where Hugo Duncan and Elvis Tribute, Andy Rodgers, along with live music by Steve Farlow will be providing plenty of entertainment throughout the day.  The entire family are welcome with amusements, free pony rides, face painting and an ice cream truck available to keep the kids happy. From 10.30am to 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.

Down

Next up for Ards and North Down Events is the annual May Day event which is taking place on Monday, May 4th in Holywood Town Centre. 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.

Armagh

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

Fermanagh

A new, international, multi-arts festival celebrating the life and times of Irish playwright, essayist and wit Oscar Wilde, A Wilde Weekend by Lough Ernest, is set to take place in Enniskillen and Fermanagh the May Day Bank holiday weekend, May 1 – 4th 2015.  A first of its kind in the world, the Festival is solely dedicated to celebrating Wilde through a full range of Wildean related art forms including prose and poetry  theatre, talks, music, film, literature, domestic and decorative arts and even garden tours.

Tyrone

Jamboree in the park returns to The Ecclesville Centre Fintona for one night only on Saturday 2nd May with Headline acts Derek Ryan, Mike Denver, Johnny Brady and Lisa McHugh.  Tickets are £20.

Derry

The City of Derry Jazz Festival- marks the official start of summer in Derry as thousands of music fans descend on the city to sing, swing and enjoy the very best local hospitality, with over 250 events taking place in over 60 venues. Organised by Derry City Council and supported by Diageo, the festival will take place from Thursday April 30th until Monday May 4th, and draws over 35,000 visitors to the city annually  This year Derry will welcome modern jazz sensation Jamie Cullum – the highlight event in five days of Jazz, Jump, Jive, Swing, and Blues delivered on note by some of the best artists in the business.

Antrim

Clady Hall Portglenone is the venue this Saturday 2nd May for a Vintage Gathering and Family Fun Day! See the best vintage cars and tractors on display and enjoy the music, bouncy castles, face painters, archery, market stalls and even an “Unrideable Bike”.  Lots of fun to be had for all the family this Bank Holiday this weekend.

Belfast

This May Day Bank Holiday weekend laughter becomes the loudest sound in Belfast City Centre and Cathedral Quarter.  Belfast’s favourite family friendly festival is back for the 12th year. The Festival of Fools brings a welcome rush of international silliness and smiles to the streets of Belfast with more than 120 free performances to enjoy from around the world from Friday 1st – Monday 4th May.

Add your events free at www.whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.

Come to Holywood this Bank Holiday Monday and enjoy the wonderful array of live music, market stalls and family entertainment when the town centre will be transformed for the annual May Day Festival!

This year the innovative and infectious Monster Ceilidh Band will be making a very special appearance at the festival. On a crusade to bring a powerfully modern approach to ceilidh music, the Monster Ceilidh Band have their feet in the heritage and tradition of the British Isles and are a treat not to be missed! The band will take to the stage from 2pm to 3.30pm.

The world’s only Folk/Drum n’ Bass act combines explosive and fiery folk with funky riffs, beats and live drums. Monster Ceilidh Band’s music embraces the old dance traditions whilst translating them into foot tapping crescendos for the modern audience – we dare you not to dance!!

Also appearing for the first time in Northern Ireland will be Folk Dance Remixed – a ground breaking company creating a unique fusion between folk and hip-hop dancing with live music. The band will be performing pop up jams, guaranteed to get the crowds dancing! As well as pop up jams, the group will also be providing Maypole Street Dance interactive workshops – a modern take on Maypole Dancing – come along and have a go!

Popular traditional favourites such as Maypole Dancing, local competitions and over 40 stalls will be dotted around the town, along with balloon modellers, face painters, street theatre and magicians – lots of entertainment for all the family! And don’t miss the Crowning of The May Queen which is taking place at 10.45am on the performance stage on High Street.

All the usual favourites have been organised by Holywood & District Community Council; Bonnie Baby Competition (10.30 am, Queen’s Leisure Complex) and Fancy Dress Competition (12.30 pm , outside The Library)– the fancy dress themes this year are Super Heroes, Princesses, Disney Characters and My Favourite Character From A Book.

To celebrate the event, local businesses have generously donated prizes to be given to lucky competition winners on the day. The following businesses have kindly donated prizes; Panini, The Anchorage, Urban Orchard, The Fish Café, Maud’s, Lacy’s Day Spa, Male/Female Room, Little Wing, Johnny The Jig, John Minnis, Templeton Robinson and Steward Miller. The Holywood District and Community Council would like to thank these businesses for their generosity.

Over 40 stalls represented by local charities and traders will be in place throughout High Street and Church Road.  Please note that Holywood Town Centre will be closed for most of the day.

The ever-popular Maypole Dancing will take place at 11am and 1pm. Young children can get their chance to dance around their own Maypole with Jump, Jiggle and Jive from 12 noon – 4.00 pm and if that just gets them going there will be 2 discos in Queen’s Leisure Complex – (p1-p3 1.00 – 2.00 pm) and (p4-P7 2.30 pm-3.30 pm).

For the older swingers in town there will be a Tea Dance – held in St Patrick’s Hall from 1.00 -3.00 pm.

And don’t forget if you fancy some shopping or a bite of lunch, most of Holywood’s shops and eateries will be open throughout the day.

So come on down to Holywood on Monday, 4^th May from 10am – 4pm for a fun-filled day at this FREE EVENT!

For further information on this event please contact Bangor Visitor Information Centre on (028) 9127 0069 or go to: www.northdowntourism.com

Tourism Northern Ireland lists many great things to do across NI

This May Day Bank Holiday no one will be at a loss for something to do as Tourism Northern Ireland has listed some of the best action-packed reasons to get out and enjoy the long weekend with friends and family.

“With so much choice on offer, including jazz festivals, poetry readings, outdoor walks and body zorbing, everyone from book worms to dare-devils will find something they really want to do,” said Tourism NIs Destination PR Officer, Pauline Gormley.

Pauline continued:  “The May Day Bank Holiday is the perfect time to get out and explore Northern Ireland with friends and family and maybe even try something new and exciting.  For those with an adventurous side there are a wide range of fun outdoor activities and challenges to choose from and if you prefer something a little bit more laid back there are lots of places to visit where you can kick back and enjoy some rest and relaxation.”

To help make the most of the May Day bank holiday, Tourism Northern Ireland has highlighted a number of events happening across NI.

Belfast

If you would like to laugh yourself silly over the May Bank Holiday then grab some of your best friends and head on down to Festival of Fools which runs at various locations in Belfast City Centre from May 1-4. The Festival starts off in Writers’ Square with ‘Cast Off’ which is the biggest street show ever to be produced by the Belfast Community Circus School. Events to watch out for include the ‘Community Circus Celebration’, ‘Lost on Earth’ and ‘The Big Finish’.

Comic book enthusiasts will be delighted to hear that MCM Comic Con is returning to the Kings Hall from May 2-3. From sci-fi stars to battling robots, comic creators, to costume competitions there will be a whole host of attractions for the whole family to enjoy.  Special guests confirmed include Sleepy Hollow, Fringe and Lord of the Rings star John Noble and Adventure Time voice actress Hynden Walch.

Co Antrim

The Cushendun Big Arts Weekend will run from May 1-4 and is sure to be a fun filled weekend for groups of friends and families alike. The ranges of events available include Jazz with Linley Hamilton and the Julian Bohn Trio, Live Music at Mary McBrides, The Big Picnic and hat making competition. Kids will love the sand sculpture competition and poem reading event with Elaine Gaston.

If you would to challenge yourself then The Causeway Coast Challenge Walk is the perfect event for you. The walk takes place on May 3 and the route travels past the world-famous Giant’s Causeway and onwards along the spectacular cliff-top path to Port Bradden before returning back to the starting point. The breathtaking views and stunning scenery will leave you refreshed and reinvigorated.

Co Armagh

The Armagh Apple Blossom Fair will be held in the picturesque village of Loughgall and is a great way for families to spend the May bank holiday. At the fair you will have a chance to sample different apple produce against a backdrop of rural ambience as well as browse the huge variety of locally produced items at the food and craft stalls. Foodies will enjoy the cookery demonstrations and dog lovers can bring their pooch along to enter into the dog competition – Scrufts Armagh!

If you would like to enjoy some drama then go to see Family Fever by Sam Cree at the Marketplace Theatre on May 2. The play is presented by the Glen Theatre Drama Group and will ensure you and your friends can enjoy some laugh out loud fun.

Co Down

Holywood town centre will be alive with fun, laughter and lots of events at the Merry May Day on May 4. The action-packed programme of events includes Crowning of the May Queen, Maypole Dancing, Fancy Dress Competition and music from the Monster Ceilidh Band.

If you would like a toe tapping fun night out and you are a fan of Tom Jones then get on down to the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa on May 1 to enjoy a tribute show in the legendary singers honour. You can sing and dance the night away to well known hits such as Delilah, It’s Not Unusual and She’s a Lady.

Co Fermanagh

If something more relaxing appeals to you this May Bank Holiday then why not treat your nearest and dearest to a pamper day at Orchard Acre Farm in Irivinestown on May 1. According to the Farm, the ancient Irish Tradition of washing one’s face with dew on the first May Day morning was to ensure lasting beauty and was first recorded in 1652 by Gerard Boate. To celebrate the tradition, you can enjoy yoga, movement and dance, poetry, song and beauty therapies as well as some delightful food.

Unleash the poet in you at the Wilde Weekend Festival from May 1 to 4 at various venues around Co Fermanagh including Castle Coole, Florence Court, Portora Royal School, the Masonic Hall and the Ardhowen Theatre.  Wilde related art forms include theatre, literary talks, prose-theatre, poetry-theatre, music, film and storytelling.

If you know a little budding geologist then take them along to the Marble Arch Caves on May 4 for the Geo Detective and Fossil Fun event. Families can enjoy some hands-on fun and learn all about the fantastic fossils that make up the rocks beneath our feet.

Co Londonderry

The Jungle in Moneymore is hosting a fantastic family fun day event on May 3 and 4 and you can take part in a colourful carnival of exciting activities, crafty happenings and tasty treats. Why not take part in some of the action-packed activities such as body zorbing, llama trekking, paintball target shooting, segways and the climbing wall.  A coffee shop and BBQ bar will be available for when you need to relax and refresh.

If you like Jazz music then the Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival from April 30 to May 4 at the City Hotel Derry will be the perfect tuneful event for you to sing and dance along with friends and family.  Acts on show will include the Derry Jazz Quartet, the Jazz Lads, Red Stripe Band and The Roaring 40’s.

Co Tyrone

Jamboree in the Park will return to the Ecclesville Centre in Fintona on May 2 and with headline acts such as Derek Ryan, Mike Denver, Johnny Brady and Lisa McHugh you are guaranteed a fun filled night out.

If you are looking for a more unusual way to spend your free time then take in a performance of Tutus and Beyond, at the Alley Theatre in Strabane on May 3. The ballet pays tribute to the purity of classical ballet and charts the journey of ballet from the late 19^th century into the 21^st.