Preview // 10 Awesome Things To Do In Northern Ireland This Week / 18 – 24 March

A Happy Paddy’s day to everyone, begorrah, begorrah! The 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 the 10 awesome things taking place this week (18 – 24 March).

1. Foraging as in St Patrick’s time at Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh, 18 March.  Have a go at foraging for your food as part of this drop-in family event – find it, see how it was cooked and then taste it for a real experience of how food was prepared during St. Patrick’s days in the early Christian era.  Suitable for all ages, this event is part of the Home of St Patrick Festival.
2. St Patrick’s Family Day in Banbridge, Banbridge, 18 March. Solitude Park will be buzzing with its annual St. Patrick’s Family Day. With free activities, including live music, workshops and entertainment there is something for everyone to enjoy. 
3. Traditional Ulster Scots Bread Making, Belfast, 19-22 March. A baking demonstration with local cook and bread maker extraordinaire Freddie Strickland at the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre.  Freddie shows how baking methods have developed throughout the years and explains how to pack in the flavour while baking.  Learn about traditional farls, treacle farls, soda bread, potato bread and much more. To top off the session, sample some of the tasty handmade bakes on offer.
4. The Rocky Horror Show, Belfast, 18-23 March.  Richard O’Brien’s legendary musical masterpiece returns for 2019 starring Strictly Come Dancing champion Joanne Clifton as Janet and a1’s Ben Adams as Brad.  Featuring timeless classics including the pelvic-thrusting Time Warp, The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids whose car breaks down outside a creepy mansion where they meet the outrageous Dr Frank’n’Furter for an adventure they’ll never forget…
5. Music In The Chamber – Daoiri Farrell  Bangor, 21 March.  With his powerful and distinctive voice, Daoirí Farrell has been championed by the likes of Christy Moore and Donal Lunny.  Six months after releasing the album ‘True Born Irishman’, Daoirí picked up two BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2017 for Best Newcomer and Best Traditional Track.  He brings his show to the evocative setting of Bangor Castle for this special performance. 
6. Movie Night at Crumlin Road Gaol Belfast, 21 March. Start the evening with a meal in Cuffs Bar & Grill before being led on a Paranormal Tour, finally settling down in B wing of Belfast’s most infamous jail.  The chilling Paranormal Experience visits the Gaol’s ‘hot spots’ where spooky activity has been reported and also takes in the Tunnel, Gaol Circle, C-Wing, Hangman’s Cell and more!  There is no place in Belfast more suited to watching a classic horror movie.
7. Desert Island Poems, Magherafelt, 21 March. Picture the scene: stranded on a desert island, what three poetry collections would you take if they were all you had to read?  To mark World Poetry Day, celebrated poets Frank Ormsby, Alice Lyons and Moyra Donaldson talk about the books they would choose, what those collections mean to them and in true desert island style, which single volume of Seamus Heaney’s poetry they would also like to be stranded with!
8. Leningrad!, Belfast, 22 March.  Written during the siege of Leningrad, Shostakovich’s powerful Seventh Symphony tells the story of the Russian people’s resistance to the Nazis, their dogged hope and individual courage. This performance by the Ulster Orchestra also takes in Richard Strauss’s iconic Also Sprach Zarathustra, made famous by the inclusion of its Sunrise in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
9. Roe Valley Speciality Market, Limavady, 23 March.  If you love local fresh food, quirky handmade crafts and fine art, visit one of the market days at Drumceatt Square, Limavady town’s communal public space located beside the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre.  The friendly outdoor market boasts a range of speciality food, art and handmade crafts. Enjoy the colourful displays, the delicious aromas, the taste of fresh food produce and the bustle of traders and customers.
10. Living History – Norman Knights at Dundrum Castle  Newcastle, 23 March.  At this Living History event, 13th century Norman knights and their household will demonstrate their weapons and fighting skills on the Castle lawns.  Take a trip back in time and witness the knights of Dundrum as they would have battled and learn more about the swords and weapons of that time.  Suitable for the whole family, this event provides both a fun and educational experience.