Days out Northern Ireland autumn and winter 2018 Registered charity number 205846 National Trust Welcome Northern Ireland This autumn and winter enjoy magical experiences at special places with the National Trust. Discover something new, visit somewhere different or try your hand at a new craft or skill – there are so many ways to get involved with our amazing places right on your doorstep. Carrick-a-Rede and Larrybane White Park Bay Explore our walks and see what wildlife you can spot as you take in the North Antrim Cliff Path Ballyconagan stunning views. Join us at one of the many exciting activities and events Dunseverick Castle Rathlin Island happening all year round or simply take time out to enjoy an expertly The Manor House Giant’s Causeway crafted coffee and famous National Trust scone in one of our tea-rooms. Portstewart Strand Portrush Fair Head and Time spent with us is time well spent. Downhill Demesne Barmouth and Ballycastle Murlough Bay and Hezlett House Grangemore Dunes Coleraine Cushleake Mountain Cushendun Cushendall LONDONDERRY Letterkenny Lifford Gray’s Printing Press Ballymena Strabane Skernaghan Point Larne Portmuck Glenoe Mullaghdoo and Ballykeel Donegal Antrim Patterson’s Carrickfergus Springhill Spade Mill Wellbrook Lighthouse Island Beetling Mill Cookstown Divis and Omagh the Black Bangor Lough Crumlin Holywood Ballymacormick Point Neagh Mountain BELFAST The Crown Bar and Orlock Point Belmont Newtownards Collin Glen Tower Coney Lisnabreeny Mount Stewart Dungannon Island Minnowburn Lisburn Strangford Lough Inspiring woodland Craigavon The Argory Rowallane Ardress House Garden Enniskillen Ballynahinch Castle Coole Armagh Kearney and National Trust members SLIGO Castle Ward Knockinelder Florence Court Ballyquintin Farm During normal opening hours members Monaghan are entitled to free entry. Additional Murlough Nature Crom Ballymoyer Reserve charges for some events may also apply to N2 Derrymore House Newcastle Autumn walks Newry Slieve Donard members to help raise essential funds for Mourne p Coastal Path the restoration and upkeep of the special place you are visiting. Kilkeel Cavan Dundalk Carrick on Blockhouse and Shannon Green Islands Welcome Further information DUBLIN Places to visit – map 2 Details of events are correct at the time of Hallowe’en half-term fun 4–5 printing. Please note that the information Places of Interest The joy of Christmas 6–7 provided in this guide may change without notice. Please check event details before National Trust Top six secret walks 8–9 travelling by contacting the relevant place or Coast and Countryside 50 things to do before you’re 113/4 10–11 National Trust visiting our website nationaltrust.org.uk/ni Buildings and Gardens What’s on 13-27 Towns and Cities Stay connected Information nationaltrust.org.uk/ni 28–29 Holiday with the National Trust facebook.com/nationaltrustNI Contact details 30 For alternative formats please call us on 028 9751 0721 Did you know...? 31 @nationaltrustNI or email [email protected] @nationaltrustNI 2 3 Mid Ulster Get ready for The Argory and Springhill will be getting into the Hallowe’en spirit with fun trails around the gardens and pumpkin carving. Hallowe’en Wizards and witches can have fun making their own magic wands and broomsticks in the craft area and everyone can enjoy a half-term fun terribly tasty treat in the tea-room. Check the website for dates and times. We’ve lots to keep your little witches and wizards entertained over the half-term Fermanagh holidays. From scary sightings in haunted houses, to terrifying trails arounds ghostly In Fermanagh Florence Court is inviting gardens, we’ll have you screaming for more! you to take part in a spooky basement experience. See the basement underneath the house decorated for Hallowe’en and venture through the rooms and into the shadows, if you dare! Dress up at The Argory Down In South Down Castle Ward will be presenting North Coast a week of scarecrow themed crafts, a scarecrow For a Hallowe’en experience with a difference From 29 October to 4 November at trail and scarecrow pageant. Get creative with the make a trip to the Giant’s Causeway for the Downhill Demesne Bisphop’s Gate we’re scarecrow crafts, have a go at making your own Mexican Day of the Dead festivities on the running a Goblins & Fairies Hallowe’en mini scarecrow, then head outdoors and follow Pumpkins ready for carving at Rowallane Garden 1 and 2 November. Perfect for the culturally Woodland Trail. Embark on a journey of the scarecrow trail. Check website for dates. curious, this two-day event celebrates ‘Dia de adventure through the Bishop’s Gate los Muertos’ a Mexican tradition to honour and gardens and spooky woods and help us on Also not to be missed is Castle Ward’s famed autumn Across Strangford Lough at remember loved ones who have passed. We our quest to find the fairies and goblins that Pumpkinfest held on the 20 and 21 October. Over Mount Stewart the half-term will have a special sugar skull trail leading from lurk within. the Visitor Centre down to the stones, where 2,000 pumpkins will be ready and waiting for you celebrations are themed around Or perhaps you’d rather go treasure hunting families will learn facts about why this festival to scoop out, before designing your pumpkin face The Magic Ink Pot, a beautifully during half-term? Join one of our Seashore is so important in Mexican culture. There will to have carved by our team of volunteers. With your illustrated book written by Edith, Scavenger Hunts at Portstewart Strand be face painting and colourful tissue paper carved pumpkin to guide you, follow the trail and Lady Londonderry for her children. (29 October to 4 November) and see what craft making in the Visitor Centre, as well as live see if you can solve the clues along the way before Take a tour of the house and watch treasures have washed up on the beach music and special Mexican dishes in the café. indulging in some expertly crafted local food from as performers bring these tales of during the autumn. the artisan stalls in the stableyard. Celtic legends to life along the way. Further along the coast the walled Outdoors, take the Ink Pot trail garden at Downhill Demesne around the gardens. There’s also craft Castle Ward’s Pumpkin festival Lion’s Gate will be transformed into Carve your own pumpkin activities to enjoy, and face painting Hogwarts for the day on 28 October. that will transform your little angels Why not come along dressed up as into little demons. Please check your favourite Harry Potter character website for dates. and enjoy a game of Quidditch, take a ride on the Hogwarts Express and much more. Belfast Rowallane Garden prepares for ghoulishly good fun on 20–21 October at the Ghosts and Gourds spooktacular. With terrifying ghost trails, freaky face painting and pumpkin carving, this NOTE: Events are subject year’s event promises to be a thriller. to change, please check www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ni for the latest event listings and price details. 4 5 The joy of Christmas Who doesn’t love the festive period? The twinkling lights, the smell of mulled wine, the sound of Christmas carols. It really is the most magical time of the year and we are celebrating with some seasonal Christmas cheer across our places… Father Christmas Our historic houses are just made for Christmas with twinkling lights, Shop for a locally handmade gift at one of our festive fairs welcoming open fires and beautiful period decorations. It’s no wonder that Mr and Mrs Claus like to take up residence at our The festive period is not complete without a visit places during December. Plan a memorable to The Argory’s Christmas Fair (1–2 December), start to your Christmas countdown with featuring a number of craft, food and drink a visit to Santa at Castle Ward, Mount stalls, as well as traditional festive entertainment. Stewart, The Argory, The Causeway Soak up the wonderful atmosphere and see the Hotel or Castle Coole. Each place offers a house decorated for Christmas. Father Christmas experience that’s totally unique to its setting, ensuring you’ll leave But Christmas isn’t just about gifts; it’s about with magical memories to treasure for a the sights, sounds and smells of the season. lifetime. Dates, times and prices vary, so Step back in time and discover what Christmas was like in the Georgian days at Castle Ward. Enjoy a unique Father Christmas experience please visit the website for details. Watch the servants prepare for Christmas in the basement of the house (1–2 December) and then experience Georgian Christmas in the Mansion Music, magic and more... (8–9 and 15–16 December). Artisan food and drinks stalls It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas at The Argory Christmas presents. Castle Ward begins Catch a classic Christmas movie in the festive season with Christmas Craft the barn at Rowallane Garden on Fair on the 24–25 November. This two-day one of the Family Festive Film Days market features local artists, designers (17–18, 24–25 November) or watch as and makers from the world of ceramics, the Grand Hall at Castle Coole comes jewellery and textiles. to life with festive music performed by the Fermanagh Choral Society The Causeway Hotel will also be hosting a (7–8 December). Christmas Craft Fair, featuring local crafters from the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre. The music continues at Mount Stewart Meet the people who make these unique where the chapel will be opened gifts, many of whom have exclusive ranges for a special Christmas concert and only available at the Giant’s Causeway.