Thinking of organising an event? Don’t know where to start?

North Down Borough Council are delighted to announce that the next round of Tourism Event Grants are now available and interested parties are invited to apply for these grants to fund upcoming local events.

The Tourism Grants programme is a small grants programme funded by North Down Borough Council.  The programme is part of the Council’s Tourism plan to ensure that the Borough will be in the top tourism destinations in Northern Ireland. In the past, The Council has supported events such as:

–       The North Down Model Railway Society’s Model Exhibition, North Down Cycling Club’s Grand Prix, The Cultra Hill Climb and The Ireman Triathlon to name but a few.

The Grants Programme is operated twice yearly and applications are now being accepted for events taking place from1 April to 31 October 2013.  The grants are assessed on the following criteria: number of bednights generated, positive PR generated, duration of event and projected spectator numbers.

An advertisement for applications for next round grants will appear in local press on September 6^th 2012 and information is also available on www.northdown.gov.uk and www.northdowntourism.com.  Application forms can be downloaded from the websites so even if you’re just thinking about organising an event, we would encourage you to apply.

North Down Borough Council’s Tourism Manager, Alison Stobie commented; “we are really delighted that in the past, organisations have benefited from our grants and would urge other local groups with upcoming events to submit an application for the latest round of grants.”

Closing date for acceptance of completed applications is Friday 19^th October 2012 at 5pm.

That’s right folks, The epic midnight indie club that brought you bands such as ASIWYFA, General Fiasco, Not Squares, Duke Special, Cashier No.9, Ram’s Pocket Radio, Ham Sandwich, A Plastic Rose, Wonder Villains, Lafaro and loads more, are at it again! This time, Animal Disco will mix things up a tad, bringing the great party people of Belfast a one off party in Voodoo on October 20th with live performances from Ed Zealous / Go Wolf and DJ sets by Eatenbybears / Animal Disco dj’s. Expect Light shows, lazers, visuals and a Tropical Indie Electro Dance Party!! We are very excited!

Animal Disco presents

ED ZEALOUS

Go Wolf

Eatenbybears DJ’s

Saturday October 20th 2012

Voodoo Belfast

10pm / £5

Tickets available at www.ticketleap.com

Four-piece Ed Zealous decided Belfast was the perfect breeding ground for their very own brand of disorder and have been locked away creating, to quote Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, “a slice of awesome electro that would fizz in your mouth if you took a bite”. With their blend of big kick drums, synthesiser chaos and erratic vocals they’re looking to set the live circuit alight when they set out in full force in October.

They’ve just finished recording their debut album with producer Eliot James who’s credits include fellow Irishmen Two Door Cinema Club,  plus Bloc Party and Mark Ronson. Having just finished playing a few gigs off the beaten track, Ed Zealous, who are currently working on finalizing release dates for both their album and its singles, are ready to take Belfast by the horns!

You can watch the video for ‘Diamonds For Eyes’

here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqauHVSKdWM and download a free copy of the track via their Bandcamp page http://edzealous.bandcamp.com/

Ed Zealous play Animal Disco with support from Go Wolf in Voodoo on Saturday October 20th, tickets are £5 and available at www.ticketleap.com

PIGS might fly but according to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board so too can the milk-providing variety of animal as its ‘ni2012 cows’, part of the world’s largest public art exhibition, are being herded to Belfast International Airport (BFS) this week.

The art exhibition involves up to 200 fibre glass cows being transformed into magnificent sculptures by local artists and community groups and NITB’s herd of cows have been designed using the now highly-recognisable ni2012: our time, our place colours of pink, blue and yellow.

The ni2012 cows have been visiting towns and cities around Northern Ireland during the summer for one week at a time.  After appearances in Portrush, Derry~Londonderry, Bangor, Warrenpoint, Omagh, Armagh, Downpatrick and Enniskillen, the cows are making a flying visit to BFS w/c September 3.

The cows will be grazing in the grounds of the airport until September 10 and NITB is encouraging people across the country to visit the cows until they mooove onto pastures new.

While the cows have been travelling over the summer they have been stopping along the way to visit some of Northern Ireland’s iconic locations and tourist attractions to have their photo taken including Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Marble Arch Caves, the Mournes and Slieve Gullion.

NITB’s ni2012/13 manager Siobhán McGuigan is thrilled that NITB is part of the Cow Parade.

“We decided to get involved in the Cow Parade as 2012 is such a momentous year for Northern Ireland.  It is a great way to showcase our towns and cities and encourage people to visit the public art sculptures as they graze in different areas,” said Siobhán.

“There has been a number of cows on display throughout the cities of Derry and Belfast but the ni2012 cows were the only herd that have been moooving across Northern Ireland to be displayed in different areas and we’ve had a fantastic response from people coming out to see them,” she added.

Make sure that you go and visit the cows so that they’re not lonely and post your pictures on our Discover Northern Ireland Facebook page.  To follow the cows as they travel around Northern Ireland and to see where they’ve already been, visit www.ni2012.com, where you can also see a behind-the-scenes video of Mooty’s very valiant attempt at surfing at Portballintrae’s Runkerry Strand.

More than 70 cities across the globe have hosted a Cow Parade since 1999 but this is the first time it has come to Northern Ireland as well as the first time it has taken over an entire region rather than just one city.

For more information on the Cow Parade and attractions in Northern Ireland click on www.discovernorthernireland.com or visit your local tourist information centre.  You can also keep up-to-date with the latest news, images, videos and competitions by visiting http://www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.

In less than a week Van Morrison will be back in his native east Belfast headlining the Big Top Festival at Aircraft Park on Saturday 8th September.

The music event taking place as part of the East Belfast Arts Festival will have a full supporting line up including Shana Morrison, Brian Houston, Gareth Dunlop, Wonder Villains, Katie & the Carnival, Anthony Toner, Belfast Community Gospel Choir and Mama Kaz Band.

East Belfast will witness a number of ‘firsts’ during the festival period. It is the first year of the festival which promises something for everyone over the five days (5th- 9th September).

This is the first time that Van Morrison has played in the heart of east Belfast since his early days with Them, making his homecoming a show not to be missed. Morrison fans may be in for a special treat if he performs, for the first time, some material off the new album ‘Born to Sing: No Plan B’ (release date 2nd October).

Tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.uk and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

The East Belfast Arts Festival through the array of events in the programme will celebrate the area through creativity, energy and arts. It will provide locals and visitors alike the opportunity to visit venues they wouldn’t normally for arts based events and will be an opportunity for these venues to showcase their offering. It will also provide local artists with the opportunity to showcase their talent, and will create new audiences interested in the arts.

For full programme, tickets and information visit www.eastbelfastartsfestival.org
To receive the latest up to date news and information like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/eastbelfastartsfestival or follow on Twitter @ebaf2012

Once again we have teamed up with the renowned Brian Keenan Guitar Centre to offer our readers a chance to win this fantastic prize worth £199!

The SpongeBob SquarePants Electric Guitar Outfit in black, and also includes the SpongeBob covered 10 watt amp, carry bag, strap, guitar lead, plectrum, spare set of strings – and tuition DVD! Presented in a full colour SpongeBob graphic carton display pack.

To be in with a chance of winning, first of all you need to “like” the Brian Keenan Guitar Centre FACEBOOK page

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 12 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (September 3 – 9).

For all events in ni2012 click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto http://www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland

• The Big Tickle Comedy Festival, The Playhouse, Co. Londonderry, September 1 – 14.  The Big Tickle Festival returns with a bang with an outstanding line-up of comedians including John Cooper Clarke, Jason Byrne, Colin Murphy, Phil Nichol and Neil Delamere.

• In the Court of… Duke Special, the MAC, Belfast, September 4 – 9. Taking over the recently built MAC, Duke Special has been given the opportunity to organise a week of music with a diverse range of athe big tickle cts including the The Futureheads and DJ78.

• Go Batty, Roe Valley Country Park, Co. Londonderry, September 6. Take the opportunity to hear from an expert and learn about the myths and legends of these popular creatures.

• Hillsborough Oyster Festival, Hillsborough, Co. Down, September 6 – 9. This world renowned festival has become one of Northern Ireland’s leading events often attracting visitors from all over with the World Oyster Eating Championships, live music and a Gourmet Food Market.

• Off The Hook, Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, September 7 – 8.  Every prisoner’s dream about getting let off the hook comes to life in this riotous farce when Fed and Charlie ‘spring’ Harold Spook from prison and try to find the hidden loot. 

• Benedict Kiely Literary Weekend, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, September 7-9.  Based on one of the most pre-eminent 20th Century Irish writers, this weekend will feature a variety of workshops and lectures, art exhibitions and a guided bus tour.

• The Vikings Return, Maghery Country Park, Craigavon, Co. Armagh, September 8 – 9.  A fun day out for the whole family including an authentic Viking Banquet with a pig on a spit, children’s amusements and birds of prey demonstrations.

• European Heritage Open Days, various venues across Northern Ireland, September 8 – 9.  Many properties will be opening for free during this celebration aimed at encouraging people of all ages to discover Northern Ireland’s rich and diverse architecture and heritage.

• My Generation: Art of the 60s and early 70s, Ulster Museum, Belfast, until September 23.  An exhibition showcasing the most exciting artistic developments of the 60s and 70s including works by Bridget Riley, John Hoyland, Gillian Ayres and Peter Philips. 

• Round the House & Mind the Dresser, Fermanagh County Museum, Enniskillen Castle, Co. Fermanagh, until September 15.  This exciting travelling exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Irish traditional music song and dance from the 1700s until the present day.

• Annual Photographic Competition, Belfast Zoo, until September 21.  This annual competition challenges budding and amateur photographers to take a picture of the animals during a visit to the zoo with five prize categories up for grabs.

• Sea Kayaking Evening, every Thursday, Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, Co. Down.  Sea kayaking evenings aimed at newcomers, the ideal way to get a taste of what Strangford Lough has to offer paddlers. 

For further information please contact Pauline Gormley from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on 028 9044 1650 or Alana Taylor of Duffy Rafferty Communications on 028 9073 0880.

An Ordinary Man – An Extraordinary Journey

When Ulster Protestant, Kenneth McCallister finds himself on the football terraces for a crucial World Cup qualifying match, little does he know that his hum-drum life is about to change forever…

Ian McElhinney directs a brand new production of Marie Jones’ smash-hit one-man play, A Night in November.

Conor Grimes stars as Kenneth McAllister, an ordinary dole clerk on a search for his own identity, sparked by the bigotry he witnesses during a World Cup qualifying match between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at Windsor Park in Belfast.

A Night in November chronicles Kenneth’s journey of self-awakening as he faces up to his own bigotry and starts to question some of his strongly-held beliefs and those of the people closest to him.

Marie Jones’ enduringly humorous and challenging play is both uncomfortable and compelling as it lays bare the issues of identity in 1990’s Northern Ireland.

Tour Dates – September 2012

The Market Place Theatre, Armagh

Friday 7 and Saturday 8 September

Grand Opera House, Belfast

Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 September

Millennium Forum, Derry/Londonderry

Tuesday 18 – Thursday 20 September

The Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen

Saturday 22 September

Monday 24 – Saturday 29 September

The Everyman Theatre, Cork

Household names to feature at inaugural ‘Happy Days’ Beckett Festival

Comedy, arts and literature lovers are in for a real treat this month when well known faces, including David Soul (Starsky and Hutch), Booker Prize winner John Banville (The Sea), Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, Shameless) and Adrian Dunbar (Hear My Song), will take to the stage to give talks at the world’s first multi-arts Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival.

The inaugural five day event opens in Enniskillen on August 23 and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is encouraging fans of art, comedy, sport, music and literature to join in and celebrate the work and influence of Nobel Prize-winner Samuel Beckett with an incredible one hundred events taking place over five days over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Comedy fans will be rolling in the aisles in an evening with multi award winning Scotsman Phil Kay who has appeared on television with Jonathan Ross, Reeves and Mortimer and many more.

Beckett’s ‘most perfect play’, Krapp’s Last Tape will be performed at the Ardhowen Theatre by Robert Wilson who has worked closely with artists as varied as Gianni Versace, David Bowie, Brad Pitt, Tom Waits, Philip Glass, Lou Reed and Jessye Norman.

Be wowed at the work of world renowned sculptor Antony Gormley who has created a tree specially commissioned by the Happy Days Festival towards a future Australian Aboriginal-Irish co-production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.

The world acclaimed tenor Ian Bostridge, the UK’s most popular composer Gavin Bryars, and Northern Ireland’s own Duke Special will lead a programme of premieres, introducing Beckett’s love of music with an exciting and varied programme.

NITB’s Product Marketing Officer Helen Carey said, “The Happy Days International Beckett Festival is a must for arts lovers and a fantastic opportunity to visit and explore the town of Enniskillen and the surrounding beauty of County Fermanagh.  The festival adds a distinctive cultural flavour to the high quality events embraced so far in 2012 and showcases Northern Ireland’s rich cultural offering, diverse range of talent and impressive artistic history.

“The whole town of Enniskillen is set to get into the spirit. Cafes and bars have created new themed menus, retailers will be dressing their shop windows and hairdressers will even be offering stylish Beckett hairdos”

Those attending the festival can enjoy a short break with plenty to see and do in the area including;

Lough Navar

Enjoy a seven-mile drive through the forest to a magnificent panorama over Lough Erne, stopping off at viewpoints and picnic sites where you will come across Red deer and wild goats along marked trails.  This is a stunning forest with a variety of landscapes and lots of things to see.

Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark

Explore a fascinating, natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. Lively and informative guides conduct tours past a bewildering variety of cave formations with naturally occurring stalactites and stalagmites visible throughout the tour.

Enniskillen Castle

Situated beside the River Erne in County Fermanagh, Enniskillen Castle was built almost 600 years ago by Gaelic Maguires.  Guarding one of the few passes into Ulster, it was strategically important throughout its history.  This historic site houses two museums, Fermanagh County Museum and The Inniskillings Museum.

With an excellent programme of literary activity, stunning tourist attractions and a fully fledged carnival atmosphere, Fermanagh awaits the Samuel Beckett Festival with great anticipation.

To find out more information about the Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival and things to do in Fermanagh visit www.discovernorthernireland.com.  A full festival brochure can be downloaded at www.happy-days-enniskillen.com.

The NI International Airshow sponsored by RSA NI will welcome back a firm favourite to Portrush on the 8^th and 9^th September.

Following a three year absence, The Blades Aerobatic Team, will bring their thrilling display to the free seaside event for both days. The team is made up of former Red Arrows pilots and the speed and precision of their carbon fibre stunt planes always guarantees a knockout display. The Blades have appeared many times on TV( The Apprentice, Ant and Dec, British Grand Prix) and this week are working with Blue Peter.

These former “Reds” will be joined by current RAF pilots from The Red Arrows, Eurofighter Typhoon, Tucano, Hawk jet, King Air and Sea King helicopter. With 30 displays each day Portrush has the biggest airshow in Ireland and once again will have no admission fee.

The Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor Sam Cole said, “It is wonderful news that The Blades have accepted our invitation to return to Portrush. Their displays are always memorable and it will be interesting to compare their routines to the crop of current RAF pilots. The 8^th and 9^th is set to be a bumper weekend for the North Coast”.

Jack McIlduff , Managing Director, RSA NI said “2012 is proving to be a significant year for Northern Ireland and RSA NI Insurance is thrilled to be involved with the Airshow, which is unquestionably one of the most prestigious events in the calendar”.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has also confirmed financial support to the event as part of their Our Time, Our Place initiative.

As usual up to 100,000 spectators from all over the country are expected to attend the family event which, in addition to a comprehensive line-up in the air, will feature a non-stop programme of arena shows, family entertainment, sea manoeuvres and rescues, exhibitions, competitions, give-aways and the large trade village.

Organisers have added an evening concert on Saturday 8^th September featuring James Huish and his Michael Bublé Band along with the first dusk pyrotechnic air display in Ireland. Tickets are available on 028 7034 4723.

The Airshow opens at 11am each day with air displays from 12noon-5.30pm. Details and pictures of the aircraft can be found on niinternationalairshow.co.uk or on Facebook (PortrushAirshow) and Twitter (PortrushAirshow) or for general Council information, www.colerainebc.gov.uk

Here are some snippets of what’s coming up in the North Down Borough Council area this week and next week.

THIS WEEK & WEEKEND Mon 20 – Sun 26 Aug

Art Classes at North Down Museum, Bangor

Tuesdays, until 28 August

Tickets £8 per class. 2pm – 4pm. Mary Feeney will be running art classes for all levels of ability, including beginners. Each class will combine drawing exercises using pencil and charcoal and painting exercises in oils and acrylics. You will need to bring your own materials. For info and booking contact the Museum on (028) 9127 1200.

Gardening Workshops for Beginners at North Down Museum, Bangor

Fridays, until 31 August

Tickets £10 per class. 2pm – 4pm. Caroline is a previous employee of The Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh and Pershore College Worcester. She’ll be giving you an overview of various gardening techniques and giving you some great planting ideas, designed to get green fingers twitching! Pre-booking essential. For info and to book contact the Museum on (028) 9127 1200.

Tourism Week, Bangor Golf Club

Sunday 19 to Sunday 26 August

Info: Francie Magee, (028) 9127 0922 www.bangorgolfclubni.co.uk

Lunchtime Music in the Courtyard at North Down Museum, Bangor

Every Friday in August

FREE. 12.30pm. A series of performances by young local musicians and music teachers working in the North Down area. Pianist Robert Sinclair, saxophonist Dave Howell, violinist Lauren Gibb and flautist Susan Gibson will all be performing during Friday lunchtimes, easing you into your weekend in style. For info contact the Museum on (028) 9127 1200. (Seating priority given to Restaurant customers).

Salt-etching Course at North Down Museum

Thursday 23 August

Tickets £25. Robert Peters, Director of Seacourt Print Workshop in Bangor will take a one-day course in Salt-etching. This technique is used for etching aluminium and steel with a diverse range of marks from very precise lines to splashes and washes. Participants should bring source material to work from such as a drawings or photographs and should be over 16. Pre-booking essential. For tickets contact Seacourt directly on (028) 9146 0595.

Bangor Through the Ages Historical Walk

Friday 24 August

Tickets £3. Departs Bangor Tourist Information Centre (Tower House) at 7.30pm. With Bangor’s enriched history including the Bronze Age settlements, World War II and Bangor’s development as a seaside town, this walk takes in points of interest including the North Down Museum, Bangor Abbey and parks and gardens. Approximate tour length: 1½ – 2 hours. Pre-booking essential. For info and to book contact Bangor TIC on (028) 9127 0069.

Missionary Convention

Friday 24 August to Saturday 1 September

Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church, Bangor. Info Lesley Stewart, (028) 9146 1017.

Summer Saturdays at North Down Museum, Bangor

Saturday 25 August

Tickets £1. Visit the Museum on Saturdays during August for special summer events for children of all ages. Children aged 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult. This Saturday, the last of the season, bring the little one’s along at 2.30pm for a captivating Magic Show. Pre-booking essential. For info and to book contact the Museum on (028) 9127 1200.

Textile Screen-Printing Master Class with Katie Brown

Saturday 25 August

Tickets £5. 10.30am – 1pm. Seacourt Print Workshop artist-in-residence Katie Brown will give a master class in textile screen painting. Using a combination of screen printing and hand painting techniques participants can create unique artworks on fabric. The master class is suitable for beginners, but participants should be over 16yrs, and the cost of the session includes materials. Pre-booking essential. For info and to book contact the Museum on (028) 9127 1200.

High Street Speciality Market, Bangor

Saturday 25 August & Monday 27 August

FREE. 10am-5pm. Stalls will be located on High Street on Saturday 25th and in the Sunken Gardens, beside McKee Clock, on Monday 27th – Download the flyer & great High Street discount offers!

Free children’s fun at Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport

Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 August

Free event. 2pm-4pm. Make the most of summer afternoons with the little one’s before school goes back – This Saturday come along for balloon modelling. Sunday is typically craft day, and this Sunday make your own keyring or bangle to take home. There will also be live music and a Fiddle Workshop by Keith Lyttle which is part of the Ulster-Scots programme. The cottages are open daily in August to 2 Sept from 11am to 5pm. For more info call Bangor Tourist Information Centre on (028) 9127 0069 or visit northdowntourism.com. Full Cockle Row Programme for August

Street Theatre Summer Entertainment in Bangor

Saturday 25 & Sunday 25 August

FREE. 3-5pm. The Party Professor Science Show returns to the Sunken Gardens beside McKee Clock to wow the crowds on Saturday and on Sunday the Louie Comedy Magic Show will bring some clowning around to the garden, bringing an end to the lively programme of entertainment North Down Tourism has put on this summer season. Don’t forget about music in Ward Park on Sunday too, 3-5pm. For info visit northdowntourism.com or call Bangor Tourist Information Centre on (028) 9127 0069.

Craft Fair at the Boathouse, Groomsport

Sunday 26 August

12noon-4pm. Local crafts, goods and foods on sale at the Boathouse, beside Groomsport harbour. For more info call Bangor Tourist Information Centre on (028) 9127 0069.

Live Music Summer Entertainment in Bangor

Sunday 26 August

FREE. 3-5pm. This week’s live music theme is Jazz, rock, rhythm and blues brought to you by Katie & the Carnival. Come along for this lively performance at the Ward Park Bandstand this Sunday, the finale to the summer entertainment programme by North Down Tourism for 2012. For info visit northdowntourism.com or call Bangor Tourist Information Centre on (028) 9127 0069.

Bangor to Orlock Coastal Walk

Sunday 26 August

Tickets £3. Departs 11.30am from Bangor Tourist Information Centre (Tower House) in Bangor. Led by a Blue Badge Guide the walk follows the coastal path to the National Trust Reserve at Ballymacormick Point and then on to the Cockle Row Cottages at Groomsport, where there will be a short comfort break before you continue on to Orlock Point. Approximate tour length: 2½ hours. Pre-booking essential. For info and to book contact Bangor TIC on (028) 9127 0069.

NEXT WEEK & WEEKEND Mon 27 Aug – Sun 2 Sept

Art Classes at North Down Museum, Bangor

Tuesdays, until 28 August

Tickets £8 per class. 2pm – 4pm. Mary Feeney will be running art classes for all levels of ability, including beginners. Each class will combine drawing exercises using pencil and charcoal and painting exercises in oils and acrylics. You will need to bring your own materials. For info and booking contact the Museum on (028) 9127 1200.

Gardening Workshops for Beginners at North Down Museum, Bangor

Fridays, until 31 August

Tickets £10 per class. 2pm – 4pm. Caroline is a previous employee of The Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh and Pershore College Worcester. She’ll be giving you an overview of various gardening techniques and giving you some great planting ideas, designed to get green fingers twitching! Pre-booking essential. For info and to book contact the Museum on (028) 9127 1200.

Lunchtime Music in the Courtyard at North Down Museum, Bangor

Every Friday in August – Last chance this Friday, 31 August

FREE. 12.30pm. A series of performances by young local musicians and music teachers working in the North Down area. Pianist Robert Sinclair, saxophonist Dave Howell, violinist Lauren Gibb and flautist Susan Gibson will all be performing during Friday lunchtimes, easing you into your weekend in style. For info contact the Museum on (028) 9127 1200. (Seating priority given to Restaurant customers).

Bangor Christian Heritage Walk

Tuesday 28 August

Tickets £3. Departs Bangor Abbey at 2.30pm. This tour visits sites including Bangor Abbey, St Comgall’s Roman Catholic Church, First Bangor Presbyterian Church and the North Down Museum that houses various interesting artefacts including a life-size reconstruction of a monk’s cell. Approximate tour length: 2 hours. Pre-booking essential. For info and to book contact Bangor TIC on (028) 9127 0069.

Missionary Convention

Until Saturday 1 September

Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church, Bangor. Info Lesley Stewart, (028) 9146 1017.

Eagle Wing Celebration, Groomsport

Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 September

Free event. 2pm-4pm. The summer season comes to an end at quaint Cockle Row this weekend with crafts on Saturday and a Highland Dance Display by Kelly Forsythe and Piping Display by Andy McGregor. On Sunday, the Story of Eagle Wing will be celebrated with traditional annual activities – a re-enactment of the story and themed crafts. The cottages are open daily until 2 Sept from 11am to 5pm. For more info call Bangor Tourist Information Centre on (028) 9127 0069 or visit northdowntourism.com.

Don’t forget that Pickie Funpark in Bangor is also open daily, 9am-9pm.

Events to look out for over the rest of the year…

Aspects Irish Literature Festival 2012, Bangor – Wednesday 26 to Sunday 30 September

Tickets on sale now. Event Programme . You can find the programme and book tickets online at www.northdown.gov.uk/bookings or by contacting North Down Museum (028) 9127 1200 or Bangor Tourist Information Centre (028) 9127 0069.

Seapark Fireworks, Holywood – Saturday 27 October

Halloween Fun at Cockle Row Cottages, Bangor – Sunday 28 October

Bangor Christmas Switch On – Saturday 17 November

Holywood Christmas Switch On – Saturday 24 November