Organisers of Northern Ireland’s leading lifestyle and alternative music festival Sunflowerfest are gearing up for this year’s three-day event, set to take place 22nd to 25th August on Tubby’s Farm in Hillsborough.

Now in its 5th year, Sunflowerfest has quickly built a reputation for delivering an eclectic, family-friendly event and this year’s festival, scheduled to take place from 22nd to 25th August, promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Attracting international artists as well as local talent and emerging acts from Northern Ireland is a coup for the quirky festival, but organiser Michael Magowan says there’s much more to Sunflowerfest than just music.

World class musicians from NI and beyond

London electronica group The Orb and Co. Down natives The Answer will headline the fifth annual Sunflowerfest alongside Lisburn natives Mojo Fury, who will perform on the closing night. In addition to these outstanding headline acts to celebrate Sunflowerfest’s 5th year, over 80 other acts from diverse musical backgrounds and genres are also scheduled to take to the festival’s five stages this year.

Speaking on the range of musicians scheduled to perform this year, music organiser Phil McCarroll said, “We are delighted to welcome back Sunflowerfest veterans including Amanda St John, Pocket Billiards, Randal Stephen Hall and The Bonnevilles, while we also welcome newcomers like King Kong Company, Loris, Go Swim, Fox E & The Good Hands, and also acts from further afield including Arkham Dispatch from Canada and the all-girl act Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass, who will join the festival all the way from Japan.”

The lineup also features a highly-anticipated performance by Holywood’s Matthew Malcolm, winner of 2014’s BuskFest in Newry. Matthew was chosen by a panel of judges on 23rd June and has been awarded a place on the main stage at this year’s festival.

Happy Campers

Staying true to the family-friendly ethos of the festival, Sunflowerfest offers diverse campgrounds for guests staying as families or individuals. For families looking for a laid-back weekend in nature, Sunflowerfest’s family campsites include activities all weekend including dancing, face painting, kids yoga, rock and roll football and even a gyroscope.

Whether you prefer a traditional pop-up tent or a kitted-out campervan, Sunflowerfest offers suitable campsites for all guests including family camping, a general singles camp site, quiet singles campsite, and even glamping options, where guests can sleep in a bell tent which sleeps two to four people.

Get in on Sunflowerfest’s ‘Bliss’

Sunflowerfest guests can take a break from the action by retreating to the serene Lighthouse Bliss area which is this year run by Siobhan Brogues, founder of The Lighthouse Centre. From yoga and meditation classes to reiki, Indian head massage and sound spa, the Lighthouse Bliss area is a one-stop shop for physical and emotional well-being and alternative therapies for the whole family.

This year’s event will also include a world record attempt at the largest group laughter yoga session on Sunday 22nd June. Guests can join in on a memorable experience of setting a world record and connecting with hundreds of Sunflowerfest guests through this unique event.

Traders set to make hay while the sun shines

Following the success of last year’s event, which showcased exquisite food, drink, arts and crafts and featured unusual delights like vegan treats and chilli chai, ice creams with names like buzzy bee and superman and funky clothing, vintage and holistic art and craft stalls, organisers are delighted to offer guests a wide range of quirky artisan goods and delights again this year.

A Strong supporter of local independent merchants and artisans, Vanessa Magowan, Sunflowerfest, said, “We are absolutely delighted with the interest in trading at the festival this summer. We have worked hard to build up the reputation of the festival, not just as one for music, but also as a lifestyle weekend that allows people to escape from the hustle and bustle of life and soak up and sample the best of Northern Ireland’s amazing artists, food producers and craftsmen and women.”

Fun for the Whole Family

Families looking for a weekend to remember will enjoy the biggest programme of FREE kids’ activities to feature at any event in Northern Ireland. The Kidz Zone at Sunflowerfest gives creative kids a chance to try their hands at everything from stilt walking to sculpture, clay modelling as well as a wide range of interactive activities including puppetry and painting.

The Enchanted Glade of Mystery and Surprises will also feature a programme of family shows within a wonderland of make-believe. Activities include drama and storytelling, and visitors young and old can roll up for Bucky’s Circus to learn circus skills including stilt walking and juggling.

The Eden Project will also appear at the festival, helping kids create bunting to decorate festival grounds, and A Big Lunch will feature as part of this year’s festival. Arts and crafts workshops led by Kids Art World will allow children to design and take away their own beautiful windsock and use recycled materials to make a wildlife stone.

For more information on the weekend’s lineup of musicians and events for the whole family or to purchase tickets visit www.sunflowerfest.co.uk.

Sunflowerfest kindly acknowledges the assistance of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Lisburn City Council in the production of this year’s event and welcomes SOS Bus NI as its official charity partner.

The Walled City Tattoo returns to Northern Ireland this summer and promises another four nights of unforgettable, truly multi-cultural entertainment.

The outdoor spectacle, which was one of the highlights of the 2013 UK City of Culture, will comprise a 500 strong cast of local, national and international performers. The production will entertain and delight up to 15,000 people in Northern Ireland’s largest, bespoke Amphitheatre when it returns to the city’s Ebrington Square from 27th to 30th August.

The 200 Walled City Tattoo dancers have been recruited from the Highland, Irish and contemporary dance worlds from all across Northern Ireland and will be joined by North West supergroup Sontas who will provide the musical back drop to the show. Two of the city’s oldest bands, Britannia Concert Band and Hamilton Flute Band will share the stage with the Paris Fire Brigade Band who will show off their unique take on Tattoo entertainment, combining their precise marching skills with some more modern dance moves.

The ever-popular age old tradition of the Massed Pipes and Drums will comprise a spectacle of over 100 pipers and drummers from all over Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany. They will be joined this year by special guests from Malta, The Marsa Scouts Pipes and Drums. Swiss comedy act Star Bugs will add that special comic element to the production with their unique mix of dance, acrobatics and slapstick. And topping off this fantastic roll call of acts is the world renowned Imps Motorcycle Display Team who will be in town for 4 nights only to wow the crowds with their daring performance.

Event producer James Kee from Sollus Cultural Promotions commented:
“We were blown away by the response from audiences, performers and partners last year and can’t wait to present another 4 nights of dazzling entertainment at the end of August. The hope is that the Walled City Tattoo will become an annual event in the Northern Ireland calendar and the reaction to our announcements today go some way in ensuring that dream will hopefully become a reality.”

As with the inaugural 2013 production, the show will combine the pomp, ceremony and grandeur of traditional tattoo events with a special Maiden City twist with this year’s show telling the story of the city’s transport heritage from the local railways to the ship building yards.

Director Jonathan Burgess added:
“The city’s connection with the development of transport will be explored back to life in a spectacular extravaganza. Once again, we will see Derry~Londonderry lit up as a cultural hub where the people within our society celebrate side by side. Music throughout the show will reflect on our traditional roots as well as an exciting future. Massed bands will include pipes and drums, brass and flute and, with the support of Sontas, cultural fusion will create the essence of the whole event.

All the participants have an enthusiastic approach to local culture. Whether it is Ulster-Scots or Irish, music, song or dance, our cast is intergenerational and enthusiastic. The ethos of our team is to present our heritage in a fresh, new and modern way.”

A Family Festival Fun Day will run as part of this year’s Walled City Tattoo. Taking place on Friday 29^th August, the free event will be open to the public and will give the audience the chance to meet performers, try on costumes, play instruments and watch some very special performances.

Mayor Cllr Martin Reilly welcoming the return of the Walled City Tattoo during Music City 2014, said it was a huge mark of confidence in the city. “The event was a massive success in the city last year and we are delighted that the organizers have decided to return to the city to bring this spectacular showcase of local and international multi-cultural talent over four nights in August. Derry City Council is delighted to support the events as part of its Legacy Programme and is confident that the event will appeal  to locals and visitors alike. World class events such as the Walled City Tattoo with its eclectic mix of local and international performances has a broad cultural appeal and builds the City’s profile as a location for hosting major international events.”

The Walled City Tattoo is funded by the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Investment through the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, Derry City Council, Ilex and the Ulster Scots Agency and is supported by Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Eddie Rowan, Events Manager for Northern Ireland Tourist Board added:
“Northern Ireland Tourist Board is pleased to sponsor the Walled City Tattoo in 2014.  This event will provide visitors and locals alike with the opportunity to enjoy an event showcasing a mix of performances, with international appeal.  This event has the potential to become an established event in Derry~Londonderry’s annual calendar of events.  We wish the organisers every success for the year ahead.”

The Walled City Tattoo, Ebrington Square, Derry~Londonderry
 Wed 27 – Sat 30 Aug 2014 at 20.45
Tickets from £18.50
For more information visit www.walledcitytattoo.com To book visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk or call 028 7126 4455

The Mayor of Newtownabbey, Alderman Thomas Hogg showed he’s got friends in high places as he met up with Gary McEvoy (performing as Garth Brooks) to launch this year’s Shoreline Festival which runs from Saturday 23 – Monday 25 August.

Loughshore Park, Jordanstown, will be buzzing over the August Bank Holiday weekend with music and fun activities for all the family.

Kicking off the festival on Saturday 23 August is renowned rock ban The Knights of Leon, who will be playing everyone’s favourite Kings of Leon tracks. Those who missed out on a Dublin date this summer should make sure they don’t miss the Garth Brooks Tribute Show on Sunday 24^th when Gary McEvoy will be performing classics such as The Dance, Thunder Rolls and The River.

A family Fun Zone with a range of activities to entertain the kids will run on each day, including bouncy castles, kite making, an assault course, foam party and amusements.

We’ll also be raising money for the NI Hospice by attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest ‘Rock the Boat’ dance at 4pm on Sunday 24 August – we need over 1200 to come and join in the fun.

Most of the activities over the weekend are free of charge, with the exception of the amusements!

The festival will end with the popular Classics in the Park, in association with NI Opera on Monday 25^th at 7:30pm. Picnics and chairs are a must for this event which closes with a fireworks extravaganza at 10:15pm.

The event will be an affordable weekend of fun for families to get together before school starts back! Check out the full programme at http://www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/shoreline or through the official Shoreline Festival Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/shorelinefestival

Visit The Argory on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August and take a step back in time to the Victorian era.

The National Trust property near Moy will host their annual Victorian Weekend where visitors have a one-off opportunity to experience life in 1847 on the beautiful Victorian estate.

One of the many highlights of the weekend will be a tour of The Argory House. Hear the gossip and tales of the Big House from The Housekeeper, Miss Hill, The Governess, Miss Daly and the Lady’s Maid, Miss McCall.

Traditional Victorian afternoon teas will be served in the stunning surrounds of the Octagon Room. Homemade scones with cream, fruit preserves, Victoria sponge, delicate finger sandwiches and tea or coffee await the discerning palate – an experience not to be missed!

There is something for everyone on Victorian Weekend – children can dress up in period costume and join in Victorian games. Laundry maid, Lizzie Conlon will need some help in the Laundry Yard and the Shop Keeper will be opening her Victorian Sweetshop for the occasion.

To complete a great day out, visitors can browse the Gift shop and second-hand Bookshop or take a relaxing stroll along the Blackwater River and Lime Tree Walk.

Victorian weekend will take place from 12-5pm each day on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August. Normal estate charges apply and National Trust members are free. Additional charge for afternoon teas.

For further information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/argory or call 028 8778 4753.

Ravara Productions is an amateur dramatic youth group working with young people aged 5-25 from all across the province.

Unlike any other theatre groups in Northern Ireland, Ravara is run entirely by young people, for young people. Vice-Chairman and Musical Director, Adam Darcy (20), explains, “A youth management committee and production team have a unique approach to producing theatre. The relationships between young directors and cast members allows for greater levels of collaboration, creativity and understanding throughout the artistic process”.

Only five years ago, a group of ten teenage theatre enthusiasts were amidst preparations for their first musical drama in the back garden of now Chairman, Jamie McClelland. Word quickly spread about the opportunities that were being provided to young people in this exclusive set-up, leading to continual growth in both membership and audiences. Ravara Productions swiftly moved from garden, to school hall, to the Waterfront Studio in 2013, for their critically acclaimed and sold out run of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’.

This year, Ravara Productions has decided to expand further with not one, but two ambitious productions in the pipeline. This decision will create more opportunities for all 200 volunteers to utilise their skills in a number of theatrical disciplines including music, acting, stage management, sound & lighting and set design.

For their junior members, aged 5-13, the Disney classic ‘Aladdin’ will be performed in Belvoir Players Studio from the 14th-16th of August.

The older members, aged 14-25, will stage the weird and wonderful ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ which includes classic songs such as ‘Skid Row’, ‘Dentist!’ (as performed by Steve Martin in the 1986 film version) and ‘Suddenly Seymour.’ The show, which tells the story of Seymour Krelborn and killer plant Audrey 2, will be suitable for all the family. Actor Ross White explains “Young kids love seeing the phenomenon that is a massive killer plant, and the zany comedy is brilliant for the older audiences. It is a light hearted show that promises to entertain.”

Indeed, describing Ravara Productions Audrey 2 as ‘massive’ is no exaggeration, as Local artist Jaymie Elliot (QUB graduate) has designed an Audrey 2 to rival any other. The 8x8ft monster can be seen at the Stranmillis College Theatre between 27th-31st of August.
(Tickets: http://www.ravaraproductions.com/tickets.html)

Today, Friday 1^st August, Armagh Gaol will re-open its doors to the public as a pop-up tourist attraction, for a limited time only.

The Gaol is earmarked for a major redevelopment, including the construction of a hotel and accommodation. This is the once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Gaol in its original state before work commences.

Tours of the Gaol will take place throughout the day each Friday and Saturday from 10am. Guided tours of the Gaol are conducted by experienced tour guides and visitors will be informed about the Gaol’s history that includes women and children imprisonment and the executions that took place in the grounds.

Operators from Belfast’s popular Crumlin Road Gaol Visitor Attraction & Conference Centre will oversee Armagh Gaol as a Visitor Attraction. .Managing Director, Kieran Quinn commented, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase Armagh Gaol to the public and are privileged to be able to offer a visitor experience for both locals and tourists to the area alike, he said “The wealth of history within the walls speaks for itself and we’d encourage the public come along and to see it one last time.”

Armagh Gaol is one of Northern Ireland’s most important landmark buildings. Steeped in history, for most of its working life Armagh Gaol was the primary women’s prison in Northern Ireland until its closure in 1986.

• Armagh Gaol is one of Northern Ireland’s most important landmark buildings. Steeped in history, for most of its working life Armagh Gaol was the primary women’s prison in Northern Ireland until its closure in 1986.
• The Gaol is Grade B+ listed and has been vacant for over 20 years. The construction of the prison began in the 1780’s and it was extended in the style of Pentonville Prison in the 1840 and 1850s. The Gaol was largely designed by two of Ireland’s most renowned architects, Francis Cooley and William Murray.
• Armagh Gaol consisted of three prisons – one for women, one for debtors and one for felons. Executions were common, taking place in the Gaol square, but were later moved behind the prison walls. The last man to be executed at Armagh gaol was Joseph Fee in 1904.
• In the latter half of the 20th century, the Gaol accommodated high-profile political prisoners. Although the prison is often described as Armagh women’s Gaol, at various points in its history, various wings in the prison were used to hold male prisoners. Due to the growing prison population during the Troubles, Armagh also housed male remand and sentenced prisoners.

To Book

Guided tours- run every Friday & Saturday between 10.30am and 4.30pm

Tickets can be pre-booked online at www.armaghgaol.com or by calling
028 90 357 527

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (August 4 – August 10).

• 2014 Maiden City Festival, Co Londonderry until August 9. Enjoy Derry~Londonderry’s walls coming to life as a wealth of talent including musicians, dancers and actors take to the streets for the 2014 Maiden City Festival.  The Festival is running at various venues and features over 20 different events including live music, dance, living history, tours and exhibitions.

• Open House Festival, Bangor, Co Down August 3 – 31. Enjoy a music based festival with a difference featuring headline concerts, informal music sessions, comedy, poetry, walking tours and exhibitions throughout the month in various venues throughout Bangor.

• Heart of the Glens Festival 2014, Cushendall, Co Antrim until August 10. One of the most successful community festivals in Northern Ireland, the ‘Heart of the Glens Festival’ has over 100 events catering for all age groups, from toddlers to grandparents.  This year’s colourful programme includes the ever popular ‘Theme Street Night’ Ceili, the Lurig Run, the Family Fun Vintage Day and of course the Irish dance ‘Waves of Tory’.

• Hooley in the Valley, Augher Summer Music and Dance Festival, Augher to Ballygawley Road, Co Tyrone August 7-10. Hooley in the Valley is all part of Augher Summer Festival, with music holding centre stage but there are numerous other events taking place during the course of four busy days. There is an added attraction built into the programme this year too as ‘The Voice Ireland’ singer Jim Devine will make his inaugural appearance.

• William Carleton Summer School, Corick House Hotel, Clogher, Co Tyrone August 4 – 7. Discover all about the history, literature, music and art of Ireland at an enjoyable day or evening at the 2014 William Carleton Summer School. There will be a range of themes and focuses including Famine in Scotland and Ireland, Irish Literary Figures and Reflections and Memories of world renowned Seamus Heaney.

• 7 Hills Blues Festival 2014, Armagh City, Co Armagh August 7-10. Relax and listen to some blues classics and discover new talent, with this year’s festival  which will host over 50 free gigs, plus the return of some old fringe events and exciting new ones.

• Stendhal Festival of Art, Ballymully Cottage Farm, Limavady, Co Londonderry August 8-9. Stendhal Festival of Art brings an all encompassing artistic experience to the Roe Valley, home of Danny Boy in a celebration of the creativity of artists, including musicians and comedians, from all over Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and further afield.

• Summer Extravaganza, Share Discovery Village, Smiths Strand, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh until August 31. The Share Discovery Village is the largest outdoor residential activity centre in Ireland and their ‘Summer Extravaganza’ is a day visitor activity programme for individuals, groups and families that allows them to experience a number of different and exciting outdoor and indoor activities.

• Festival of Fools, Cornmarket and Cotton Court, Belfast, Co. Antrim until August 25. Visit Belfast’s Cornmarket at 1pm or Cotton Court at 3pm and delight in some of the finest and funniest street art that Belfast has to offer.

• Maiden of the Mournes International Festival, Warrenpoint, Co Down August 3 – 10. This festival has something for everyone from the colourful opening parade, concerts featuring great entertainment, free open air music each evening, children’s events, fireworks display, sports events, the festival banquet and the Crowning of the ‘Maiden of the Mournes’.

Here are Jacqueline’s pick of family events taking place this weekend across the North.

Down

This year’s Donaghadee Lifeboat Festival aims to cater for all age groups and you can be assured of a warm welcome and plenty of activities.  There will be a large variety of stalls, children’s entertainment, games, visits to the Lighthouse and Lifeboat, along with the Annual Raft Race and much more. All the fun takes place this Saturday 2nd August at the Harbour in Donaghadee from 12.00pm to 5.00pm and admission is free.

Tyrone

Castlederg’s First Ever Summer Festival, ‘Dergfest’, will all kick off this  Friday 1st August until Sunday 3rd August with an array of local musical talent taking to the streets and stage over this three day Festival.  The headline night of the Festival is Saturday when Shane Filan will take to the stage with local support The Whistlin Donkeys and The Hootin Annies.

Fermanagh

The 3rd International Beckett Festival will take place in Enniskillen from Thursday 31st July to Sunday 10th August 2014.  Klaus Maria Brandauer, Gavin Bryars, Tacita Dean, Adrian Dunbar, Heiner Goebbels, Antony Gormley, The Hilliard Ensemble, Derek Jarman, Netia Jones, Steve McQueen, Fiona Shaw, Peter Stein and John Tomlinson are amongst the artists featured in this year’s programme.

Derry

The 2014 Kite Festival takes place this Sunday 3^rd August at Downhill Demesne.  This high-flying spectacle will offer fun for all the family as a kaleidoscope of kites of all sizes fly over the stunning coastal estate. Kite performers, kite making, educational activities and the Wild Geese parachute display. To add to the festive atmosphere there will be a kids’ area with crafts, bouncy castles, rides, Segways, exhibitors, craft and food stalls and more.

Armagh

Join the Armagh Planetarium this weekend for their Great Balloon Race as hundreds of helium filled balloons will take to the skies over Armagh.  Prizes will be awarded to the launcher and to the person who finds the balloon that has travelled the greatest distance.  How far will your balloon travel?  Last year one of the balloons went all the way to Germany!

Antrim

One of the most successful community festivals in Northern Ireland, the ‘Heart of the Glens Festival’ caters for all age groups, from toddlers to grandparents. This year’s colourful programme, which runs from the 2^nd to the 10^th August,  includes the ever popular ‘Theme Street Night’ Ceili, the Lurig Run, the Family Fun Vintage Day and of course Ireland’s longest ‘Waves of Tory’. Over 100 events are planned throughout the week. Fantastic fun for all!

Belfast

For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland, news and competitions see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @whatsonni and like us at fb.com/www.whatsonni. Add your  events FREE OF CHARGE at www.whatsonni.

Guaranteed there is something for everyone to sink their teeth in to.

Gerard McCarthy,  novelists Cathy Kelly and Jodi Picoult, Kym Marsh, Jane Weisner and West End Star Rachel Tucker are just some of the top-billed names included in the Autumn/ Winter programme for Newtownabbey’s Theatre at the Mill. Launched today [July 25], this latest offering boosts an exciting succession of world-class drama, music, talks, comedy and dance performances.

The new season kicks off in September with the co-produced adaption of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Directed by Michael Poyner and starring Gerard McCarthy, of The Fall, Vikings and Hollyoaks fame, Jonathan Harker and Dracula is a World Premier for the Theatre and marks the opening-leg of a three-month nationwide tour.

Running from September 18 – 27, this newest adaptation of the gothic horror masterpiece sees McCarthy make a welcome return to the stage playing both Jonathan Harker, whose diaries chronicle the bloody tale, and Dracula, arguably the greatest supernatural character of all time.

Jayne Wisener from Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd, Kym Marsh and West End star Rachael Tucker are set to appear in cameo, pre-recorded, roles as the ‘Brides of Dracula’ and will be projected on the stage with McCarthy. The Bride Of Dracula cast announcement was made at midnight on Twitter after a teaser quote from Bram Stoker’s original text was tweeted on the production’s official account @MrJHarker.

Using multiple cameras, backing screens, projections, surround sound and a newly commissioned score, this solo de force will have would-be theatre-goers screaming in the aisles. Recommended 12yrs plus. Tickets £12.

Speaking on Jonathan Harker and Dracula Bernard Clarkson, Arts Centre Manager said;

“We are delighted to be working with Michael Poynor again and to be co-producing this new production with the Ulster Theatre Company.  Michael adapted and directed our production of Comedy of Errors last year with Mark Docherty composing the music for that production too.  They are a terrific team and with the added energy and artistry of Gerard’s solo performance will create an original, chilling and thrilling interpretation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel.  I would advise audiences to prepare to be terrifyingly entertained!”

Speaking on the Brides of Dracula, McCarthy said

“We wanted three powerful, strong, sexy women to play the Brides Of Dracula and I’m delighted that Kym, Rachel and Jayne are on board.The three of them together will be a force to be reckoned with.”

For Opera lovers, the Theatre also has some treats in store. Running from October – January a series of world-class Opera will be streamed live to the Theatre at the Mill from The Met Opera New York. Opera fans of all ages will have the opportunity to listen to chilling productions from Verdi’s Macbeth to Bizet’s Carmen, one of the most popular operas of all time. Dates and times vary for more information please visit www.theatratthemill.com. To whet your appetite the Theatre will once-again be hosting the ever-popular Opera Gala Evening on Saturday August 2.  Under the Direction of Conductor Andrew Synott, distinguished Irish soprano Virginia Kerr and friends from the International Opera Stage will perform classic arias from the world of Opera and Operetta. Tickets £15.

In addition some of the world’s most popular female authors will be revealing the secrets of their success in a unique new programme of literary talks ‘Conversations at the Mill.’ Kicking off with Philippa Gregory on August 17, the Theatre will also host bestselling writers  Cathy Kelly and Tasmina Perry in October and Jodi Picoult in November.

For more information and to book tickets for any of the events log on to www.theatreatthemill.com or call the box office directly on 028 9034 0202.

Ever wondered if the myths are really true? Are bats really blind? Will they get stuck in your hair? Do they drink blood? And why on earth do they sleep upside down?

Find out the answers to all of these questions and more at Go Batty at Ardress House on Friday 8^th August from 7.30pm.

With the help of a bat specialist, discover more about the exciting lives of these illusive little creatures. Venture out into the grounds of Ardress House, Annaghmore as the sunlight begins to fade and watch the bats emerge from their roosts in the buildings. The whole family, especially the children will find tracking down the real live bats thrilling, using bat detecting equipment to identify the different species seen swooping around in the twilight.

What better place to catch a glimpse of these captivating creatures than at Ardress House where many of the eight species found in Northern Ireland have been recorded living in the buildings and surrounding parkland. With species such as the surprisingly small pipistrelle to the unusual brown long eared bat in residence, it is sure to be a fascinating and fun evening for all ages.

As the evening draws to a close the children will have the opportunity to get creative and make something batty to take home.

For further information please contact Ardress House on 028 8778 4753 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ardress-house

Go Batty will take place at Ardress House, Annaghmore on Friday 8^th August from 7.30pm-10pm. Admission for both members and non-members is £5 for adults and £3 for children. Family ticket £13.