10 THINGS TO ENTERTAIN YOU IN NORTHERN IRELAND 12-25 August

Stuck for something to do?  If so, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of exciting things to do in Northern Ireland during August 10 – 25.

Down District Council’s forthcoming B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight takes place on Saturday 10 August in Newcastle and promises to be ‘five star’ attraction. The Red Arrows will return to the fantastic arena of Dundrum Bay… and will be joined by :

• Typhoon

• Seafury

• Dakota

• Texan T6,

• Hunter,

• Sabre,

• Vulcan

This amazing collection of jets will make this years event the fastest and most exciting yet with five of the most iconic jet aircraft dating back to the 1950’s. This will be the largest collection of jets in one display that Northern Ireland has seen in a dozen years!”

• The Ark Farm’s 23rd Anniversary Family Fun Day, Newtownards, co. Down, August 12.  Hand feed lots of very tame animals and get up close to the Sika Deer family or the little family of meerkats that have settled into their new home in meerkat manor as they await visitors feeding them with juicy grapes.  There will also be a Falconry display inflatable slide, three piece assault course, pony rides, bumble bee quad rides and a BBQ in the cottage garden.

• The Tuesday Tours, Ranfurly House Arts & Visitor Centre, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, August 13.  Take a coach tour to historical sites associated with the Flight of the Earls and The Plantation of Ulster this summer. The tour will visit Hill of The O’Neill, The Cardinal O’Fiaich Archive and Library, Armagh and the Yellow Ford battle site.  Tours runs from 11am – 3pm.

• Ulster Aviation Society Open Day, August 24. The Ulster Aviation Society is opening its hangar doors to the public to commemorate the 70th anniversary of victory in the Battle of the Atlantic. Subject to weather, visitors will see a helicopter fly-in, as well as a wide assortment of military vehicles and displays dating back to World War II. Visitors will also be able to sit in the cockpit of a real jet fighter, or have a photo taken in one of our ejection seats.

• Bangor Belle Steam Train, pick-ups at various locations, August 17 and 24.   All aboard the Bangor Belle for a return journey to the seaside town of Bangor.  The train departs from Belfast’s Central Station at11:10am and pick-ups are also available from Whitehead, Carrickfergus and Lisburn.

• Victorian Weekend, the Argory, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, August 17 – 18.  Bring your family for thechance to see what really goes on behind closed doors in the Big House.  Visitors can meet the Housekeeper, the Governess and the Lady’s Maid and enjoy a delightful afternoon tea in the Octagon Room. Children can dress up, join in Victorian games and pick up some treats in the Victorian sweetshop.

• Daniel O’Donnell, Millenium Forum, Co. Derry, August 22.  Daniel, one of Ireland’s most popular entertainers, returns to delight his fans with his easy listening vocal style and his songs of life, love and inspiration.

• Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival, various venues, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh,August 22 – 26.  The world’s biggest celebration of Nobel Prize writer Samuel Beckett is back for the second year and the programme will include a diverse mix of international theatre, music, art exhibitions and installations.  This year the festival will feature a host of stars from stage and screen including Hollywood actress Winona Ryder.
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• Kilkeel Fish Fest, Kilkeel, Co.Down, August 23 – 26.  This festival is a must for seafood lovers as visitors will experience tastings, a buffet, cookery demonstrations, competitions, stalls, live music, crafts, funfair, family entertainment and more.

• Experience the Plantation at Tully Castle, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, August 24.  Meet the people who built and lived in Tully Castle during the Plantation period.  Find out more about the Plantation of County Fermanagh, the people who settled here, how they built their houses for defence and domestic comfort.

• Belfast Mela, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, August 24 – 25.  Celebrating culture and creativity, the Mela, meaning ‘to meet’, displays the sights, smells and sounds of ethnic origins, showcasing music, dance, carnival, visual arts and food from over 30 nations across the globe.