Menu
08/03/2017
St Patrick's Day Celebrations Across NI
Top o' the morning to ye! As a global event, St Patrick's Day is observed by thousands of green-clad people all over the world.
To celebrate, we've cobbled together a short list of some events happening around the Emerald Isle this St Patrick's Day.
Why not head to Belfast this St Patrick's Day and experience the colourful carnival parade and free concert on Friday, 17 March.
From 12 noon, the streets will be awash with green as the parade leaves Belfast City Hall, snaking its way through the heart of the city centre to Custom House Square.
A range of community groups from across the city's cultural spectrum will take part alongside professional and amateur performers, costumed characters, musicians and dancers.
In addition, Custom House Square will host a free outdoor concert from 1pm – 3pm, headlined by XFactor's Fleur East and introduced by Cool FM's breakfast team Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paulo Ross.
Alongside Fleur, other performers include former XFactor R&B duo Reggie 'n' Bollie, London girl group Stooshe, the talented Belfast Boys' Model Drummers and up tempo, traditional band The Rare Aul Stuff.
Lord Mayor, Alderman Brian Kingston, said: "You won't want to miss this year's St Patrick's Day in Belfast. The hugely talented Beat Carnival have really outdone themselves in producing a breathtakingly colourful parade which celebrates the character and diversity of our city and our people.
"The celebration promises to be bigger, more vibrant and more extraordinary than ever before, with participants from community groups from all over Belfast performing, accompanied by the impressive Glassdrumman, Cloughfin and Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Bands.
"And we're delighted that representatives of the four major sporting events we're proud to host in Belfast this year – the World Ice Hockey Championships, the World 24 Hour Running Championships, the Women's Rugby World Cup and the UEFA Women's Under 19 Championships will also be joining the parade."
Time: Carnival parade from 12 noon, free concert from 1pm - 3pm Venue: Belfast city centre.
www.belfastcity.gov.uk
If you're looking for some family friendly fun this St Patrick's day, join Derry City and Strabane District Council as it hosts 'St Patrick's Spring Carnival March - a Feast of Great Events'.
This year's theme is 'Forever Young' and runs alongside the LegenDerry Food Festival and Ubuntu Global Festival.
Join thousands of spectators to watch the Spring Carnival Parades in Derry City and Strabane where over 500 people from community based carnival programmes will be performing.
Other highlights of the festival include: food demonstrations, traditional music, tours & trails, comedy, dance, theatre, family days, golf, kayaking, 5k, park days and much more.
Dates: • St Patrick's Day Parade 17 March (Derry and Strabane) • LegenDerry Food Festival 17 - 19 March • Ubuntu Global Festival 18 March
Below are some highlights of last year's successful event...
www.derrystrabane.com
Promising to be the biggest, best and most-celebration of St Patrick's life story, the Home of Saint Patrick's Festival 2017 is shaping up to be a major contribution to the usual holiday festivities.
Following its successful inaugural event in 2016, the collaboration between Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough and Newry, Mourne and Down District Councils will provide an arts and culture extravaganza.
Featuring renowned performers, artists, guest speakers and visionaries from around the world, the festival takes place over 17 days and presents a central focus on the number 17 and its relevance to St Patrick.
In addition, members of the public are encouraged to walk in the footsteps of St Patrick with both 'A Way for Seeing' and 'St Patrick in the Landscape' events providing guided tours showcasing key locations that inspired and witnessed the life and work of Patrick.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Cllr Garath Keating, said: "We are delighted to be collaborating with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for what will be an eclectic and thought-provoking experience. Our aim is to grow this unique festival into a world-class annual celebration of arts, food and special events celebrating St Patrick's life, his legacy and his relevance.
"The Home of St Patrick programme ensures that our local and international visitors can enjoy the unique opportunity to share an incredible festival line-up in many interesting locations and areas of outstanding natural beauty."
www.saintpatrickscountry.com
Join thousands of other spectators on the 17 March and head along to the St Patrick's Family Fun Day at Colin Glen Forest Park.
Marking the launch of Spring Summer season for the park, the event is an opportunity for families to enjoy a range of activities, including the ever popular Gruffalo Trail and the Colin Glen Fairy village. Other fun adventures include the climbing wall, zip line, high and low ropes course, team games, laser tag and archery.
Of course, as it is St Patrick's day the park will be filled with a craft village, music and entertainers, with children's entertainment including face painters and bouncy castles.
To book tickets, visit here. www.colinglen.org
Follow in the footsteps of St Patrick himself and embark on a guided cycling tour taking you around some of the most scenic areas of Northern Ireland.
The tour by Open Road Open Skies begins in Coleraine. It follows the coast and crosses the Glens of Antrim into Belfast, along Strangford Lough, before crossing the Mournes and riding into Antrim.
Other iconic places to visit include The Giant's Causeway, The Old Bushmills Distillery, Carrickfergus Castle, Mourne Mountains, Both St Patrick Cathedrals in Armagh, Saul Church and St Patrick's Grave in Downpatrick.
Participants also get the chance to hear about Irish folk legends at first hand; learn how Fionn Mac Cumhaill built the Giant's Causeway, and discover more information about modern Irish history with a walking tour of Belfast.
For prices, times and dates etc, visit here. www.openroadopenskies.co.uk
Image credit: www.belfastcity.gov.uk, www.derrystrabane.com, www.saintpatrickscountry.com, www.colinglen.org.
To celebrate, we've cobbled together a short list of some events happening around the Emerald Isle this St Patrick's Day.
Belfast's St Patrick's Parade
Why not head to Belfast this St Patrick's Day and experience the colourful carnival parade and free concert on Friday, 17 March.
From 12 noon, the streets will be awash with green as the parade leaves Belfast City Hall, snaking its way through the heart of the city centre to Custom House Square.
A range of community groups from across the city's cultural spectrum will take part alongside professional and amateur performers, costumed characters, musicians and dancers.
In addition, Custom House Square will host a free outdoor concert from 1pm – 3pm, headlined by XFactor's Fleur East and introduced by Cool FM's breakfast team Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paulo Ross.
Alongside Fleur, other performers include former XFactor R&B duo Reggie 'n' Bollie, London girl group Stooshe, the talented Belfast Boys' Model Drummers and up tempo, traditional band The Rare Aul Stuff.
Lord Mayor, Alderman Brian Kingston, said: "You won't want to miss this year's St Patrick's Day in Belfast. The hugely talented Beat Carnival have really outdone themselves in producing a breathtakingly colourful parade which celebrates the character and diversity of our city and our people.
"The celebration promises to be bigger, more vibrant and more extraordinary than ever before, with participants from community groups from all over Belfast performing, accompanied by the impressive Glassdrumman, Cloughfin and Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Bands.
"And we're delighted that representatives of the four major sporting events we're proud to host in Belfast this year – the World Ice Hockey Championships, the World 24 Hour Running Championships, the Women's Rugby World Cup and the UEFA Women's Under 19 Championships will also be joining the parade."
Time: Carnival parade from 12 noon, free concert from 1pm - 3pm Venue: Belfast city centre.
www.belfastcity.gov.uk
St Patrick's Spring Carnival 2017
If you're looking for some family friendly fun this St Patrick's day, join Derry City and Strabane District Council as it hosts 'St Patrick's Spring Carnival March - a Feast of Great Events'.
This year's theme is 'Forever Young' and runs alongside the LegenDerry Food Festival and Ubuntu Global Festival.
Join thousands of spectators to watch the Spring Carnival Parades in Derry City and Strabane where over 500 people from community based carnival programmes will be performing.
Other highlights of the festival include: food demonstrations, traditional music, tours & trails, comedy, dance, theatre, family days, golf, kayaking, 5k, park days and much more.
Dates: • St Patrick's Day Parade 17 March (Derry and Strabane) • LegenDerry Food Festival 17 - 19 March • Ubuntu Global Festival 18 March
Below are some highlights of last year's successful event...
www.derrystrabane.com
Home of Saint Patrick's Festival 2017
Promising to be the biggest, best and most-celebration of St Patrick's life story, the Home of Saint Patrick's Festival 2017 is shaping up to be a major contribution to the usual holiday festivities.
Following its successful inaugural event in 2016, the collaboration between Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough and Newry, Mourne and Down District Councils will provide an arts and culture extravaganza.
Featuring renowned performers, artists, guest speakers and visionaries from around the world, the festival takes place over 17 days and presents a central focus on the number 17 and its relevance to St Patrick.
In addition, members of the public are encouraged to walk in the footsteps of St Patrick with both 'A Way for Seeing' and 'St Patrick in the Landscape' events providing guided tours showcasing key locations that inspired and witnessed the life and work of Patrick.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Cllr Garath Keating, said: "We are delighted to be collaborating with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for what will be an eclectic and thought-provoking experience. Our aim is to grow this unique festival into a world-class annual celebration of arts, food and special events celebrating St Patrick's life, his legacy and his relevance.
"The Home of St Patrick programme ensures that our local and international visitors can enjoy the unique opportunity to share an incredible festival line-up in many interesting locations and areas of outstanding natural beauty."
www.saintpatrickscountry.com
St Patrick's Family Fun Day at Colin Glen Forest Park
Join thousands of other spectators on the 17 March and head along to the St Patrick's Family Fun Day at Colin Glen Forest Park.
Marking the launch of Spring Summer season for the park, the event is an opportunity for families to enjoy a range of activities, including the ever popular Gruffalo Trail and the Colin Glen Fairy village. Other fun adventures include the climbing wall, zip line, high and low ropes course, team games, laser tag and archery.
Of course, as it is St Patrick's day the park will be filled with a craft village, music and entertainers, with children's entertainment including face painters and bouncy castles.
To book tickets, visit here. www.colinglen.org
Open Road Open Skies St Patrick's Trail Tour
Follow in the footsteps of St Patrick himself and embark on a guided cycling tour taking you around some of the most scenic areas of Northern Ireland.
The tour by Open Road Open Skies begins in Coleraine. It follows the coast and crosses the Glens of Antrim into Belfast, along Strangford Lough, before crossing the Mournes and riding into Antrim.
Other iconic places to visit include The Giant's Causeway, The Old Bushmills Distillery, Carrickfergus Castle, Mourne Mountains, Both St Patrick Cathedrals in Armagh, Saul Church and St Patrick's Grave in Downpatrick.
Participants also get the chance to hear about Irish folk legends at first hand; learn how Fionn Mac Cumhaill built the Giant's Causeway, and discover more information about modern Irish history with a walking tour of Belfast.
For prices, times and dates etc, visit here. www.openroadopenskies.co.uk
Image credit: www.belfastcity.gov.uk, www.derrystrabane.com, www.saintpatrickscountry.com, www.colinglen.org.
Latest Northern Ireland Features
11 September 2017
Indoors And Outdoors Sightseeing Tours
Indoors/Outdoors Sightseeing Tours Whether you're an eager tourist or a curious local, a well-planned and organised tour can be an excellent way to kill a few hours. It also seems in Northern Ireland, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Indoors And Outdoors Sightseeing Tours
Indoors/Outdoors Sightseeing Tours Whether you're an eager tourist or a curious local, a well-planned and organised tour can be an excellent way to kill a few hours. It also seems in Northern Ireland, you'll be spoilt for choice.
14 August 2017
Row, Row, Row Your Boat...
So, who fancies learning a new and exciting hobby this year? Rather than take up the usual suspects such as cooking, biking or reading, we've decided to go for a more unique fad and pick up the thousand-year-old pastime that is kayaking/canoeing.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat...
So, who fancies learning a new and exciting hobby this year? Rather than take up the usual suspects such as cooking, biking or reading, we've decided to go for a more unique fad and pick up the thousand-year-old pastime that is kayaking/canoeing.
21 July 2017
The Great Outdoors
Sunny weather? In Northern Ireland? During Summer? I've seen it all now. But yes, your eyes do not deceive you. That really is the sun in the sky. And it looks like it's here to stay (fingers crossed) for the foreseeable future. Naturally, many of us will head to our local beer gardens to soak up the rays.
The Great Outdoors
Sunny weather? In Northern Ireland? During Summer? I've seen it all now. But yes, your eyes do not deceive you. That really is the sun in the sky. And it looks like it's here to stay (fingers crossed) for the foreseeable future. Naturally, many of us will head to our local beer gardens to soak up the rays.
30 June 2017
Foot Sports NI Fun Day
The UK's only football-themed fun fair, Foot Sports NI, has announced a Fun Day taking place on Saturday 08 July at the Hanwood Centre in Dundonald.
Foot Sports NI Fun Day
The UK's only football-themed fun fair, Foot Sports NI, has announced a Fun Day taking place on Saturday 08 July at the Hanwood Centre in Dundonald.
26 June 2017
Festival Season Is Here
Summer is here and you've either just been to Glastonbury or watched it on TV, which can only mean one thing, we are now officially in 'Festival Season'. Northern Ireland jumped on the festival bandwagon pretty hard, with big outdoor events seemingly sprouting up in almost any available space.
Festival Season Is Here
Summer is here and you've either just been to Glastonbury or watched it on TV, which can only mean one thing, we are now officially in 'Festival Season'. Northern Ireland jumped on the festival bandwagon pretty hard, with big outdoor events seemingly sprouting up in almost any available space.
16 June 2017
Hit The Beach...
The sun really seems like it's here to hang out for a bit. Now, of course there have been a few days of absolute torrential downpours, but come on, even when it's raining would you not rather be hanging out on a beach. In an effort to take full advantage of the weather while the going is good, we're packing up the cool box again.
Hit The Beach...
The sun really seems like it's here to hang out for a bit. Now, of course there have been a few days of absolute torrential downpours, but come on, even when it's raining would you not rather be hanging out on a beach. In an effort to take full advantage of the weather while the going is good, we're packing up the cool box again.
07 June 2017
Summer Tourist Destinations In Northern Ireland
It's safe to say as a tourism destination, Northern Ireland has come on leaps and bounds over the past number of years. In fact, there's a very good reason why HBO chose to film Game of Thrones here; simply because we have some of the most stunning environments in the world.
Summer Tourist Destinations In Northern Ireland
It's safe to say as a tourism destination, Northern Ireland has come on leaps and bounds over the past number of years. In fact, there's a very good reason why HBO chose to film Game of Thrones here; simply because we have some of the most stunning environments in the world.
19 May 2017
Spoilt For Choice
Well, we're just being spoilt now... Summer has not just been four days this year. OK, there have been some interruptions but we do need some rain. So, it is time to capitalise and get in some top quality activities before June comes along and (possibly) ruins it all.
Spoilt For Choice
Well, we're just being spoilt now... Summer has not just been four days this year. OK, there have been some interruptions but we do need some rain. So, it is time to capitalise and get in some top quality activities before June comes along and (possibly) ruins it all.
05 May 2017
Spirits Are High
It's time to take full advantage of the sudden burst of good weather. You can never take the sun for granted here, so it's important to capitalise on its availability and one of the best way to do that is of course at your favourite beer garden or rooftop bar.
Spirits Are High
It's time to take full advantage of the sudden burst of good weather. You can never take the sun for granted here, so it's important to capitalise on its availability and one of the best way to do that is of course at your favourite beer garden or rooftop bar.
19 April 2017
Festival Of Fools Top Picks
For a solid 13 years now the Festival of Fools has been dispelling the rumour the Northern Irish don't like audience participation. The festival is now internationally renowned and attracts some of the world's finest and funniest street performers to spots throughout Belfast city centre.
Festival Of Fools Top Picks
For a solid 13 years now the Festival of Fools has been dispelling the rumour the Northern Irish don't like audience participation. The festival is now internationally renowned and attracts some of the world's finest and funniest street performers to spots throughout Belfast city centre.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry day. Rather cloudy in the morning, but hazy sunshine developing in the afternoon. It will be breezy with moderate southeast winds, freshening at times along the county Down and Antrim coast. Maximum temperature 19 °C.Tonight:A mostly dry evening and night. Some clear spells are likely at first, but cloud will increase overnight. Perhaps some rain reaching the far west by dawn. Breezy. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
