Your FREE Visitor Guide to Ards and North

EXPLORE Ards Visitor Information Centre EXPERIENCES 31 Regent Street, BT23 4AD ON 028 9182 6846 ’S AND UNWIND DOORSTEP [email protected] AND EVENTS Area map overleaf SPRING / SUMMER 2019

Bangor Visitor Information Centre Tower House, 34 Quay Street BT20 5ED 028 9127 0069 [email protected]

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ArdsandNorthDownBoroughCouncil @ardsandnorthdownboroughcouncil @ANDborough Ards and North Down Borough Council

visitardsandnorthdown.com

visitardsandnorthdown.com Ards North and Down. discover how best to spend your time in Call into our Visitor Information Centres to Ar @ANDborough @ardsandnorthdownboroughcouncil ArdsandNorthDownBoroughCouncil ds and Northds and Down Borough Council 028 91270069 County Down BT20 5ED Tower House, 34Quay Street, Bangor Bangor Visitor Information Centre 028 91826846 County Down BT23 4AD 31 Regent Street, Newtownards Ards Visitor Information Centre

Helen’s Bay

Bangor

Newtownards

Conlig

Trails & Routes

Strangford Lough Canoe Trail

East Coast Canoe Trail

Comber Greenway Cycle Trail

Strangford Lough Cycle Trail

North Down Coastal Path

Lecale Way

St Patrick’s Trail (main route)

Trail leading to other associated St Patrick’s Trail sites

Mourne Coastal Route

Comber/Andrews Titanic Trail

Ulster Scots Driving Tours

Great Wars Trail

Film Locations

Access points to the Lough

In-depth literature on these trails, routes 2 miles and must-sees are available at your 3.2 km nearest Visitor Information Centre or This is map is based upon Crown Copyright and visitardsandnorthdown.com is reproduced with the permission of Land & Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright and database right 2017 CS&LA156 We have three Apps available to download for FREE from your Strangford Lough Ferry Service SMS text message alert service: preferred store: • Bangor Christian Heritage Sailings every Strangford – Passengers can register to receive SMS • Discover Ards and North Down 30 minutes Departs on the hour and the half hour. text message service updates. You can: • Greyabbbey Village Heritage Trail 0300 200 7898 Text ‘FERRY’ to 67300 to register nidirect.gov.uk/ Portaferry – Strangford Text ‘STOP’ to 67300 to stop articles/strangford- Departs at quarter past and quarter ferry-fares to the hour. Text messages are free in the UK EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY

01 A recipe for a good time 03 Get here and explore: Planning your trip 04 Accommodation 05 2019 Highlights 07 Drive this way 09 Water's Edge Encounters 17 Great Food Encounters 19 Creative Encounters 23 Step Back in Time 29 Family Fun 33 Get Active 39 Itineraries 46 Spring/Summer Events 71 Exhibitions 78 Visitor Information Services

The information in this guide was correct at the time of going to print. Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy; however, we cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or changes that may occur. This information can be made available in a range of alternative formats to meet a specific need. To request an alternative format please phone 028 9127 0069 / 028 9182 6846. EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 2

A recipe for a good time…

Miles of coastline and stunning scenery, wonderful Feed the Spirit Feed the Imagination attractions, fabulous places to eat along the way and Embrace the great outdoors Creative workshops, a wide selection of accommodation, give Ards and and take in the natural galleries and studios are North Down all the ingredients for a great day landscapes and seascapes, sprinkled throughout the trip or break away. Mix together with award on land, water or in the air. region allowing a peek into the creativity that flows. winning beaches, sprinkle with castles and stately homes and top off with the Feed the Mind Feed the Body oldest pub in ! Enjoy the rich backdrop of historic landmarks, and Soul Come and experience the reminders of the area's From local farmers' markets, flavours for yourself. past and learn of Christian to delis and fine restaurants Heritage and Ulster Scots your visit will be truly fables. enriched with fine food and drink. EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 4

Get here and explore: Accommodation Planning your trip

The area is easily reached by air, ferry and public From cosy B&Bs to ultra-modern self-catering, luxury transport. Located 20 minutes from the buzzing hotels to budget hostels, there is something for every city of Belfast, escape the hustle and bustle of taste and pocket. Get the best out of your stay in the everyday life and set a pace that is more relaxed borough, whether it be for an overnight, weekend in Ards and North Down. retreat or week long break...

By air Belfast International Airport: +44 (0)28 9448 4848 belfastairport.com

George Best Belfast City Airport +44 (0)28 9093 9093 belfastcityairport.com

By sea P&O Ferries: 01304 448888 poferries.com

Stena Line Ferries: Bangor +44 (0)844 770 7070 Newtownards stenaline.co.uk

Strangford Lough Ferry Service: +44 (0)300 200 7898 TEXT: ‘Ferry’ to 67300 for updates Pick up a free copy of our Ards and North Down By public transport Accommodation Guide from Translink Public Transport: one of our Visitor Information +44 (0)28 9066 6630 Centres or download it at translink.co.uk visitardsandnorthdown.com

Please refer to our map on page 80 EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 6

2019 Highlights

Get set for a great 2019 in Ards and North Down. Use this handy guide to be sure you don’t miss a minute. With exciting events, fabulous festivals, music to get your toe tapping and fantastic family fun, be sure to save the date and head this way. Strongman Pipe Bands Bangor, Sunday 28 April Newtownards, Saturday 11 May For a full listing of events turn to page 46 or go online visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sea Bangor ForM Sculpture Exhibition Comber Earlies Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June Bangor Castle Walled Garden, Comber, Saturday 29 June Saturday 1 – Sunday 30 June

Open House Festival Seafood Festival Exploris Aquarium Bangor, August Portavogie, Saturday 10 August Portaferry, 3rd Birthday Bash Thursday 15 August EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 8

Drive this way…

Explore by car, using Saint Patrick’s Trail throughout the borough Get App-y with a range of handy Apps. the following driving Follow the Saint Patrick’s where you can learn about Download now, FREE from Google Play, to Trail through a host of how the area played its part routes directing Christian sites in Bangor, the in this history. make the most of your trip and enjoy a journey you to some of the , , of discovery. highlights of the area. and Armagh to Ulster-Scots in Ards and uncover just how strong North Down Bangor Christian Discover Ards and Discover more Designated routes are ’s links are In May 1606 Scottish families Heritage Trail North Down Be sure to pick up a town also detailed on the with our patron Saint. The 92 settled in the area, led by Walk with monks, saints and Our close proximity to or village heritage trail of map on page 80. mile linear driving route links James Hamilton and Hugh scholars through the rich Scotland is a big part of the area you are visiting to 15 key sites, all identified as Montgomery from Ayrshire, Christian Heritage of Bangor. Ards and North Down discover its history and how having some connection Scotland. These Scottish At each stop learn about the heritage. The App takes you it has become the place it is to the Saint’s life, legacy or settlers transformed the various sites, view images on a journey of discovery today. These are available landscape. Ards and North borough into what you of how times have changed highlighting the influence of free of charge in the Visitor Down is home to seven of see today; the towns and and listen to their fascinating the Ulster Scots on the area. Information Centres; better these sites. villages, rolling landscape, history. Audio for each location will still, book onto a guided place names, and the ‘wee’ accompany and inform you. tour this summer and Coastal Route turns of phrase you’ll hear Village discover the fascinating This beautiful scenic route when talking to the locals. Heritage Trail Strangford Heritage Trail history. takes you on a journey along Learn of Greyabbey’s Co Down: Maritime Heritage the coastline from Belfast, The Ards Peninsula Way origins; of Viking invaders Trails along the Irish Sea coast, This handy downloadable on Strangford Lough, of This App will educate you on across Strangford Lough guide will help you to plan Scottish settlers who rebuilt the role fishing has played in and on to the Kingdom the perfect tour of Ireland’s the Abbey and developed forming County Down as we of Mourne. The route is most easterly coastline and the village, and of the places know it, where today three signposted by directional its charming villages. Take in of worship which are still of the area's ports - , brown signage. its historic sites, experience thriving today. The audio Portavogie and - its vibrant craft scene and app, in conjunction with five remain at the centre of the Great Wars Trail enjoy outdoor activities such interpretative panels, will fishing industry. Ards and North Down has as walking, cycling and golf. take you from the Abbey a rich connection with the to the Lough in a series of two World Wars. First World Game of Thrones® Journey fascinating and quirky tales! War soldiers, from the 108th of Doors Passport Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) When some trees from the Division, trained within the famous Dark Hedges blew grounds of the over in Storm Gertrude, ten Estate in Bangor. General intricate doors were created Eisenhower inspected and located across Northern troops prior to D Day in Ireland, each telling the 1944, memorialised in the story of a Season 6 episode. mosaic art of the Bangor Game of Thrones® fans can pier, named in honour of the view one of these in Fiddlers General. These are just two Green, Portaferry. examples of the many sites EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 10

Water’s Edge Ards and North Down is proud to Encounters have five award winning beaches in Whether you enjoy a stroll along the beach, a gentle paddle or The views the Borough. Make fishing on a lake, water’s edge encounters are plentiful in Ards The iconic Scrabo sure to visit one and North Down. You can try a sailing lesson with one Tower is the ideal during your stay. location for panoramic of the local yacht clubs, take a boat trip for pleasure Seaside Award cruising or enjoy a fishing expedition. Or why not be views of the Lough, the adventurous and go kite surfing or canoeing? Ards Peninsula and the BT22 2PG Cloughey The coastline and shore are also a delight surrounding drumlins of County Down. The BT22 1JA for bird watchers, with visiting species Crawfordsburn changing with the season. Be sure to North Down Coastal BT19 1JT visit the attractions that showcase Our coastline Wildlife Path is one of the Surrounded by over 115 There are also many finest shoreline walks BT19 6JR nature at its best… miles of coastline you opportunities to see in Northern Ireland, BT22 2HS are never too far away the abundant wildlife stretching for 16 miles from to Green Coast Award from the sea! making its home here – Helen’s Bay The stunning coastline seals, otters, cormorants Portavoe with amazing BT19 1TP of Ards and North and guillemots are just views across Belfast Down takes in the a few. Lough. southern shore of , the Explore Irish Sea coast and You can discover our most of the shores shores on foot, by bike of Strangford Lough. or by boat. If you are Stroll along sandy feeling adventurous, beaches, have a picnic why not take a scuba with a view, go rock dive! Boat trips allow pooling or have a go you the opportunity to at kayaking on the get out on the water sparkling waters of the and are organised from lough; the experiences Bangor, DID YOU KNOW… are endless. and Portaferry. Strangford Lough is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and of Special Scientific Interest? It is one of the highest-ranking marine sites in Europe and home to three quarters of Northern Ireland’s marine life! EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 12

Ballygrangee Fishery Cockle Island Boat Club Donaghadee Harbour Donaghadee Sailing Club Donaldson Lake , BT22 2ES Groomsport, BT19 6JR Donaghadee, BT21 OHE Donaghadee, BT21 0DG Holywood, BT18 9RN Fly fishing on 2½ acre lake Cockle Island Boat Club is Donaghadee’s iconic The sailing club is a Groups, clubs or individuals stocked with trout and located on the southern lighthouse stands on the recognised RYA Training can enjoy fly fishing and coarse fish. shore of Belfast Lough. harbour. Donaghadee Centre and provides worm fishing for trout 028 4278 8488 Although a relatively small is located at Northern training courses in sailing (rainbow, steelheads, blues 028 4278 8883 club it has a year-round Ireland’s closest point to and powerboating for both and cheetah 10lbs plus). events programme. Scotland and on most days adults and juniors from There is also a small pond Ballyholme Beach and Park 028 9146 4431 the Scottish coast is visible April-September. Visiting (Duck pond) for the little Bangor, BT20 5EG cockleislandboatclub.com to the naked eye from the boats to Donaghadee angler or learner. A mile long crescent of harbour. Harbour can arrange in 079 2115 9846 sandy beach. Children love Crawfordsburn visitdonaghadee.com advance to access the donaldsonfishery.co.uk to paddle and build sand Bangor Seafront and Country Park visitor shower/changing castles here, making it the Eisenhower Pier Bridge Road, room for a small charge. DV Diving perfect place for a family Bangor, BT20 5ED Helen’s Bay, BT19 1JT 028 9188 4270 Newtownards, BT22 2ES day out. A picturesque promenade Featuring two excellent donaghadeesc.co.uk DV Diving offer one 028 9127 0069 leading from the town beaches, spectacular of Europe’s most centre to the coastal path, scenery and views comprehensive ranges Ballyholme Yacht Club past the prestigious marina. across Belfast Lough, of scuba, technical and Bangor, BT20 5HT Sites include historic McKee Crawfordsburn Country Park commercial diving and Premier dinghy and Clock, Bregenz House provides a relaxing retreat. powerboat training courses - keelboat racing club in the Headquarters of HM Enjoy tranquil walks through for the complete beginner Northern Ireland. Coastguard, and Pickie the peaceful meadows and through to instructor 028 9127 1467 Funpark. Eisenhower Pier wooded glens and look out development for the most ballyholme.com is a focal point for events for the stunning waterfall. experienced professionals. and includes a number of 028 9185 3621 028 9186 1686 Bangor Boat mosaics depicting the history dvdiving.co.uk Bangor, BT20 5ED of the town. Cuan Marine Services Ltd Operating fishing trips and 028 9127 0069 Portaferry, BT22 1LA short sea cruises out of Marine surveys, diving, Bangor Marina. sightseeing trips, fishing 075 1000 6000 , BT22 1DL trips. (All year for some bangorboat.com Burr Point is the most easterly activities and June-October point in Ireland. It is denoted for fishing.) by a giant ‘E’ sculpture. 028 4272 8297 A perfect picnic stop off on cuanmarineservices.co.uk the Ards Peninsula. 028 9127 0069

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Holywood Yacht Club John Erskine Boat Charters Kircubbin Sailing Club Lough Cowey Fishery Holywood, BT18 9JN Bangor, BT20 5ED Kircubbin, BT22 2RP Portaferry, BT22 1PJ One of the oldest yacht Offering daily fishing trips Situated on the eastern side The fishery is stocked clubs in Ireland, Holywood from Bangor Marina as well of the Lough, at the northern regularly and has good Yacht Club is a small friendly as sightseeing boat trips. end of Kircubbin Bay. The quality over-wintered fish and active sailing club that (Pre-booking advisable.) bay offers reasonable available in early spring. caters for all levels and 078 0157 1830 holding in clean sand/mud Mainly stocked with abilities. It is a Recognised and provides good shelter trout. (Licence and permit Teaching Centre (RTC). John Murray Jnr Boats from north through east required.) 028 9042 3345 Portaferry, BT22 1PE to south, but is completely 0300 200 7860 hyc.org.uk Boat trips on Strangford exposed to the west. nidirect.gov.uk/angling Lough - sightseeing, bird Anchor off is 2.1m (clear of Island Boat Charters and seal watching. Angling moorings) or pick up a spare Millisle Beach Park Movilla Trout Fishery Donaghadee, BT21 0HE groups can also be catered mooring when available. Millisle, BT22 2HS Newtownards, BT23 8RL The skipper has over 30 for from Portaferry and kircubbinsailingclub.co.uk The beach park provides Fly fishing for both beginners years’ experience in and Strangford. Must be booked a sandy rural beach, play and the experienced angler around the Copeland in advance. (Trips from The Kite Surf Academy and picnic facilities, a jetty as well as a bait pond for Islands and is also a keen May – October for bird A fully qualified Kitesurfing and two slip ways. It was children. birdwatcher and member and seal watching) School offering IKO awarded a Seaside Award in 079 2183 7984 of the Copeland Bird 028 4272 8414 accredited kitesurf courses 2018. Car parking and public Observatory. 079 8662 5162 catering for all levels and toilets are provided and Newtownards Sailing Club 078 1566 9732 needs. With safety as the there is also disabled access. Newtownards, BT22 2AJ facebook.com/island highest priority, we aim to Learn safely how to sail boatchartersdonaghadee give the learner the best dinghies or to windsurf. experience possible. Experienced trained Island Hill Nature Reserve 077 7036 8971 instructors help you into the Comber, BT23 5JR facebook.com/ exciting world of water sports. Accessible at low-tide, this thekitesurfacademy newtownardssailingclub.co.uk walk around ‘Rough Island’ provides magnificent views of Strangford Lough and is an excellent view point for bird watching. walkni.com/walks

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North Down Coastal Path Portaferry Sailing Club Royal North of Ireland Strangford Lough Lookout Holywood to Portavoe Portaferry, BT22 1JZ Yacht Club Newtownards, BT22 2AD One of the finest shoreline Situated facing the Narrows, Holywood, BT18 0BB Wildlife interpretative walks in Ireland, stretching south of the Ferry Pier. RNIYC is an RYA Champion centre, showcasing the from Holywood to Portavoe Berthing is available in the Club and Training Centre local wildlife. Telescopes near Groomsport. This small marina. Showers and in Holywood that runs and remotely controlled beautiful environment, with bar open in the evenings. sailing classes and events cameras allow close up its contrasting shoreline, 028 4272 8770 throughout the year. views of basking seals and provides a variety of portaferrysailingclub.com 028 9042 8041 breeding seabird colonies. habitats, from rocky shores rniyc.org 028 4278 8387 through salt marshes Portaferry Recreation Hub nationaltrust.org.uk/ and mud flats to sandy Portaferry, BT22 1JZ Royal Ulster Yacht Club mountstewart beaches. A wide variety A family orientated Bangor, BT20 5HY of bird species can be community based RYA Champion Club and Strangford Lough Strickland’s Glen observed. A special treat is recreation hub with facilities Training Centre that runs Yacht Club Bangor, BT20 3SU the Grey or Atlantic seals for sailing, canoeing, sailing classes and events , BT23 6QA An enchanting park and which bask on the rocks at walking, diving and cycling. throughout the year. Sailing and boating facilities, wooded glen leading onto Ballymacormick, Orlock and 028 4272 8517 028 9127 0568 training and instruction the North Down Coastal Rockport. ruyc.co.uk in dinghy sailing and Path. The shady tree lined 028 9127 0069 Portavoe Reservoir power boat handling. walks take you along Donaghadee, BT21 0PJ Seapark Recreation RYA recognised training a series of ponds and Polehill Coarse Fishery This small, attractive Grounds establishment. waterfalls to one of the Newtownards, BT23 8RW reservoir is off the coast Holywood, BT18 0LP 028 9754 1883 beautiful little coves which Designed and created with road between Donaghadee Holywood’s main parkland slyc.co.uk are dotted along the North both the beginner and and Bangor. Regular and recreational area Down Coastal Path. seasoned professional in stocking of takeable trout has a variety of activities 028 9127 0069 mind. The lakes are stocked ensures good fishing at this including tennis courts, with most types of coarse popular location. a bowling green, putting Stratus Sailing fish including bream, carp, 0300 200 7806 green (all bookable via Bangor, BT20 5ED tench and roach nidirect.gov.uk/angling Bangor Sportsplex) and Courses for beginners, (Rod hire available). there is an enclosed intermediate, advanced 028 9145 4983 Ross Jord Trout Fishery children’s playground set and racing sailors. Stratus fishingtackle2u.co.uk , BT23 7PX in the parkland. The whole Sailing is offering a Fly-fishing, bait/float and area is right on the seafront new range of sailing for boats. All day ticket money and has panoramic views everyone on its fleet of will be used to restock the overlooking Belfast Lough. Beneteau Platu 25s. lake but more importantly 028 9127 5622 077 7925 5574 to put back into the stratussailing.com surrounding communities. 074 8742 2244

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Great Food Encounters

Quality From field to table Choice Get your taste buds The fertile fields are There’s usually a tingling with amazing the key to the delicious family butcher and local produce and vegetables and fine baker in every town flavours, chefs and herds of cows you will and village, and plenty restaurants. Ards and see. The local dairy of farm shops in the North Down has the industry produces countryside, for you to largest number of exciting ranges of ice pick from. award winning, high cream, cheese and A gourmet dining quality restaurants yoghurt. Don’t leave room, a friendly pub, outside of Belfast. the table without delicious deli counter Food Experiences trying some and why or fish and chips at the not round off a meal Fresh from local harbour – the choice is Echlinville Distillery The Kitchen Academy Tracey’s Farmhouse with a little nip of a Kircubbin, BT22 1AJ waters yours! Bangor, BT19 7PD kitchen locally distilled spirit? A must see for Whiskey A Cookery School and Killinchy, BT23 6UD Seafood is at the top and Gin enthusiasts. If you’re a visiting Centre of Education that is Enjoy hands-on experience of many menus, with Offering visitors a truly passionate about sharing making traditional Irish hunter-gatherer who a daily catch from bespoke experience in skills and knowledge. Here, breads, then afterwards prefers to cook for the sparkling waters an exquisite setting. everyone can develop enjoy your breads with themselves, you’ll Tasting tours and special kitchen confidence and be homemade jams and hand of the Irish Sea and be spoilt for choice events throughout the year inspired to cook and share rolled butters in a stunning Strangford Lough with goods from local 028 4273 8597 great tasting, healthy food. location. Food and drink supplying the local producers. Be sure echlinville.com Look out for special events, experiences by coach are restaurant trade. classes and courses on the also offered; meet local to visit the area’s Don’t miss the Indie Fude website. producers, take a farm artisan markets - Comber, BT23 5DZ tour, enjoy locally caught Portavogie prawns, 077 4674 8215 Comber Farmers' Stocking the best of thekitchenacademy.co.uk shellfish, beef reared on local lobsters or Market held on the everything Irish and the farm, craft beers, award oysters. first Thursday of the handmade, choose from winning chocolate, single month and Market on For a full list of more than 600 products estate gin and whiskey and to get your taste buds the Square, Portaferry events and how more! Tours can run over 1 tingling! Keep an eye out for day or half day or as single on the first Saturday we celebrate Food AND Drink their special events – from experiences. of each month April – meeting local producers, 028 9754 3224 December. in Ards and North supper clubs to learning to nifoodtours.com Down, go to cook up a storm with local visitardsandnorth produce! down.com 028 9122 6359 indiefude.com EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 20

Creative Encounters

Known as the ‘Creative Peninsula’, Ards and North Down is Ards Art Centre Boom! Studios bursting with talent. Local artists and makers, inspired and Town Hall Bangor, BT20 3AH Newtownards, BT23 4NP A vibrant workspace for by their surroundings, are showcased and celebrated Home to a variety of the creative industry and in our galleries and craft studios dotted around performances and visitors; running a year the borough. A fantastic programme of exhibitions throughout round programme of leisure classes, exhibitions, festivals and the year. creative activity in the centre 028 9181 0803 of Bangor. performances of dance, drama and music ardsarts.com boomstudios.org.uk make creativity very easy for everyone to embrace and enjoy. Avalon Guitar Factory Bradley Art Newtownards, BT23 4BX Bangor, BT20 5BD Avalon are the leading Contemporary art gallery Cuan Crafts makers of premium owned by renowned Portaferry, BT22 1JY custom guitars in the Northern Irish artist, Terry Owned and managed by UK and Ireland, blending Bradley. Selling a full range Dympna Curran the shop innovation in design with of Bradley’s limited edition has a wonderful selection the finest materials and prints and paper and canvas, of local crafts including uncompromising traditional with originals and some jewellery, textiles, prints, craftsmanship. unique pieces. cards, glass and wood 028 9182 0542 028 9147 3508 sculpture for sale and a avalonguitars.com terrybradley.com variety of craft workshops on offer. It also has a small Battletown Gallery The Craft Room gallery with artwork by local Newtownards, BT23 8SL Comber, BT23 5DZ artists available to buy. The gallery exhibits The Craft Room was 077 7189 0973 contemporary and semi- established in October 2016 traditional art from a range by the founders of the North Discovery Glass of well-known artists . With Down Craft Collective and Comber, BT23 5AP spectacular views of Scrabo showcases the work of A stained glass studio in the Tower and Strangford Lough, local Northern Irish artists, centre of Comber creating it provides a unique setting craftspeople and designers. a wide variety of original in which to enjoy and browse thecraftroomcomber.com work. Discovery Glass works of art. sells beautifully designed 028 9182 2626 collectable glass gifts and thebattletowngallery.com keepsakes, handcrafted by Irene McBride. 028 9187 0181 discoveryglass.co.uk

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Doghouse Gallery Loaf Pottery and North Down Craft Collective Spring Cottage Crafts Studio 1A Comber, BT23 5EG Coffee Shop Holywood, BT18 9BX @ The Potting Shed Bangor, BT20 4JP Doghouse is a contemporary Crawfordsburn, BT19 1JE The Craft Collective host Comber, BT23 5JZ Home of the Bangor gallery that hosts a wide A new social enterprise arts a market in Holywood Spring Cottage Crafts Drama Club who perform range of carefully selected, centre located in the heart Old School on the second overlooks magnificent a number of plays and studio made crafts and fine of the picturesque village Saturday of each month views of the County Down festivals throughout the art by full-time makers. of Crawfordsburn. The cafe where local designers, landscape. While exploring year, the venue is also used Ranges include jewellery and offers delightful treats while producers and artists, the handmade fabric crafts on occasion for talks and accessories, textiles, leather, the arts centre features offering unique handmade at the new gift shop, visitors lectures. Tickets for all plays metal, glass and ceramics. a pottery, art classes and products for sale. can also enjoy the ever available from the Visitor 028 9187 1261 activities for children. northdowncraftcollective. changing scenery. Information Centre doghousegallery.co.uk ​Seasonal programme of com 028 9187 2320 028 9127 0069 pottery classes and special Seacourt: The Centre for 075 9525 0096 bangordramaclub.com Eden Pottery events including pizza and NI Silver: Jewellery Contemporary Printmaking Millisle, BT22 2DH pottery nights and Paint Me Making Workshops Bangor, BT19 7QY SPACE Theatre The Handcrafted Gallery Based in the heart of the Glaze Me classes. Holywood, BT18 An artist and printmaking SERC Bangor, BT20 4TD Newtownards, BT23 4JT peninsula, Eden makes 028 9185 3340 No experience required for studio facility providing Managed by the local The Handcrafted Gallery is a colourful sponge printed loafcatering.com/pottery these informative, fun and weekly, weekend and one- College for Further unique retail concept store pottery by hand. You can relaxed jewellery making day workshops suitable for Education, Space Theatre is based in Newtownards town create your own piece in its Nora Watson Jewellery workshops. Completely beginners. Groups of five home to a range of amateur centre. Established by Ards ‘Pottery Café’ while enjoying Portaferry, BT22 1QJ bespoke workshop for up to or more can request their shows throughout the Business Centre to provide a delicious homemade scones, Taking her inspiration from four people. Decide what you own workshop designed year. The facility boasts a retail platform and business cakes and lunches. the stunning natural beauty want to make beforehand to their own interests. The high specification theatre, support for local makers in 028 9186 2300 of the Ards Peninsula, Nora and then come and create Centre also provides a rolling industry standard music the creative industry. edenpotteryshop.co.uk produces characteristic your masterpiece. programme of high quality recording studios and 028 9181 9787 designs incorporating 078 7969 8286 exhibitions in their gallery. rehearsal spaces. facebook.com/ simple, rounded, flowing ni-silver.com 028 9146 0595 Varied programme. thehandcraftedgallery forms. The gallery also seacourt-ni.org.uk 028 9127 6611 stocks a wide range of Project 24 spacebangor.com The Web Theatre quality handmade gifts Bangor, BT20 3BH Sea Snail Studio Newtownards, BT23 4DE including pottery, glassware, Project 24 is a unique and Sketrick Island, BT23 6QH The only privately owned ceramics, pictures and cards. dynamic temporary art Artist and illustrator Hannah and independently operated 028 4277 1130 project on the seafront Dorman paints and designs theatre in Northern Ireland. norawatsonjewellery.co.uk in Bangor. Wander in and her collections of jewellery, The ground floor of the around the pods, talk to stationery, textiles and premises includes a coffee the artists about their work framed works from a little shop and rehearsal studio. or consider investing in an green studio tucked away on Varied programme. exclusive piece of art. Sketrick Island. Shrink 028 9182 8234 0300 013 3333 art jewellery workshops webtheatre.biz project24ni.com and private parties are also available to book. See website and Facebook events for details. 074 6070 2398 seasnailstudio.co.uk

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Step Back in Time

You will find yourself steeped in built and natural heritage, Ballycopeland Windmill Bangor Abbey Boys’ Brigade with 9000 years of history awaiting you in the form of Millisle, BT22 2DS Bangor, BT20 4JE Heritage Museum Built in the 18th century, Bangor Abbey was Millisle, BT22 2LZ holy wells, abbeys and Norman castles. Ballycopeland Windmill is established by Saint Comgall The Museum, based at the only remaining windmill in 558AD and evolved over Ganaway Activity Centre, Visit North Down Museum where you can travel from in Northern Ireland with centuries. It was destroyed by provides a focal point for the Bronze Age to the present day through a series its original mechanism Viking attacks and re-built by the collection and care of still existing. the Ulster-Scots in the 1600s. material illustrating the of exhibitions and displays. Learn about life 028 9082 3207 Today it remains a pivotal work and witness of in the trenches in the early 1900s at the part of Bangor’s Christian the Boys’ Brigade since Somme Museum. Step back in time and Ballyquintin community. the founding of the uncover a way of life from 100 years Portaferry, BT22 1RG 028 9145 1087 organisation in 1883. The beautiful coastal path 028 9186 1297 ago at the Ulster Folk Museum. passes through beaches Bangor Castle (Town Hall) ganaway.co.uk and farmland. From the Bangor, BT20 4BT walk you can take in views The Castle served as a Clandeboye Estate across Strangford Lough to military hospital during the Bangor, BT19 1RN Killard Point and on a clear Second World War and a Home of the and day you can see across the local contingent of the Ulster Ava family the Estate Irish Sea to The Isle of Man. Home Guard drilled in the houses Clandeboye House, 028 4278 7769 grounds. It is now the Council Courtyard and Helen’s nationaltrust.org.uk/ headquarters. Located in Tower. One of Ireland’s strangford-lough picturesque Castle Park grand estates, set in which is also home to the historic parklands with the Ballywalter Park beautiful Bangor Castle largest area of broadleaved Ballywalter, BT22 2PP Walled Garden, it is well woodland in Northern Ballywalter Park is a worth a visit. Ireland. The estate is classic example of an early 0300 013 3333 private however, on special Victorian Country House occasions visitors can enjoy built in the Italianate Bangor Castle Walled Garden a tour or organised event, Palazzo style. It is the home Bangor, BT20 4BT details are listed on the of Lord and Lady Dunleath An award winning Walled website. and it has been in their Garden in the tranquil 028 9185 3457 family for 170 years. (Open grounds of Castle Park. The clandeboye.co.uk by prior arrangement only.) garden is divided into four 028 4275 8203 different sections, each with its own horticultural personality. It also boasts two unique pieces of sculpture inspired by the area’s maritime history. 028 9127 0069

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Derry Churches Grey Abbey House Holywood Maypole Kearney Village House Movilla Abbey Portaferry, BT22 1JX Greyabbey, BT22 2QA Holywood, BT18 9AB Portaferry, BT22 1QP and Gardens Newtownards, BT23 8EZ These ruined churches, Grey Abbey House was Holywood is famous for its A showpiece village Portaferry Road, As with many early which are associated with built in 1762 and is the Maypole in the centre of carefully restored by the Newtownards, BT22 2AD monasteries, Movilla Saint Cumain, are a prime third house to be built town. Its origin is uncertain, National Trust to give the One of the most inspiring Abbey was refounded as example of pre-Norman on the site overlooking but according to local authenticity of a traditional and unusual gardens an Augustinian abbey in architecture. Strangford Lough where the folklore, it dates from 1700. fishing village. The village in the National Trust’s the Norman 12th century. 028 9181 1491 Montgomery family has lived A Dutch ship is said to lies three miles to the east ownership. The house has It possesses the best for more than four hundred have run aground on the of Portaferry, with views recently undergone a major collection of 13th century Grey Abbey years. Its architecture, shore nearby, and the crew across to Scotland, the Isle refurbishment. Explore coffin lids with foliate Greyabbey, BT22 2NQ history and setting make it erected the broken mast of Man and the mountains of this exquisite attraction at crosses in the province. This Cistercian Abbey and its one of the most important to show their appreciation Mourne. your leisure and uncover 028 9082 3207 living quarters were founded and beautiful privately of the assistance offered 028 4278 8387 the fascinating stories of 028 9082 3214 in 1193 by Affreca wife of owned country houses to them by the townsfolk. nationaltrust.org.uk/ the family that still resides John de Courcy, the Anglo- in Ulster. (Open by prior The Maypole is still used for strangfordlough there. Explore the woodland Norman invader of East arrangement only.) dancing at the annual Merry trails and natural play area Ulster. The Abbey is set in 028 4278 8666 May Day event. Mahee Castle before refuelling with some the landscaped parkland of greyabbeyhouse.com 028 9127 0069 Comber, BT23 6EP tasty treats in the Tea the 18th Century Rosemount Mahee Castle, also known Room. House. However, visitors Grey Point Fort Holywood Priory as Nendrum Castle, is a 028 4278 8387 should note that these Helen’s Bay, BT19 1LE Holywood, BT18 9AD small ruined tower house nationaltrust.org.uk/ grounds are private. Visitors Situated between Helen's Dating back to the 13th near Nendrum Monastery mount-stewart are welcome to wander Bay and Crawfordsburn, century, the Priory boasts on Mahee Island in among the ruins and the Grey Point Fort houses a rich ecclesiastical heritage. Strangford Lough. It was lawns, where picnics are also two spectacular guns and It was the town’s parish built in 1570 by Captain permitted. a most unusual hands on church from 1615 to 1844. Thomas Browne. 028 9082 3207 military museum. It also In the churchyard are buried hosts a number of special Robert Lloyd Praeger, the Millin Bay Cairn commemorative events renowned naturalist and his Portaferry, BT22 1QB during the year. sculptor sister Rosamund. A neolithic burial site 028 9082 3207 028 9127 0069 which has been covered greypointfort.magix.net over (leaving the tops of the tallest stones visible) giving it the appearance of a stone circle. The site was excavated in 1953 and 15 individuals were found buried on the site. The site has since been back filled to protect it.

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Nendrum Monastery Portico Arts and Scrabo Tower and Somme Museum Mahee Island, BT23 6EP Heritage Centre Country Park Newtownards, BT23 7PH Nendrum is thought to Portaferry, BT22 1LE Scrabo Road, The Somme Museum have been set up by Originally built in 1841, Newtownards, BT23 4SJ examines Ireland’s role Saint Machaoi in the 5th Portico opened as an Arts One of the area’s best in the 1st World War Century and is linked to and Heritage Centre in known landmarks, Scrabo with special reference Saint Patrick in a much later 2016 following an extensive Tower boasts incredible to the cross-community source. It is thought to be restoration. Today Portico is views over Strangford involvement in the three Ulster Folk Museum the best example of a pre- a multi-purpose venue that Lough and the surrounding local volunteer Divisions: Bangor Road, Norman monastic site in hosts cultural, educational countryside. There are the 10th and 16th (Irish) , BT18 0EU Northern Ireland. and heritage events walking trails taking in the Divisions and the 36th Step back in time and 028 9082 3207 and activities including fine beech woodlands and (Ulster) Division. experience what life was like film shows, concerts, disused quarries offering 028 9182 3202 in Ulster over 100 years ago. North Down Museum exhibitions, literary events, many opportunities to irishsoldier.org Wander through the Bangor, BT20 4BT talks and much more. A enjoy the surrounding beautiful parkland of the North Down Museum tells particular highlight within countryside. The Tower Saint Cooey’s Wells Ulster Folk Museum, where the story of the North Down the building is Portico’s is open to the public on Tara Bay, BT22 1RF you will encounter costumed Windmill Hill area from the Bronze Age organ, installed in 1917. particular dates only, The wells were founded in locals demonstrating Portaferry, BT22 1RH to the present day through 028 4272 8808 however the parkland is the 7th century by Saint traditional crafts in cottages, On the hill below the stump a series of rooms, each porticoards.com always accessible. Cooey and reopened in 1977. farm dwellings, schools, and of Portaferry Windmill there dedicated to a particular era 028 9182 6846 According to tradition, it shops. is a lay-by and viewpoint. of history. Key artefacts on Priory discovernorthernireland. was here that Saint Cooey 028 9042 8428 Enjoy breathtaking views display include the Bronze Newtownards, BT23 7NY com performed his penitential nmni.com/ufm of Strangford Lough from Age Ballycroghan Swords, Today you can see the exercises in the late 7th the mouth of the Lough the Bangor Bell from the remains of the 13th century Sketrick Castle and early 8th centuries. The Ulster Transport Museum to Greyabbey with the hugely important Bangor church, with some additions Killinchy, BT23 6QH foundations of a church, Bangor Road, woods of Castle Ward, Abbey settlement, and from later centuries. The Sketrick Castle is located modern altar and three holy Cultra, BT18 0EU Portaferry Demesne and the Raven Maps, the only present north aisle and on Sketrick Island which wells can be found. Be transported back in time the picturesque village of complete folio of Plantation tower date from the early is reached by a causeway and explore one of the most Strangford in front of you. era maps in Ireland. 17th century. The entrance on the west coast of Church comprehensive transport 028 9127 1200 to the tower of the former Strangford Lough. This large Comber, BT23 6AF collections in Europe. northdownmuseum.com priory is acknowledged as tower house was built in the The ruins of a late 15th You’ll find majestic one of the most striking mid-15th century and was and early 17th century locomotives, horse- Portaferry Castle examples of renaissance actively involved in warfare church set in beautiful drawn carriages, vintage Portaferry, BT22 1NZ architecture from the early during the 16th century. surroundings. motorbikes, and cars at the Portaferry Castle is a 16th- 17th century. 028 9082 3214 028 9082 3207 Ulster Transport Museum, century tower house, built 028 9082 3207 along with exhibits of by the Savage family and historical materials including prominently located on the photographs of the Titanic. slope overlooking Portaferry 028 9042 8428 harbour within sight of nmni.com/utm Strangford and Audley’s Castles across the water. 028 9082 3207 For further information go to visitardsandnorthdown.com EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 30

Enjoy Family Fun

Family time is precious. Take the opportunity to make Ballymenoch Park Wildfowl memories with the kids… Go fairy hunting in the woods, Holywood, BT18 OLP and Wetland Centre Close to the attractive 78 Ballydrain Road, fly a kite on the beach, or have a picnic in the park. town of Holywood you can Comber, BT23 6EA Visit Exploris Aquarium to discover the secrets of wander among twenty Set on the shores of the the sea - and meet the resident African Nile acres of woodland and lush stunning Strangford Lough, crocodile - or enjoy a miniature train ride, parkland that run alongside Castle Espie is a tranquil the famous Bangor Road. and friendly centre for all water zorbing and mini golf at Pickie The park is open all year and the family. Hides and nature Funpark. There’s also a host of indoor has wonderful displays of walks allow you to get close leisure facilities such as cinemas, wild flowers throughout the to the wild birds and the museums and go karting seasons. collection of endangered The Ark Open Farm 028 9127 0069 ducks, geese and swans to enjoy. With so many Newtownards, BT23 7PH from around the world. attractions to choose A charming attraction where Balloo Nature Reserve Outdoor natural play spaces from, there is plenty education meets farmyard Bangor, BT19 7PG are fun for little ones to burn of family fun to family fun. Open all year Balloo Nature Reserve is off energy; with adventure round. Set in over forty acres perfect for a family stroll play, a zip wire, a tall tree be had. of unspoiled countryside, while looking at the local house, a wobbly bridge and the farm is a loving home flora and fauna. The Reserve tree swings to enjoy, they to at least 200 different has a range of wildlife and will be spoilt for choice! kinds of animals. Be sure plant life. 028 9187 4146 to explore the new nursery 028 9127 0069 wwt.org.uk/castleespie rhyme themed fairy tale ulsterwildlife.org forest, added in 2018. Check Castle Park the website for information Cairn Wood Bangor, BT20 4BT on events held throughout Holywood, BT19 1UT A walk through this the year. Get away from it all in this wooded wonderland is an 028 9182 0445 hilly hinterland. An idyllic exhilarating experience thearkopenfarm.co.uk elevated conifer forest that throughout the seasons. overlooks Ballysallagh trout- Obtain the Castle Park Air-tastic Trampoline Park fishing reservoir. Nature Trail Guide from Bangor, BT19 7AG 028 4377 2249 North Down Museum, Ireland’s favourite located in the grounds of trampoline park. Featuring Castle Park with Bangor interconnected trampolines, Castle (Town Hall), and an obstacle course, foam follow the arrowed pits, dodgeball, jump pathways. challenges, gladiator battle 028 9127 0069 beams, a huge airbag and much more! 028 9185 7306 air-tastic.com For further information go to visitardsandnorthdown.com EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 32

Drumawhey Exploris Aquarium Glen Lyon Park Kiltonga Nature Reserve Pickie Funpark Junction Railway The Rope Walk, Holywood, BT18 9BX Newtownards, BT23 4FY Marina Gardens, Bangor Donaghadee, BT21 OLZ Castle Street, A quiet spot on Church Road The reserve is located half a Promenade, BT20 5AG This is a miniature railway Portaferry BT22 1NZ in Holywood, this park offers mile outside Newtownards One of the top ten visitor operating steam, petrol and A sunken galleon, friendly eleven acres of woodland town centre. Mallards, attractions in Northern diesel hydraulic and electric sharks, super cute seals along the steep banks of the little grebe, moorhens and Ireland, the park provides locomotives. The line is the and an otter family all star quaintly named Twistle Burn. coots are always present. A a fun day out for all and longest 7 1/4” gauge railway in Northern Ireland’s only Perfect for a relaxing family pathway around the lakes features an 18 hole minigolf in Ireland. aquarium located on the walk. allows for closer inspection course, giant pedal swans, 028 9188 3844 shores of Strangford Lough. 028 9127 0069 of the birds and is suitable Pickie Puffer train, children’s drumawhey.com You will enjoy a diver’s view for pushchairs and disabled play area, children’s electric of marine life from around Happy Town Indoor Play access. car track, splash pads and Elite Archery the world. Get ‘hands on’ Newtownards, BT23 8NN café. Thunder Park @ 79 Cootehall Road, with our native species A large family entertainment Kingsland Play 028 9145 0746 Eddie Irvine Sports Bangor BT19 1UP as you tickle the belly of centre, soft play suitable for and Picnic Area pickiefunpark.com Bangor, BT19 7PG Archery for all ages and a small shark and feel the children zero to 11. Happy Bangor, BT20 5HD BMX, skate and scoot. Or abilities. The ideal venue spikes on a sea urchin. Take Town is a fully themed Follow the Seacliff Road past Redburn Country Park try your skills at DJing and for parties, groups and in the colourful coral reefs imaginary town with the Long Hole, along the Holywood, BT16 1YP breakdancing. Designed with individuals. of the Tropical Ocean and resident characters, Mayor rocky panoramic shoreline Featuring 7km of pathways progression in mind, the 078 4140 3207 see if you can find ‘Nemo’ Tumbledown and Naughty to beautifully landscaped Redburn Country Park is park features Ireland’s only adventuretraining.org.uk and ‘Dory’ before entering Norris, the mischievous Kingsland near Ballyholme set on a hill above Belfast RESI-Ramp accompanied the smugglers' cove where school boy. and Royal Ulster Yacht Club. Lough with spectacular with training foam pit. With sharks circle above you. 028 9181 5533 Play a round on the elevated views. Those energetic half pipes, jump boxes and a Don’t forget to explore the happytown.uk.com ‘Pitch and Putt’ course with visitors who climb to the top mini pump track for ages of dark depths of the reptile its breathtaking views of of the Country Park will be 4 years +. filled rainforest where our Harness Adventure Ballyholme Bay and the rewarded with spectacular 028 9145 1457 snappy crocodile and green Bangor, BT19 7TA Antrim Coast or enjoy a views of Belfast and the thunderactionsports.com/ gecko hide. If you’ve got a head for game of tennis. There’s also south Antrim hills. thunder-park 028 4272 8062 heights and a sense of a playground and picnic 028 9185 3621 explorisni.com adventure come and try this area. Ward Park indoor high ropes course. 028 9127 5622 Snakes ‘n’ Ladders Bangor, BT20 4LG Glastry Nature Reserve Challenge yourself to Indoor Play Ward Park covers an area Ballyhalbert, BT22 1BL complete an 18-obstacle Omniplex Cinema Bangor, BT20 3JN of 37 acres and among its Consisting of several lakes course. Bangor, BT20 4JH Snakes n Ladders is one of attractions are a children’s formed by digging clay 075 4730 4228 Features include: free Northern Ireland’s largest playground, all weather for the nearby Glastry harnessadventure.co.uk parking, 7 Screen Cinema, soft play centres with play hockey pitches, cricket Brickworks, the site covers Candy King Pic’n’mix, frames, a baby and toddler pitch, bowling greens, approximately 40 acres. IMC Cinema assigned seating, section, go karts, 5-a-side putting green and tennis These flooded clay pits Newtownards, BT23 4EU automated ticket purchase football pitch, party rooms courts. It also has a chain are now managed by the Housed within this cinema and collection points, 3D and a cafe. of small lakes providing National Trust as a wildlife is a fully restored Compton performances, VIP seating 028 9147 7913 wildfowl sanctuary with reserve. There is a carpark Organ, which is occasionally in selected screens, disabled snlplay.com many interesting specimens and pleasant walks around played at recitals. Regularly seating locations in all and dry pens containing a the lakes on the south side shows classic films, along screens. large variety of exotic birds. of Victoria Road. with latest releases, 028 9139 0111 Facilities must be booked via 028 4278 7769 including 3D offerings. omniplex.ie Bangor Sportsplex. 028 9182 1000 028 9127 0069 imccinemas.ie For further information go to visitardsandnorthdown.com EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 34

Get Active

There are lots of opportunities to get active in Ards and North Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing Bangor Sportsplex Eddie Irvine Sports Down with excellent indoor and outdoor leisure facilities. and Leisure Complex Bangor, BT19 1LU Bangor, BT19 7PG Newtownards, BT23 4DB The range of facilities Open all year round, Eddie Follow one of our walking or canoe trails to explore Representing an investment available makes this a great Irvine Sports has one of more. The area boasts many prestigious golf of more that £30M, this all round venue including Northern Ireland’s largest courses including Ireland’s oldest – The Royal centre delivers the most grass pitches, a floodlit indoor purpose built karting Belfast, Rory McIlroy’s Holywood home club modern and advanced all-weather astro turf tracks and is home to indoor leisure amenities including: pitch and an eight lane 3G field turf pitches. Eddie and Kirkistown Castle Links. contemporary gym, luxury athletics track. Irvine Sports also offers a spa, six lane main pool 028 9127 5622 wide range of professional and minor pool, a splash leisureardsandnorthdown. soccer coaching sessions play area for toddlers and com suitable for all ages. young children, a soft play 028 9145 1457 area and adventure zone, Bed and Bike eddieirvinesports.com covered astro turf area, Northern Ireland diversity playzone, pump Comber, BT23 5JW Elephant Bikes track and wheelpark. Guided cycle routes that will Bangor, BT20 5ED 028 9181 2837 take you ‘off the beaten track’. Why not discover beautiful leisureardsandnorthdown. 077 6898 1567 Bangor and nearby villages com bedandbikenorthernireland on an Elephant Bike? Bikes .com are available for hire from Bangor Aurora Aquatic Bangor Marina, (April – and Leisure Complex Birr House Riding Centre September) for just £10 per Bangor, BT20 4TH Holywood, BT16 1UA day or £6 per half day. The Complex offers an Established in 1974 Birr 028 9145 3297 excellent choice of sporting House Riding Centre and leisure activities provides riding lessons, pony Field of Dreams including leisure waters days and weekly courses. Bangor, BT19 7QE with flumes and sidewinder 028 9042 5858 Choose from clay target slide, three swimming pools birrhouseridingcentre.com shooting, target archery a health suite, squash (indoors and outdoors), courts and children’s soft Comber Leisure Centre archery, golf, orienteering adventure play area. Comber, BT23 5DY and coarse fishing. 028 9127 0271 The centre offers a range of 078 7283 7056 bangoraurora.com leisure facilities including a fieldofdreamsni.com fitness suite, a health suite, a sports hall and children’s soft play area. 028 9187 4350 leisureardsandnorthdown. com

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Ganaway Activity Centre Hollow Farm Shooting Kirkistown Motor Northern Ireland Portaferry Sports Centre Ulster Flying Club Millisle, BT22 2LZ Ground Ltd Racing Circuit Microlight Flying Portaferry, BT22 1ND Newtownards, BT23 8SG Ganaway can offer a range Comber, BT23 5SA Kircubbin, BT22 1AU Newtownards, BT23 8SG Enjoy sports facilities, Ulster Flying Club offer a of personal development Hollow Farm Shooting Featuring car racing, NI Microlights is an fitness classes, a sports hall service to the public where and team building activities Ground has a huge range of motorbike racing, kart and independent Flight Training and outdoor training centre. you can take air experience such as high level ropes fun activities such as clay superkart racing, sprints, School operating from (Open Monday to Friday flights, flying lessons to course, low level ropes pigeon range with skeet, autotesting, duathlons, cycle the Ulster Flying Club 5pm-10pm, Saturday 9am- PPL, NPPL, IMC and Night course, archery, climbing Olympic skeet, compact races and track days for both at Newtownards Airport 6pm, Sunday 1pm-6pm.) Ratings, to small JARFCL and abseiling, kayaking and sporting and Down the Line. cars and motorbikes. Lots offering a comprehensive 028 4272 8833 syllabus. Qualified pilots laser clay pigeon shooting. 028 9752 8381 of spectating points. Great range of Microlight related leisureardsandnorthdown. can also hire an aircraft 028 9186 1297 facilities. Cafe at main events. services including trial flights com from a fleet of high quality ganaway.co.uk Ireland Off-Road 028 4277 1325 and Full National Private aircraft, C-172’s and C152’s. Experience kirkistown.com Pilots Licence (NPPL). Queens Leisure Complex Microlight Flight Training Gransha Equestrian Centre Bangor, BT18 1RN 028 9146 2728 Holywood, BT18 9HL and Helicopter Flight Bangor, BT19 7QD Offroading (4x4) from half Londonderry Park 077 4076 6443 Queens Leisure Complex Training is also available. A British Horse Society day sessions for one, to Newtownards, BT23 8SG nimicrolights.co.uk features a range of activities 028 9181 3327 approved riding school and entire company days out. Londonderry Park provides and sports facilities for all livery yard, facilities include 028 9185 2111 modern pitches and Parkrun the family. two large indoor arenas, an ni-offroad.com facilities for sports and an Bangor, BT20 4JZ or 028 9042 1234 Antwerp Arena and a 30 outdoor area. There are Comber, BT23 5AR leisureardsandnorthdown. jump cross country course. Kayakshack facilities for playing football, There are two local parkruns com The all-weather Derby Newtownards, BT23 4GL hockey, cricket and bowls. in Ward Park, Bangor and Arena has a superb water Kayak hire. A roof rack is 028 9181 0614 Parkway, Comber every complex and sunken lane. required for kayak hire. leisureardsandnorthdown. Saturday morning at 079 5650 0660 Buoyancy aids are provided. com 9.30am where you would granshaequestrian.com 077 8946 5703 be more than welcome to Mobile Team Adventure come and run 5k against Heli-Power Newtownards, BT8 7SP the clock! Newtownards, BT23 8SG Outdoor Pursuits and Team parkrun.org.uk/bangor Helicopter pleasure flights Building activity packages parkrun.org.uk/comber of County Down, Belfast, and courses for corporate Stormont and Titanic areas. clients, as well as small Prices on request. Helicopter businesses, adult groups, pilot licence training and youth groups, schools, one-off trial flight lessons community groups and are also provided. individuals. 028 9181 1971 028 9064 6695 helipower.co.uk mobileteamadventure.co.uk

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Ardminnan Golf Course Bradshaw’s Brae Golf Centre Donaghadee Golf Club Holywood Golf Club The Royal Belfast Golf Club Scrabo Golf Club Portaferry, BT22 1QJ Newtownards, BT23 4TS Donaghadee, BT21 0PQ Holywood, BT18 9LE Craigavad, BT18 0BP Newtownards, BT23 4SL Situated in a scenic spot Bradshaw’s Brae Golf Situated on the North A parkland course set in Royal Belfast Golf Club Renowned for its narrow, overlooking the Irish Sea, Driving Range is the oldest Down Coast, at the mouth the hills of County Down. lays claim to the title of gorse-bordered fairways, this 9-hole treat is perfect in Ireland, established in of Belfast Lough, with Holywood is well known the oldest golf course accurate driving is essential, for starting a day’s touring 1965. The driving range stunning views across to for its most famous home in Ireland. Royal Belfast no more so than at the 424m with a quick round featuring consists of 16 covered the . The grown player; European provides a stern golfing par 4 1st hole which Christy water hazards, challenging floodlit bays, 10 new course is 18-hole par 71 and and world touring challenge. At the heart of O’Connor Senior described holes and other parkland outdoor bays and a part links. professional Rory McIlroy. its varied challenges is the as “one of the best opening pleasures. professional teaching bay. 028 9188 3624 The Club is very proud to constant requirement for holes in Ireland”. 028 4277 1321 It also includes a putting donaghadeegolfclub.com be associated with Rory accuracy rather than length, 028 9181 2355 green and bunker. and have a special area providing all levels of golfer scrabogolfclub.com Bangor Golf Club 028 9181 3484 Groomsport Golf Centre within the Clubhouse paying with a fair test of golf. The Bangor, BT20 4RH Groomsport, BT19 6LX homage to his career and numerous bunkers and A charming but challenging Golf Club Groomsport Golf Centre has achievements so far. subtly sloped greens ensure 18-hole Championship Carnalea, BT19 1EZ 16 inside floodlit bays and 028 9042 3135 that posting a low score is course set in parkland Long on history and over 100 yards of outside holywoodgolfclub.co.uk indeed a difficult feat. with picturesque views of challenges, this 18-hole hitting bays. Qualified PGA 028 9042 8165 Ballyholme Bay. course, divided into two nines professionals, Neil Dunlop Kirkistown Castle Golf Club royalbelfast.com 028 9127 0922 by the Bangor to Belfast and Gareth Graham, are on Cloughey, BT22 1JA bangorgolfclubni.co.uk rail line, covers an area of hand for lessons, custom Kirkistown Castle Golf Club approximately 88 acres. fitting and sales advice. is a unique Irish Links golf Blackwood Golf Centre 028 9127 0368 028 9147 3586 course and clubhouse Bangor, BT19 1GB carnaleagolfclub.com groomsportgolfcentre.com situated on the eastern Blackwood Golf Centre is shores of County Down, situated in the heart of the Clandeboye Golf Club Helen’s Bay Golf Club on the beautiful Ards beautiful parklands of the Conlig, BT23 7PN Helen’s Bay, BT19 1TL Peninsula. Clandeboye Estate. Few Boasting two excellent The nine hole course is a 028 4277 1233 facilities in Northern Ireland courses - the Dufferin and good test of accurate golf kirkistowncastlegolfclub. boast an 18-hole par 3 course the Ava. The vistas from and has been enjoyed by com and a driving range where the Dufferin over Belfast members and visitors alike you can develop your skills, Lough and Scottish coast for its challenging course, along with an outstanding and Strangford Lough welcoming atmosphere and Championship course. from the Ava create the wonderful views. 028 9185 2706 perfect golfing ambience. 028 9185 2815 blackwoodgolfcentre.com The Championship helensbaygc.com Dufferin course offers a demanding test. 028 9127 1767 cgc-ni.com

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Itineraries 1 2 Ideas to inspire your stay… STOP 1 STOP 2 Start your day in the busy town of Then head to Scrabo Tower, located Newtownards, home to our Visitor just minutes outside the town centre Information Centre (VIC) and an in Scrabo Country Park; it provides the Route 1 array of independent and high perfect vantage point for a picturesque street stores and cafés. Our expert view across Strangford Lough and the 3 VIC advisors will happily advise you area you will be exploring. The tower on how best to start your journey was built in 1857, after the potato of exploration, providing helpful famine. The scenes from the top maps and guides to keep you right. are well worth the 10-minute You can also purchase local, unique climb. STOP 3 handcrafted gifts and souvenirs. From Scrabo Country Park drive along the Ards Peninsula to Mount Stewart, a wonderful 19th-century stately house with manicured gardens and various parkland trails. The National Trust runs the estate, making it possible for members of the public to enjoy throughout the year. STOP 4 STOP 5 STOP 6 Next, venture further along the peninsula For gin and whiskey lovers, the next stop is After sampling a little whiskey, finish to Greyabbey, perhaps stopping at one a must: Echlinville Distillery. The distillery your day in Donaghadee. Here you will of the local eateries en route for a mid- is on the grounds of Echlinville Estate, find charming cafés, much loved pubs morning coffee and scone. Or explore the founded by the Echlin family in 1730. Learn and award-winning restaurants that are village itself, which is renowned for its about the art of whiskey, gin and poitin receiving rave reviews for their tasty quaint antique shops before taking time to making on one of the distillery’s tasting and inventive dishes. Sample some of explore Grey Abbey: the best example of tours; look out for Echlinville’s popular gin our famous local seafood or sit down to Anglo-Norman Cistercian architecture in evening events or consider sitting down to a more traditional dinner built around Ulster. Download the heritage trail straight an afternoon tea with a difference. Be sure our staple spuds. Finish the day with a to your phone; at the touch of a button, to book your tour in advance at night-time stroll to view Donaghadee you can listen to the story of Greyabbey’s echlinville.com Lighthouse. origins: of Viking invaders on Strangford Lough, of Scottish settlers who rebuilt the Abbey and developed the village, and of the places of worship that are still thriving today. 6 5 4

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Route 2

1 2 3 4

STOP 1 STOP 2 STOP 3 STOP 4 Begin today in Comber - the home of From Comber travel to Castle Espie, a Next head to , a small village Journey a short distance to Mahee Island great taste - where you can enjoy the wetland reserve managed by the Wildfowl between Balloo and Comber, home to which boasts breathtaking views of local crafts and artisan food scene, and Wetlands Trust. The reserve has The Old Post Office Tea Rooms. The Strangford Lough. While on the island with many local shops selling unique, incredible wildlife, stunning scenery and building dates back to the 1840s and was take time to explore Nendrum Monastery. handmade goods. Ards and North Down a fascinating visitor centre that you’ll not restored to create a charming eatery that Founded in the 5th century by St Machaoi, is home to the greatest concentration of want to miss. With the centre providing offers a unique dining and hospitality some remains of this Christian Monastery professional artists and craftspeople in views of almost the entire population experience. It is the perfect place to refuel. can still be seen, and it is believed to Northern Ireland, so you are bound to find of the world’s Brent geese wintering on be the best example of a pre-Norman something ’arty’ that inspires you. Then Strangford Lough, you’ll want to bring your monastic site in Northern Ireland. tantalise your taste buds with homegrown camera! foods and locally brewed drinks; eat in one of our cosy cafés and buy something delicious to take home. If you are here on the first Thursday of the month, don’t forget to visit Comber Farmers’ Market, which is famous for its award-winning produce that includes fresh breads, delicious jams, chutneys and vegetables. STOP 6 The Killinchy area is a foodie haven for Be sure to try some floury Comber Early 5 tonight’s dinner. If you fancy slightly more Potatoes if you are visiting during their casual cuisine, Balloo House is an award- season, June and July. winning restaurant and beautiful country pub with a rich history. It was originally a coaching house bought by the McConnell family in STOP 5 1893. Refurbished, it now boasts stunning From here venture to Killinchy. Continue stone floors and a working Aga, creating a today’s crafty theme and take time to visit cosy feel. If you are still looking for those Sea Snail Studio, offering a collection stunning Lough views head to Daft Eddy’s of jewellery, stationery, textiles and nestling on Sketrick Island. Renowned for its framed works. Then stop in The Crafty fresh food and wonderful hospitality you will Fox, a local shop that stocks beautiful not be disappointed. Alternatively, the hugely handmade gifts. successful Poacher’s Pocket oozes modern country charm. This Michelin recommended 6 restaurant provides great tasting food and even better portions.

For further information go to visitardsandnorthdown.com EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 44

Route 3

1 2 3

STOP 1 STOP 2 STOP 3 Start your day in Bangor. A walk along Visit Bangor Abbey where you can learn Then head to North Down Museum to the North Down Coastal Path - which about Christian heritage. Download discover the region’s history. Northern provides fabulous views of one of the the Bangor Christian Heritage Trail app Ireland’s most visited small museum tells finest shorelines on the island - and a straight to your mobile to hear all about the story of the North Down area from the coffee in one of the town’s cafés will its rich history, such as how it grew to Bronze Age to the present day through wake you up before you delve into the become one of the most important seats a series of rooms, each dedicated to a town’s rich history. of learning in Ireland. particular era of history. The museum also hosts regular art exhibitions, so make sure to check out what’s on at northdownmuseum.com. There is also a restaurant for a quick bite to eat.

4

STOP 4 STOP 5 Next, journey to Holywood via the Ulster Renowned for its speciality boutiques and in the prestigious Michelin guide - are Folk Museum and Ulster Transport café scene, Holywood town - which is the perfect places to end a few days Museum. Here you can experience what home to pro-golfer, Rory McIlroy - is the well-spent. Treat yourself to a three- life was like in Northern Ireland over 100 perfect place to while away a few hours. course meal made from locally sourced years ago in the folk park, and explore ingredients and indulge in a glass of one of the most comprehensive transport The town’s award-winning brasseries and something special… collections in Europe where you’ll find restaurants - several of which feature A perfect end to a packed stay! majestic locomotives, horse-drawn carriages, vintage motorbikes and rare cars. 5

For further information go to visitardsandnorthdown.com EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 46

Guided Tours Spring/Summer Events April – August Our programme of unique guided tours provides the In Ards and North Down we are proud to have perfect opportunity for you to explore Strangford an extensive and varied events programme. Lough, the Ards Peninsula and North Down. You Whether you are a foodie, a nature lover, explorer, are sure to be impressed by the outstanding historian or a family looking to enjoy time scenery, rich heritage, history and culture. together, there’s something for you. Keep in touch with the latest news and events: visitardsandnorthdown.com

Every tour is escorted by experienced guides keen to share with you the wonderful history and stories of this magnificent area. They’ll provide that extra special experience that you don’t normally get on a regular visit or access to places that are normally closed to the general public. The programme runs until November. Tickets should be booked in advance.

For more information and to book, visitardsandnorthdown.com/ guidedtours or pick up one of our free Guided Tours Booklets from any Visitor Information Centre. EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 48

April

Wednesday 3 to Saturday 6 April Saturday 13 April Sunday 14 April Friday 19 to Tuesday 23 April MONTHLY MARKETS Saturday 6 April ‘Sing to me’ with Kyle Riley Greyabbey Bay Ramble Rhododendron Ramble, Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, Bangor International Ards Arts Centre Greyabbey car park, Mount Stewart Mount Stewart Comber Choral Festival Newtownards, BT23 4NP BT22 2RU Newtownards, BT22 2AD Newtownards, BT22 2AD Farmers’ Market: St Comgall’s Parish Centre 11am 11.30am-2.30pm 11am-1pm 11am-4pm First Thursday in the Bangor, BT20 3DS 028 9181 0803 028 4278 8387 028 4278 8387 028 4278 8387 month various times ardsarts.com nationaltrust.org.uk/ nationaltrust.org.uk/ nationaltrust.org.uk/ St Mary’s Parish Church, 07720 265 221 Tickets £5 mount-stewart mount-stewart mount-stewart BT23 5DU bicf.co.uk £4 (Ad), £1 (Ch). Tickets £10 (Ad) and £5 (Ch) Normal admission, see 9am-1pm Wed-Fri £2, Sat daytime £3, Sunday 7 April Booking essential Normal admission, see website. Members free Perfect for the artisan Sat Gala Evening £6, Pet Nose Day, website. Members free (Cadbury Easter egg hunt, food lover Fri evening concert – Mount Stewart Saturday 13 April Tickets additional to £1.50 per child) combermarket.co.uk Complimentary, Newtownards, BT22 2AD Kaz Hawkins – My Life and I admission. Booking essential Programme £3 11am-3pm The Portico of Ards Saturday 20 April Portaferry: This is a Tourism 028 4278 8387 Portaferry, BT22 1LE Friday 19 to Tuesday 23 April Have a go: Scything at Market on the Square Grant Aided event nationaltrust.org.uk/ 7.30pm Easter Extravaganza, Kearney Village First Saturday in the mount-stewart 028 4272 8808 Ark Open Farm Kearney Village car park, month Wednesday 3 to Normal admission, see porticoards.com Newtownards, BT23 7PH BT22 1QP Market House, BT22 1LN Sunday 7 April website. Members free £15. Under 25’s £5 11am-4pm 10am-1pm 10am-1.30pm Ards International 028 9182 0445 Mount Stewart rangers’ A family orientated Guitar Festival Sunday 7 April Saturday 13 to thearkopenfarm.co.uk office, 028 4278 7769 market Various venues, Mini train rides, Drumawhey Sunday 28 April £7 (Ad), £8 (Ch 3yrs+ to 028 4278 8387 Newtownards, BT23 4NP Railway Junction Easter at Mount Stewart include Egg Hunt and Tractor nationaltrust.org.uk/ WEEKLY MARKETS Various times Donaghadee, BT21 0LZ Newtownards, BT22 2AD Ride) strangford-lough 028 9181 0803 1pm-4pm 11am-4pm No charge, donations Bangor: Wednesdays ardsguitarfestival.co.uk 028 9188 3844 028 4278 8387 welcome Asda Carpark, Prices vary, see website drumawhey.com Full Easter programme BT20 4SD £3 (Ad), £2 (Ch) | Cash only available at nationaltrust. 7am–1pm org.uk/mount-stewart Friday 12 April Normal admission, see Newtownards: Music in the Chamber: website. Members free Saturdays Los Dramaticos Conway Square, Town Hall, Bangor, BT20 4BT Saturday 13 to BT23 4NP 8pm Sunday 28 April 8am–4.30pm 028 9127 1200 Giant Easter Duck Hunt, ardsarts.com Castle Espie Tickets £12 including Comber, BT23 6EA refreshments 10am-5pm 028 9187 4146 wwt.org.uk/wetland- centres/castle-espie Prices vary, see website EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 50

Sunday 28 April Monday 22 April Sunday 21 April Tour the Temple, Easter Fun at Portaferry Easter Fun at Cockle Row Mount Stewart Visitor Information Cottages Newtownards, BT22 2AD Centre Groomsport Harbour, 12pm-1pm and 2pm-3pm BT22 1NZ BT19 6JR 028 4278 8387 Centre open 10am-5pm. Cottages open 11am-5pm nationaltrust.org.uk/ Family Fun 2pm-4pm Family Fun 2pm-4pm mount-stewart 028 4272 9882 028 9127 0069 Normal admission, see visitardsandnorthdown. visitardsandnorthdown. website. Members free. com com Booking essential

Sunday 28 April Jazz in the Garden, Sunday 21 to Monday 22 April Mount Stewart Tuesday 23 April Easter at North Down Newtownards, BT22 2AD Mini train rides, Museum 2pm-4.30pm Drumawhey Railway Bangor, BT20 4BT 028 4278 8387 Junction 11am-1pm nationaltrust.org.uk/ Donaghadee, BT21 0LZ 028 9127 1200 mount-stewart 1pm-4pm northdownmuseum.com Normal admission, see 028 9188 3844 Free entry. £1 for activities website. Members free drumawhey.com Main Day Saturday 20 April £3 (Ad), £2 (Ch) | Cash only Wednesday 24 April Sunday 28 April Birdwatch Morning, Ultimate Strongman 2019 Sunday 21 to Castle Espie McKee Clock Arena Plus Sunday 21 and Tuesday 23 April Comber, BT23 6EA Bangor, BT20 5ED Easter Celebrations at 10.30am 1pm-5pm Monday 22 April the Ulster Folk Museum 028 9187 4146 077 8081 5928 Cultra, BT18 0EU wwt.org.uk/wetland- ultimatestrongman.tv 12noon–5pm 10am-5pm centres/castle-espie Free to spectate 028 9042 8428 Prices vary, see website This is a Tourism Grant nmni.com Aided event See website Thursday 25 April Theatre production: Roller Disco • Boat Tours • Crafts • Fairy Tours and more Sunday 21 to Jekyll and Hyde Tuesday 23 April Studio 1A, Bangor, Easter Eggstravaganza, BT20 4JP Exploris Aquarium 8pm Charges may apply to other activities. Portaferry, BT22 1NZ 028 9181 0803 This event is held in partnership with Meet Peter Rabbit™ at intervals on Open 10am-5pm, ardsarts.com Bangor Chamber of Commerce and Main Saturday and Monday (last entry 4pm) Tickets £10 including Street, My Street. 028 4272 8062 refreshments 028 9127 0069 explorisni.com (ages 12yrs+) visitardsandnorthdown.com/easter © Frederick Warne & Co., 2019 Normal admission EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 52

May

Saturday 4 May Sunday 5 and Monday 6 May Saturday 4 May MONTHLY MARKETS Car Bazaar, Mount Stewart Mini train rides, Drumawhey Family Fun at Portaferry Newtownards, BT22 2AD Junction Railway Comber Farmers’ Visitor Information 9am-12noon Donaghadee, BT21 0LZ Centre Market: 028 4278 8387 1pm-4pm BT22 1NZ First Thursday in the nationaltrust.org.uk/ 028 9188 3844 Centre open 10am-5pm. month mount-stewart drumawhey.com Family Fun 2pm-4pm. St Mary’s Parish Church, Car £5, Van £10, Trailer £15 £3 (Ad), £2 (Ch) | Cash only BT23 5DU 028 4272 9882 9am-1pm visitardsandnorthdown. Sunday 5 May Monday 6 May, Wednesday com Perfect for the artisan Dawn Chorus Walk, 8 May and Friday 10 May food lover Mount Stewart Monday 6 May Home Ground Live at Guided Tours this month combermarket.co.uk Newtownards, BT22 2AD Merry May Day Mount Stewart Pre-book via 4.30am-8am followed by Holywood Town Centre, Newtownards, BT22 2AD visitardsandnorthdown. Portaferry: Saturday 4 May breakfast BT18 9AE 6.30pm-8.15pm com/guidedtours Market on the Square The Linley Hamilton Quartet 028 4278 8387 10am-4pm 028 4278 8387 First Saturday in the The Portico of Ards nationaltrust.org.uk/ A day of traditional nationaltrust.org.uk/ Monday 6 May month Portaferry, BT22 1LE mount-stewart family fun held annually. mount-stewart. Kids Mini Beasts Market House, BT22 1LN 7.30pm £10 (Ad), £6 (Ch). Booking Highlights: May Day Normal admission, see Nature Trail 10am-1.30pm 028 4272 8808 essential dancing performed by website. Members free Nugent’s Wood, Portaferry A family orientated porticoards.com local school children, 2pm-4pm market £15. Under 25’s £5 market stalls, street Friday 10 to Saturday 11 May £3 per child Saturday 4 and theatre and music. Bluebell Walks, Mount Sunday 5 May WEEKLY MARKETS Saturday 4 May to 028 9127 0069 Stewart Demesne Saturday 18 May Family Fun at Cockle Row Sunday 2 June visitardsandnorthdown. Newtownards, BT22 2AD Tea with the Lord Cottages Bangor: Wednesdays Bionic Bug Invasion, com 11am-12.30pm and 2pm- Coach Tour Groomsport Harbour, Asda Carpark, Castle Espie 3.30pm Ballywalter Estate BT19 6JR BT20 4SD Comber, BT23 6EA 028 4278 8387 1pm-5pm Cottages open 11am-5pm 7am–1pm Mon – Fri 10am - 5pm, nationaltrust.org.uk/ £20 Family Fun 2pm-4pm Sat and Sun until 5.30pm mount-stewart 028 9127 0069 Newtownards: 028 9187 4146 Normal admission, see Friday 31 May visitardsandnorthdown. Saturdays wwt.org.uk/wetland- website. Members free. *New* com Conway Square, centres/castle-espie Booking essential Maritime Memories BT23 4NP Prices vary, see website Coach Tour 8am–4.30pm Various borough locations 9.30am-3.30pm £22 EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 54

May

Saturday 11 May Saturday 18 May Sunday 19 May Friday 24 May to 50th Anniversary Ford Tastings at the Temple: Mini train rides, Drumawhey Saturday 20 July Show, McKee Clock Arena Spring has Sprung, Junction Railway Panoramic Wheel, Bangor, BT20 5ED Mount Stewart Donaghadee, BT21 0LZ McKee Clock Arena 9am-5pm Newtownards, BT22 2AD 1pm-4pm Bangor, BT20 5ED 079 2972 3894 7.30pm-10.30pm 028 9188 3844 Daily, 12noon to 9pm capriclubni.co.uk 028 4278 8387 drumawhey.com 077 0275 4542 £10 per car entry. Free to nationaltrust.org.uk/ £3 (Ad), £2 (Ch) | Cash only facebook.com/ spectate mount-stewart panoramicwheel £50. Booking essential. Sunday 19 May £4 for a regular Saturday 18 May Strictly over 18's only Spring Garden Walk, £3 for a junior Biodiversity Bonanza, Mount Stewart £3.50 Student (Student ID Castle Espie Newtownards, BT22 2AD required) Saturday 11 May Comber, BT23 6EA 11am-1pm *Anyone over 1.5m must Pipe Band 10am-5.30pm 028 4278 8387 purchase a regular ticket Championships 028 9187 4146 nationaltrust.org.uk/ *Anyone under 1.4m must Newtownards Airport, wwt.org.uk/wetland- mount-stewart have an accompanying adult BT23 8SG centres/castle-espie Tickets £10 (Ad) and £5 (Ch) 11am-5pm Prices vary, see website Normal admission, see Saturday 25 May website. Members free This year the annual St Brendan Sea Safari, Saturday 18 May Tickets additional. Booking championships will be Strangford Lough held in a new venue, the Warrior Assault, Bangor essential Portaferry Harbour, BT22 1PF Newtownards airfield, Aurora Aquatic and Leisure 1pm-3.30pm a setting overlooked by Complex Mount Stewart reception, Bangor, BT20 4TH Scrabo Tower and within 028 4278 8387 Starts 10am easy reach of the town nationaltrust.org.uk/ centre. The day will be 028 9127 0271 Sunday 19 May mount-stewart filled with the usual warriorassault.co.uk Family Fun at Cockle Row Tickets £15 (Ad), £5 (Ch). spectacular display of £40 (Ad), £17.50 Teen (12- Cottages Booking essential sight and sound from 15yrs), £12 (Ch 4-11yrs), £85 Groomsport Harbour, competing entrants, with Family Pass (2 Ad + 2 Ch) BT19 6JR Saturday 25 May a selection of food stalls Cottages open 11am-5pm. Mega-Championship Car on site. Family Fun 2pm-4pm. and Superkart Racing, 028 9182 6846 028 9127 0069 Kirkistown visitardsandnorthdown. visitardsandnorthdown. Kircubbin, BT22 1AU com/pipebands com 10am-5pm

028 4277 1325 kirkistown.com £10. Under 16’s free EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 56

Saturday 25 May Sunday 26 and Monday Monday 27 May 27 May Otter MAYhem, Snow Patrol: Puppet Festival, Exploris Aquarium Ward Park 3 Ards Arts Centre Portaferry, BT22 1NZ Newtownards, BT23 4NP Open 10am-5pm, (last entry Bangor, BT20 4LG Various times 4pm) Snow Patrol are coming 028 9181 0803 028 4272 8062 back home! Supported ardsarts.com explorisni.com Various prices. For tickets, Normal admission by very special friends Saturday 25 and see website Two Door Cinema Club, Sunday 26 May Wednesday 29 May Foy Vance, Ash, Soak, Family Fun at Cockle Row Birdwatch Morning, Jealous of the Birds, Cottages Castle Espie Brand New Friend, plus Groomsport Harbour, Comber, BT23 6EA BT19 6JR 10.30am many more. Cottages open 11am-5pm 028 9187 4146 Tickets on sale through usual Family Fun 2pm-4pm wwt.org.uk/wetland- outlets, subject to availability 028 9127 0069 centres/castle-espie visitardsandnorthdown. Prices vary, see website com Sunday 26 and Monday Friday 31 May to 27 May Sunday 2 June Mini train rides, Drumawhey Harmony Live Junction Railway Holywood Rugby Club Sunday 26 May Donaghadee, BT21 0LZ BT18 9EL Tour the Temple, 1pm-4pm 7pm-10.45pm Mount Stewart 028 9188 3844 harmony-live.co.uk Newtownards, BT22 2AD drumawhey.com facebook.com/ 12noon-1pm and 2pm-3pm £3 (Ad), £2 (Ch) | Cash only HolywoodHarmonyFestival 028 4278 8387 This is a Tourism Grant nationaltrust.org.uk/ Sunday 26 May Aided event mount-stewart Jazz in the Garden, Normal admission, see Mount Stewart website. Members free Newtownards, BT22 2AD Booking essential 2pm-4.30pm 028 4278 8387 nationaltrust.org.uk/ mount-stewart Normal admission, see website. Members free EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 58

June

Until Sunday 2 June MONTHLY MARKETS Harmony Live, Saturday 1 June Holywood Rugby Club Family Fun at Portaferry Comber Farmers’ BT18 9EL Visitor Information Market: 7pm-10.45pm Centre First Thursday in the harmony-live.co.uk BT22 1NZ month facebook.com/ Centre open 10am-5pm St Mary’s Parish Church, HolywoodHarmonyFestival Family Fun 2pm-4pm BT23 5DU This is a Tourism Grant 028 4272 9882 9am-1pm Aided event visitardsandnorthdown. Perfect for the artisan com food lover Until Sunday 16 June combermarket.co.uk An exhibition by Deirdre Oram, Castle Espie Comber, BT23 6EA Portaferry: Saturday 1 June Market on the Square Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat Car Bazaar, Mount Stewart First Saturday in the and Sun 10am-5.30pm Newtownards, BT22 2AD month 028 9187 4146 9am-12noon Market House, BT22 1LN wwt.org.uk/wetland- 028 4278 8387 10am-1.30pm centres/castle-espie nationaltrust.org.uk/ A family orientated Free mount-stewart market Car £5, Van £10, Trailer £15 Until Saturday 20 July WEEKLY MARKETS Panoramic Wheel, McKee Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June Saturday 1 - Sunday 30 June Clock Arena Bangor, BT20 5ED ForM Sculpture Exhibition Sea Bangor Festival Bangor: Wednesdays Bangor Castle Walled Asda Carpark, Daily, 12noon to 9pm 10am-6pm (Sat), 12noon-6pm (Sun) Garden, BT20 4TH BT20 4SD 077 0275 4542 Showcasing selected works Spend the weekend in Bangor and enjoy 7am–1pm facebook.com/ from artists in the beautiful the maritime themed fun that has made panoramicwheel setting of Bangor Castle £4.50 for a regular, this event one of the biggest and best in Newtownards: Walled Garden. £3.50 for a junior Northern Ireland every year! The tented Saturdays Daily 10am-6pm. Conway Square, Note: Anyone over 1.5m village plays host to family stage shows, 028 9181 0803 BT23 4NP must purchase a regular visitardsandnorthdown.com street theatre, food stalls, outdoor bar 8am–4.30pm ticket; Anyone under 1.4m Free entry and live music whilst Eisenhower Pier is must have an accompanying adult the perfect spot to view the on and off water displays. 028 9127 0069 visitardsandnorthdown.com/seabangor EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 60

June

Exploris Aquarium Saturday 22 June Every Sunday in June Newtownards, BT22 1NZ Championship Car Guided Tours this month Family Fun at Cockle Row Open 10am-5pm, (last entry and Superkart Racing, Pre-book via Cottages 4pm) Kirkistown visitardsandnorthdown. Groomsport Harbour, 028 4272 8062 Kirkubbin, BT22 1AU com/guidedtours BT19 6JR explorisni.com 10am-5pm Cottages open 11am-5pm: Normal admission 028 4277 1325 Wednesday 5 June Family Fun 2pm-4pm kirkistown.com Bangor Castle Walled 028 9127 0069 Friday 14 June £10. Under 16’s free Garden Horticultural visitardsandnorthdown. Ulster Orchestra On Your Tour com Doorstep Sunday 23 June Saturday 29 June 6.30pm Bangor Abbey, Bangor, Children's Safari, Comber Earlies £3 (Ad), £1.50 (Ch) BT20 4JE Drumawhey Junction Potato Festival 7pm Railway Comber, BT23 5DU Monday 17 June 028 9127 1200 Donaghadee, BT21 0LZ 10am-4pm Step Back in Time Every Sunday in June ardsarts.com 1pm-4pm Every year, the town of Historical Walking Tour Mini train rides, Drumawhey Cost: £10 (Adult) £6 (Child) 028 9188 3844 Comber celebrates The Bangor Town Hall, Walled Junction Railway drumawhey.com Comber Earlies potato. Sunday 30 June Garden and North Down Donaghadee, BT21 0LZ Sunday 16 June £3 (Ad), £2 (Ch) | Cash only Awarded Protected Tour the Temple, Museum 1pm-4pm Father’s Day, Mount Geographical Indication Mount Stewart 2.30pm-4.30pm 028 9188 3844 Stewart Wednesday 26 June status by the EU, Newtownards, BT22 2AD £6 drumawhey.com Newtownards, BT22 2AD Birdwatch Morning, alongside Champagne 12noon-1pm and 2pm-3pm £3 (Ad), £2 (Ch) | Cash only 11am-4pm Castle Espie and the Cornish Pasty, it’s 028 4278 8387 Tuesday 18 June 028 4278 8387 Comber, BT23 6EA the star of the festival. So nationaltrust.org.uk/ *New* Saturday 8 June nationaltrust.org.uk/ 10.30am much so, it’s been known mount-stewart Marriages and Mansions BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ mount-stewart 028 9187 4146 for the odd celebrity chef Normal admission, see Coach Tour Question Time Normal admission, see wwt.org.uk/wetland- to stop by our festival website. Members free. kitchen sharing hints, Bangor Castle, Mount Stewart website. Members free centres/castle-espie Booking essential tips and potato themed Clandeboye Courtyard Newtownards, BT22 2AD Prices vary, see website recipes with our food and Cultra Manor 028 4278 8387 Thursday 20 June to Sunday 30 June loving audience. 9.30am-3pm nationaltrust.org.uk/ Sunday 23 June Saturday 29 June Jazz in the Garden, Young and the young at £30 mount-stewart Mount Stewart Portaferry Sails and Jelly Fish Appreciation Day, heart will surely enjoy Tickets must be booked in Sounds Festival Exploris Aquarium Newtownards, BT22 2AD the family friendly fun, Sunday 30 June advance. Adult £11.50, Portaferry Sailing Club Portaferry, BT22 1NZ 2pm-4.30pm from live music to street Strangford Lough Child £5.75 BT22 1JZ Open 10am-5pm, 028 4278 8387 theatre, crafts and of Boat Tour Saturday 8 June 028 4272 8517 (last entry 4pm) nationaltrust.org.uk/ course treats from the Departs Portaferry World Ocean Day, portaferrysailsandsounds. 028 4272 8062 mount-stewart local artisan food stalls. Slipway co.uk explorisni.com Normal admission, see 028 9182 6846 2pm-4pm Various prices Normal admission website. Members free visitardsandnorthdown. £12 (Ad), £6 (Ch) This is a Tourism Grant com Aided event EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 62

July

MONTHLY MARKETS Every Saturday in July Every Saturday and and August Sunday in July and August Comber Farmers’ Family Fun at Portaferry Family Fun at Cockle Row Market: Visitor Information Cottages First Thursday in the Centre Groomsport Harbour, month BT22 1NZ BT19 6JR St Mary’s Parish Church, Centre open 10am-5pm Cottages open 11am-5pm BT23 5DU Family Fun 2pm–4pm Family Fun 2pm-4pm. 9am-1pm 028 4272 9882 028 9127 0069 Perfect for the artisan visitardsandnorthdown. visitardsandnorthdown. food lover com com Every Sunday in July combermarket.co.uk Guided Tours this month Monday 15 July and August Pre-book via Step Back in Time Summer Music in the Portaferry: visitardsandnorthdown. Historical Walking Tour Park Market on the Square com/guidedtours Bangor Town Hall, Walled Ward Park Bandstand, Until Saturday 20 July First Saturday in the Garden and North Down Bangor, BT20 4LG Panoramic Wheel, McKee month Wednesday 3 July Museum 3pm-5pm (*except 2.30pm-4.30pm Clock Arena Market House, BT22 1LN Bangor Castle Walled Saturday 6 July Sunday 7, 4pm-6pm) Garden Horticultural Tour £6 Bangor, BT20 5ED 10am-1.30pm Car Bazaar, Mount Stewart A programme of music Bangor Daily, 12noon to 9pm A family orientated Newtownards, BT22 2AD that is sure to suit all 6.30pm Tuesday 16 July 077 0275 4542 market 9am-12noon tastes. Spend time £3 (Ad), £1.50 (Ch) Nautical Past Short Sea facebook.com/ 028 4278 8387 together with family and Cruise, Belfast Lough panoramicwheel WEEKLY MARKETS nationaltrust.org.uk/ friends in this popular Saturday 6 July Departs jetty beside £4 for a regular spot – a handy location £3 for a junior mount-stewart Bangor: Wednesdays Gardens and Gin Pickie Funpark, Bangor to Bangor town centre. £3.50 Student (Student ID Car £5, Van £10, Trailer £15 Asda Carpark, Coach Tour 7pm-8pm Sit back, relax and enjoy. Mount Stewart and £10 (Ad), £5 (Ch) required) BT20 4SD Saturday 6 July Why not make a day of Echlinville Distillery *Anyone over 1.5m must 7am–1pm Seaside Revival Vintage it, check out our Summer 2pm-6.30pm Saturday 20 July purchase a regular ticket Sundays special offers on *Anyone under 1.4m must Festival Newtownards: £25 From an Abbey to a our website. have an accompanying adult Bangor’s Seafront, BT20 5ED Saturdays Stately Home Coach Tour 1pm-8pm 028 9127 0069 Sunday 7 July Greyabbey House and Conway Square, 028 9147 1780 visitardsandnorthdown. Kids Sea Creatures Grey Abbey Every Wednesday BT23 4NP openhousefestival.com/ com/summersundays Nature Trail 1pm-4.30pm and Sunday in July 8am–4.30pm revival Crawfordsburn Country £20 Mini train rides, Drumawhey Park Junction Railway 10am-12noon Thursday 25 July Donaghadee, BT21 0LZ £3 per child Newtownards Historical 1pm-4pm Walking Tour 028 9188 3844 7pm-8.30pm drumawhey.com £4 £3 (Ad), £2 (Ch) | Cash only EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 64

July

Friday 12 July Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 July Summer Sundays Annual Parade, hosted by Wednesday 17 July Bug Detectives, Mount Plan the perfect Sunday in Bangor Holywood District Orange Theatre in the Walled Stewart during July and August Lodge Garden: David Williams’ Newtownards, BT22 2AD Holywood Gangsta Granny 1.30-3.30pm Music in Ward Park Free to spectate Bangor Castle Walled (Drop off activity for children Offers and deals paradescommission.org Garden, BT20 4UT aged 5-11yrs) 2pm and 6pm 028 4278 8387 Competitions Friday 12 July and 028 9181 0803 nationaltrust.org.uk/ For great ideas visitardsandnorthdown.com/ Saturday 13 July ardsarts.com mount-stewart summersundays Teddy Bears Picnic, Tickets £7 £8. Booking essential Mount Stewart Newtownards, BT22 2AD Thursday 18 July 11am-4.30pm Theatre in the Walled 028 4278 8387 Garden: Emily Bronte's nationaltrust.org.uk/ Wuthering Heights mount-stewart Bangor Castle Walled Normal admission, see Garden, BT20 4UT website. Members free 7pm 028 9181 0803 Saturday 13 to ardsarts.com Friday 19 July Tickets £10 Portaferry Gala Festival BT21 1NZ 028 4279 8181 portaferrygala.com Admission charges will be detailed on programme, otherwise free. This is a Tourism Grant Aided event

Sunday 14 July Shark Awareness Day, Exploris Aquarium Portaferry, BT22 1NZ Open 10am-5pm, (last entry 4pm) 028 4272 8062 explorisni.com Normal admission EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 66

July August

Saturday 20 July Friday 26 July Throughout August Tastings at the Temple: Rock Pool Picnic, Open House Festival Lazy Summer's Evening, Kearney Village Mount Stewart Kearney Village car park, Bangor, various locations Newtownards, BT22 2AD BT22 1QP The Festival returns for its 7.30pm-10.30pm 1pm-3pm seventh year with around 028 4278 8387 Mount Stewart reception, 140 free and ticketed nationaltrust.org.uk/ 028 4278 8387 events in 40 venues across mount-stewart nationaltrust.org.uk/ the town. The eclectic £50. Booking essential. strangford-lough Saturday 27 and Sunday programme includes music, Strictly over 18's only Free (Ad), £3 (Ch). Booking 28 July books, film, theatre, food & drink, talks & tours, comedy, essential Summer Market, North spoken word and visual art. Sunday 21 July Down Museum Summer Garden Walk, Saturday 27 July Bangor, BT20 4BT 028 9147 1780 Mount Stewart Championship Car Racing, Sat 10am-4.30pm, Sun openhousefestival.com Newtownards, BT22 2AD Kirkistown 12noon-4.30pm Costs vary 11am-1pm Kircubbin, BT22 1AU 028 9127 1200 028 4278 8387 10am-5pm northdownmuseum.com nationaltrust.org.uk/ 028 4277 1325 Free entry mount-stewart kirkistown.com Tickets £10 (Ad), £5 (Ch) £10. Under 16’s free Sunday 28 July Normal admission, see Tour the Temple, Mount website. Members free Saturday 27 July Stewart Tickets additional. Booking Family Bike and Barbeque, Newtownards, BT22 2AD essential Mount Stewart 12noon-1pm and 2pm-3pm Newtownards, BT22 2AD 028 4278 8387 Wednesday 24 July 5.30pm-9pm nationaltrust.org.uk/ Wildlife Trackers, Mount 028 4278 8387 mount-stewart Stewart nationaltrust.org.uk/ Normal admission, see Newtownards, BT22 2AD mount-stewart website. Members free. 1.30-3.30pm £8.50. Booking essential Booking essential (Drop off activity for children aged 5-11yrs) Sunday 28 July 028 4278 8387 Jazz in the Garden, Mount nationaltrust.org.uk/ Stewart mount-stewart Newtownards, BT22 2AD £8. Booking essential 2pm-4.30pm 028 4278 8387 nationaltrust.org.uk/ mount-stewart Normal admission, see website. Members free EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 68

August

Every Wednesday and MONTHLY MARKETS Every Saturday in August Sunday in August Guided Tours this month Monday 19 August Family Fun at Portaferry Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 Pre-book via Step Back in Time Comber Farmers’ Visitor Information – Special 28th Anniversary visitardsandnorthdown. Historical Walking Tour Market: Centre Weekend com/guidedtours Bangor Town Hall, Walled First Thursday in the BT22 1NZ Mini train rides, Drumawhey Garden and North Down month Centre open 10am-5pm Railway Junction Saturday 10 August Museum St Mary’s Parish Church, Family Fun 2pm–4pm Donaghadee, BT21 0LZ Strangford Lough Boat 2.30pm-4.30pm BT23 5DU 028 4272 9882 1pm-4pm Tour £6 9am-1pm visitardsandnorthdown. 028 9188 3844 Departs Portaferry Perfect for the artisan com drumawhey.com Slipway Friday 23 August food lover £3 (Ad), £2 (Ch) | Cash only Every Sunday in August 2pm-4pm Kids Sea Creatures combermarket.co.uk Summer Music in the £12 (Ad), £6 (Ch) Nature Trail Fridays in August Park Millisle Portaferry: (9, 16, 23, 30) Ward Park Bandstand, Wednesday 14 August 10am-12noon Market on the Square Fairweather Fridays, Bangor, BT20 4LG Kids Nature Trail £3 per child First Saturday in the Every Saturday and Conway Square 3pm-5pm (*except finale Castle Park, Bangor month Sunday in August Newtownards, BT23 4NP Sunday 25, Bluegrass 10.30am-12.30pm Saturday 24 August Market House, BT22 1LN Family Fun at Cockle Row 12.30pm-1.30pm Picnic 2pm-5pm) £3 per child Gardens and Gin Coach 10am-1.30pm Cottages 028 9181 0803 A programme of music Tour A family orientated Groomsport Harbour, ardsarts.com that is sure to suit all Wednesday 14 August Mount Stewart and market BT19 6JR Free tastes. Spend time Bangor Castle Walled Echlinville Distillery Cottages open 11am-5pm together with family and Garden Horticultural 2pm-6.30pm WEEKLY MARKETS Family Fun 2pm–4pm Every Friday in August friends in this popular Tour £25 028 9127 0069 Music in the Courtyard, spot – a handy location 6.30pm Bangor: Wednesdays visitardsandnorthdown. North Down Museum to Bangor town centre. £3 (Ad), £1.50 (Ch) Sunday 25 August Asda Carpark, com Bangor, BT20 4BT Sit back, relax and enjoy. Strangford Lough Boat BT20 4SD 1pm-2pm Why not make a day Saturday 17 August Tour 7am–1pm 028 9127 1200 of it and check out our Nautical Past Short Sea Departs Portaferry northdownmuseum.com Summer Sundays special Cruise, Belfast Lough Slipway Newtownards: Free offers on our website. Departs jetty beside 2pm-4pm Saturdays 028 9127 0069 Pickie Funpark, Bangor £12 (Ad), £6 (Ch) Conway Square, visitardsandnorthdown. 2pm-3pm BT23 4NP com/summersundays £10 (Ad), £5 (Ch) Tuesday 27 August 8am–4.30pm Bangor Christian Heritage Walk Bangor Abbey, First Bangor Presbyterian Church and North Down Museum 2.30pm-4pm £4 EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 70

August

Friday 2 to Sunday 11 August Wednesday 14 August Friday 23 to Saturday 31 Creative Peninsula Wildlife Trackers, Saturday 17 August August Sunday 25 August Various venues Mount Stewart Groomsport Music Bangor Worldwide The Bluegrass Picnic: Northern Ireland’s premiere Newtownards, BT22 2AD and Fireworks Missionary Convention Finale to Summer Music celebration of arts and 1.30pm-3.30pm Groomsport Harbour, Hamilton Road Presbyterian in the Park crafts. (Drop off activity for children BT19 6JR Church, BT20 4LN Ward Park Bandstand, visitardsandnorthdown.com aged 5-11yrs) 4pm-10pm 10am-7.30pm Bangor, BT20 4LG Costs vary 028 4278 8387 Live music from 6.30pm 077 4501 3866 2pm-5pm nationaltrust.org.uk/ headlined by Bootleg worldwidemission.org Finish off the summer Saturday 3 August mount-stewart Blondie, with children’s Free with the much-loved Car Bazaar, Mount Stewart £8. Booking essential funfair, food stalls and This is a Tourism Grant Bluegrass Picnic. A Saturday 10 August Newtownards, BT22 2AD a colourful fireworks Aided event programme of music that Portavogie Seafood 9am-12noon Wednesday 14 to finale. is sure to suit all tastes. Festival 028 4278 8387 Saturday 24 August 028 9127 0069 Sunday 25 August Spend time together with Portavogie Harbour, nationaltrust.org.uk/ Clandeboye Festival visitardsandnorthdown. Tour the Temple, Mount family and friends in this BT22 1EA mount-stewart Clandeboye Estate com Stewart popular town centre park. 12noon-5pm Car £5, Van £10, Trailer £15 Bangor, BT19 1RN Newtownards, BT22 2AD Programmed by Open Northern Ireland is Lunchtime and evening 12noon-1pm and 2pm-3pm House renowned for its seafood Wednesday 7 August concerts. 028 4278 8387 028 9127 0069 and Portavogie plays a Bug Detectives, See website for details nationaltrust.org.uk/ visitardsandnorthdown. huge part in that. Join us as Saturday 17 August Mount Stewart 028 9042 7600 mount-stewart com/summersundays we celebrate the delicious Portaferry Triathlon Newtownards, BT22 2AD camerata-ireland.com/ Normal admission, see local produce on offer with Portaferry, BT22 1JZ 1.30-3.30pm clandeboye-festival-2019 website. Members free artisan food stalls and 3pm, depending on tide (Drop off activity for children See box office for details. Booking essential seafood delights. Celebrity narrowstc.co.uk aged 5-11yrs) Concessions available Monday 26 August chef Jean-Christophe This is a Tourism Grant 028 4278 8387 This is a Tourism Grant Sunday 25 August Summer Bank Holiday, Novelli will lead our Aided event nationaltrust.org.uk/ Aided event Jazz in the Garden, Mount Exploris Aquarium festival kitchen with a mount-stewart Stewart Portaferry, BT22 1NZ series of interactive food Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 £8. Booking essential Thursday 15 August Newtownards, BT22 2AD Open 10am-5pm, (last entry demonstrations. With a August 3rd Birthday Bash, 2pm-4.30pm 4pm) host of children’s activities Irish Laser Association Exploris Aquarium 028 4278 8387 028 4272 8062 and entertainment National Championships Portaferry, BT22 1NZ nationaltrust.org.uk/ explorisni.com including the Strongman 2019 Open 10am-5pm, (last entry mount-stewart Normal admission Trawler Pull and street Ballyholme Yacht Club 4pm) Normal admission, see theatre, this is an event Bangor, BT20 5HT 028 4272 8062 website. Members free Saturday 31 August not to be missed. Events all day explorisni.com Annual Demonstration 028 9182 6846 028 9127 1467 Normal admission of Co. Down Grand Black visitardsandnorthdown. ballyholme.com Chapter com Free to spectate Holywood This is a Tourism Grant Free to spectate Aided event paradescommission.org EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 72

Exhibitions

Art in the Loft Friday 19 April to Wednesday 3 July to at Portaferry Visitor Monday 6 May Sunday 28 July Information Centre ‘Gifts from the Sea’ Collective Art Portaferry, BT22 1NZ by Attic & Shed by Project 24 artists Gallery open Mon-Sat 10am- Sculptural work formed An exhibition showcasing 5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm from driftwood by fine craft an exciting collection from 028 4272 9882 designer Paul McCulloch artists who are based at visitardsandnorthdown.com and delicate floral paper Project 24 in Bangor. The Free admission sculptures by artist Amanda exhibition will include art, McKittrick explores aspects crafts, print, jewellery, of their relationship to the textiles and more. It will natural world. focus on ‘Imagination’, a collection of thought Thursday 9 May to provoking and inspiring Sunday 2 June styles and forms. Thursday 28 March to Thursday 28 March to ‘Weaving into Being’ by Ards Arts Centre textile artist Hannah Thursday 1 August to Newtownards, BT23 4NP Sunday 14 April Saturday 27 April Grainger Sunday 1 September Gallery open Mon-Thurs ‘In Your Town’, Rory ‘This Land’ A demonstration of several ‘The Dinner Party’ by 9am-4.30pm, Gallagher Memorabilia by Wendy Ferguson facets of the artist’s ceramicist Anna Smyth Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 10am- A fantastic collection of A new series of oil paintings work, the textiles are a An artist’s interpretation 4pm, Sun Closed items dating back to Rory’s which explores the reinterpretation of nature, of contemporary living. 028 9181 0803 early days with Taste right manipulation and process of music and dreams; the Anna will create a table ardsarts.com up until the present day. oil paint through the subject illustrations reflect on setting with dinner plates Free admission The exhibition features of the Irish Landscape. the meditative practice of which she has hand thrown the complete original back weaving. and decorated to attach catalogue of all of Rory’s Thursday 18 April to meanings. ‘Each plate is a official vinyl releases, Thursday 23 May Wednesday 5 June to metaphor for the person various signed pieces, a ‘Of Movement’ Sunday 30 June using it, enlightening us complete inside look at tour by Drydan Wilson ‘Under the Glaze’ by about the interplay of programmes and many An exhibition inspired by the ceramicist Donald Nelson temperaments.’ magazine articles as well as Richard Serra work Verb List An exhibition by a local the original Rory Gallagher and the idea of movement Portaferry based artist of guitar tab book! being the medium through small ceramic paintings which artworks can be depicting the local area. created. EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 74

North Down Museum Castle Park Avenue, Bangor, Exhibitions BT20 4BT See website for seasonal opening times 028 9127 1200 northdownmuseum.com Free admission

THE COMMUNITY GALLERY THE LONG GALLERY

Tuesday 2 April to Tuesday 25 June to Wednesday 3 April to Sunday 28 April Thursday 25 July Sunday 5 May Bangor Castle 'Wish you were Here' 'Bangor's Ghost' '…Messing about with Walled Garden A collection of paintings As part of the Seaside a paint box' curated by a group of Revival Vintage Festival, A look at the fine art of Bangor, BT20 4TH retired leisure painters who a very special collection Percy French Saturday 1 to Sunday 30 June draw inspiration from the of artworks, artefacts, ForM Sculpture Exhibition local Ards and North Down poetry, illustrated book During the time of the countryside. excerpts and a sound and exhibition, the walled garden visual installation will be is open: Tuesday 30 April to on display. The exhibition Mon-Thurs 10am-8pm Sunday 26 May will include works from Friday, Saturday and Sunday 'Cabinet of Curiosities' performers and artists 10am-6pm This exhibition is designed involved with Bangor’s by a group of history Ghost – a music and spoken 028 9181 0803 students at Queen’s, word event that has been visitardsandnorthdown.com University, Belfast. They are part of Open House Festival Free entry taking a course that explores since 2014. Wednesday 8 May to the history of museums and Thursday 25 July gives them the opportunity Tuesday 30 July to 'Ballyholme Yacht Club' Mount Stewart to work with museum staff Monday 26 August In honour of the 100th Portaferry Road, in researching and setting 'An American in Bangor, anniversary of Ballyholme Newtownards, BT22 2AD up the exhibition. and Beyond' Yacht Club, this exhibition This group of abstract will explore and celebrate Grounds open 10am-5pm Wednesday 29 May to paintings is based on the long history of this local 028 4278 8387 Sunday 23 June observations of Bangor by club. nationaltrust.org.uk/ 'Four Seasons' Marci Halcomb from South mount–stewart In ‘Four Seasons’ local artist California who settled in the Thursday 1 August to Normal admission, see David Campbell’s love of town five years ago. Sunday 1 September website. Members Free. nature is aptly displayed 'Creative Peninsula' Saturday 20 and Sunday with images from the Ards This exhibition coincides 21 April Peninsula that convey the with the Creative Peninsula Life around the Lough landscape throughout the Festival and will feature Photographic exhibition different seasons of the year. unique pieces of art and craftwork in a celebration Strangford Lough Lookout of the quality of the work Information Centre, produced by local artists and 12noon-5pm craftspeople. EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 76

Exhibitions

Project 24 WWT Castle Espie Bangor, BT20 3BH Comber, BT23 6EA Last Sunday of each month Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat (April–September) and Sun 10am-5.30pm 11am-3pm 028 9187 4146 Art on the Rails wwt.org.uk/wetland- Boost your creativity and centres/castle-espie imagination with art to Free admission delight and inspire you, Normal admission applies The Ropewalk accompanied with live music for entry to wetland area and tasty refreshments to Maritime Heritage relax and revive you. Monday 1 April to Visitor Centre Sunday 21 April The Ropewalk, Portaferry, Tuesday 30 July to Friday NI Embroidery Guild BT22 1NZ 30 August Exhibition An American in Bangor, Saturday 20 April to Saturday 27 April to and Beyond Sunday 28 April, daily This group of paintings is Sunday 19 May Open daily, 12noon-4pm An exhibition by based on observations of May to September, every Gillian Thomas Bangor by Marci Halcomb Saturday and Sunday from South California who Saturday 25 May to Monday 8 July to settled here five years ago. Sunday 16 June Sunday 21 July, daily 028 9127 0069 An exhibition by A Thousand years of visitardsandnorthdown.com Deirdre Oram Maritime History EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019 PAGE 78

Visitor Information Services

Friendly and knowledgeable staff in the Visitor Information Centres can help you with information on accommodation bookings, directions, attractions, activities, events and tickets. The Centres are unique in their own way, packed full of souvenirs and free literature. They should be your first port of call!

Ards VIC All year: 31 Regent Street, Mon-Fri 9.15am-5pm, Sat Newtownards, BT23 4AD 9.30am-5pm, Sun closed. 028 9182 6846 [email protected]

Bangor VIC Sep-May: 34 Quay Street, Bangor BT20 5ED Mon-Fri 9.15am-5pm, Sat 028 9127 0069 10am-4pm, Sun closed. [email protected] Jun-Aug: Mon-Fri 9.15am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Seasonal Centres

Groomsport VIC Easter Sunday 21 Apr-Sun Cockle Row Cottages, Main Street, 15 Sep Groomsport, BT19 6GH Apr, May and Sep: 028 9127 2269 weekends only 11am-5pm. Jun, Jul, Aug: daily 11am-5pm.

Portaferry VIC Good Friday 19 April-Sun The Stables, Castle Street, 29 Sep Portaferry, BT22 1NZ Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, 028 4272 9882 Sun 1pm-5pm EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2019

Emergency Services and Hospitals

Emergency Services: call 999 Fire, Police, Ambulance and Coastguard – Police Service of Northern Ireland: call 101 (non emergency)

Ulster Hospital A&E Upper Newtownards Road Dundonald, Co Down BT16 1RH 028 9048 4511 Your FREE Visitor Guide to Ards and North Down

EXPLORE Ards Visitor Information Centre EXPERIENCES 31 Regent Street, Newtownards County Down BT23 4AD ON 028 9182 6846 BELFAST’S AND UNWIND DOORSTEP [email protected] AND EVENTS Area map overleaf SPRING / SUMMER 2019

Bangor Visitor Information Centre Tower House, 34 Quay Street Bangor BT20 5ED 028 9127 0069 [email protected]

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visitardsandnorthdown.com Ards North and Down. discover how best to spend your time in Call into our Visitor Information Centres to Ar @ANDborough @ardsandnorthdownboroughcouncil ArdsandNorthDownBoroughCouncil ds and Northds and Down Borough Council 028 91270069 County Down BT20 5ED Tower House, 34Quay Street, Bangor Bangor Visitor Information Centre 028 91826846 County Down BT23 4AD 31 Regent Street, Newtownards Ards Visitor Information Centre

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Trails & Routes

Strangford Lough Canoe Trail

East Coast Canoe Trail

Comber Greenway Cycle Trail

Strangford Lough Cycle Trail

North Down Coastal Path

Lecale Way

St Patrick’s Trail (main route)

Trail leading to other associated St Patrick’s Trail sites

Mourne Coastal Route

Comber/Andrews Titanic Trail

Ulster Scots Driving Tours

Great Wars Trail

Film Locations

Access points to the Lough

In-depth literature on these trails, routes 2 miles and must-sees are available at your 3.2 km nearest Visitor Information Centre or This is map is based upon Crown Copyright and visitardsandnorthdown.com is reproduced with the permission of Land & Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright and database right 2017 CS&LA156 We have three Apps available to download for FREE from your Strangford Lough Ferry Service SMS text message alert service: preferred store: • Bangor Christian Heritage Sailings every Strangford – Portaferry Passengers can register to receive SMS • Discover Ards and North Down 30 minutes Departs on the hour and the half hour. text message service updates. You can: • Greyabbbey Village Heritage Trail 0300 200 7898 Text ‘FERRY’ to 67300 to register nidirect.gov.uk/ Portaferry – Strangford Text ‘STOP’ to 67300 to stop articles/strangford- Departs at quarter past and quarter ferry-fares to the hour. Text messages are free in the UK