The mists of time will descend on Armagh on the last weekend in November for a celebration of the city’s glorious and historic past for the annual Georgian Festival.

A packed schedule of unique events for history buffs, tourists, families and foodies alike, will provide an unforgettable weekend across the city.

Undoubtedly one of the landmark events of 2016 was The Great Georgian Banquet which returns on Friday 24^th November.

A sell-out success last year, the Banquet provides a memorable experience of gastronomy and entertainment in the lavish surroundings of the Archbishop’s Palace. Music and stories of the time will provide a real flavour of Georgian high society and a night guests will cherish and enjoy.

Alderman Gareth Wilson, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, said:

“Armagh’s Georgian Festival is back, bigger and better than before, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors and locals to enjoy all that Ireland’s oldest city can provide as it comes alive in history, folklore and culture.

“Our Festival continues to grow from strength to strength in offer, scope and potential. Whether it is an interest in history, something different to entertain the kids or a unique way to get in that festive spirit, Armagh’s Georgian Festival has something for everyone.”

Visitors can uncover the city’s secrets of Armagh’s stunning Georgian streetscape with walking tours, mock trials in the Courthouse, or a traditional horse and carriage ride around the iconic tree-lined Mall.

Having written extensively on the city, renowned author, historian and BBC broadcaster Dan Cruickshank will provide an insight into Armagh’s architectural heritage in the magnificent surroundings of the Royal School, while The Rokeby Lecture in the Armagh Robinson Library will discuss Gulliver’s Travels, the most widely read book by an Irish author.

For children of all ages, the Festival provides many wonderful ways to be immersed in the wonder of times gone by. The Children’s Christmas Market at the Shambles will have games, storytelling, music, live reindeer and fire performances as night draws in.

‘Georgian Day’ itself on Saturday, 25^th November, will have over 100 merchants and stalls lining the streets with artisan produce and crafted goods including a food village. Living history characters, live music and carol singers will fill the air with festive cheer for expected crowds in excess of 20,000.

Now in its 14^th year, Georgian Day culminates in the unmissable spectacle of the annual Animated Light Show which continues to attract thousands to watch Market House burst into life, transforming it into a shimmering canvas. This year’s ‘Five Gold Rings!’ show promises to be a show to remember.

Why not extend your visit and Georgian experience with an overnight stay in Armagh on Saturday 26 November? Overnight accommodation packages, staying at the Armagh City Hotel or Charlemont Arms Hotel are available to book online via www.armagh.co.uk/georgian.

 

 

The popular Seapark Fireworks event that was due to take place this Saturday (21 October 2917) in Holywood, Co. Down, has been postponed.

The event, which is organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, is unable to go ahead due to the current forecasted weather and has instead been rescheduled for Saturday 4 November (2017).

Event Manager for the Council, Wendy Smith, said:

“I appreciate that the postponement of the event may leave people disappointed.  However, due to the current forecasted weather it would be unsafe to go ahead with our fireworks display – the firm highlight of our annual event.  The Council is committed to delivering this family favourite and we look forward to welcoming crowds to Seapark on the rescheduled date of Saturday 4 November.”

For up-to-date information on the reschedule Seapark Fireworks, and all other council events, go to visitardsandnorthdown.com or call 028 9127 0069.

Come to North Down Museum on Saturday 28 October from 2pm to 4pm for an afternoon of fun at the annual Not So Scary Halloween event.

The brilliant magician Trevor Price who recently won the Irish heat of the UK’s Family Entertainer of the Year Competition, will thrill audiences with his amazing magic shows at 2.15pm and 3.15pm.

Master storyteller Willie Drennan will entertain visitors with his not so scary Halloween stories or kids can try their hands at Halloween crafts or meet some owls and creepy crawlies! Children need to be accompanied by an adult.

Little ones are encouraged to come in fancy dress and face painting is available on the day. Child-friendly Halloween films playing at the Museum throughout the afternoon.

This is a free event although tickets to the magic show will cost £1.

Do check out the Museum’s current exhibitions when visiting including the People and Place in Irish Photography Exhibition. Grab coffee or lunch at the Museum Café. Admission and parking is free to North Down Museum.

For more information, please visit:  www.northdownmuseum.com .

Dust off your witches hats and vampire capes – there are stacks of spooky events taking place across Northern Ireland this Halloween. Discover Northern Ireland has put together 30 things to do for families during half-term (13 October – 5 November). Some events require booking and admission charges may apply, please check details at DiscoverNorthern Ireland.com

 Belfast

1. Belfast Halloween Monster Mash and Fireworks Display, 29 October, 4-7pm. Belfast’s biggest and best Halloween event and fireworks display takes place at The Slipways, Titanic Belfast. Dust off your broomstick for an evening of carnival capers, spooky street theatre, macabre music, wicked workshops and fearsome fire juggling. This year’s theme is Day of the Dead and little ghouls and scary skeletons of all ages can come along in their creepy carnival outfits or monstrous magical ones.
2. Jail of Horror and Ghost Hunt, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, 13-31 October. This year’s Halloween Programme is even bigger with both the ‘Jail of Horror’ and the ‘Paranormal Ghost Hunt’ taking place. The one-of-a-kind ‘Jail of Horror’ tour through Belfast’s oldest prison will offer a terrifying experience and is guaranteed to scare even the bravest of visitors. The Ghost Hunt is a chilling Halloween paranormal experience including real life experiments with paranormal investigating equipment. Book your ticket from CrumlinRoadGaol.com, if you dare.
3. Monster Mash-Up, The MAC, Belfast, 28-31 October. Fun is freaky in the Monster Mash-Up at the MAC this Halloween. Create monster dolls, get messy with eerie eyeballs and monsters’ brains, as well as learning how to create zombie bites with a professional makeup and FX artist. This event is suitable for children aged 4-11 years. To book your place visit TheMacLive.com.
4. Broomstick Belle Spooky Special, Belfast, 28 October. Dress up in your Halloween best for a spooktacular day out. Depart from Belfast Central Station and journey to Whitehead on the Broomstick Belle in a frightfully good steam train trip for all the family. Children with a ticket will receive a Halloween goody bag. To book your tickets phone 028 9024 6609.
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas, Belfast Waterfront, 28 October. It’s all treats and no tricks as this spellbinding Halloween movie magic comes to the Waterfront’s big screen. Arrive early for ghoulish goodies and spooky surprises.
6. Ghosts of Monster Manor, W5, until 5 November. Monster Manor is back, and the singing pumpkins, dancing skeletons, floating ghosts, witches and monsters have been joined by some new phantom friends this year. New rooms have been uncovered in the mansion where new scares await.
7. Boo at the Zoo, Belfast Zoo, 28 October. Dust the cobwebs off your favourite costume and jump on your broomstick to Belfast Zoo for a fang-tastic day of fiendish fun. Your little witches and wizards can enjoy creepy crafts, Mr Hullabaloo’s interactive children’s theatre and the chance to meet a minion and goblin. You can even bring along your own carved pumpkins on the day and watch as the animals tuck into them during the ‘trick or treat’ feeding times.

Derry~Londonderry

8. Derry Halloween, Derry~Londonderry, 28-31 October. On the 31^st anniversary party supernatural beings and the souls of the dead flood into the City of Bones. Highlights include the fantastic ‘Awakening the Walls’ event – light, fire, sculpture, music and performers rouse the walls awake in a supernatural animation trail on and around the city walls, the largest Halloween street carnival parade and costume party in Europe and the marvellous firework finale over the River Foyle.
9. Ghost Bus Tours, Derry~Londonderry, 27-30 October. Experience all types of ghouls and creepy characters as you are taken through the Walled City at the spookiest time of year. Tickets can be booked at the Visit Derry Tourist Information Centre on Foyle Street.
10. Limavady Halloween Celebrations, Friday 27 October. A lantern parade will leave from the LCDI at 5pm, proceeding along the Ballyquin Road and down the Roemill Road to finish at the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Firework Display. Entertainment from 7pm and a fancy dress competition before the fireworks at 8.15pm.
11. Halloween Happenings in Coleraine, Saturday 28 October, 3-9pm. There will be enjoyment for all the family when Rugby Avenue Playing Fields light up with a fun fair, outdoor concert from the group Curve and creepy characters mingling with the crowds. Fire Poi will amaze with their feats of daring and the children can compete in a fancy dress competition. The evening finishes with a spectacular fireworks display.

County Antrim

12. Ghosts in the Glens Storytelling Festival, 19-22 October. A four-day celebration of the rich traditions of storytelling and music in the Glens of Antrim. Listeners of all ages will be welcome at venues in Glenariffe, Cushendall, Cushendun, Ballycastle and Rathlin Island. As well as evening concerts featuring fine storytelling and music there will be special highlights such as “Ghosts on the Coast”, a storytelling boat trip to the magical Rathlin Island.
13. Howling Halloween Pool Party, Lisburn, 27 October, 6-9pm. Enjoy a spooktacular splash for all the family at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, featuring Captain Jack Sparrow and Ariel, the Little Mermaid. Enjoy the thrills and spills of the water rides and frightful flumes or float along the mysterious lazy river. Bring your little mermaids and pirates in fancy dress and take part in face painting, games and giveaways.
14. Ballymoney Halloween Extravaganza, Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, 27 October, from 6.30pm. Dust off your broomstick and dress up your little monsters for a mini fun fair, creepy characters and spinning fire dancers, followed by an explosive fireworks display.
15. Witches Walk, Dark Hedges Estate, Ballymoney, 27-31 October. Children 12 and under can join the Good Witches of Gracehill as they make their way along a trail around the enchanted Fairy Forest. Every participant will receive a food/drink voucher and a special prize at the end of their journey. £6 per child, book online.

County Armagh

16. Ghostly Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh, 28 October. With the season of Halloween creeping over the Ring of Gullion the creatures of Slieve Gullion are beginning to awaken. Explore this magical forest trail if you dare as it is riddled with the Gullion’s witch, Calliagh Berra’s servants and underlings. Tours run from 12-4pm. Hotel Transylvania is also being shown from 12pm, tickets cost £5 and are available at the door.
17. Little Spooks, Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh, 28-31 October. ‘Vera Courage’, Vampire Hunter, needs your help. She is looking for Dracula and thinks she has found the location of his Haunted Castle. Will you help her in her quest by joining in the adventure? Booking essential.
18. Halloween Crafts & Games Club, Armagh, 30-31 October, 10am-4pm. Let children unleash their inner artist creating amazing Halloween crafts at the excellent Halloween Craft & Games Club at the Palace Stables. For 5-12-year-olds, with a fully supervised lunch.

County Down

19. Ulster Folk & Transport Museum Halloween Family Festival, Cultra, 31 October. Celebrate the ancient festival of Halloween with a range of traditional activities. Come dressed to scare as you embark on a mysterious adventure through the museum’s misty rural dwellings and dark train carriages. Visitors can play traditional Halloween apple games, carve your own family turnip lantern, see the creepy crawlies show and sample seasonal traditional fayre.
20. Phantom Flyer Ghost Train, Downpatrick, 28-31 October. There is something strange coming to the Downpatrick & County Down Railway this Halloween. If you are brave enough to visit a graveyard on Halloween, join Merlin the Great Wizard on his haunted grotto train. On Halloween night there will also be a fireworks display after the last train in Downpatrick Town Centre. Tickets available from DownRail.co.uk.
21. Castle Espie Spellbound Festival, Comber, Co. Down, 29-31 October. Three days of monstrous fun this Halloween at Castle Espie. Events include Karl Mantella’s Zoo-2-You Roadshow, the Jump, Jiggle and Jive Broomstick Disco, face painting, the Halloween Horrors Trail on the reserve, Halloween crafts and storytelling.
22. Hallowtides Carnival Parade, Newcastle, 31 October. Newcastle will be bustling with spooky characters as they prepare for the 2017 parade with creative costumes, floats and live music. The first floats leave the grounds of the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa at 6.30pm, parading down Main Street towards the festival stage.
23. Pirate Ghost Ship Party, Exploris Aquarium, Portaferry, 28-31 October. The sunken pirate ship has risen from its watery depths this Halloween and the pirate ghosts are running wild at Exploris Aquarium. Come dressed in your scariest costume and chase these pesky ghoulish pirates back on to their ship.
    

 

County Fermanagh

24. Enniskillen Halloween Fireworks Display, 31 October. Enjoy a ‘Superhero Spooktacular’ with fancy dress, fireworks and superheroes at the OASIS Plaza, Omagh from 6pm and the Broadmeadow, Enniskillen from 7pm.
25. Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on the Inishcruiser, Lisnaskea, 30 October, 2.30pm. Follow the White Rabbit to Share Discovery Village. Jump aboard the Inishcruiser for a mischievous tea party cruise with the Mad Hatter and his crew. Perfect for Little Hatters and Alice’s alike – under 12s recommended. Halloween games, fancy dress encouraged, balloon modelling. £10 per person, booking essential.
26. Halloween Fest at Florence Court, Enniskillen, 30 October. Follow the spider’s trail around the estate, looking out for some creepy crawlies along the way. Pop by the Witches Brew to fill up on our magic potion to warm your bones and if you feel brave enough, take a spooky tour of the basement rooms at Florence Court to find out what kind of ghosts and ghouls are lurking. 12-4pm, normal admission rates apply.

 

County Tyrone

27. Halloween Panto: Sleepy Hollow, Strabane, 26-28 October. The Arts Academy are proud to present to The Alley Arts & Conference Centre this year’s pantomime for a spooktacular Halloween. Arts academy students combine with talent from Tyrone, Derry and Donegal to produce a fantastic show of Sleepy Hollow fit for all ages. Tickets available from Alley-Theatre.com.
28. Walking With Shadows, An Creagan, Omagh, 28 October. Family friendly arts and craft activities entail as part of this event. Discover light and shadow installations as you walk with your handmade lantern through An Creagan forest.
29. Halloween Ghost Train at Peatlands Park, Dungannon, 28 October. Would you dare to ride the Peatlands Ghost Train? Just turn up on the night, tickets will be available at the Visitor Centre. Adults £3, little ghouls £2, under-5s go free.
30. Half-term Halloween Fest, The Argory, Dungannon, 26 October – 1 November, 12-4pm. Dust off your broomsticks and capes and freaky faces to visit The Argory for a Halloween trail, magic wand making, pumpkin carving and face painting.

 

 

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit  www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.

Due to popular demand, family favourites Theatre Lovett are once again touring Ireland with the upbeat comedy-adventure They Called Her Vivaldi.

 

Performing at MAC Belfast – 30 October 6pm, 31 October 11am & 5pm

https://themaclive.com

For schools and families ages 7+ and adults of all ages.

The tour culminates at the Irish National Theatre on the Peacock Stage, 30 November – 23 December 2017.

“Theatre Lovett, one of the most imaginative and indispensable companies at work today.”
 The Irish Times 2016

Judges Special Award nominee Irish Times Theatre Awards 2017.

About the show:

A sensitive musical-prodigy makes a quiet name for herself in a cacophonous world. As our young heroine journeys over cobblestones and canals, we learn about love, loss, the place of salt in our diet and the courage to lose our footing without losing our way.

This acclaimed production was selected from 100’s of performances for young audiences to showcase in the USA at IPAY (International Performing Arts for Youth) in January 2017 and will undertake an extensive US tour in 2019.

The production stars the inimitable Louis Lovett, Ireland’s most experienced and critically acclaimed performer for young audiences and well known on the adult stage. Renowned for his natural, playful ability to entertain, engage and enthral, Louis most recently starring in ‘Dublin By Lamplight’ with Corn Exchange and ‘The Train’ with Rough Magic both at The Abbey Theatre.

About Theatre Lovett: 

Theatre Lovett produce work for all ages, both child and adult, young and old, chicken and egg.  Artist Directors Muireann Ahern and Louis Lovett believe that children and young people can enjoy and understand theatre that does not pretend the adult world is anything other than a complex and occasionally dark place where we must make moral choices for ourselves as individuals. THEATRE LOVETT WANT TO BRING MORE THEATRE TO MORE CHILDREN, MORE OFTEN, touring in Ireland and raising the bar for international touring of Irish theatre for young audiences.

Creative team:

Written by Louis Lovett

Co-Directed by Muireann Ahern and Carl Kennedy

Starring Julie Maguire and Louis Lovett

Set and Lighting Design by Zia Holly | Costume Design by Liadain Kaminska | Music Composed by Carl Kennedy| Prop Maker and Scenic Artist Molly O’Cathain | Produced by Muireann Ahern and Jeanine MacQuarrie

Supported by Arts Council Touring.

 

 

There are no tricks, but plenty of treats in store when Cookstown hosts its major Halloween event later this month, with plenty of fireworks, food and fun on offer.

Mid Ulster Sports Arena will host the fun on Saturday 28th October from 5.30pm when hundreds of people are expected to gather to enjoy some scary antics at Mid Ulster Sports Arena Cookstown, before the grand finale fireworks extravaganza at 8pm that will brighten up the dark skies into a fantastic fanfare of colour and lights.

Children can get ghoulishly creative at the Halloween themed arts and crafts station, listen to storytelling by Winifred the witch, be amazed by the fire performers, have a spin in the Vortex Tunnel and get to meet our spooktastic Halloween characters throughout the evening.  Children will also be able to burn off some wicked energy at the climbing wall, krazy karts and caterpillar train.  There will also be music, face painting and lots more to help keep your little monsters entertained. If you get hungry, there’ll be a wide range of food stalls offering sweet and savoury tempting treats.

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Kim Ashton is looking forward to an action-packed weekend of Halloween activities in Mid Ulster. “Mid Ulster has everything anyone could want this Halloween- and much more – including spectacular fireworks displays in Cookstown, sure to thrill and entertain the crowds. With lots of other frightening and fun activities taking place across the district over the weekend it promises to be a truly haunting and hair-raising Halloween!”

Those attending the fireworks are advised to arrive early for parking and viewing.  On the night please be aware of the traffic system in place. People attending the event will gain access only from Mid Ulster Sports Arena so don’t forget to wrap up warm! Car parking is available at Loughry College.

The event is being organised by Mid Ulster District Council and admission is free. For more information on the event contact the Mid Ulster Sports Arena on 028 8676 7135.

To find out what other Halloween events are taking place throughout Mid Ulster including firework displays in Coalisland, Dungannon and Maghera visit www.midulstercouncil.org/halloween

PIC CAP: Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Cllr. Kim Ashton is put under the spell of Halloween in Cookstown!

Pulled is coming to Theatre at The Mill for ONE NIGHT ONLY!

On Thursday 12 October Be sure not to miss this utterly hilarious new comedy as it passes through Newtownabbey on its National Tour!

There is no such thing as the walk of shame! PULLED is an uncompromising comedy drama about female sexuality and the social media generation from one of the most exciting and authentic new voices in Irish theatre, Niamh Moroney.

Meet Amanda and Michelle as they retrace their drink-fueled steps from the night before through a trail of Twitter, Facebook and selfies and tackle such existential questions as How did I get here? Did I pull? Hungover, emotional and gloriously unapologetic, these two man-eating young wans strut their stuff in front of their imagined social media audience, in a performance that pushes buttons and boundaries… until Michelle finds herself maybe-possibly-probably in need of the morning after pill, and they’re reminded that there’s a price to be paid.

Tickets for Pulled are available from Box Office on T: 028 9034 0202 or online on theatreatthemill.com

Ulster University Music department is delighted to present Cassandra Wilson, an American jazz musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Jackson, Mississippi.

 

Cassandra has for a long time been regarded as the finest jazz singer in the world, having sold millions of records on the Blue Note label, but is also known for attracting audiences from a broad spectrum of musical genres.

She began playing piano at six, guitar by the age of twelve and was working as a vocalist by the mid 70’s, singing a wide variety of material.   After moving to New York City in the early 80’s, Cassandra met saxophonist Steve Coleman and became one of the founding members of the M-Base Collective.  At the completion of her stint with M-Base, Cassandra sought a more acoustic context for her vocal expression. She signed with Blue Note Records in 1992 and released a landmark album titled “Blue Light Til Dawn” which paved the way for a new generation of jazz singers seeking an approach and repertoire that challenged the supremacy of the American Standard songbook.

Wilson has continued interpreting in fresh and creative jazz, vintage blues, country and folk music up until the present day. Her awards include: two Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 1997 (New Moon Daughter) and 2009 (Loverly), the Django D’Or, The Edison Music Award, and a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail. She also performed one of the leading roles in Wynton Marsalis’ “Blood on the Fields,” the first jazz work to receive a Pulitzer Prize.

More recently joining forces with the prestigious label, Legacy, a subsidiary of Sony Music. Her latest project, Coming Forth By Day, was released on the 100th anniversary of Billie Holiday’s birth April 7, 2015.

The band members are as follows:Cassandra Wilson – VocalsDeirdre Ni Bhrolchain – VocalsDavid O’Rourke & Brandon Ross – GuitarLonnie Plaxico – BassLewis Nass – DrumsPaul Dunlea – Trombone

Little Spooks at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh is perfect Halloween fun for all the family!

Our world famous Vampire hunter needs your help! She is looking for Dracula and thinks she has found the location of his Vampire Castle! Help her in her quest and be brave as we come face to face with Dracula.

Have you the courage to visit the Potion Pad? This is where witches create evil potions and brews in their cauldrons. Our witch has lost her book of spells and cannot remember the Witches Brew recipe! Can you help our hapless Witch?

Your walk will also take you to an old shack, near the murky marsh of Navan. The occupier of this shack is an old storyteller who is prepared to put Halloween shivers up your spine with Spooky Halloween tales!

Running from Saturday 28th – Tuesday 31st October, this is an event not to be missed. Booking is essential on www.armagh.co.uk/littlespooks

For further information contact Navan Centre & Fort, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh BT60 4LD Tel + (0) 44 2837 529644 navan@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Mike Denver and Special Guest Caitlin Murtagh take to the stage at Theatre at The Mill on Thursday 19 October.

 

One of Ireland’s most popular singers Mike Denver has once again had a recent sell out nationwide tour at concert venues North and South, this latest tour will no doubt be the same.

The ‘Galway Boy’ is getting more popular as each year passes. His show is an excellent mix of Mike Denver Hits, Country Classics and middle of the road hits. With his excellent band and a super stage show this promises to be a fantastic night of entertainment.

Special guest Caitlin Murtagh is one of the most respected and talented ‘Country’ singers on the music scene and is currently touring Ireland and the UK. Caitlin has won numerous Top Female Vocalist ‘Country Music Awards’ and presents her own one hour ‘Music Show’

Tickets for this great evening of music are available from Box Office T: 028 9034 0202 or online www.theatreathemill.com.