{"id":4109,"date":"2012-03-19T12:02:53","date_gmt":"2012-03-19T11:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.whatsonni.com\/news\/?p=4109"},"modified":"2012-03-19T12:05:49","modified_gmt":"2012-03-19T11:05:49","slug":"%e2%80%98hop%e2%80%99-all-over-northern-ireland-this-easter-for-family-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/2012\/03\/%e2%80%98hop%e2%80%99-all-over-northern-ireland-this-easter-for-family-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018HOP\u2019 ALL OVER NORTHERN IRELAND THIS EASTER FOR FAMILY FUN"},"content":{"rendered":"

IF the brighter weather has put a spring in your step then the Easter holidays are the perfect time to go outdoors and eggs<\/em>-plore the jam packed calendar of events across the region according to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).<\/h1>\n

With everything from an Easter Eggspress steam train from Belfast to Whitehead, egg trails in a range of locations and an Easter Sea Safari Boat Trip around Strangford Lough, there is no better time of year to have fun with the family.<\/h2>\n
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\u2018Easter Bunny\u2019 Mischa Dale from Bangor is all set for this year\u2019s Easter celebrations. The Easter holidays are the perfect time to go outdoors and eggs-plore the jam packed calendar of events across the region according to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB). To find out more on things to do at Easter click on www.discovernorthernireland.com or visit your local tourist information centre. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest news, images, videos and competitions by visiting http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/discovernorthernireland. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NITB\u2019s Destination PR and Marketing Manager Ruth Burns says there will be events happening in every county this Easter.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the brighter weather and the children off school, Easter is the perfect time of year to plan a family day out and there is something for everyone to enjoy this year,\u201d said Ruth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are lots of events and many visitor attractions that families can spend the day exploring so we are hoping that everybody takes advantage of what\u2019s on offer,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

To help get you started, NITB has highlighted a range of events to keep all the family entertained over the Easter period.<\/p>\n

Belfast <\/strong><\/p>\n

Belfast\u2019s Titanic Quarter will be hosting the Easter Weekend Family Fun and International Markets<\/em><\/strong> with three days of street performance providing hilarious entertainment over the Easter Weekend.\u00a0 Celebrate Easter with the animals at Belfast Zoo<\/em><\/strong> from April 6 \u2013 10 and watch them enjoy some special Easter treats during feeding time.\u00a0 Hop aboard the Easter Eggspress<\/em><\/strong> for a steam train adventure from Belfast Central Station to Whitehead with Chocolate eggs for all the children on April 9 and 10.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Co. Antrim <\/strong><\/p>\n

Theatre at the Mill<\/em><\/strong> is inviting kids to its High School Musical theatre school this Easter which starts on April 9.\u00a0 A highly skilled professional team will teach the children how to master dance routines, perfect harmonies and learn scripts which they will then perform live on stage for an audience.\u00a0 The Ballymena Egg Run<\/em><\/strong> on April 10 is a charity motorcycle in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care with all eggs collected being donated to children with special needs.\u00a0 Easter Eggstravaganza<\/em><\/strong> at the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn will be full of fun things for the family including arty antics and movie madness galore from April 11 \u2013 13.<\/p>\n

Co. Armagh <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre<\/em><\/strong> will be running its popular Easter fun craft sessions on April 7.\u00a0 Everyone can make some great Easter goodies to take home as presents and also take part in an Easter trail to find some chocolate treats.\u00a0 Join local florist James and be inspired to create the perfect Easter floral centre piece at his workshop in Saint Patrick\u2019s Trian<\/em><\/strong> on March 31.\u00a0 From April 6 \u2013 10, Saint Patrick\u2019s Trian will also be hosting Eggs-press Yourself<\/em><\/strong> with lots of fun for everyone including Easter crafts, an egg hunt, a theatre show and the chance to pet real bunnies.\u00a0 Enjoy the Gruffalo\u2019s Easter Trail<\/em><\/strong> at the Navan Centre and create your very own Gruffalo themed mask and a Gruffalo Trail where you can meet lots of characters including the mouse, the fox and the snake from April 7 \u2013 10.\u00a0 Children aged 6 – 12 can enjoy the Easter school holidays at Palace Stables\u2019 Easter Craft Club<\/em><\/strong> with crafts, egg rolling and games\u00a0 on April 12 and 13.<\/p>\n

Co. Down <\/strong><\/p>\n

Enjoy some Easter fun and follow the clues over the sand dunes and the beach to discover some chocolate treasure at Murlough National Nature Reserve<\/em><\/strong> on April 8.\u00a0 The Down County Museum is hosting an Easter Monday Fun Day<\/em><\/strong> with the best entertainment for all the family including magic shows, craft workshops and much more.\u00a0 Head to Bangor on Easter Monday<\/em><\/strong> for a family fun day out with a falconry display, a modified cars display and the annual parade full of colourful displays, dancers and street entertainers.\u00a0 Hop over to the Easter Fair<\/em><\/strong> at Castle Ward for a jam packed time of children\u2019s activities, horse and carriage rides, local crafts and food stalls and an Easter egg trail on April 7 \u2013 9.\u00a0 Castle Ward will be holding an Easter Camp<\/em><\/strong> for children aged between 8 and 15 on April 11 \u2013 13 with activities galore including archery, rock hopping, canoeing, climbing and much more.\u00a0 On April 8 \u2013 10 you can explore the waters of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea aboard the Easter Sea Safari Boat Trip<\/em><\/strong> and discover the Angus Rock Lighthouse and SeaGen, the first electricity generating tidal turbine in Europe.\u00a0 The whole family can enjoy the fun at Mount Stewart\u2019s Easter Trail<\/em><\/strong> around its gardens on April 6 \u2013 13 with a prize for every completed quiz sheet.\u00a0 Join the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Castle Espie for a Giant Easter Bunny Hunt<\/em><\/strong> with prizes and bunny crafts for all the children.\u00a0 Explore the nooks and crannies around the beautiful Rowallane Garden at its Easter Tuesday Chick Trail<\/em><\/strong> and follow the clues to get an Easter surprise.<\/p>\n

Co. Fermanagh <\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit Corralea Activity Centre<\/em><\/strong> and test your mountain biking skills on Easter Saturday, enjoy canoeing on Lough MacNean on Easter Sunday or climb the purpose built wall on Easter Monday.\u00a0 Join the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit and friends for a tea party from April 6 \u2013 9 in the Basement at Castle Coole<\/em><\/strong> for a fun-filled afternoon and chocolate treats hunt.\u00a0 Follow the clues around Florencecourt to find the chocolate eggs at its Easter Trail<\/em><\/strong> event on April 6.\u00a0 The Orchard Acre Farm in Irvinestown will be hosting an Easter Chocolate Factory Festival<\/em><\/strong> with a chocolate treasure hunt and chocolate demonstrations on April 7 \u2013 11.\u00a0 Take this unique opportunity to see Crom from a different perspective as you cruise around the Lough during the Easter Cot Cruise<\/em><\/strong> on April 9.<\/p>\n

Co. Tyrone<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pay a visit to the Easter bunny and receive a gift at the Barrontop Fun Farm <\/strong>in Strabane from April 6 \u2013 10.\u00a0 There will be two days of egg-cellent fun at The Argory<\/em><\/strong> with lots of activities for the whole family including an egg trail, face painting and lots of children\u2019s entertainment on April 9 – 10.\u00a0 Go to An Creag\u00e1n<\/em><\/strong> in Omagh for its Big Family Picnic on Easter Monday with lots of entertainment including outdoor play activities, a mobile farm, music and food stalls.<\/p>\n

Co. Londonderry <\/strong><\/p>\n

There will be fun for all the family at Downhill Demesne and Hezlett<\/em><\/strong> House<\/em><\/strong> as you follow the trail around the historic site to find clues to crack the code and unlock the chocolate Easter surprises on April 8.\u00a0 Springhill House<\/em><\/strong> will also be hosting an Easter trail around its gardens on April 8 and 9.<\/p>\n

To find out more on things to do at Easter click on www.discovernorthernireland.com<\/a> or visit your local tourist information centre.\u00a0 You can also keep up-to-date with the latest news, images, videos and competitions by visiting http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/discovernorthernireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IF the brighter weather has put a spring in your step then the Easter holidays are the perfect time to go outdoors and eggs-plore the jam packed calendar of events across the region according to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB). With everything from an Easter Eggspress steam train from Belfast to Whitehead, egg trails … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4109"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4109"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4113,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4109\/revisions\/4113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}