Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (April 6 – 12).

• Bangor Easter Parade, Bangor Town, Co Down, April 6. The spectacular parade will be taking place at 3pm on Easter Monday when over 200 children and young people from local youth and dance groups across North Down will take part in the spectacular Pirate Parade. Look out for pirate ships, colourful bands, pirates, dancers and live music. This is an extravaganza not to be missed! From 3pm.

• Aquaholics Puffin Express Sea Safari, Ballycastle Harbour, Ballycastle, Co Antrim, April 6. Enjoy the beautiful north coast from the sea including sights like the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.  Then head over to Rathlin Island and enjoy the spectacular sights of West Lighthouse and the bird sanctuary from the water. After two hours, the safari returns to Ballycastle. And be on the lookout for dolphins, seals and a wide range of seabirds. From 2pm.

• Eggstreme Egg Hunt and Bunny Cruise, Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, April 5-6. Roll up, roll up or roll down as the case may be for the Share Easter Bunny Hunt and Cruise. Participants can undertake our picture orienteering challenge followed by a cruise aboard the Inishcruiser. Family Fun Day, suitable for all ages. 10am or 2pm start times.

• Easter Sea Safari Sightseeing Boat Trips, Clearsky Adventure Centre, Castle Ward Estate, Co Down, April 5-6.Everyone loves the sightseeing tour of Strangford Lough with its abundance of nature and wildlife. See the SeaGen, Angus Rocks Lighthouse, surface whirlpools and some of the many seals at Cloughy Rocks Nature Reserve. You might see a pod of porpoise or even a basking shark! Suitable for age 3 years plus. Trips leave from Strangford Pier and run hourly throughout the day.

• Easter Country Music Showtime Concert, Newcastle Centre, Central Promenade, Newcastle, Co Down, April 7. Newcastle Centre goes country at Easter when Ireland’s first lady of country music Susan McCann takes the stage to top the bill on this special, Easter Country Music Showtime with the stars concert, which has now become an annual event for country fans. Begins 7.30pm.

• Easter Extravaganza at Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre, Florencecourt, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, April 6-7. Why not come along and celebrate Easter at one of Europe’s finest show caves. A range of activities will be available and this promises to be a great day’s fun for all the family. First tour begins at 10am.

• 44th International Pan Celtic Festival, Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street, Derry~Londonderry, Co Londonderry, April 7-12. Now in its 44th year, the Pan Celtic Festival returns to the City following an incredibly successful first year in 2014. The festival is a celebration of the cultural links between the nations of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. Musicians, singers and dancers arrive from all of the Celtic countries to share their cultural nuances in this family-friendly Easter event.

• Monteverdi Vespers, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh,Co Armagh, April 10. ‘Soundworld of Venice’ comes to Armagh to offer a rare chance to hear Venetian music played on original instruments of the period. St Patrick’s Cathedral will be filled with the sights and sounds of 17th Century Venice with a performance of the Vespers of 1610 by Claudio Monteverdi, considered a masterpiece of its type. From 8pm.

• Jack, The Alley Arts and Conference Centre, Railway Street, Strabane, Co Tyrone, April 11. Join Black Air Theatre Company this Easter holiday as they bring this classic fairytale to life. A must see show for all the family! Show starts at 2pm.

• Easter Carnival Games, W5 at Odyssey, Belfast, until April 12. Join W5 this Easter for an old fashioned, fun family day out, with a modern technology twist! Throw balls to knock down virtual milk bottles, pop virtual balloons or smash virtual plates!  What cracking fun!

Please note some of the events require pre-booking.

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.

• Easter Getaway, Couples Retreat, Finn Lough Lakeside Lodges, Leggs, Enniskillen. From £150. Take a break this Easter and enjoy a little chilled out romance by the lakeside. Your package will include a stay in a luxury suite room with roll top bath, rain shower, fluffy robes and slippers. You will also receive daily breakfast, one 3 course evening meal and an Easter picnic hamper to be enjoyed by the lakeside. To book call 028 6863 1957. Available until 12 Apr 2015.

• 2 Night Special, Ferry Lodge, Portaferry. From £100. Enjoy a break in this wonderful corner of County Down. After your day touring the countryside you can return to the comfort of Ferry Lodge and the warmth of an open fire plus everything you need for an enjoyable stay. To book call 07771 890 973. Available until 30 Apr.

• Easter Break, Ballymultimber Cottages, Limavady. From £210. A beautiful cottage from which to explore the north coast. Bring the children and make the most of the gorgeous beaches and forest walks. The annual Easter Egg Trail at the breath taking Downhill Demesne is on Sunday 5th and Monday 6th. Downhill is only 5 miles from the cottages. To book call 07734 154 835. Available 3 Apr 2015 – 6 Apr.

• Weekend or mid week spring breaks, The Boat House, Ballygally, Larne. From £210. Special spring short break where you can enjoy three nights for the price of two. The Boat House Ballygally is a unique self catering family holiday hideaway on the world famous Antrim Coast Road, overlooking a secluded beach and slipway. Take advantage of two nights either mid week or weekend in luxury self catering accommodation with the third night free!  To book call 028 2858 3158. Available until 30 Apr.

For further information, contact TNI on 028 9023 1221 or view on www.discovernorthernireland.com/offers.

Students, young people and festival lovers are invited to gain valuable work experience and boost their CVs all while enjoying the music, mystery and magic of Northern Ireland’s leading music and arts festival.

With most employers looking for go-getting types who can show a can-do attitude and willingness to get stuck in on the practical side of things, what better way to gain some experience in event management, communication and of course have a bit of fun at this year’s Sunflowerfest?
Volunteers from across Britain and Ireland will assist in getting Tubby’s Farm ready for the influx of visitors as well as being the face of the festival over the 31st July to 2nd August 2015
Volunteers are needed to help set up and decorate festival grounds and to assist during the festival by guiding visitors throughout the 12 acre festival site including The Enchanted Glade of Mystery & Surprises, the Kidz Zone and Sunflower Bliss, the Therapists & Healers and eco-village area. In addition to these ‘realms,’
Sunflowerfest also includes five performance stages, numerous camp sites for families, singles and artists, and a number of facilities for food and drink.
“Now in our sixth year, we are planning the largest festival yet, with over 5,000 guests expected at Tubby’s Farm,” said festival organiser Michael Magowan. “Sunflowerfest’s mission is to provide a family-friendly and all-inclusive festival atmosphere set in the idyllic countryside in Hillsborough, County Down, and our volunteers are of the utmost importance in ensuring that Sunflowerfest runs smoothly and is enjoyable for guests of all ages and persuasions. Our volunteers fill the cracks and make sure that Sunflowerfest is easy, fun and safe for everyone.”
“By striving together to make a difference, the tremendous team of volunteers at Sunflowerfest have helped to build the festival from strength to strength throughout the years,” added festival organiser Vanessa Magowan. “Joining our team provides an excellent opportunity for those hoping to be part of something bigger than themselves as well as building their volunteer experiences and enjoying the unique atmosphere Sunflowerfest has to offer.”
Highlights of this year’s festival will include performances by Dreadzone, Senser and over 100 other art and music acts; The Enchanted Glade of Mystery and Surprises featuring performances of A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream by Tom Finlay in keeping with the Steampunk theme of the festival; Gus Leudar’s “Invisible Forest”, a surround sound audio hologram art installation and chill-out space and of course the Kidz Zone activities including poetry, storytelling, arts and crafts and circus workshops.
Volunteers must be aged 18 or over and can register their interest in helping at the 6thannual Sunflowerfest online at www.sunflowerfest.co.uk/applications.

Looking for some entertainment with a bit of soul?

Berts Jazz Bar at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast will round off the Easter Break with a special live tribute to Billie Holiday, starring award-winning singer, composer and lyricist Edel Meade on Tuesday 7^th April 2015 from 9pm.

Holiday’s soulful, unique singing voice and her ability to boldly turn any material that she confronted into her own music made her a superstar of her time.

Meade will perform her own interpretations of Holiday’s music to mark the centenary of her birth.

With her gorgeous vocals and undeniable charm, this promises to be a highlight for fans of jazz and blues. Enjoy all the classics including God Bless the Child, I’ll Be Seeing You, Fine and Mellow, Good Morning Heartache and many more.

Dinner packages at the event include a set menu with two courses for £17.95, or three courses for £20.95, or a the sublime three-course menu, offering three courses for two people and a bottle of wine for £60.

For further information or to book a table, contact Berts on 028 9026 2713 or email, berts@themerchanthotel.com Check out Edel Meade at www.facebook.com/edelmeade.

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is hosting another of its massively popular Family Super Saturdays, this time with ‘The Tale Of Brian Boru’.

Brian Boru was the first High King of Ireland and you can meet Fiachra the File, who was Brian Boru’s personal story collector. He will tell you the heroic tales of the first High King of Ireland with help from his friend Brian O’Brien and Ken Kennedy. This promises to be a fun family puppet show where kids can learn a bit of history while they’re entertained. The ticket price for Family Super Saturday includes one hour of post-show fun activities including themed crafts, face painting, balloon modelling, and a fancy dress competition with prizes for the best dressed boy and girl. It’s fantastic value for money. Super Saturdays are recommended for children aged 4+. This Family Super Saturday will take place on Saturday 11^th April with performances at 2pm and 3.30pm. Tickets cost only £6.

Then for the adults, and following 2014’s events across Ireland to mark 1,000 years since the death of one of its most historic figures – Brian Boru – The New Theatre presents a tale of two brothers of conflicting ideals who sail to Ireland to defeat the High King Brian Boru. Over the course of the journey they part enemies, and meet again on opposite sides of the battlefield. Brian Boru was assassinated at the battle of Clontarf 1014. A story of brotherhood, blood, ravens on the battle field and the death of a great king. It is fitting that the play is staged in the City of the final resting place of Brian Boru, the ancient Cathedral City of Armagh. ‘The Assassination Of Brian Boru’ will be staged on Friday 17^th April at 8pm. Tickets are priced £14.50 and £12.50 (concession).

Tickets for all events can be booked through the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821, or online at www.marketplacearmagh.com And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

This Sunday, 5 April, Cockle Row will be opening its doors to families who will visit over the summer season.

Open for Easter, Cockle Row Cottages will host free themed entertainment on Easter Sunday including Easter Crafts, a visit from the Ark Open Farm and their small animal roadshow, Plant and Play will be holding a Garden Workshop for little ones and there will be the ever popular balloon modelling.

The Cottages are situated in the quaint village of Groomsport. These lovingly restored fisherman’s cottages will host a variety of free weekend family entertainment every Saturday and Sunday from 5 April to 6 September from 2pm to 4pm. Children will have the opportunity to join in on a range of activities from face painting, children’s crafts, archery, science shows, to magic shows and much more every weekend. There will something for adults too in the form of

Ulster-Scots music and dance in July and August in association with the Ulster-Scots Agency.

Set within the picturesque Groomsport Harbour, Cockle Row Cottages are the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Bird enthusiasts can enjoy live video feeds which have been set up on Cockle Island giving visitors the opportunity to watch birds on two large screens, control cameras for a more interactive bird watching experience and you can even follow the birds from home via the internet.   Open to the public daily from 1 June, the cottages also stock a range of tourist and heritage information as well as a small gift shop full of local crafts and pottery.

Whether it’s a weekend of free family fun or an afternoon away – Cockle Row Cottages are the perfect place for you!

Cockle Row Cottages are open 11am-5pm during weekends in April and May and daily from 1 June to 6 September.  Free weekend family entertainment from 2pm to 4pm beginning 5 April to 6 September.

For more information and a list of weekend events, www.visitardsandnorthdown.com or telephone Bangor Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069.

To celebrate Bangor’s first Pirate Invasion, taking place this Easter Monday, April 6, local businesses have generously donated hundreds of prizes to be given out to lucky visitors.

On the day, the town will be transformed into a pirate wonderland and with lots of local organisations getting behind the event, it should be a fantastic day out for all the family.

Speaking about the event, Paula Kane, Development Director at Bangor Chamber of Commerce said: “Bangor Chamber of Commerce are eggs-cited to be part of this year’s Easter Monday festivities. With numerous Chamber member cars taking part in the parade we also have well over 250 ‘Spot Prizes’ on to be won on the day. Everything from an Easter Egg, shopping vouchers, free ice cream, passes to Pickie Fun Park, passes to Aurora, Personal training sessions, Free eye tests, free fry-ups, hair and beauty prizes and LOTS more! Not forgetting the ultimate ‘STAR PRIZE’ a £100 voucher and a personal shopper experience at MENARYS BANGOR; a customised Cut & Blow Dry that caters for the winner’s lifestyle. Plus a stress relieving sensory journey using natural essential oils. Provided by NICHOLAS GRAHAM CONCEPT SALON & SPA; a skincare review and full make-up along with a manicure, provided by OMEYA DAY SPA all followed by Afternoon Tea  for Two at the SALTY DOG HOTEL. Prizes are won by picking up a Chamber of Commerce Pirate Treasure Coin on the day. Bangor Chamber of Commerce President, Thomas Fegan said: ‘It’s brilliant to be involved in such a great day for Bangor and to have such fantastic support from our local businesses, we are genuinely thrilled with the level of support and look forward to a cracker day! We are looking forward to more events bringing local traders together, promoting Bangor as the destination we know and love.’

The highlight of the day will be the spectacular Pirate Parade which will be taking place at 3pm when over 200 children and young people from local youth and dance groups across North Down will make their way around the Town Centre. Look out for pirate ships, colourful bands, pirates, dancers and live music. The parade will have a distinctly community feel this year with involvement from The Bangor Chamber of Commerce who will have branded cars featured in the parade and Bangor Rugby Club who will be providing players to push some of the floats around the town and also cycling a barista pedal bike! The parade will also include many other local groups and organisations including Rathgael gymnasts, McMasters Stage School, Victoria School of Dance, North Down Scouts, 12^th Bangor Brownies, the RNLI, Ballyholme Yacht Club,  Pickie Fun Park and many more!

Project 24 will be turned into “Pirate 24” for the day, a fun Treasure Island full of pirate-themed crafts, activities and music. Come and join in the fun in the pirate dress up area, get your face painted or make some crafts in the pirate craft emporium. Walk the plank with some real-life pirates or have a boogie to some Desert Island Discs. Look out for the pirate statue and stilt walker who will also be making an appearance. There will also be “X Marks The Spot” face-painting stations located throughout the Town Centre, North Down Museum and Bangor Aurora where children can have their faces painted as pirates. There will also be free pirate masks available on the day. Come along and have your little darlings transformed into pirates!

The McKee Clock Arena, will play host to a special Moto Trial NI motorbike competition guaranteed to thrill and entertain young and old alike! The Pirates of Bangor marina have run aground and Ireland’s best trials riders will be competing over a challenging course of giant drift wood, treasure chests and even a ship wrecked Galleon in this specially designed, arena show to see who can win the treasure!!

Be prepared to be thrilled as these talented bikers showcase their amazing skills and perform some breath-taking stunts and manoeuvres! Starting at 12pm, this spectacular show is not to be missed!

On The Promenade, a special pirate land train will be giving free rides all day. And all of this coincides with the opening of the brand new pirate play park at Pickie Fun Park – check out the new park, take a ride on a swan, play in the play park or just have a coffee and relax in the café.

So come on down to Bangor this Easter Monday with your family and friends for lots of pirate fun at this FREE event! The fun starts at 12 noon.

For further information check www.northdowntourism.com

What does a recycled coffee bean bag or a notice board made from an up-cycled curtain look like?

Where can you find out how to make loo roll creatures with googly eyes or touch a giant lobster made from recycled tyres?

Find out the answers to these questions and more at Treasure Trash this weekend.

Works of art will be in abundance throughout the Crescent Arts Centre on Saturday 28 March from 12noon to 5pm during this innovative Outreach & Education event.

The aim of this free event is to actively demonstrate and encourage reusing and up-cycling household waste products, transforming them into useful items, toys or pieces of art!  No need to throw your stuff away, with a little bit of imagination and learning a new skill you will be amazed at what you can make from rubbish.

One local artist will be asking for lots of audience participation.  Fionnuala Duffin will be making a collaborative piece of wall hanging art with the public, which will go on display in the Crescent Arts Centre after the event. It will be made from recycled & up-cycled materials, especially bubble wrap.  Participants will fill the bubbles with old yarn, ribbons, found objects and will have the opportunity to write messages inside the piece of art.

Find out more about Street Gems-Belfast, a new cooperative based in the Welcome Organisation, a centre for the homeless.  This organisation works with homeless people in a number of areas including furniture restoration and up-cycling, textiles, ceramics, jewellery and general crafts. Their aim is to help generate change through creativity, transform lives, build confidence and self esteem as well as teach participants creative skills.

During the day live demonstrations by artists will be interspersed with a treasure hunt, up-cycling demonstrations, puppet storytelling, drop-in creative workshops and many other activities.   Why not take this opportunity to sit with your children and learn to make loo roll creatures or gigantic pom-poms to take home.

This event runs on Saturday 28 March from 12noon – 5pm.  Entry is FREE and is funded by Belfast City Council’s Zero Waste Grant. For more information visit www.treasuretrashbelfast.com or call the Crescent Arts Centre on 028 9024 2338.

Want to be a pirate for the day? This Easter Monday, April 6, pirates will run amok in Bangor!

If you would like to join in the fun, then come on down and be a part of it! Look out for ‘X Marks The Spot’ signs around the town and make your dreams of becoming a pirate come true in Bangor this Easter Monday. Expert face-painters will transform your little darlings into dashing pirates. Come dressed for the part and take part in a pirate bonanza day!

The spectacular Pirate Parade will be taking place at 3pm on when over 200 children and young people from local youth and dance groups across North Down will make their way around the Town Centre. Look out for pirate ships, colourful bands, pirates, dancers and live music.  Led by The Mayor of Ards and North Down and featuring Bangor Rugby Club, Bangor Chamber of Commerce, the RNLI, Ballyholme Yacht Club and many more local groups, this is an extravaganza not to be missed!

Project 24 will be turned into “Pirate 24” for the day, a fun Treasure Island full of pirate-themed crafts, activities and music. Come and join in the fun in the pirate dress up area, get your face painted or make some crafts in the pirate craft emporium. Walk the plank with some real-life pirates or have a boogie to some Desert Island Discs. Look out for the pirate statue and stilt walker who will also be making an appearance. There will also be face-painting stations located throughout the Town Centre, North Down Museum and Bangor Aurora where children can have their faces painted as pirates and receive a free mask to get in on the action!

The McKee Clock Arena, will play host to a special Moto Trial NI motorbike competition guaranteed to thrill and entertain young and old alike! The Pirates of Bangor marina have run aground and Ireland’s best trials riders will be competing over a challenging course of giant drift wood, treasure chests and even a ship wrecked Galleon in this specially designed, arena show to see who can win the treasure!!

Be prepared to be thrilled as these talented bikers showcase their amazing skills and perform some breath-taking stunts and manoeuvres! Starting at 12pm, this spectacular show is not to be missed!

On The Promenade, a special pirate land train will be giving free rides all day. And all of this coincides with the opening of the brand new pirate play park at Pickie Fun Park – check out the new park, take a ride on a swan, play in the play park or just have a coffee and relax in the café.

So come on down to Bangor with your family and friends for lots of pirate fun this Easter Monday!

For further information check www.northdowntourism.com

To mark the move of Larne Borough into to Mid and East Antrim Council, a special SPRING FORWARD family fun afternoon has been organised for Larne Borough residents at Carnfunnock Country Park.

Not only will the clocks be going forward on Saturday 28th March but Larne Borough will be “springing forward” into a new Council borough. The event will run from 2pm-5pm and will include a special outdoor circus show by Belfast Circus. The special circus show will chart 75 years of music and features acrobatics, comedy and circus skills.

There will be a Mobile Farm with lots of cute and cuddly friends to meet. Why not have a go at Archery, or speak to the gardening experts at Inver Garden Nursery Garden Clinic.

NI survival school will be there along with NI Salsa who will be teaching you how to put a spring in your step. There will be a number of craft demonstrations from Blacksmithing to saddle making and live music by Odibal!

Members of the public are encouraged to dress up in their finest spring inspired costumes with a chance to be spotted by our spring style spotters who will be roaming the park throughout the event, with prizes to give away.

Normal Car Parking Charges will apply. Check www.larne.gov.uk or contact 028 2826 0088 for more information. More information on the event can also be found on www.facebook.com/larnealiveofficial.