There’s something fishy going on in Banbridge on Friday 7 October when Nemo, Marlin and Dory make a splash on the big screen with a free outdoor screening of the family favourite Finding Nemo in Solitude Park at 7pm.

This animated aquatic adventure follows the comedic and eventful journeys of the fretful Marlin and his young son Nemo, who are separated from each other in the Great Barrier Reef when Nemo is unexpectedly taken by a fish collecting scuba diver and thrust into a tank in a dentist’s office overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Buoyed by the companionship of a friendly but forgetful fish named Dory, the overly cautious Marlin embarks on a treacherous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic journey to rescue his son. Meanwhile, the young Nemo hatches a few daring plans of his own to return home safely.

Will Marlin safely find his way to Sydney? Will Nemo resist the clutches of Darla the dentist’s dastardly niece? To find out don’t be like Dory and put a reminder in your diary for Friday 7 October at 7pm in Solitude Park!

To add to the cinema experience local food outlet Captain Cooks will be offering a host of hot and tasty treats throughout the event.  Other refreshments available include ice-cream, pop-corn, sweets, soft drinks, tea and coffee.  So pack a comfy cushion and a cosy blanket and settle down to enjoy a free movie night under the stars at Solitude Park.

For further information contact Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council on 028 4066 0609 or go to the council website at www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk or check www.facebook.com/armaghbanbridgecraigavon

This year’s Hallowe’en celebrations in Derry and Strabane promise to be “Out of this World” when the City and District throws a party like no other as it celebrates 30 years of being spooktacular.

The official “Best Hallowe’en Destination in the world” is gearing itself up for the best celebration yet with a packed programme of events and activities for revellers of all ages to enjoy and participate in.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, speaking at the launch of the City of Bones Hallowe’en programme for Derry~Londonderry and Strabane said this year’s festival programme has lots to offer.

She commented: “This year we have a fantastic line up of events and activities for everyone to enjoy. We are expecting an influx of visitors and in particular young families coming to the City and District looking to enjoy our unique Hallowe’en experience and to be part of our world famous Hallowe’en celebrations. A lot of work goes into the festival every year and Derry City and Strabane District Council is delighted to have a programme of events that includes street animation, storytelling, tours and trails, street markets and lots of spooktacular happenings, for the entire community to enjoy,” she commented.

Among the key highlights of the festival include a welcome return of the Awakening of the Walls when the ancient City Walls will come to life with music, animation and light, creating a realm of fantasy fire and flame from Friday 28 to Sunday 30^th October from 6-8pm each night.

Other highlights include spooky Gothic organ recitals at the Guildhall on the evening of Sunday 30 October, terrifying haunted tours at the Tower Museum, Weird and Wonderful Witches Tales at the Guildhall, a Hallowe’en panto at Strabane’s Alley Theatre, Monstrous Halloween workshops and Stotytelling at Strabane Community Library and family entertainment including mask making workshops and arts and crafts at the Craft Village.

New to this year is a Made in Derry Halloween focused food tour on Saturday 29 October from 12-4pm where you can adorn your favourite Halloween costume and eat and drink your way around the city centre and sample delights from over 30 different food and drink producers and venues.

On Hallowe’en night Monday 31 October, both Derry and Strabane will host an evening of fun and entertainment when the City of Bones Street Carnival Parade will make its way along Derry’s Queen’s Quay from 7pm followed by a fabulous Fireworks Finale at 8pm, while in Strabane, the Upper Main Street car park will be transformed into a family friendly fun area from 7-8.30pm and a fireworks display over the River Mourne at 8pm.

Jacqueline Whoriskey is the Council’s Festival and Events Manager. She says preparations are at an advanced stage for this year’s festival with Council pulling out all the stops to make sure the 30^th anniversary of the festival is truly special for the people of Derry~Londonderry and Strabane.

“Preparations are well underway and we are delighted to have up to 600 carnival participants taking part in workshops and rehearsals for the Carnival Parade.  The “Out of this World” theme encourages people to be creative and think outside the box for their costumes and we are really looking forward to seeing some magical creations and designs taking part. We are delighted with the variety of the programme and the fact that cultural venues, shops and theatres in both Derry and Strabane have come up trumps in terms of organising events and activities to complement our festival,” she added.

Other highlights happening in and around the Council area over the Hallowe’en holidays include the Castlederg Apple Fair, Hallowe’en Fun Fair at Ebrington and a horror movie week at the Nerve Centre, as well as treasure hunts and spooky bat and ghost tours at Creggan Country Park while the Riverwatch Aquarium will play host to a series of fantastic ghoulish events including a Shark Night and a Barn Owl Prowl. Gray’s Printing Press in Strabane will host an day of Bewitching Tales while Trick or Treat tours will leave from the Alley Theatre and the Riversdale Leisure Centre will host a Hallowe’en Pool Disco.

To find out more about all the events taking place in the City of Bones in the run up to and during Hallowe’en check out the full programme at www.derrystrabane.com/halloween

The largest showcase of humour in Ireland celebrates its 5^th birthday with another top line-up of comedic talent taking to the boards during 28 September to 9 October.

This year’s 12-day festival features headline performances from Tim McGarry (2 Oct, Lyric Theatre), the award-winning Trygve Wakenshaw (7 Oct, The Mac), and the hit production of Two Sore Legs (3-8 Oct, Grand Opera House).

As part of its international programing, the festival also welcomes four top Australian comedians – Sam Simmons (29 Sept, Black Box) Sarah Kendall (6 Oct, Black Box), Damian Clark (5 Oct, Laverys) and Bec Hill (8 Oct, the Mac).

Other highlights include Jenny Eclair and the Horne Section, six experimental comedy theatre productions, three events especially for kids; a walking tour, a cartoon exhibition and even some Laughter Yoga.

Peter O’Neill, Festival Director, said: “We’re very pleased to be celebrating our 5th year with such a high quality and diverse bill that includes award winning comedians, spoken word, theatre, sketch shows, talks and workshops. There’s over 60 performances right across the city, with 13 events giving audiences the opportunity to catch some amazing new and emerging local talent for free.”

Schools throughout the Limavady area have been participating in a fantastic creative arts project to celebrate peace, supported by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Part of the national Peace Pledges project initiated by Reverend David Latimer, the schools are creating their very own collaborative peace bunting which will be permanently displayed at the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady.

Reverend Latimer has inspired schools across Northern Ireland to write their own unique pledge to peace and encouraged many local councils to develop the project by helping the schools create a lasting artwork illustrating their pledges.

Limavady area primary and secondary schools have each created colourful bunting, featuring their written peace pledge above wonderful self-portraits created by participating pupils.

Speaking at the project launch at the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre on September 20th, Councillor George Duddy of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, stated: “We are delighted that pupils from schools throughout our Council area and beyond are engaging in this project, devising their own pledges for peace and respect between local citizens of all backgrounds. We have been following Reverend Latimer’s exciting initiative and are happy to support this work through our Good Relations Programme this year. We cannot underestimate the important role that young people have to play in helping to build a more peaceful future here.”

Desima Connolly, Arts & Cultural Officer and Centre Manager at Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre said: “It has been a pleasure to involve all 24 of the local schools and over 1000 pupils in this wonderful project in partnership with Good Relations. We are looking forward to exhibiting the stunning, colourful peace bunting which is testimony to our young people’s dedication to a peaceful future.”

The Peace Flags are now on view at the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre.

For further information on the project, contact 028 7776 0650 or visit www.roevalleyarts.com

Thursday 29 September

29 September – 1 October, Martin Donnelly Trophy

Adults £15, accompanied minors free

The final Kirkistown car race meeting of the year highlights Formula Ford with the Martin Donnelly Trophy taking centre stage.

Info: See visitardsandnorthdown.com or call (028) 4277 1325

This event is grant aided by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Friday 30 September – Thursday 5 October

Until 1 October, Martin Donnelly Trophy

Adults £15, accompanied minors free

The final Kirkistown car race meeting of the year highlights Formula Ford with the Martin Donnelly Trophy taking centre stage.

Info: See visitardsandnorthdown.com or call (028) 4277 1325

This event is grant aided by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Friday 30 September, Friday Night Live with Paul Casey

Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square in Newtownards

Irish songwriter, guitarist and singer Paul Casey

Starts 8pm, Tickets £6

Info and booking: 028 9181 0803

Tickets now on sale for…

Guided Tours: Tea with the Lord

Ballywalter Park House, Ballywalter

Embrace this superb opportunity to visit this beautiful stately home of the Dunleath family for over 150 years.

Become a member of the gentry for the afternoon as the affable Lord Dunleath guides you around his remarkable home and joins you for a chat over tea and scones, in the historic conservatory.

2pm – 5.30pm

Tickets £18 Ad, £9 Ch (under 14). Tickets include a light refreshment.

Info and Booking: visitardsandnorthdown.com, (028) 9182 6846

Wednesday 26 October, Guided Walk: Halloween Walking Tour

Conway Square, Newtownards

Discover the ghosts and ghouls of Newtownards

Departs 7.30pm

Tickets £6 Ad, £4 Ch

Info and Booking: visitardsandnorthdown.com, (028) 9182 6846

Halloween in Ards and North Down

Info: visitardsandnorthdown.com, T: (028) 9127 0069 / (028) 9182 6846

Saturday 22 October, Seapark Fireworks

Holywood

Fun, food and a fireworks finale

4pm – 9pm

FREE

Wednesday 26 October, Halloween Walking Tour

Conway Square, Newtownards

Discover the ghosts and ghouls of Newtownards

7.30pm

(Adult £6 / Child £4)

Saturday 29 October, Ghostly Grey Abbey

The Abbey, Grey Abbey

Halloween themed food, drinks, tours and activities

5pm – 9pm

FREE

Sunday 30 October, Halloween Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport

Creepy creatures, crafts and traditional music

1pm – 4pm

FREE

Exhibitions

Exhibition: NI’s Landscape and Wildlife Photography

Until Wednesday 28 September

The Loft Gallery, Portaferry VIC, BT 22 1NZ

Photographer Donny Moore presents a collection of captivating images of NI’s wildlife and landscape in this free to visit exhibition.

Info: (028) 4272 9882, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Exhibition: Ebb and Flow

Until  Saturday 1 October

Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards

An exhibition by North Armagh Arts Collective.

Info: (028) 9181 0803, ardsarts.com

Exhibition: The Irene Sendler Window

Until  Saturday 1 October

Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards

David Esler worked with a group of ex service personnel, nurses and older people who experienced the conflict in N Ireland to create the Irene Sendler Window.

Info: (028) 9181 0803, ardsarts.com

Exhibition: Meet the Maker ‘Nature’s Treasures’

Saturday 1 October – Saturday 29 October

The Space Gallery, Ards Crafts, 31 Regent Street, Newtownards

An exhibition of Jewellery design by Newtownards-based Gillian Downing.

Info: (028) 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Northern Ireland has a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for the perfect short break and Tourism NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

• Cuanton Abbey, The Cuan, Co. Down, from £75pps. Nestled in the centre of the conservation village of Strangford on the shores at Strangford Lough, close to beaches, The Cuan is a family owned and run establishment. Robin will be your butler for the evening, meeting, greeting and seating, then directing service for the entire evening. Enjoy this insight to the 19th century aristocratic dining of a Lord’s stately home.  Offer valid 8^th – 9^th October only. Subject to availability. To book call (028) 44 881222.

• Cocktail Cab and City Lights, Stormont Hotel, Belfast, from £50pps. On the edge of Belfast City sits a hotel with an edge all of its own. A contemporary edge. Enjoy the best of both worlds on a Friday night stay at the Stormont Hotel with the ‘Cocktail, Cab and City Lights’ offer. Enjoy a cocktail upon arrival and then take a taxi ride into Belfast City Centre to enjoy the nightlife! Full Irish breakfast included the following morning. Available until 30 September.To book call (028) 90 65 1066.

• Feel Good Fridays, Maldron Hotel, Derry~Londonderry, from £95 per room. Treat yourself to a Friday night stay at the 4* Maldron Hotel. The Maldron is the only hotel located within the Historic City Walls which makes it the perfect base to explore the city.  Enjoy a one-night stay, full cooked breakfast, main course meal with a choice of cocktail or a beer. An offer not to be missed! Subject to availability. To book call (028) 71 371000.

For further information log on to www.discovernorthernireland.com/offers.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland this week (September 26 – October 2).

• Quintessential Gin Evening, Galgorm Resort and Spa, Co. Antrim, September 27. In the latest of Galgorm’s Gin Evenings, you will be introduced to the Quintessential Brands and their portfolio of fine gins alongside some delicious light bites.

• Autumn Able, Belfast Harbour Estate, Belfast, October 1. Join RSPB Northern Ireland warden Chris Sturgeon for a guided tour of Belfast’s Window on Wildlife (WOW). This hidden gem is home to all sorts of wonderful wildlife in autumn, including migrant species like bar-tailed godwits which come all the way from the Arctic.

• Seamus Heaney HomePlace Opening, Bellaghy, Derry~Londonderry, September 30 – October 3. The family of Seamus Heaney will perform the official opening of the new arts and literary centre dedicated to the life and literature of the late poet and Nobel Laureate. A celebratory weekend to mark the opening of Seamus Heaney Home Place with a long weekend of events, featuring music, theatre, poetry, song, readings and talks in its dedicated performance space.

• Murder Mystery Evening, Downshire Arms Hotel, Co. Down, September 30. Get your Inspector Clouseau hat on to solve all the clues that lead to the culprit in this fun-filled night. This is a killer fundraiser for Family and Community Enterprises and promises to be another adventurous night. Listen the actors describe a series of events and follow the clues to unearth the killer.

• Science Uncovered, Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, September 30. Science Uncovered is a new late-night event bursting with revelations, breakthroughs and discoveries. Meet local scientists, encounter some of the museum’s lesser-seen collections and expand your mind, with a drink in hand as you explore the museum by night.

• Northern Ireland Potato Festival, Causeway Hotel, Co. Antrim, October 1. A celebration of the mighty spud! The Festival showcases all that is local, fresh and seasonal. The Festival brings together members of the public and the farming community in celebration of all aspects of the local potato industry. Come and enjoy a day out for all the family. Something for everyone to enjoy including food tasting, face painting, games and lots more.

• FEAR (Fermanagh Endurance Adventure Race), Derrygonnelly, Co.Fermanagh, October 1. What better way to spend a Saturday morning than getting up close and personal with Fermanagh’s rugged and wild terrain. Cycle through quiet back roads that cut through the limestone landscape, carved out by Ireland’s icy past, they’re guaranteed to give you more ups than downs! Apply online www.FEARmanagh.com

• Harvest, Springhill House, Moneymore, Derry~Londonderry, throughout October. New for October 2016, visit Springhill for a unique insight into the workings of this Plantation estate at harvest time. See the house set for harvest, experience the gardens, walks and allotments in a whole new light on a guided estate tour and warm up with a bowl of broth and wheaten bread in the new Barn Café. Kids will love the scarecrow trail and fun autumn activities.

• The Legend of Luke Kelly, Market Place Theatre, Co. Armagh, October 1. This ever popular tribute show to the iconic Luke Kelly of ‘The Dubliners’, returns for an eleventh consecutive year. Featuring the acclaimed vocals of one of Ireland’s finest ballad voices of today, Chris Kavanagh, this performance will take the audience on a journey through the numerous hit songs and music of the legendary Luke Kelly.

• Jason Byrne Is Propped Up, Alley Arts & Conference Centre, Co. Tyrone, September 30. Jason Byrne’s brand new show has everything you’ve come to expect from ‘The Outright King of Live Comedy’, plus Ducks, False Chins, Portable Igloos, Bewildered Owls and much, much more. Suitable for 18+. Booking essential. www.alley-theatre.com

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland. 

The Ulster Orchestra is celebrating 50 years as Northern Ireland’s symphony orchestra and will mark its golden anniversary with 50 pop-up performances in and around Belfast City on Wednesday 28^th September.

Passers-by at key city (and some quirky) locations, can expect to be wowed as members of the Orchestra, ranging from soloists, ensembles and the full Orchestra itself, strike up a chord in a number of different locations including business premises, hotels, schools, universities, hospitals, cafes, museums and arts centres. Morning commuters at Belfast City Airport and Europa Bus station will also be privy to the delightful sounds of the Orchestra as they make their onward journey, and a pop-up performance will entertain locals and unsuspecting tourists visiting the Titanic Museum, making it a memorable visit.

The musicians will be scattered throughout Belfast City as they attempt a record-breaking expedition of 50 performances, but will come together in their entirety at 1pm in Victoria Square Shopping Centre and again at 6.30pm in St Anne’s Cathedral for hour long performances, where they will be joined by the Belfast Philharmonic Choir. All events throughout the day are completely free and open to the public.

For 50 years the Ulster Orchestra has been at the forefront of musical life in Northern Ireland. Founded in 1966, the Orchestra first performed the bright and optimistic sound of Mozart’s ‘Marriage of Figaro’ to a captive audience in Belfast City Hall. Taking their audience on a journey through the decades, the band of professional, full-time musicians have brought the world’s finest artists to Ulster and have toured the world performing classical music at the highest standard.

Speaking about the golden anniversary celebrations and the 50 pop-up performances, Richard Wigley, Managing Director, Ulster Orchestra said; “We are pulling out all the stops to make our fiftieth birthday season a striking musical celebration for the people of Northern Ireland. The fifty locations of the pop-up performances cover a wide spread of locations and communities across Belfast, which will mark the occasion as one of the most memorable in the history of the Orchestra.

“The musicians of the Orchestra are local people and take great delight in performing for fellow citizens; we’re looking forward to our birthday pop-up performances that will entertain and surprise members of the public, spreading joy and delight as we celebrate our golden year.”

Every year the Ulster Orchestra enriches the local community with more than 60 world-class performances for approximately 48,000 concert goers. However the influence of the Orchestra reaches much further than that, touching the lives of thousands of children and adults through education and outreach programmes. The value the Orchestra places on the community engagement reflects its commitment to becoming an increasingly relevant part of the life of the wider community.

The birthday celebrations will continue through to Friday 30^th September, when the Orchestra will host a special, sold-out birthday concert in the Ulster Hall. Under the leadership of conductor, Rafael Payare, the spectacular concert will welcome the return of Northern Ireland’s legendary pianist, Barry Douglas OBE, who will perform Tchaikovsky’s beloved Piano Concerto No.1.

Orchestra fans, music enthusiasts and those simply enjoying the music at the pop-up performances will have the chance to win tickets to one of the Ulster Orchestra’s 50th birthday season concerts by posting their selfies in front of the Orchestra to the Ulster Orchestra Facebook and Twitter page.

For more information on the 50th celebrations and for a full list of the pop-up performances, visit www.ulsterorchestra.org.uk/celebrate-with-us

A Festival Yurt based within the beautiful surroundings of Bangor Castle Walled Garden is home to the Aspects 25 Anniversary Festival weekend programme (23-25 September), and there are a wealth of events celebrating writing and words happening there with something to appeal to everyone.

Ards and North Down Borough Council are pleased to welcome internationally recognised writers Sinéad Moriarty, Glenn Patterson, Colin Bateman and Sinead Morrissey to the Festival Yurt stage.

Aspects has a long reputation of bringing new voices in Irish writing to the Borough. This year, Aspects present another host of writers who look set to become our best-loved writers of the future, from debut novelists Lesley Allen and Tanya Ravenswater, to a selection of new generation poets from the ground-breaking new anthology ‘The Future Makes Me So Very Thirsty’ edited by Sinead Morrissey and Stephen Connolly.

Health and well-being is a theme for this year’s festival and Aspects is pleased to present Tara West reading and talking about her forthcoming memoir ‘Happy Dark’ – a beautifully written and intimate account of her battle with depression and one which aims to make the darkness of mental illness visible. Writers, and anyone who may like techniques to deal with performance-related stress, are invited to attend a workshop with which uses mindfulness and CBT to address blocks in creativity and performance. Laughter has it’s place in well-being and Cookstown comedian Owen O’Neill brings his hilarious show ‘Red Noise’ to the Yurt.

The Yurt is also a place where aspiring authors can come for insight and guidance from publishers, and those who are already on the road of publication, during the Resource for Writers day event (Fri 23 Sept). On that evening, poets are invited to bring their poems from page to stage in the Aspects Festival Poetry Slam presented by Poetry NI. Poets who wish to enter just need to register at the start of the night. Please note you have three minutes to compete in.

Followers of sport and Northern Ireland football, won’t want to miss a new documentary of Northern Ireland’s 1958 dream team, introduced by the Director Evan Marshall – and Aspects Festival Yurt also plays host to one of the first performances of Duke Special and Ulaid’s new collaborative work ‘Belfast Suite’.

Patricia Hamilton, Festival Director, said: “The Festival Yurt over Aspects Festival weekend will be fantastic, with comedian Owen O’Neill, Duke Special and Ulaid, Tara West and Glenn Patterson and many more taking part! It’s all about atmosphere and the Yurt seemed to us the ideal venue for this special anniversary year.”

If you are visiting during the weekend (23-25 September), bring the family – there are some lovely family oriented activities happening in Bangor Castle Walled Garden and North Down Museum as well.

Find full details of all Aspects Festival events, and to book, at aspectsfestival.com

Following phenomenal success last year, Two Sore Legs will make a triumphant return to The Old Courthouse, Antrim on Monday 26 September at 7.30pm.

Set in Belfast in the 1950’s and 60’s Two Sore Legs is a powerful, autobiographical play.  Brenda Murphy’s mother Bridie, a young Butlin’s Redcoat, had 6 children by a married man who lived around the corner with his other family. The play explores the pain, joy and the fall-out from this extraordinary family arrangement.  From the rowdy, fractious relationship Bridie had with her own father to the explosive but hilarious visits of the local Parish Priest, this play drips explicit family emotions.

In an absolute tour de force this is the best performance you’ll see this year as Maria Connolly purrs, struts, weeps and explodes around the stage in equal measure. This story will stay with you long after you’ve left the theatre.

‘One woman’s true story you simply won’t believe.’ Tickets from £12 available at Box Office or www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/boxoffice