Dust off your broomsticks and capes, freaky faces and witches hats and get ready to visit The Argory this Hallowe’en for a spooktakular weekend of frighteningly good fun!

Pumpkins and Potions will take place at the National Trust property near Moy on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October from 12-5pm.

See the courtyard come alive with story-telling, games and crafts accompanied by some strange characters from Hallowe’en past. Enter the Spook Shed for some ghoulish tales and follow a some peculiar characters along the Hallowe’en Trail – Goldie the Goblin and the Hallowe’en Troll are hiding around the estate – follow the clues that will take you to the Witches House, find all the ingredients and make some witches brew.

Carve out a pumpkin to take home, make some creepy crafts and visit the 1820’s house to discover the children’s ghost trail. Prizes will be given for the most spooktakular fancy dress. Judging will take place in the courtyard at 3pm.

The fun doesn’t end there as The Argory will be open from Monday 27 October until Sunday 2 November for Hallowe’en half term. Outdoor explorers can enjoy our recently extended play park – swing on a rope, balance on logs and whizz down the zip wire! See how many of our ‘50 Things to Do before you’re 11 ¾’ you can tick off before going back to school. See what goodies you can pick up in the Gift Shop and finish off with a yummy hot chocolate and marshmallows in the Coffee Shop.

Pumpkins and Potions takes place at The Argory on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October from 12-5pm. Normal Admission, National Trust Members Free. Additional charge for Hallowe’en Trail. For more information contact The Argory on 028 87 784 753. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/argory or follow on Facebook/NationalTrustMidUlster

A singer hailed as the ‘The Irish Bette Midler’ who has sold some 15 million albums worldwide is coming to Armagh, in a star-studded show that has won standing ovations across Europe.

Rose-Marie stars as plays the part of Eva Cassidy’s best friend and singer Mary Anne Redmond, in an endearing stage show that tells of her life and times.

Hailing from County Down, Northern Ireland, Rose-Marie is one of only a handful of UK female artists with a strong enough repertoire to pull in audiences for a one-woman show in the British Isles, Europe and also Las Vegas, from where she recently returned after 5 years.

Eva Cassidy was a virtual unknown at the time of her death in 1996, aged just 33. Yet, just four years later following extensive airplay by Sir Terry Wogan, Eva’s jazz and blues renditions became a sensation with her album topping the UK charts.

Over the Rainbow is a compelling award-winning musical, which tells the life story of the legendary artist, following Eva’s life through dramatic scenes and stunning live renditions of her music including a haunting interpretation of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Eva is played by Nicole Faraday – a star of Emmerdale Farm and Bad Girls – who perfectly recreates the magic of Eva’s best-loved songs.

Rose-Marie, who is releasing a new album called Songs For My Mother – a recording that looks to add to the phenomenal tally of 15 million album sales worldwide, said: “This is a magical show – much more than a musical life story. This is a show for anyone who has lost someone they love; it’s a thoroughly entertaining and memorable experience.”

Songs such as Fields of Gold, Songbird, Autumn Leaves, Kathy’s Song and the epic Over the Rainbow help recreate a sad but uplifting love story with the cast of multi-talented West End performers.

The show depicts Eva’s humble beginnings to her popular, almost spiritual performances that depicted Eva’s status as a true artist with no interest in fame or fortune and contains projection and original footage from Eva Cassidy’s life.

Rose-Marie added: “I am delighted to be back in the UK, singing in a show with some of my favourite songs. This show pays a genuine and heartfelt tribute to a true Artist who was not interested in fame and fortune, but wanted nothing more than to create beautiful music.”

From its first performance in 2004, Over the Rainbow, has moved people immensely with sell-out performances and standing ovations throughout the UK and Europe.

Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story will be performed at The Market Place Theatre, Market St, Armagh BT61 7BW, on Wednesday, November 5,  at 8pm. Tickets are available from the box office on 028 3752 1821 or online at http://www.marketplacearmagh.com/

ORCHARD COUNTY HOSTS FIRST ARMAGH RESTAURANT WEEK NEXT MONTH

Major culinary event gets under way on Saturday 1^st November

Armagh is to host its first ever Restaurant Week next month, guaranteeing a culinary celebration for every sensation and boasting a host of tasty local cuisine which showcases all that Armagh city’s unique and unrivalled eateries have to offer.

The Armagh Restaurant Week project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.

From Saturday 1^s November until Sunday 8^th November 2014, Armagh Restaurant Week will offer thousands of food lovers an exciting opportunity to sample local hospitality at its very best, with specially-designed themed menus, food promotions, cookery demonstrations, entertainment, outstanding food and much, much more!

Locals and visitors alike can enjoy a tasty mix of signature menus, appetising culinary events and delicious local food in a range of Armagh’s restaurants.

Throughout the week, Armagh’s eateries will take part in a series of exclusive events which showcase a tasty range of special menus built around the finest local, award-winning produce; giving diners the perfect chance to try something new or the ideal opportunity to book a table at their favourite restaurant to celebrate the week.

As well as special menus at participating restaurants, there will also be a wide range of unique events, including an Artisan Food and Craft Market which takes place at Shambles Yard on Saturday 1^st November being hosted by internationally-acclaimed celebrity chef Paul Rankin, who will be present a series of cookery demonstrations.

A taster of additional events include wine tasting, tapas nights, live music, cookery workshops for kids, gourmet evenings – and even a ‘Scone-Fest’ event, where diners can road test a range of new, whacky flavours or even something more traditional.

Lord Mayor of Armagh, Cathy Rafferty, said Armagh’s first Restaurant Week would provide the perfect opportunity for everyone to celebrate the city and district’s world-renowned hospitality offering.

“Armagh is home to some of the best chefs in the UK and Ireland and we have so much to be proud of – not just in terms of our culinary talent but in the quality of our award-winning local produce.

Armagh Restaurant Week is the perfect platform on which to showcase that fantastic food and hospitality offering which is widely available in and around the city and across the county.

With such an exciting and delicious range of menus and a series of fun events planned for the entire week, there is something on offer to suit all taste buds and every pocket.”

For more details on Armagh Restaurant Week and to view participating restaurants visit www.armagh.co.uk/food.

• Banks of The Foyle Halloween Carnival, Londonderry, October 25 – November 2. This year, there are lots of new spooky events to enjoy including Halloween at Ebrington with Chateau Le Fear and Fun Fair, to the Tower Grill, and Jackula. The annual extravaganza is packed with ghostly frolics and thrilling events for all the family. Highlight of this world-famous Halloween celebration – the largest in Europe – is the spooktacular carnival parade and spine-chilling fireworks display on October 31.

• Metro Monster Mash, Titanic Slipways, Belfast, October 31, 5.30pm. A spooktacular Halloween evening of haunting street theatre, fire jugglers, and a performance by local band Peach. The event will close with one of the biggest fireworks displays in Northern Ireland.

• Annual Portballintrae Halloween Festival, Village Hall, Portballintrae, Co Antrim, October 31, from 10am. Starting with a Craft Fair in the morning, the fun-packed day continues with a Children’s Fancy Dress Party, Samba Band and Lantern Parade, followed by a fireworks display at 7.45pm and live entertainment in the Bayview Hotel from 10pm.

• Wise Women, Witches and Cunning Folk, Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady, Co Londonderry, October 29, 7pm. Heritage talk by author Dr Bob Curran exploring the idea of the Irish witch and tracing the links between witchcraft, rural healers and ‘scandalous women’ as well as examining the concept of the male sorcerer or ‘fairy doctor’.

• Nightmare on Kinturk Street, Kinturk Centre, Moortown, Co Tyrone, October 31, 6pm. Dust off your broomsticks and dress up the kids as the centre is transformed into a ghoulishly, blood curdling, spine tingling horror set. Upstairs tiny tots can enter a ‘Scare-Free Kids Zone’ and enjoy lots of fun and games. The weird and wonderful goings on will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display.

• Haunted Hezlett, Hezlett House, Castlerock, Co Londonderry, October 25 – 28. The infamous Haunted Hezlett House returns with an all new live action interactive performance inside and outside guaranteed to keep you on your toes.  Young children’s sessions in daytime. Evening sessions are not suitable for young children.

• Neil Cowley Trio, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, October 28, 8pm. The contemporary jazz pianist and former keyboard player for groups including The Brand New Heavies and Gabrielle, performs with long-time compatriots Evan Jenkins on drums and Rex Horan on bass. The Trio are masters of intoxicating and powerfully moving shows which have at their core Cowley’s distinct wit and remarkable rapport with his audience.

• Halloween Ghosts Themed Walking Tour, Newtownards, Co Down, October 28 – 29, 7.30pm. Learn about ghostly goings-on in Newtownards, including the man who was hanged in Conway Square and who can still be heard protesting his innocence in the old cell of the Town Hall. Booking essential via Ards Visitor Information Centre.

• Brian McGilloway and Sinead Crowley in Conversation, No Alibis bookshop, Botanic Avenue, Belfast, October 27, 7.30pm. Two of Ireland’s finest crime writers – one a new voice, the other an established star of the genre – convene for a conversation at Belfast’s home of crime fiction.

• Halloween Concert headlined by Kian Egan, English Street, Armagh, October 27. Open air concert and fireworks display at The Shambles Yard. Support acts include: The Whistling Donkeys and Hair O’ The Dog.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking.

Down

Feeling brave? Bring your little monsters along to the WWT Castle Espie Spellbound Festival from 25th to 31st October with a packed programme of events including storytelling, arts and crafts, monster mash dance party, reptiles and creepy crawlies, fancy dress and more!

Armagh

After a successful tour of the US, and a sold-out run at the Brighton Fringe Festival, RSC veteran Tim Hardy brings his solo show ‘The Trials Of Galileo’ to the Market Place Theatre on Thursday 23rd October.  ‘The Trials Of Galileo’ focuses on the events surrounding his trial for heresy in 1633. Galileo’s tragedy was a mistaken belief that all he had to do was show the church his reasoning and his evidence and the church would fall in behind him. He understood the science better than any man alive, but never grasped the politics. Until it was too late.

Fermanagh

SHARE’S Halloween Howler is an annual event.  Guest will go on a Ghost Paddle to an island where they will be brought to Hags Hut, walk through our Haunted Forest, Carve Pumpkins along with other fun family activities. 21st to 31st October.

Tyrone

Quercus Ensemble, Northern Ireland’s exciting and dynamic chamber ensemble presents ‘Songs, Games and Dances at the Cafe de Paris’ this evening, Tuesday 21st October, at the Strule Arts Centre Omagh.  An evening of classical cabaret inspired by the world’s most romantic city. Let them transport you back to the golden age of the Parisian salon, with love songs by Faure, Saint-Saens’s gripping Danse Macabre, and Bizet’s vibrant depiction of children’s games.

Derry

Haunted Hezlett is back with all new, live action, interactive ghoulish tours from 25th to 28th October. Set in the specially themed grounds of Hezlett House, both inside and out, this is a night you won’t forget! Immerse yourself in the action if you dare. Fancy dress encouraged. Unsuitable for young children, however Mini Haunted Hezlett on 26th and 27th October will provide some  less scary daytime spookiness for the litte ones! Come along in fancy dress, create some eerie crafts and take a tour of the haunted house!. Fun for all the family.

Antrim

This Halloween why not come to Moyle, the Heart of the Causeway Coast and Glens? With so much to do to keep the family entertained from Saturday 25th to Friday 31st October. All the family can take part in pop-up art and craft workshops, face painting, Halloween selfies and attend Dracula the Panto! Finish off the week with the Spectacular fancy dress parade and fireworks in Ballycastle.

Belfast

Belfast Film and Comic Con will be taking over the Odyssey Arena in Belfast Saturday 25th and Sunday the 26th of October.  Belfast Film and Comic Con promises to bring you some of your favourite stars from TV, Film and Comics as well as a whole host of fun activities including photo shoots, panels, autograph sessions and hundreds of stalls full of TV and Film memorabilia to browse.  Show opens from 9am – 6pm on both days

Hallowe’en night will be a particularly spooktacular one in Belfast this year as the Metro Monster Mash takes place on Friday 31 October.

Metro Monster Mash is organised by Belfast City Council and sponsored by Translink Metro with the support of Cool FM.

The annual spectacle gets underway from 5.30pm-8.30pm at The Slipways, Titanic Belfast with haunting street theatre featuring fire and glow performers, children’s rides and a performance by local band Peach on stage with Cool FM’s Pete Snodden and the Cool crew. The event will close with one of the biggest fireworks displays in Northern Ireland.

A free Metro Ghostbus will be operating to The Slipways leaving Chichester Street in the city centre at regular intervals from 5.15pm-8pm with return journeys until 9pm from Queen’s Road in the Titanic Quarter.

This year, the council is holding a special #spookyselfie campaign in the run up to the event where people can send in their ‘spooky selfies’ via the council’s Facebook and Twitter pages to be in with the chance to win a prize on the night as the audience vote for the spookiest photo. Deadline for entries is Monday 27 October.

Launching the event at Titanic Belfast, Lord Mayor Councillor Nichola Mallon, said: “The Metro Monster Mash is one of the highlights of our events calendar. It’s a spooky night of fun and all for free.

“Holding the event on Hallowe’en night and on a Friday evening this year is an extra bonus for families who can come along and enjoy the night with no early start for school the next day. It’s also great for those who want to come down to enjoy the festivities before heading out in Belfast for other Hallowe’en celebrations taking place in the city.

“I would encourage all from near and far to come down and soak up the spooky atmosphere and enjoy Hallowe’en in Belfast this year.”

Damian Bannon, Translink Belfast Area Manager, said: “With large crowds expected at this excellent family event, we are pleased to once again team up with Belfast City Council and provide a free, convenient and reliable Metro ‘Ghost’ shuttle bus service between Belfast city centre and The Slipways for all those spooky characters heading to the Metro Monster Mash. We would encourage everyone to take advantage of this special service for a hassle-free journey.”

Pete Snodden said: “The Cool FM team are absolutely delighted to be involved in this year’s Belfast City Council Metro Monster Mash. It is always a great event for all the family and we can’t wait for what promises to be a ‘spooktacular’ evening.”

For more information on the Metro Monster Mash, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events or call Visit Belfast on (028) 9024 6609.

In September 1939 Adolf Hitler authorised Aktion-T4 a forced euthanasia programme that led the mass murder of tens of thousands of disabled adults and children and formed the blueprint for his ‘Final Solution’ against the Jews.

This relatively little known Nazi outrage forms the backdrop for ‘Resistance’, a challenging and poignant multi-media installation, which will be open to the public  at the Titanic Drawing Offices from October 21st  to November 2nd, as part of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s. This is a Northern Ireland premiere and will be the only time the work is seen here.

The piece, which combines moving images, drama, documentary and whispering voices into an immersive audio-visual experience, is by controversial, award-winning writer-director Liz Crow, whose work has been shown at Tate Modern and the British Film Institute. Resistance was showcased to 4500 visitors at Washington DC’s Kennedy Centre and won a Best Exhibition Award from the Liverpool Daily Post.

Chris Ledger, Director of the Arts and Disability Forum (ADF) has worked behind the scenes for the past two years to bring this important show to Belfast. She said the artist chose Belfast for the final booking of the tour because of a belief in the city’s vibrancy and atmosphere of hope.

She said: “We are excited to bring this wonderful project to Northern Ireland. Resistance’s starting point is the horrors of Nazism but it resonates with contemporary attitudes towards disabled people and with wider issues around marginalisation, exclusion and oppression.

“The work emerged from Liz Crow’s alarm at the direction in which she saw society heading. Rising hate crime, increased pre-natal screening and abortion and a race to assisted suicide are challenging the worth of disabled people’s lives and even their right to exist. Alongside this, Belfast has also seen an increase in racially motivated hate crime. Resistance invites the audience to reflect on how they can help to shape a society that delights in diversity. ”

At the centre of the installation is a haunting 12 minute film about Aktion-T4 that Liz made using a cast of mainly disabled actors. The cast and the writer visited two of the killing centres in Germany as research.

The film has as its lead character Elise a woman who swept the floors and the grounds of a holding centre, housing disabled people before they go to their deaths. She silently watches people disappear and plots what she can do.

Archive material is also used in the installation.

Liz Crow is well known as an activist as well as an artist. In August 2009 she was hoisted by a cherry picker to sit in her wheelchair on Anthony Gormley’s Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar, wearing an SS Uniform and brandishing the Nazi flag.This was to highlight the hidden history of Germany’s forgotten disabled victims and the resurgence of negative attitudes towards disabled people in today’s society. On September 2nd in Berlin, a new memorial was unveiled to commemorate the deaths of disabled people killed by Nazis who deemed them “useless eaters”.

The 30 minute installation has been brought to Belfast with project funds from the Community Relations Council and Belfast City Council and Children in Need are supporting the inclusive involvement of young people. The Arts Council is the Arts & Disability Forum’s principal funder and the ADF receives additional core funds from Belfast City Council and LLoyds TSB Foundation.

Liz Crow said: “This is an episode of history that is virtually hidden, yet the values that underpinned it still echo through disabled people’s lives today. It is a timely piece of work and I hope that people will be both moved and empowered by it. I want people to come away feeling inspired to get involved, be effective and find the courage to be a part of change. Resistance is about a sense of possibility.”

Available with audio description, captions, BSL interpretation and an induction loop.

Group Bookings through the Arts & Disability Forum at

www.adf.ie, info@adf.ie, tel028 9023 9450.

Significant Objects by Jim McKeever 21^st October to 28^th November 2014 at the ADF Gallery, Royal Avenue, Belfast

Part of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s, this photographic exhibition by Jim McKeever is staged at the Arts & Disability Forum, on the Ground Floor of Cathedral Quarter Workspaces, at 109-113 Royal Avenue in Belfast. There will be an exhibition preview on Monday 20^th October at 5-7pm.

This exhibition tells the story of John, who was placed in care with the Sisters of Nazareth at just one day old and didn’t leave the system until seventeen years later. Collaborating with John over two years, photographer Jim McKeever has created an intense narrative visualising places and objects that represent physical and mental pain.

On Tuesday 28^th October, beginning at 2pm, Jim will give a talk about his work as part of the ADF’s Conversations series. BSL communication support and audio description can be made available for both the preview and for the talk – please book this support well in advance by contacting leo@adf.ie or phoning 028 9023 9450.

The preview will be at 5-7pm on Monday 20th October at the ADF Gallery on Royal Avenue. Light refreshments will be available. Following the preview, the exhibition will be open to the public from 21^ST October until 28^th November between 11am to 3pm, Tuesday to Friday.

THE Chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has praised the organisers and sponsors of the Richhill Harvest Apple Fayre for creating an event which shows  food tourism is increasingly important to our economic growth.

Dr Howard Hastings OBE, said the Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre which celebrates the Bramley Apple, allows the people of Armagh to unlock authentic stories about the county’s heritage, culture and traditions.

The event which will take place on Saturday (October 25) is an authentic celebration of Armagh’s distinctive local food and drink and celebrates the Armagh Bramley which achieved PGI status in 2012.

Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Hastings OBE said: “This event allows the people of Armagh and beyond to reconnect with our land and to celebrate what our land produces. The Bramley Apple has got PGI status for a reason and we have to enjoy our produce so full praise goes to the organisers and sponsors for making this fayre happen.

“Events like this allow us to unlock the stories of our land and also stories about the people who work on the land. Celebrating this gives us a huge sense of civic pride and boosts our self confidence as to what can be achieved. It also gives a message to the rest of the world that we are proud of who we are and what we can produce here in Northern Ireland.”

The fayre, which is sponsored by Irwin’s Bakery, Wilsons Country and Gilfresh, features cookery demonstrations, apple peeling contests, an Armagh Bramley apple tart competition, music from local school choirs, a hog roast and tea dance.

Brian Irwin, of Irwin’s Bakery, a bakery which has been part of the Portadown community since 1912, said: “As Dr Hastings has said, celebrating Co Armagh is very important. The Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre will be a fantastic fun day out for the family and is a great message to the rest of the world that we are proud of what we produce.”

Angus Wilson, started Wilsons Country from the family farm in 1980s, said: “To have an event in Co Armagh celebrating produce from Armagh, with people from Armagh, is fantastic. We are delighted to help showcase the fruits of our labour and be part of an event which we hope is the first of an annual event in our calendars.”

Thomas Gilpin, of Gilfresh, a family run company in Loughgall which was established over 50 years ago, said: “We are all local producers supporting each other and supporting our communities. We all have a close working relationship. It’s all about local businesses supporting local businesses and local events.”

The event is free to attend and runs from 10am-6pm.

Feeling brave? This Hallowe’en half term, visitors to Castle Espie Wetland Centre can enjoy a whole host of Hallowe’en activities for little monsters at the Spellbound Festival from Saturday 25th to Friday 31st October 11am – 4pm.

For the seven days of the Spellbound Festival between 11am and 4pm, there’s the chance to get crafty making spooky spiders and happy Hallowe’en keepsakes, have a go at the hilarious games, make a creepy cockroach sandwich, lob a ghost, catch the witch or take part in traditional apple games. There’s a Beastly Trail to follow around the reserve and into the woods to learn about gruesome mythical beasts and see how many you can catch, once back inside strike a pose for a Spooky Snap.

Extra spellbinding activities over the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October include face painting to add the finishing touches to fancy dress costumes and spooky owls will be swooping in for Mantella Environmental’s Owl Display. On Saturday, Castle Espie Birdwatching Club will be on hand to help make a variety of garden birdfeeders at their popular Birdfeeder Workshop.

On Sunday, why not show off your monster moves at Jump Jiggle and Jive’s Broomstick Jiggle, four fun-filled, interactive dance parties between 2pm and 4pm with plenty of Hallowe’en themed props for children and adults too.

The frighteningly good fun continues on Thursday 30^th and Friday 31^st October with Hallowe’en treats including face painting, giant creepy crawlies with Mantella Environmental and Monster Mash Discos packed with spooky hits. Join the Cat in the Hat in the Crannog roundhouse for fireside storytelling and mix potions or try tree divining with the Wise Woman of the Woods.

Throughout the Spellbound Festival week there’ll be spot prizes for the best dressed little monsters and visitors to Castle Espie can enter into the Spellbound Festival prize draw to win a 2015 birthday party for up to 10 children.

Entrance to the Spellbound Festival is included in the cost of admission and free to WWT members. For a full event programme including timings for individual activities go to wwt.org.uk/castle-espie/spellbound or contact Castle Espie on 028 9187 4146. WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open every day from 10am to 5.00pm, parking is free of charge.