Down

Have a late celebration of St Valentine’s Day at Castle Espie by building a nest box for your loving garden birds and get them off to a flying start this year. February is the time of year when most of our garden birds are pairing off and on the look out for nesting sites so let’s all give them a helping hand and make them a nest box. £5 charge per birdbox (covers material costs). Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. For all our County Down events click HERE.

Tyrone

Love can be blind to all sorts of faults and this Valentines Murder Mystery Night, matters are no different at  Tullylagan Country House Hotel. Take part in their famous murder mystery evening where you are the investigator into a foul and heinous crime that takes place before your very eyes. Have you got what it takes to get to the bottom of this horrid matter?  Enjoy a  sumptuous four  course meal with all the passion, love & intrigue of a Valentine’s murder to solve on Saturday 16th February 2013 at Tullylagan Country House Hotel, all set in the haunting backdrop of our Medieval Banqueting Hall. You will be whisked back in time to help solve a Valentines Murder under the watchful eye of Inspector I C All whilst enjoying a delicious meal filled with all the intrigue, speculation and entertainment of our Valentines “Love You To Death” Murder Mystery Night. The evening will be followed with Live Music in Harry’s Bar & Bistro until 1am. For all our County Tyrone listings click HERE.

Fermanagh

Fermanagh Rewrites the History Books.   Discover How at the Drumclay Crannog Open Day at Fermanagh County Museum, Enniskillen Castle Museums on Saturday 16th February. Learn about the archaeological secrets uncovered so far… Meet the experts… “A Unique Opportunity”.  Spaces are limited for talks and guided tours of the site.  Access to the Drumclay Crannog is via an official coach, pick-up point at Fermanagh County Museum at Enniskillen Castle Museums.  Prior Booking Essential. For all our County Fermangh listings click HERE.

Derry

Based on the 80s hit movie starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose The Musical explodes onto the Waterside Theatre stage on Friday 15th February, featuring all its classic anthems.  Packed full of electrifying dance routines, this up-beat production is guaranteed to get you up on your feet and dancing in the aisles!  The huge cast of 56 members will swarm the stage with energetic routines combined with fabulous vocal performances, delivering a night to remember. “Dancing is not a crime” – but to miss this production of Footloose would be! For all our County Derry/Londonderry listings click HERE.

Armagh

Explore all that Ireland’s oldest city has to offer by following the Public Art Trail. Take a wander around the City and enjoy our historic streetscape through engaging with our artworks. For the kids, there is an Angels and Gargoyles Miniature Sculpture Trail. With 22 sculptures hidden in all kinds of curious places amongst Armagh’s historic buildings, architecture and streets, watch the kids fill with excitement as they embark on an adventure to seek out these fascinating characters. For all our County Armagh listings click HERE.

Antrim

One of the most highly acclaimed folk/bluegrass bands in the UK today, the Southern Tenant Folk Union are on tour from Edinburgh to release their fifth album “Hello Cold Goodbye Sun”.  A seven piece band with banjo, mandolin, fiddle and harmony vocals, they perform with ‘soul & beauty’ on their murder ballads & laments and tear it up with their ‘Hootenanny sawdust-kickers’ and high energy sound.   The band are currently lighting up the folk music scene.  Tickets £9, concessions £7 available from Ballymoney Town Hall. Ballymoney Town Hall, Wednesday 13th February. For all County Antrim listings click HERE.

Belfast

Ruffed lemurs are red, peacocks are blue, come and enjoy Valentine’s Day at Belfast Zoo. If you are looking for the ‘PURR-fect’ date this Valentine’s Day, why not take part in our guided tour around the zoo to learn more about animals in love!  Tickets cost £13 per adult and this includes zoo admission. Tickets must be bought beforehand. Saturday 16^th February. For all our Belfast listings click HERE.

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.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (February 11 – 17).

• Andy Warhol, The Mac, Belfast, February 8 – April 28.  Over the course of a 30 year long career, Andy Warhol transformed contemporary art and this will be the first significant exhibition of Andy Warhol’s work in Northern Ireland.

• Chinese Culture Week, citywide, Co. Londonderry, February 9 – 16.  The Chinese community is NI’s largest and oldest minority ethnic group with over 13,000 Chinese people living here today.  Chinese New Year is the biggest celebration in the Chinese calendar and for the UK City of Culture 2013, there will be a week-long celebration across the city to mark Chinese New Year, The Year of The Snake.

• Brian Friel – Freedom of the City, Millennium Forum, Co. Londonderry, February 11 – 12.  First produced in 1973, The Freedom of the City is Brian Friel’s most overtly political play.  Set in Derry in 1970, in the aftermath of a Civil Rights meeting, it conjures the events of Bloody Sunday.

• Young Artists, The Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, February 12.  An evening of light classical music performed by some of Northern Ireland’s most talented young musicians including Andrew Douglas on the flute, Eva Richards on the cello and Zak Hassan playing the Violin and piano.

• Literary Lunchtimes – Poetry Picnic Love Sucks, Ulster Hall, Belfast, February 13.  Get out over lunchtime and explore the other side of Valentine’s Day with live music from Ursula Burns, poems by Scott Jamison and new theatre from Nicholas Boyle.

• Swingabella Sweetheart’s Tea Dance, Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick, Co. Down, February 15.  Swingabella is a close-harmony vocal trio bringing back the sassy sound of the 30’s, and 40’s – the Swing era. Nothing conjures up the image of that era quite like the jaunty Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree and the ever-popular In The Mood coquettishly sung by three ‘broads’ in victory rolls and T-bar shoes.

• The Flying Dutchman, Grand Opera House, Belfast, February 15 – 17.  One stormy night a Norwegian sea captain encounters the Flying Dutchman – a ghostly captain doomed to sail the seas for all eternity.  The two men strike a deal, but when things do not go according to plan, other lives are pulled into the resulting maelstrom, brought by NI Opera.

• Owl Box Building for Landowners, Slieve Gullion Courtyard, Newry, Co. Armagh, February 16.  Celebrate National Nest Box by encouraging birds in your garden to come home to roost.  If you own some land in the Ring of Gullion and are interested in owls or birds in general then come along and build your own owl nesting box.

• Valentines Murder Mystery Night, Tullylagan Country House Hotel, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, February 16.  Love can be blind to all sorts of faults and this Valentines you can take part in an investigation into a foul and heinous crime that takes place before your very eyes.  Have you got what it takes to get to the bottom of this horrid matter?

• Calendar Girls, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, February 16.  When Annie’s husband John dies of leukaemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to coax friends to pose nude with them for an ‘alternative’ calendar and they had no idea of the media sensation they would create.

Down

The Web Theatre is the venue for A Mid Summer Night’s Dream on Wednesday 6^th February. This acclaimed one-man (17 parts) show production of Shakespeare’s famous play has been performed by Tony Howes as part of the RSC face-to-face educational programme. Tony trained at the National Youth Theatre and the Bristol Old Vic and was nominated for an Olivier Award for his part in a West End musical. He has appeared in numerous TV & Film roles , Emmerdale, Doctors, Midsomer Murders etc. After the performance Tony will return to the stage for a Q & A session.  To view all events in County Down click HERE.

Tyrone

From the company that brought you such outstanding productions as My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Les Miserables, Me and My Girl, The Crucible and many more.  The renowned Hazel Wand Theatre Schools brings you a feast of song, dance and drama from a variety of musicals. Come along to the Strule Arts Centre and enjoy an evening in the company of Omagh’s talented young people on Wednesday 6^th and Thursday 7^th February.  To view all County Tyrone events click HERE.

Fermanagh

The Buttermarket Craft & Design Courtyard comprises of seventeen art and craft units, a coffee shop and a gift shop, housed in the restored early 19th century dairy market. The Buttermarket’s unique position in the heart of Enniskillen makes it the central focus for the thriving craft industry in Fermanagh. The buildings have been beautifully renovated and house such diverse crafts as pottery, fly-tying, ceramics, handmade jewellery, textiles, picture framing and original art. Soak up the relaxed atmosphere of the Buttermarket surrounded by a feast of contemporary and inspirational gifts, from the shops, studios and galleries of some of Ireland’s top crafts people and artists. Treat yourself to some homemade Fayre at Rebecca’s Coffee Shop and browse through the treasure house of gifts in Boston Quay.  Open 10am – 5.30pm, Monday – Saturday all year round. To view all County Fermanagh events click HERE.

Derry

Starlight Express comes to the Millennium Forum 5^th to 9^th February. Light years ahead of the rest, this futuristic tale about love and hope in the face of adversity promises to take you on the ride of a lifetime – with two hours of speed, spectacle, energy and turbo charged excitement, combined with an electrifying sound track, dazzling sets and costumes, some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most memorable musical hits and extraordinary nonstop roller-choreography by TV’s favourite dance show judge Arlene Phillips. To view all County DerryLondonderry events click HERE.

Armagh

One of the biggest Talent Shows Northern Ireland has seen in recent times, the Armagh City Hotel’s ‘Search For A Star’ takes place every Friday night until 19^th April.  The talent  is immense and each heat of the competition promises to be a spectacular show.  The competition offers local talent the opportunity of a lifetime. Local television and radio personality Malachi Cush will be presenting the Show throughout the twelve weeks of the competition. To view all County Armagh events click HERE.

Antrim

The Courtyard Theatre Picture House presents The Jungle Book on Sunday 10^th February – a perfect way to spend Sunday afternoon with the family.   See young Mowgli journey through the jungle under the watchful eye of Bagheera, Baloo the Bear and a host of other jungle animals in this timeless family favourite. To view all County Antrim events click HERE.

Belfast

Join the Belfast Barge for their new monthly event: Kids Second Saturdays.  Every second Saturday of the month, kids (ages 3-10) are invited to come and take over the barge. The day is filled with hands-on activities, storytelling and kid-friendly tours of the maritime museum. Each month we will feature a new theme and February’s Theme is the Wildlife of the Lagan.  Entry: £4 per child, £2 per adult.  Booking is not essential.  11am-4pm (Last entry at 3).  Storytelling at 12pm & 2pm. To view all Belfast events click HERE.

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

Test Drive the Arts NI reaches another important milestone with its 3^rd birthday this Saturday, the 9^th of February, and Audiences NI has 15745 reasons to celebrate this flagship arts development project.

Since its launch Test Drive the Arts NI has seen 15745 new attenders be issued tickets for arts event across Northern Ireland

The website www.testdrivetheartsni.org enables anyone in Northern Ireland who has never been to live theatre or performing arts events to get complimentary tickets to some of the best shows and events across the province.  Test Drive the Arts NI was designed to help organisations increase their audiences by offering the tickets, from unsold capacity. The result is that the Test Driver experiences the very best of what the arts has to offer and is encouraged to return as a paying customer to another event.

It is a simple process.  All the Test Driver needs to do is pick a show, apply on-line and wait for their tickets.  As long as the applicant is over 18 and hasn’t attended the venue in the last three years they can look forward to sampling the very best that the Northern Ireland arts scene has to offer. Test Drive the Arts NI also continues to provide best value to its subscribers with exclusive special offers on a monthly basis for theatre, film, dance, music and much more.

There are currently 86 arts organisations taking part, including venues such as An Droichead, Belfast Waterfront, Grand Opera House, Lyric Theatre, Strule Arts Centre, Millennium Forum and the Theatre at the Mill. Local theatre companies such as Bruiser and Kabosh are also on board, while the Cinemagic, Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s, Cathedral Quarter Out to Lunch and Belfast Children’s Festival are just some of the festivals represented.

Audience members who have successfully received tickets through Test Drive the Arts NI have the following to say:

“Fantastic opportunity to attend events you might not otherwise attend. Great experience, would recommend.”

“What a fantastic idea! I was really impressed with how simple it was. All that’s left to be said is a big thank you for a wonderful day out and we will be seeing you again very soon!”

“Definitely a good way to be reintroduced to the Arts.  Loved it.  Thanks for the opportunity.”

You can watch a selection of Test Drivers talk about their experiences at http://www.audiencesni.com/what-we-do/Test-Drive-The-Arts-NI

Chief Executive of Audiences NI, Steven Hadley, says “We are very excited to see Test Drive the Arts NI reach its third birthday and to be providing this opportunity to access the arts to the people of Northern Ireland. The project is a great way for anyone who hasn’t tried the wide range of arts performances available in the province to get involved.”

There are at present a wide range of events online on www.testdrivetheartsni.org and those interested can register for regular updates on shows being added to the site.  Potential applicants can look out for regular updates on the Test Drive the Arts NI Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages also.  Audiences NI encourage everyone to challenge themselves to experience a new art form and take a Test Drive of one of Northern Ireland’s many excellent arts productions.

Today at Titanic Belfast, Australian visitor Leo Nestor shocked his Irish sweetheart Joan Butler when he got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage.

The 68-year-old former professional Aussie Rules player, was introduced to Dubliner Joan in D’arcy’s Bar in the Gold Coast by Fiona Logan, the sister of Ireland’s Eurovision Song Contest legend Johnny.

Leo chose his moment to propose in The Launch gallery that overlooks the famous Slipway on which Titanic was built.

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

• Mixed Marriage, Lyric Theatre, Belfast, January 30 – February 23.  Set in Belfast on the eve of the Ulster Covenant, Mixed Marriage is a poetic tragedy – with earthy humour – which dissects class and religious sectarianism through the breakdown of one ordinary family.

• Newry Film Club Night – Incendies, Sean Hollywod Arts Centre, Newry, Co. Down, February 6.  A 2012 Canadian film which follows the journey of twin brother and sister as they attempt to unravel the mystery of their mother’s life.

• Female Gothic, The Market Place Theatre, Co. Armagh, February 6.  The Victorian fascination with tales of mystery and the supernatural created an enduring legacy of Gothic fiction; but it is often the male writers that we remember.  Many thrilling and eerie stories from the great female writers of that era have gathered dust and been forgotten.  Until now.

• Ultimate Eagles, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, February 6.  The Ultimate Eagles recreate the music of The Eagles with reverence, excitement and with a new stage show that focuses its bright lights on the 1970s when the band was at its mightiest.

• Ulster Orchestra JTI Lunchtime Concert Series Mozartiana, Ulster Hall, Belfast, February 6.  Fifty minutes of sublime and inspiring music performed by the Ulster Orchestra and local and internationally renowned soloists.
• Glenelly Historical Society Presents: Glenelly Our Home, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, February 7.  An illustrated lecture depicting memories of the former homes of Glenelly.  Celebrate this unique historical culture and see images of homes that are now lying derelict or as wallsteads.

• Féile Chaoimhín Uí Dhochartaigh, citywide, Co. Londonderry, February 7 – 10.  A four day celebration of the life of one of the best known figures in the traditional music scene in Derry.  The festival will feature an all-star line-up of musicians, teachers, and performers and includes an intensive Irish language course.
• A Valentine’s Massacre – Murder Mystery, Grand Opera House, Belfast, February 9.  Some like it hot, and it can’t get hotter than being on the run from the mob after witnessing a St. Valentine’s Day massacre of the mafia’s making.  Comedy will accompany murder, mystery and intrigue.  Drinks reception and three course meal included as part of the evening.

• Chinese New Year at Belfast Zoo, Antrim Road, Belfast, February 10.  Celebrate Chinese New Year at the zoo and learn more about the Chinese animals at the keeper talks and feeding times.  2013 is the year of the snake and visitors born in the year of the snake will also get free admission to the zoo for the day.

.Down

Want to have a bit of family fun but learn something crucial about the world around you at the same time?  Then Castle Espie is the place for you on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of February.  As part of World Wetlands Day 2013, WWT Castle Espie are hosting two days of fun talks. Come with the family and interact with science to discover the 6 secrets of wetlands and explore questions such as ‘What wetland plant feeds more than 3 billion people every year?’ – ‘Why does there seem to be more flooding incidents every year?’ –‘Why do we need clean wetlands to survive as a species?’ and many more.  Come and meet a collection of reptiles, amphibians and creepy crawlies and learn about their bodies, lifecycles, and adaptations.  Lectures take place at 12pm and 3pm each day. Pre-booking is essential as places are limited.

Tyrone

The Bardic Theatre Present Lionel Bart’s OLIVER! This musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic opens Friday 1st February 2013 – Nightly @ 8pm until 16^th February. Box Office: 028 87 725 286 (Stewart’s Music Shop).

Fermanagh

Dominic Kirwan, one of Ireland’s best and most popular concert performers, embarks on a nationwide concert tour with his excellent band to coincide with the release of his new album. Dominic’s show creates a wonderful atmosphere among his audience and everybody leaves wanting more. The concert at Ardhowen on Thursday 31^st January features songs from his many albums as well as others from right across the country and pop music spectrum. All tickets are £20.00.

Derry

The Terrace Hotel Magherafelt is the venue for the upcoming “Take Me Out” fundraiser on Friday 1st February in aid of the Buddy Bear Trust. Organised by the students from Magherafelt Northern Regional College to raise funds for a Conductive Educational School for kids with Cerebral Palsy – the only one of its kind in N. Ireland, this promised to be a great night out! Tickets only £5.

Armagh

Drama For Kids’ presents the classic tale ‘Puss In Boots’ in aid of Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice at The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Saturday 2^nd February.  Puss, an accomplished creature, with wit and ingenuity persuades his master, Tom, to pass himself off as the Marquis of Carabos, with profitable and romantic results. Meet a strong selection of fine characters; Perriwinkle, the foppish Court Jester, Princess Diamond, Dame Eyebright, Count Crusher, a wicked Ogre, and many more.

Antrim

The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Tribute Show comes to the McNeill Theatre Larne on Saturday. The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Tribute brings audiences into the colourful worlds of Mickey Mouse and a whole host of characters children have loved down through the years, live on stage, right before their eyes in this exciting and fun filled musical production. Featuring fantastic costumes and colourful lighting, it will be an experience for all the family to remember and cherish.

Hello Thai food lovers!

After 4 great years of event catering, hard work, blood, sweat and tears – we are delighted to present the new addition to our services, the Whoosh Thai & Vietnamese Street Food Café!

What is Street Food about?
[street food] is simply ready-to-eat, hot and cold, fast, fresh and deliciously healthy food – ours is served in a comfy casual and relaxed setting.

Our dishes are prepared with quality ingredients and served fresh on the day. At Whoosh, we are obsessive about food and always use the freshest ingredients available. Our menu is small yet varied, providing an element of surprise for our customers as new dishes are introduced on a regular basis.

Sourcing local quality meats, fish and vegetables are essential to us to produce good food. Our dishes are bursting with flavours and colours but contain no MSG, no additives and no preservatives – most of them can also be prepared to suit vegetarian and gluten-free diets. Our key ingredients: love, passion and respect for food. We simply love what we do and do what we love.

In the Southeast Asian culture, eating isn’t just about food but it is also about taking time to appreciate the little things in life and to share our stories, experiences or ups and downs with family, friends, neighbours, colleagues… This is the reason why at Whoosh we love meeting new faces, making new friends and learning from others. So, we never eat alone!

So, if you fancy a quick bite, lunch or a catch-up with friends… sit-in or take -out, eat Whoosh! Eat together!

When? Opening date: 4th February 2013
Opening hours: 11:30am to 5:30pm (Mon to Sat)
Contact us: DM us on FB or email info@ eatwhoosh.com

Where are we? Bellhouse Lane, Coleraine Town Centre (between First Trust Bank and Next), nearest car park: Mall Car Park.

A celebration of the very best in tourism and hospitality will take place on May 30^th at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

The Northern Ireland Tourism Awards, organised by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in association with Diageo Northern Ireland, will showcase recent success and a high profile year for the industry, as well as looking forward to the opportunities in 2013 with the UK City of Culture, World Police and Fire Games and G8 Summit.

2012 has been a hugely significant year for tourism in Northern Ireland, dominated by world class events and activity surrounding the ni2012: our time, our place campaign which included the opening of Titanic Belfast, the new Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre and a sell-out Irish Open.

There are 11 award categories in total this year with two new categories for 2013 – ‘Customer Service Excellence’ and ‘Best ni2012 initiative’ and NITB is encouraging organisations and businesses of all sizes to apply.

Aine Kearney, NITB Director of Product Development said, “The ni2012 campaign helped to move tourism to a new level in terms of profile, economic impact and self-belief as the spotlight shone on Northern Ireland for all the right reasons.  Now is the time for organisations to celebrate their achievements throughout this significant year by entering the tourism awards.

“The awards will offer businesses the opportunity to review their performance and identify their core strengths.  For those who win it is an independent and prestigious endorsement of their organisation and the quality of their products and services,” she said.

“Everyone at NITB is looking forward to a wonderful night of rewarding excellence and celebrating the industry’s achievements,” she added.

Michael McCann, Country Director of Diageo Northern Ireland said, “At Diageo we are committed to working with NITB and our other industry partners to drive visitor numbers throughout Northern Ireland and leave a lasting legacy for the growth and development of tourism.

“In Northern Ireland we have an unrivalled reputation of being great hosts, ensuring that those who visit us have a great experience and it is important that the people, places and organisations that make such a valuable contribution to our tourism industry are recognised and rewarded.

“At Diageo we are proud to support the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards and we are passionate about positioning Northern Ireland as a great location to visitors both at home and abroad,” he added.

This year’s Northern Ireland Tourism Awards gala ceremony will take place in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on Thursday 30^th May 2013.  The evening will be a glittering celebration of tourism success over the past year with a sit-down gala dinner and entertainment showcasing local talent.

To enter visit www.nitourismawards.com and download the relevant entry form for your category.  The closing date for entries is noon on Friday 1^st March. For further information contact the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards event team on 028 9044 6292 or email NITA@mci-group.com

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (January 28 – February 3).

• Donaghadee Historical Society Talk, Donaghadee Community Centre, Co. Down, January 28.  The author Stephen Cameron will give a talk to mark the 60^th anniversary of the Princess Victoria Ferry Disaster.  Proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the Donaghadee Lifeboat, the ‘Sir Samuel Kelly’ which brought survivors to shore.

• Starlight Express, Millennium Forum, Co. Londonderry, January 28 – February 9.  One of the longest running musicals in British theatre history, Starlight Express has been specially designed for a new generation of audiences with an electrifying soundtrack and all-new dazzling sets and choreography.

• The Young Americans, Waterfront Hall, Belfast, January 30.  The world renowned Young Americans have been the pinnacle of excellence in music and dance.  During this two act spectacular you will travel through time and across musical genres with vocal and dance showstoppers to rival any West End or Broadway production.
• Made in Italy, Belle Isle Cookery School, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh. February 1.  Learn about authentic Italian dishes using meat and fish and try your hand at making fresh pasta and ravioli filled with seasonal ingredients.  Discover the secrets of deeply rich sauces to enhance any dinner.

• Oliver, Bardic Theatre, Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone, February 1 – 16.  Oliver was the first musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ work to become a stage hit.  It follows the story of an orphan who runs away from an orphanage and hooks up with a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor.
• Sporting Traditions through the Ages in Newry and Mourne, Newry and Mourne Museum, Bagenal’s Castle, Newry, Co. Down, February 1 – 28.  This colourful exhibition of memorabilia will celebrate sporting traditions and achievements through the ages and will examine the important contribution sport has made to the social and cultural fabric of life in the district.

• Be Wild about Wildlife, Beginner Birding – Seabirds, Murlough National Nature Reserve, Dundrum, Co. Down, February 2.  Come along and enjoy this great day out for bird beginners.  Meeting point is at the car park.  Suitable footwear is essential.
• Snowdrop Walks, The Argory, Moy, Co. Armagh, February 2.  As winter melts away, take a self-guided walk through the estate, enjoy a warm refreshment, buy your own snowdrop plants and pick up some essential reads in the second hand bookshop.

• Furniture Upcycling Workshop, Mossley Pavilion, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, February 2.  Pick a piece of furniture and learn how to transform it into something truly unique for your home.  Learn how to get the ‘chalk paint look’ and other craft techniques such as crackling and decoupage.  Furniture and materials provided along with an afternoon tea.
• National Intermediate/ Master & Juvenile Development Cross Country Championships, Gransha, Co. Londonderry, February 3.  A 12-race programme of top quality cross country action with runners aged 10 to 80 years.  Local runners in particular will be trying to impress on home turf.