Category: Pick of the Week

Our Pick of What’s On in NI this week/weekend!

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Renowned as the premier Irish Literature Festival in Northern Ireland, the Aspects Irish Literature Festival 2012 will take place from 26th – 30th September in various venues around Bangor AND for Music and Guitar lovers, this weekend is the 16th Ards International Guitar Festival from 27th – 30th September. See www.ardsguitarfestival.co.uk.

Tyrone

The Hill of The O’Neill Dungannon will be alive on 29th and 30th September with the Taste of Tyrone Food Festival. County Tyrone was the first place in Northern Ireland to establish a Good Food Circle – this County food festival helps to promote the high standards of local produce and fine dining. Set your taste buds alight at this fantastic two-day food event. Forty local food producers will be laying out their wares with taste kitchens, cooking demonstrations, butter churning, apple pressing and a range of other food crafts and food theatre.

Fermanagh

Keeping it ‘Rail’! – A weekend of events to celebrate Fermanagh’s railway heritage.  Thursday 27th – Saturday 29th Sept – 3 day vintage Steam Traction run from Bundoran to Enniskillen stopping off at all the railway stations along the way with special evening events in Bundoran (Wed), Belleek (Thurs), Irvinestown (Friday) and Enniskillen (Sat).  Two vintage steam traction engines will be taking part and an opportunity will be provided for former railway employees to help drive and fire the engines as they travel from station to station.

Derry

The Vale Craft and Gift Fair takes place on Sunday 30th September Clooney Road, Greysteel.  A great event not to be missed!! Come along and see crafters displaying their goods and gifts – building up a craft mecca for their customers. There will also be music, refreshments, handcrafted products and gifts! For the kids there will be face painting and balloon modelling. Admission 50p – kids go free!

Armagh

If you go down to the woods today you’re sure to get a surprise…a curious young girl, a picnic in the woods, domesticated bears and lots and lots of porridge!  Goldilocks and the Three Bears – a well loved classic told in an imaginative and gentle way, through the use of puppetry, storytelling and theatre. A perfect introduction to theatre for young audiences aged three to seven years. Saturday 29th September at the Market Place Theatre Armagh.

Antrim

The Chinese  Mid-Autumn Festival takes place in Belfast this Thursday 27th September.  The festival highlight will be a lantern parade starting at City Hall, passing along Chichester Street, up Victoria Street, into Oxford Street and then to the River Lagan behind the Waterfront Hall were there will be an array of colourful water lanterns released onto the river.  Join the lantern parade at City Hall or make your way down to the back of the Waterfront for free Chinese Crafts and launch your own lotus flower lantern into the river.  Behind the Waterfront there will be performances from the Open Arts Choir, Beat N Drum as well as fire breathing acts, Dragon Dancing and more.

Our Pick of What’s On in NI this week/weekend!

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Footloose – The 1984 all dancing musical movie classic will be shown on a big screen in Dromore Town Park on Friday 21 September 2012.  Both young and old of Banbridge District are guaranteed to love this toe tapping, feel-good film. Come and watch the rebellious dance moves of Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer and John Lithgow as they shake up their sleepy American town, as the screen comes alive at this free event organised by Banbridge District Council. So get your dancing shoes ready it’s time to lose your blues and cut footloose!

Tyrone

On Friday 21st September 2012 more than 29 towns, cities, counties and islands across the island of Ireland will take part in Culture Night 2012. One day and one evening of free culture for people of all ages and interests. Strabane are getting involved with poetry readings, live music, art workshops, dance and  open mic night.

Fermanagh

Belle Isle Cookery School is delighted to announce an exclusive ‘Evening with Jenny Bristow’ on Thursday 20th Sept 2012. The cookery demonstration will take place in the Grand Hall of Belle Isle castle, where Jenny will prepare some of her autumn favourites, using produce from the walled garden at the cookery school. The cookery demonstration evening will start at 7.30pm, where everyone will be greeted with a glass of wine and a copy of all the recipes. There will be an opportunity to taste all of the dishes at the end, as well as a chance to ask Jenny for any extra tips in the kitchen.

Derry/Londonderry

Sharpen your pencils, grab your schoolbag and come along to the Roe Valley Arts Centre’s school themed storytelling and crafts session in Limavady TIC this Saturday 22nd September to celebrate the new school term! Hear some of our favourite school stories and enjoy making a surprise to bring to school on Monday! For age group 3-8 years old.

Armagh

Culture Night 2012 is coming to Armagh on Friday 21st September. Over 15 venues are opening their doors for over 50 FREE cultural events to provide a night of free entertainment and showcase some cultural gems.  Why not come along and enjoy some free performances, events, talks and tours.  Some of the events on the night include: Variety Showcase, Exhibitions, Workshops, Living History, Music, Storytelling,  Art & Crafts, Demonstrations, Dancing, Food Sampling, Walking Trails and much more……

Antrim

Vintage fever will be taking Lisburn by storm on 22nd September when Northern Ireland’s favourite fashion and lifestyle event, the fabulous Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fair, will be visiting the City for the first time. Boasting a line up of around 40 Irish vintage dealers and creative designers offering a fantastic array of vintage and handmade fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares, collectables, sweet treats and much more – it’s the hottest shopping destination to find the coolest stuff on the planet for your wardrobe and home.  Relax and revive in the pop-up tearoom run by The Tea Boutique NI, with scrumptious delights of afternoon tea served on pretty vintage china with a dollop of good old fashioned service on the side.  This Frock Around The Clock event will run from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 22nd September 2012 at Castle House (opposite Castle Gardens) on Castle Street Lisburn. FREE ADMISSION!

Our pick of family friendly events to look out for this weekend!

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Check out this week’s pick of family events for the coming weekend – also available in the Parenting section of the Irish News, every Tuesday!

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The 11th Festival of the Peninsula will take place from 12th to 16th September when the Ards Peninsula will spring to life with music, songs and stories. Concerts and events organised throughout the Borough will celebrate the heritage and culture of the Ulster-Scots and Celtic traditions found in the Ards.  The festival features both traditional and contemporary artists mainly from Ireland and Scotland but with the rest of the world not totally excluded.   Relax, experience the breath-taking scenery, marvel at our heritage and be entertained. The highlight of this year’s festival will be an open air concert at Mount Stewart on Saturday 15th September.

Tyrone

Naomh Pádraig G.A.A Club Lifford  present a Fashion Show at the Alley Theatre on Friday 14th September.  Fun for all the family as members, supporters and retailers will display their products and skills while providing entertainment and presenting upcoming fashion for the season.

Fermanagh

Take the Fermanagh Castle Bus Tour on Saturday September 15th – visit all of the beautiful castles in County Fermanagh including Portora Castle, Monea Castle, Tully Castle, McGrath Castle Pettigo, Crevenish Castle, Castle Archdale, Enniskillen Castle. Tour departs 9am Enniskillen and returns at 5pm. Lunch is included at the Mayfly Inn, Kesh.

Derry

Country singer and yodeller Kenny Archer is the real deal, a genuine down to earth country singer with his feet firmly rooted in the mid Ulster farming community he comes from.  Join Kenny, his band and friends in the Faulkner Memorial Hall Tobermore on Saturday 15th September, as they bring you back to the early days of country when artistes like Slim Whitman, Marty Robbins, Gene Autry, Loretta Lynn, Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Locklin, Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline ruled the airwaves.

Armagh

The Emerald Garrison’s amazing Heroes & Legends event is coming to Armagh Planetarium on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th September 2012.  This amazing family event is one not to be missed.  Meet and have your picture taken with some iconic costumed characters and see the amazing fan built sets and props from some of the biggest movies and television series including Ghostbusters, Dr Who, Star Trek, Batman, Aliens and Harry Potter. Come dressed up as your favourite character, the best costume will win a star prize! Opening hours: 10am – 5pm.

Antrim

Sunday sees the return of the hugely popular Quirky Weddings Alternative Wedding Fair – this time at the Waterfront Hall! Meet with approx 80 exhibitors who can help you inject your personality into your wedding celebration.  The Quirky Team strive to bring you creative people who are passionate about what they do.  This event is about exploring new ideas and finding wedding things you LOVE. With something for everyone but especially couples who don’t feel they fit the ‘traditional’ image of a wedding.

12 THINGS TO DO IN NORTHERN IRELAND NEXT WEEK

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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 10 – 16).

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

  • Walking with Dinosaurs, Odyssey Arena, Belfast, September 14 – 16.  Tyrannosaurus Rex and his awe-inspiring life size pals return to stalk UK and Ireland shores once more as these pre-historic giants get set to astound, thrill and educate a brand new generation.
  • Ulster Orchestra: Russian Romance, Ulster Hall, Belfast, September 14.  Principal Conductor JoAnn Falletta opens the new season with a concert of three great Russian masters.     
  • Fermanagh Castles Bus Tour, departing at 9am, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, September 15.  A bus tour of the beautiful castles in Co. Fermanagh including Portora Castle, Tully Castle and Castle Archdale.  Lunch in the Mayfly Inn is included.   
  • Family Garden Workshop, Mount Stewart House and Garden, Newtownards, Co. Down, September 15.  The last in our series of monthly garden workshops with something for the whole family to enjoy and great ideas on seasonal and topical issues to try out at home.
  • Artspace, Oxford Island Nature Reserve, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, September 15.  Come along and gain an insight into the working progress of the artists-in-residence and ask questions about their work.
  • September Morn, Divis Mountain to Colin Glen trek, Belfast, September 15.  Enjoy a good, hearty trek across the roof of Belfast city.  A robust trek to suit seasonal walkers.   
  • A Celebration of Irish Rock, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, September 15.  A celebration of Irish rock with Harry Hamilton and guests as they pay homage to the musical heritage of Ireland and the music that has rocked the world from Van Morrison to Thin Lizzy and Snow Patrol.  
  • Castlerock Walking Festival, Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House, Co. Londonderry, September 15 – 16.  A walking festival with guided walks over various terrains to suit a range of abilities. 
  • Autumn Fair, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, September 15 – 16.  Enjoy a weekend of food, flowers and family fun at one of the most beautiful gardens in the city with everything from live music to stalls on offer.  
  • Dunlap Broadside, Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, until September 21.  A rare copy of the text of the Declaration of Independence, on loan from The National Archives at Kew, London, has gone on display for the first time in Northern Ireland.    
  • FLAGS, the Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim, until November 4.  FLAGS by Hans Peter Kuhn is an art installation embedded in the dramatic landscape of the Giant’s Causeway which sees a series of flags randomly positioned along the banks of the cliff face that rotate freely in the wind.
  • Great NI Walk, various venues across Northern Ireland, until November 4.  Discover the great Northern Ireland countryside and green spaces with over 15 specially organised walking events this autumn.     

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