10 Awesome Things To Do In Northern Ireland This Week (9-15 October)

The awesome guys at the tourist board know there are stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events every week. So here are their top 10 exciting things taking place this week (9-15 October)

1. Belfast International Arts Festival 2017, 6-28 October. An eclectic fusion of cutting edge performances, exhibitions and instalments to the Belfast stage, with 191 events from 14 countries taking place over 23 days.  For more information visit BelfastInternationalArtsFestival.com
2. Apple Day at Ballance House, Crumlin, Co. Antrim, 14 October. Ballance House, the restored birthplace of John Ballance, Prime Minister of New Zealand (1891-1893) is hosting Apple Day. Visit the craft market and take a guided tour of the house and Ulster-New Zealand exhibition. Let the kids try their best at best at the apple obstacle course, get their face painted or have a go at apple-themed arts including making a bird feeder and tasty stuffed apples to take home, plus lots more.
3. Joss Stone with Live Orchestra, The Ulster Hall, Belfast, 10 October. Internationally regarded as one of the greatest voices of her generation, Joss Stone performs a special live show where she will be accompanied by a live orchestra. Joss’s voice, unique style and incredible musicality leaves an irreplaceable mark everywhere she performs.
4. Fionna Barber Exhibition Talk, Banbridge, Co. Down, 12 October. Fionna will discuss her new research on Margaret Clarke, the Irish portrait painter . A Reader in Art History in the Manchester School of Art and originally from Belfast, Fionna’s research interests are contemporary and twentieth century Irish visual culture, issues of nation, memory and identity and gender conformity in twentieth century modernism.
5. Waterways Ireland Erne Pike Fishing Classic, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, 13-15 October. This three-day event includes a number of fishing competitions and an awards ceremony. With a prize fund of £11,500 it is set to attract Northern Ireland’s best fishermen. Closing date for entries is 11 October.
6. Jail Of Horror, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, 13-31 October. This year’s Halloween Programme is even bigger with both the ‘Jail of Horror’ and the ‘Paranormal Ghost Hunt’ taking place. Why not book a ticket at CrumlinRoadGaol.com, if you dare.
7. Fashion Fest, Derry~Londonderry, 14 October. Now in its fourth year, Fashion Fest 2017 returns to the city of Derry~Londonderry, where the landmark Fashion Showcase will take place in the historic Guildhall. The latest emerging designers share a platform with Northern Ireland’s most recognised designers.
8. Young Blood, Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy, Co. Londonderry, 15 October. Irish writing is in rude health thanks to the arrival of a new generation of young writers, and HomePlace is delighted to welcome three exciting debut authors, who are taking the literary world by storm with their fresh and irreverent take on contemporary life in Ireland today. Featuring Ciaran McMenamin, Sally Rooney and June Caldwell.
9. The Great North Links Challenge, Portrush, Co. Antrim, 11-13 October. There’s no better way to head into the winter golf season than to take part in this exciting event at three fantastic courses on the Causeway Coast. Teams of four compete over the three days for team and individual prizes whilst battling against the weather.
10. Altan, The Alley Theatre, Strabane, 14 October. Over the past 30 years Altan have moved audiences from Donegal to Tokyo with their heart-warming, dynamic live performances and with their exquisitely produced, award-winning recordings of touching old Irish songs to hard-hitting jigs. Come along and hear the beautiful songs of their current album, The Widening Gyre, as well as old favourites and new tunes.

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit  www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.