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 (4 – 10 March).
- The Home of St. Patrick Festival in Armagh, Armagh, 8 -18 March. Filled to the rafters with an outstanding programme of things to do, places to visit, see and enjoy, the Home of St. Patrick Festival is set to entertain with over 30 events lined up across the city.
- Macbeth, Belfast, 5 – 9 March. The National Theatre, creators of War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, bring Shakespeare’s most intense tragedy to the Grand Opera House with this epic and visually daring touring production.
- NI Sugar Expo, Templepatrick, 9 – 10 March. Love to bake or have a passion for cakes? Tailored to suit all abilities from the home baker through to the seasoned professional, the NISE show at the Hilton Templepatrick has something for everyone, with workshops, competitions, live demos and a vast array of exhibitors.
- The Táin Tapestries – Louis Le Brocquy, Armagh, 8 March – 4 May. This wonderful exhibition at the Market Place Theatre affords a rare opportunity to experience le Brocquy’s powerful illustrations for poet Thomas Kinsella’s translation of the Ulster Cycle’s central myth, the Táin Bó Cúailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley). The exhibition showcases the artist’s narrative skills in the medium of tapestry together with contextual information about the enduring poetic work.
- Oorlog (War), Belfast 8 – 10 March. Something about a balloon slowly deflating, a nose bleeding, little helicopters falling down from a tree, a shower crying, audience members shooting and three soldiers roller-skating and talking backwards. Come and see this powerful and acclaimed performance at the MAC and decide for yourself.
- 39th Annual Enniskillen Drama Festival, Enniskillen, 8 – 16 March. This festival offers nine different drama companies, staging full-length plays over nine nights. The wide range of plays on offer includes comedy, tragedy, well-known works and new writing performed by both local groups and those from further afield, appealing to seasoned theatregoers and novices alike.
- Northern Ireland Potato Festival, Bushmills, 9 March. The Randox NI Potato Festival celebrates the legacy of local man John Clarke OBE, a world-renowned pioneer in potato breeding. The Festival line-up boasts a variety of attractions including the Naturally North Coast and Glens artisan market with food and craft producers, cookery demonstrations and talks, bouncy castles, exhibitions and displays, potato inspired games and a petting farm.
- Walled City Music Festival – Folk Tunes and Fantastic Fantasies, Derry~Londonderry, 8 March. Fast, furious and passionate, this concert focuses on the wild and romantic side of classical repertoire as part of the Walled City Music Festival.
- Beethoven No.7, Cookstown, 7 March. ‘On Your Doorstep’ is an opportunity to catch the Ulster Orchestra in the intimate surroundings of your local arts theatre. The Cookstown programme includes Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, best known from the finale to 2010’s Oscar-winning King’s Speech, and guest soloist Veronika Eberle performing Mendelssohn’s exquisite violin concerto.
- Free Open Day at Mussenden Temple, Coleraine, 9 March. Enjoy free admission to Downhill Demesne to kick off the season. Come and meet our staff and volunteers and learn more about this stunning coastal estate.
