The Belfast Festival of Learning makes a welcome return to the city with a week-long programme of free interactive and engaging events.

Promoting lifelong learning for people of all ages, the festival will take place in venues across Belfast from Monday 20 until Sunday 26 March.

Events will include cookery classes, science demonstrations and the opportunity to learn a new skill such as crochet, knitting and coding.

Reminding residents that there is no age limit to education, Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Michelle Kelly said: “Learning opportunities should be available to everyone, whether you’re aged 5 or 75, and The Belfast Festival of Learning is testament to that ethos, with the wide range of activities and events on offer over the course of the week.

“Within The Belfast Agenda, we have a vision that our city should be a great place for everyone to live – and providing lifelong learning opportunities is a core part of this. Learning has the potential to transform lives for the better- it can build better relationships and help enhance quality of life for everyone in our city.”

Belfast is part of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities and was awarded a UNESCO Learning Cities Award for outstanding learning milestones in 2021.

Councillor Kelly also spoke about the importance of continuing to build on Belfast’s Learning City status and said: “In 2018 when we joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, we committed to tackle inequalities and barriers to education with our city stakeholders. It’s incredibly encouraging that following the pandemic, we are now able to host this wonderful festival again and extend learning opportunities to all citizens, regardless of age or background.”

Chair of Belfast Learning City, Danny Power said: “Belfast continues to play its role as a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities and as a member of an all-island network of Learning Cities.

“Improving accessibility to learning opportunities is crucial to help people maintain active lives and build strong and sustainable communities for all. We hope everyone thoroughly enjoys the festival and that the activities on offer will inspire you to continue your learning.”

For more information on the festival and a full list of activities on offer, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events

Terra Nova Productions, Ireland’s intercultural theatre company, return to Armagh’s Market Place Theatre with their new production, ‘The Trumpet & The King’.

In the late 15th century, John Blanke, a young black musician of exceptional talent left the ancient city of Granada and made his way to the court of Henry VII of England. There he forged a surprising musical bond with the child who would become the infamous Henry VIII.

These two extraordinary young men scramble their way to adulthood full of feeling, often outrageously funny, as they try to figure out love, sex, politics, and what it means to be a man.

Performed by two outstanding young actors, who effortlessly create all the characters of their Tudor world, ‘The Trumpet & The King’ is a play about music, belonging and friendship across religious and cultural divides, which will draw you effortlessly into the dramatic world of the early Tudors.

Meticulously researched, written and directed here in Northern Ireland by playwright Andrea Montgomery, who is known for her giant Northern Irish Shakespeare projects.

‘The Trumpet & The King’ will take place on Wednesday 22 March at 8pm. Tickets priced £15 and £13 (concession) can be booked online at www.visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre or through the Box Office on 03300 561 025.

Receive Royal correspondence from King Charles III and the Queen Consort when you register for the Coronation Big Lunch

Streets, schools, groups and whole communities across Northern Ireland choosing to be part of history and celebrating the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort, will receive a special letter from The King and Queen Consort commemorating their participation and could be in with a chance of winning a Community Garden specially designed and planted by the award winning Eden Project, £2,500 towards your next project and a special Big Lunch hamper from Eden Project Communities supported by National Lottery.

All Northern Ireland residents can register at thebiglunch.com and download your letter and free resources. You can also choose to nominate your area for the competition which rewards the friendliest streets, estates, schools and community groups that demonstrate friendliness and positive connections where they live. As well as crowning an overall winner, gifting them with a special garden in honour of The King and Queen Consort’s passion for communities and the environment, Eden Project Communities will reward three finalists with £1,000 each and Coronation Big Lunch hampers to help bring their communities together.

Grainne McCloskey, Regional Manager at the Eden Project, which is behind the Coronation Big Lunch said: “We want to raise up and celebrate those people who support each other and shape better futures together where they live but rarely get the recognition they deserve. There are so many heartwarming stories from those making a difference in Northern Ireland and we want to place their community spirit at the heart of this historic occasion.

“Our rewards are open to everyone until 30 March so there is still plenty of time to apply. Don’t be shy! If you’re a group of chatty neighbours or you’re part of a school community or a local group, we want to hear from you!”

The Coronation Big Lunch will form part of the celebrations for His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort’s Coronation Weekend between 6-8 May 2023. Tens of thousands of events are expected to take place across the United Kingdom, bringing neighbours, communities and the nation together in celebration and friendship, and raising community spirits as part of this historic occasion.

Her Majesty The Queen Consort has been Patron of the Big Lunch since 2013.

The Big Lunch is funded by National Lottery and is the UK’s largest annual community celebration for neighbours and communities bringing millions of people together in a nationwide act of community friendship since 2009 and will again this year kick off the Month of Community in June, a time to come together to celebrate everything that makes our communities great!

It’s an idea from the Eden Project made possible by The National Lottery and is supported by PG Tips, Iceland and The Food Warehouse and the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust.

To apply for the rewards and find out more about the Coronation Big Lunch or Month of Community, go to www.CoronationBigLunch.com

The Coleraine and District Motor Club is delighted to announce this year’s fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 will take place as planned on May 7-13

As has been well documented over the past month, this year’s event had been thrown into jeopardy by a huge increase in the cost of public liability insurance.

A new insurance deal has finally been secured and the crucial intervention of Co.Tyrone businessman, Derek Keys, with a generous donation from his company, Euro Auctions, has ensured the 2023 NW200 can go ahead.

“March 2023 represents the 25th anniversary of Euro Auctions and helping the North West 200 gives us the ideal chance to thank all of those people who have supported us over that 25 year journey.” Mr Keys said.

“The event sees over 195,000 people visit the region and many businesses, both large and small, depend upon events like this to bring trade and prosperity into the North West area. This event is part of our region’s heritage and I am delighted that with a little help from Euro Auctions, the event can now proceed this year.”

“We are very grateful to Derek Keys and Euro Auctions for this very generous support.” the NW200’s Mervyn Whyte, said.

“In the absence of any financial assistance from government, the sport has been left to its own devices to deal with the insurance crisis. Mr Keys intervention has been crucial in saving this year’s North West 200. We also wish to express our gratitude to the many members of the motorcycle racing community who donated so generously to the crowd funding initiative launched by the Motorcycle Union of Ireland, Ulster Centre.”

.”

Bushmills, Co Antrim: Looking for an extra special gift to celebrate with on St. Patrick’s Day?

The Bushmills® Irish Whiskey 10 Year Old Single Malt is an exquisite Irish single malt whiskey that has been triple distilled, matured, married and bottled at the world’s oldest licenced whiskey distillery in Bushmills, Co. Antrim.

Bursting with notes of zesty citrus fruits, honey, milk chocolate and toasted wood, Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt boasts the same unwavering quality renowned by Bushmills whilst its chic design will stand out at any occasion.

Whether it’s straight up, neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail, at the heart of a perfect serve, there is always Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt.​ Below we share one of our most popular cocktail serves which embodies Bushmills’ rich heritage and tradition, coupled with a contemporary and approachable twist.

Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. The Bushmills Way! 🥃

Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt RRP €46 / £32

PATRICK’S WHISKEY SOUR

A guaranteed crowd pleaser to kick off your celebrations this St. Patrick’s Day. Made to sip, savour and enjoy with friends.

Ingredients

• 2 parts Bushmills 10 YO
• 1 part fresh lemon juice
• ½ part sugar syrup
• ½ part egg white

• Few dashes of orange bitters
• 1 part lime juice
• Lemon peel

Method

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10 seconds and strain into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with a lemon peel. Enjoy!

For exclusive news, private events and limited-edition products, join the Bushmills Giant community www.bushmills.eu/bushmills-giants/  

– Family Friendly Events to Take Place on Site at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium From 21st to 24th March 2023 –

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has announced that a number of family friendly events will take place on site from 21st to 24th March, as part of the inaugural Irish Astronomy Week 2023.

The events will include:

Introduction to Astrophotography by Paul Evans, which will take place on 21st March at Armagh Planetarium. In this talk, amateur astronomer and photographer, Paul Evans, will outline basic astrophotography methods and will share a number of his own astrophotos.

He will explain how, thanks to the evolution of modern cameras, astrophotography is no longer the preserve of those with expensive equipment, and how aesthetically pleasing and educational  photographs of the night sky can be taken using fairly basic equipment.

The Look Up! A Spring Night Sky Tour Dome Show will take place on 22^nd and 24^th March at Armagh Planetarium. Suitable for adults and children aged over 8 and produced by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, this 30 minute presenter-led show will take visitors on a seasonal tour around the night sky, as seen from Ireland. The show is ideal for amateur astronomers or those interested in learning about the night sky.

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Library Open Afternoon, a free event which will take place from 2-4pm on 22nd March at Armagh Observatory. The Observatory’s library contains over 4,000 books and over 10,000 journals. During this event, staff and students will be on hand to answer any questions.

This is a drop in session, with exhibitions, displays and experts on hand, visitors will be free to browse, read and peek behind the scenes of the specialist library.

The Star Tracker Evening will take place on 23rd March. Suitable for adults and children aged over 8, this event will include a viewing of the Look Up! Spring Night Sky Dome Show, followed by a telescope workshop and live stargazing with the Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomer Society.

The Staring Into Space PhD Afternoon will take place on 24^th March. It will see visitors join Armagh Observatory and Planetarium’s PhD students for an afternoon of short talks and demonstrations centred around the astronomical tools that they use.

Admission to this event is free.

Themed ‘The Stars for Everyone,’ Irish Astronomy Week 2023 will see events take place indoors and outdoors, right across the island of Ireland, from the 20th to 26th of March 2023. During the week, astronomers of all ages will be able to enjoy the celestial waltz of the crescent Moon as it moves past the bright planets Jupiter, Venus and Mars.

Helen McLoughlin, Senior Education Officer at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, says, “We are delighted to take part in Irish Astronomy Week 2023 and to welcome visitors to the series of events that we will be hosting as part of this important initiative.

“As a leading centre for astronomical research and an advocate of STEM education, we are very much aligned with Irish Astronomy Week 2023’s goals of connecting people with the universe, and promoting an appreciation and understanding of the night sky, along with the ability to enjoy it in a non-intrusive and non-destructive manner.”

To book tickets for these events, visit: https://armaghobservatoryplanetarium.ticketsolve.com

FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME C2C WILL BE ON THE ROAD AND VISITING BELFAST AT THE SSE ARENA IN 2024!

** EARLY BIRD TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY 17TH MARCH AT 10AM **

After another hugely successful festival this year with headliners; Thomas Rhett, Lady A and Zac Brown Band, C2C is delighted to announce that it will return in March 2024 with early bird tickets available on Friday!

C2C festival will return on Friday 8^th to Sunday 10^th March to The O2, London and OVO Hydro, Glasgow but for the very first time C2C will be leaving our friends the 3Arena in Dublin and will be going on the road. In 2024 C2C will visit Northern Ireland at The SSE Arena, Belfast.

Early bird tickets are available from Friday 17 March at 10am

• For Belfast, tickets will be available via ticketmaster.ie
• For London & Glasgow, tickets can be purchased via: gigsandtours.com, www.AXS.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Country to Country has become a staple in the UK festival calendar and has brought country music to the UK and Ireland masses, with tens of thousands of fans attending each year. The festival will bring three days of the best in country music and programming that fans have come to love and expect from the weekend, with performances from the world’s best country stars as well as emerging talent from Nashville, UK and Europe.

The full line-up will be announced later in the year along with more exciting announcements and further news from the festival.

This March 17^th, why not paint the town green and celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Belfast’s Linen Quarter. Fast becoming one of the city’s most vibrant and must visit areas, the district is home to some of the best Irish food, music venues, pubs and nightlife – just a stone’s throw away from Belfast City Hall.

Here’s five ways to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Linen Quarter.

Féile Trad at The Points

Traditional music is the celebration of sound and storytelling, and Linen Quarter is home to a rich music scene which embodies the spirit of Belfast. Visit the Points in the heart of the Dublin Road on March 17^th and enjoy a full day of singing, dancing and great craic!

Family Fun at FLAXX

FLAXX on Brunswick Street is one of Linen Quarter’s newest social spaces – a outdoor hub with seating, performance area and stage, back open just in time for St Patrick’s Day. FLAXX has something for all the family with live music on the day, a BBQ and games area.

Voices of Belfast – St Patrick’s Day Parade

Kicking off at 1.30pm, the annual St Patrick’s Day parade is due to be a colourful display of costumes and musical performances. Why not take in the views from Linen Quarter on Donegal Street South or escape the crowds in the city’s tallest cocktail bar, the Grand Central Observatory.

Raise a Pint at Fibber Magee’s

Based in Robinsons, one of Belfast’s longest running bars, Fibber Magee’s is steeped in Irish tradition and a renowned spot for live music. Pull up a stool on the bank holiday, enjoy a creamy pint of stout and one of their famous Steak and Guinness pies.

Street Food at Trademarket

Bored of Irish stew? In the centre of Linen Quarter you’ll find Trademarket, home to a vast range of tasty street food from around the world, cocktail creations and independent retailers. Just a five-minute walk from City Hall, it’s a hidden gem you’ll definitely want to experience.