An eventful spring and summer!
We share some festival and events to look out for this spring and summer
HOME OF ST PATRICK FESTIVAL (9TH – 18TH MARCH)
Co Armagh and Co Down, the heartland of St Patrick, host an annual Home of St Patrick Festival over a 17-day period. It promises to be a lively and varied showcase of the best culture, music, song and dance hosting many exciting Irish and international artists. During Armagh’s festivities, explore the mysteries of the night sky during the time of St Patrick at ‘Starry, Starry Night’ (9th March at Navan Centre & Fort, £10 for adults, £5 for children). Don’t miss the opening event at Down, which includes the unveiling of a Mourne granita replica of St Patrick’s Cross at Down Cathedral and a traditional evening of song and dance (9th March). Enjoy the festival’s closing concert with Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland with popular songs and movie theme classics (17 th March in Newry). For full list of events, visit www.visitarmagh. com/festivals/st-patricks
BORN2RUN EVENTS: THE GLENARM CASTLE CHALLENGE (14TH APRIL)
Tie up your running shoe laces! Awardwinning race organisers, BORN2RUN Events, have announced a new event to the Northern Ireland running calendar. The Glenarm Castle Challenge will take place on Saturday April 14th and offers runners a range of distances, with a half marathon, a 10K and a 5K to choose from. For those who prefer to take things at a more leisurely pace, there will also be a 10K walk. BORN2RUN’s motto is ‘Great Races in Great Places’ and Glenarm Castle certainly meets their criteria. Complete with a castle dating back to 1636, the working estate offers runners a scenic mix of forest trails, farmland and views along the Glenarm river. Early bird offer of £18 if you register before 11pm on March 14th. For more information or to enter online, visit www.born2runevents.com
MARY BLACK SINGS JIMMY MACCARTHY, 3Ú RECORDS (28TH APRIL)
Mary Black and her legendary band are back for their only appearance in Mid Ulster on Saturday 28th April (at The Burnavon Theatre, Co Tyrone). This time, Mary will be highlighting the songs of one of Ireland’s great song writers – Jimmy MacCarthy. Timeless songs of a generation from ‘No Frontiers’ to ‘Katie’ to ‘Bright Blue Rose’ and many more will also be performed. Perhaps a possible gift idea for Mother’s Day on March 11th? Tickets are £30. To book, call +44 (0)28 8676 9949 or visit www.burnavon.com
BBC MUSIC: THE BIGGEST WEEKEND (25TH – 26TH MAY)
If you choose one music festival to attend this summer (with no camping involved), make it BBC’s The Biggest Weekend. BBC Music and BBC Radio 6 Music have teamed up to bring two days of spectacular performances to the Titanic Slipways. The line-up for Friday 25th May includes Beck, Courtney Barnett, Orbital, Manic Street Preachers, The Breeders and Public Service Broadcasting. Saturday 26th May will see Ash, First Aid Kit, Franz Ferdinand, Goldie, Little Dragon and Young Fathers perform. Tickets are available at www.bbc.co.uk and cost £18 per person (plus £4.50 booking fee)
RATHLIN SOUND MARITIME FESTIVAL (25TH MAY – 3RD JUNE)
Take in the Causeway Coast and rich maritime heritage at the fifth Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival. The ten-day programme is filled with nautical themed events in Ballycastle and Rathlin Island. There’s the adrenaline rush of the Sailing Regatta and races, informative talks and tours, exhibitions and demonstrations, fun competitions, tasty lunches, friendly giants, curraghs and Viking ships, and more. Rathlin has stunning rugged scenery, welcoming locals and is home to an array of wildlife – not to mention an upside-down lighthouse! Visit www.rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com
GAME OF THRONES® LIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE (25TH MAY)
Can’t wait until 2019 for the new Game of Thrones® season? The critically acclaimed Game of Thrones® Live Concert Experience featuring Ramin Djawadi will bring the world of Westeros to the SSE Arena Belfast. The concert will give fans the opportunity to watch in wonder as famed composer Ramin Djawadi leads an orchestra and choir performing music from all seven seasons of the iconic Emmy Award-winning HBO series. The Concert Experience will include new music and footage from season seven, as well as a new custom stage design and mesmerizing visuals. Tickets start from £59. To book, visit www. ssearenabelfast.com
CITY OF DERRY JAZZ FESTIVAL (3RD – 7TH MAY)
During the May Bank Holiday weekend, the Walled City reverberates to the distinctive jazz rhythms echoing from theatres, bars, shopping centres, restaurants and on the city streets. The annual celebration of jazz and big bands will feature artists from all over the world and welcome more than 60,000 revellers over the bank holiday weekend. Among the popular acts performing at the festival this year are Dinosaur, Heavy Beat Brass Band, The Revolutionaires, Kaz Hawkins & Sam York, and Basork. An exciting addition to this year’s City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is the Darren Beckett Masterclass while the Festival Headliner is Van Morrison, who will perform in the Millennium Forum on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th May. Visit www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com
NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN (16TH – 19TH AUGUST)
The NI Open has evolved into a global golf event since its inception as a European Tour Group event in 2013. The NI Open has the full support of singer Niall Horan. Niall’s golf management company Modest! Golf have been an event partner since 2015 and as a massive golf fan, Niall is very involved in the event. Golf and Niall Horan return for a third consecutive year and record crowds are expected once more when the European Challenge Tour’s most popular event takes place at the Ballymena venue from August 16th-19th. The NI Open is not just a golf event, rather a golf tournament for all the family! The NI Open has something for everyone including a gin festival, food festival, kids’ fun area plus much more. The event showcases the best of local food within the NI Open Village which also includes a wide range of exhibitors, live music, the Village Bar and the Tournament Scoreboard. The Interactive Zone offers something for all the family with free golf lessons and the opportunity to try your hand at Pitch & Putt on Galgorm Castle’s Fun Golf Area. Tickets for the Northern Ireland Open are free, visit www.niopen.golf to book
For more information on upcoming events in Northern Ireland, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com