The 'Travel' Life of Brian

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LIFE could still be a beach for Northern Ireland holidaymakers wanting to squeeze in a late-summer getaway with Jet2holidays over the next couple of weeks.

Continue reading “LIFE COULD BE A BEACH IN SEPTEMBER WITH JET2’S LAST MINUTE GETAWAYS!” →

1. Wee Critters – Interactive Animal Experience, Armagh, County Armagh, 19-20 September. Join Allan the Explorer at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium as he takes you on an interactive adventure along with his team of ‘Wee Critters’. Allan will bring the natural world straight to the Planetarium for you to enjoy, with a range of mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and invertebrate species waiting to meet you.

2. Planetarium Sound Journey Under the Stars, Armagh, County Armagh, 20 September. Beneath the dome at Armagh Planetarium, experience an evening of sound, visual wonder and spacious live performance guided by Tessa Ann.  Taking place close to the Autumn Equinox, this experience unfolds at a natural turning point in the year, offering a unique opportunity to experience the night sky beneath the dome in a different way.

3. Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne Guided Tour, Castlerock, County Londonderry, 21 September. Join the team at Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne on a guided historical tour around the Earl Bishop Hervey’s estate – one of the true jewels of the Causeway Coast. This guided tour is run in partnership between the Hervey Heritage Society and the National Trust.

4. Aspects Festival, various locations across Bangor, County Down, 23 September – 4 October. Aspects Festival returns to Bangor with a vibrant programme of author talks, poetry events, workshops, performances and exhibitions. This year’s festival welcomes acclaimed writers including John Banville, Jan Carson and David Park, alongside an exciting mix of poets, authors and performers from near and far.

5. Other Voices Derry, Derry~Londonderry, 24-26 September. Other Voices returns to Derry~Londonderry this September for an unforgettable weekend of live music, culture, conversation and discovery, as the festival kicks off its 25th anniversary celebrations. Other Voices Derry will bring the unmistakable Other Voices experience to some of the city’s best-loved venues, with almost 50 live performances forming the Music Trail. Across the weekend, audiences can discover an eclectic mix of established names, emerging artists and exciting new voices, spanning indie, post-punk, electronic, folk, hip-hop, jazz and more.

6. Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down, various locations, County Down, until 27 September. Taste Autumn is set to showcase the very best of Ards and North Down’s food and drink through a packed programme of events and experience. Savour seasonal tide and turf produce and some of the borough’s finest food and drink which offers something for all palates. Enjoy this celebration of land and sea and savour the season with delicious local produce.

7. Ulster Orchestra: Ode To Joy, Belfast, 25 September. Their 60th anniversary season opens in a burst of excitement at the Ulster Hall and the exuberance of youth, under the baton of Chief Conductor Anna Handler and with a host of guest performers.

8. Breathwork Classes for Adults NI, Ballynahinch, County Down, 25 September. At Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes, their breathwork classes for adults are all about helping you unwind and feel your best. In each session, you’ll be guided through different breathing techniques designed to help you relax, let go of stress, and boost your overall well-being.

9. Wild & Fired at Brook Hall Estate Walled Garden, Derry~Londonderry, 20 and 27 September. Lo & Slo’s Wild & Fired BBQ School offers an immersive, interactive experience combining foraging, dining, and live fire workshops in a historic, private walled garden, showcasing Northern Irish culture through locally sourced food. 

10. Earth Yoga – In The Heart Of The Marble Arch Cave, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, 26 September. Join us for a unique experience as you get in touch with your inner yogi in a beginner-friendly 60 minutes yoga session in the depths of the Marble Arch Caves. Relax body and mind as we connect to nature inside the cave with an inviting and inspiring class welcome to all levels.

11. Gracehill Scarecrow Festival, Ballymena, County Antrim, 26-27 September. This beloved event transforms this historic village into a whimsical wonderland, where scarecrows of all shapes and sizes come to life. As you stroll through the village of Gracehill, you’ll discover creative and quirky scarecrows hidden behind trees, peeking out of windows, and lounging in gardens. The entire village and wider community come together to craft these unique characters, competing for the title of the best scarecrow based on any character or theme.

12. Harvest at the Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra, County Down, 26 September. Harvest marks the end of the growing season when crops are finally ready for gathering and processing, and you can experience it for yourself at Ulster Folk Museum. Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in with potato picking and apple harvesting, make your own harvest knot, and enjoy the smells of baking demonstrations in our traditional cottages. 

13. Full Moon Paddle on Strangford Lough, Whiterock, County Down, 26 September. Join them for a Full Moon Paddle on Strangford Lough.  The full moon is unique to witness from the water and there’s no better place to do so than from a kayak, SUP or canoe on a flat sea.

14. Belfast Record Fair, Belfast, 26 September. Come along to the Belfast Record Fair at Oh Yeah Music Centre where you’ll find thousands of records and CDs to search through, with something for everyone at decent prices.

15. The Copeland Distillery Experience, Donaghadee, County Down, 26 September. Experience their distillery in the coastal town of Donaghadee through a guided tour and taste their award-winning spirits. Walk around our historical building which was once a picture house dating back to 1915, and hear the stories of the local area including secret smugglers, savage battles and remarkable voyages.

16. Autumn Celebration in the Garden with Garden Sessions at Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Killeavy, County Armagh, 26 September. Come along to the heart of the garden for an afternoon of Autumn Celebration, a magical experience for the whole family featuring Kara’s Country Dancing. Set against the peaceful backdrop of the walled garden, this event is perfect for families.  Kids can dance the day away with Kara in the auditorium, get creative with themed autumn crafts, and be swept away by magical seasonal storytelling, while parents sit back, relax, and enjoy some well-earned downtime.

17. Waakin fur Ettlin fur Godot (Walking for Waiting for Godot) starting at Gracehill Old School, Gracehill and various locations, County Antrim, 26 September. As part of its 2026 Samuel Beckett Biennale, Arts Over Borders is delighted to present a landmark one-off performed-reading of ‘Waakin fur Ettlin fur Godot’ (Walking for Waiting for Godot). Set against the upland landscape of County Antrim, this production centres around a specially commissioned premiere translation of Beckett’s classic play in Ulster-Scots for Ireland’s Northern Literary Lands and to be performed round Tree for Waiting for Godot by Sir Antony Gormley.

18. Journey Back in Time at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. The Ulster American Folk Park tells the story of Ulster people’s emigration to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Learn more about lives left behind, the hardships endured on the journey and the pioneering spirit of building new lives in a new land.

19. Visit Boatyard Distillery, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, visit website for open dates and times. Located on the scenic banks of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, The Boatyard Distillery is a vibrant working distillery offering an immersive, award‑winning visitor experience. As Fermanagh’s first legal distillery since 1890, Boatyard combines heritage, craftsmanship, and modern innovation to create premium spirits rooted in local character.

20. Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World : Gulliver’s Travels at 300 at Armagh Robinson Library, Armagh, County Armagh until 24 December. 2026 marks the 300th anniversary of the first edition of Travels Into Several Remote Nations of the World. This work, written by Jonathan Swift, is commonly known as Gulliver’s Travels. The library is very proud to own Jonathan Swift’s own large paper copy of that first edition. This copy contains annotations by Swift’s own hand. This exhibition, ‘Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World: Gulliver’s Travels at 300’, explores Gulliver’s Travels as a commentary on 18th century society, politics, science, education, and human nature.

For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit: discovernorthernireland.com

Subject to availabilities with select dates. 

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AS travellers increasingly swap bucket-list sightseeing for holidays that offer a deeper connection with local history, food and traditions, new research has revealed the world’s most culturally rich destinations. 

Continue reading “VENICE SCORES A PERFECT TEN IN CULTURAL TOURISM SURVEY” →

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JET2 Chief Executive Steve Heapy has hit back at the report from the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) which warned the government that a long-running proposal to expand Heathrow Airport with a third runway is not currently compatible with the UK’s net zero emissions target.

Continue reading “JET2 CHIEF SAYS CCC VIEW DEPRIVING LEAST WELL OFF ‘OF WELL-EARNED AND WELL-DESERVED HOLIDAYS’” →

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OCEANIA Cruises®, the world’s leading destination and culinary-focused luxury cruise line, has announced the industry’s first entirely gluten-free ocean voyage. Sailing aboard Oceania Vista® in 2028, the groundbreaking journey will invite guests to experience the full breadth of the line’s renowned culinary programme without the need to navigate menus, question preparation practices or worry about cross-contact.

Continue reading “INDUSTRY’S FIRST ENTIRELY GLUTEN-FREE OCEAN CRUISE” →

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Jet2holidays has hosted its second annual Non-Retail Summit, with almost 150 delegates hearing how the company is continuing to support and invest in non-retail travel agent partners as part of its award-winning Partners2Success strategy.
 

Continue reading “JET2 HOLIDAYS HOSTS SECOND NON-RETAIL SUMMIT FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVEL AGENTS” →

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ABTA has submitted its representation to HM Treasury ahead of the Autumn Budget, the first since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.

Continue reading “ABTA SUBMITS ITS WISH LIST TO TREASURY AHEAD OF BUDGET” →

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CELEBRITY Cruises has announced the release of new flight allocations from Belfast for a selection of Celebrity Ascent sailings during Summer 2027.

Continue reading “CELEBRITY ANNOUNCES FLIGHTS FROM BELFAST FOR FIRST TIME EVER” →

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EMIRATES is elevating its award-winning Premium Economy experience even further with the launch of the world’s first electrically powered Premium Economy seat, featuring a full-height adjustable privacy screen between every seat.

Continue reading “EMIRATES UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC PREMIUM ECONOMY SEAT WITH FULL HEIGHT PRIVACY SCREEN” →

1. Armagh Food and Cider Weekend, Armagh, County Armagh, 3 – 6 September. Brimming with fine foods, foraged lunches, cider tasting, tours, talks and fiction amongst the apple-laden orchards. Combine all this with award winning ciders and the most stunning surroundings and you are in for a harvest season treat.

2. NI Legends at Galgorm Castle Estate, Ballymena, County Antrim, until 6 September. The NI Legends returns to Galgorm for the second time, continuing a strong tradition of tournament golf at the Northern Ireland venue. A proven championship venue, the 2026 NI legends at Galgorm will be the 21st international golf tournament staged there.

3. Belfast International Tattoo, Belfast, 4-5 September. The O2 Belfast hosts a spectacular showcase of music, precision, and tradition as world-class performers are brought together from across the globe. The Belfast International Tattoo 2026 promises an unforgettable celebration of military music, dance, and cultural heritage like never before.

4. Community Pop-Up Apple Press at Downhill Demesne, Castlerock, County Londonderry, 5 September. Celebrate the arrival of autumn on the Causeway Coast with a traditional apple harvest experience at Downhill Demesne. Join the team in the beautiful, tranquil Walled Garden at Lion’s Gate for their annual Community Pop-Up Apple Press event. Bring your own apples, or pick some fresh from the orchard, and learn how to turn them into delicious, freshly-squeezed apple juice.

5. Hillsborough Fort Guard – Royal Hillsborough Walking Experience, County Down, 5 and 19 September. Experience Hillsborough through the eyes of a Hillsborough Fort Guard Warder, whose expert storytelling brings centuries of royal, military, social and local history vividly to life. Our guided walking tour offers exclusive insights, authentic heritage interpretation, and a uniquely immersive connection to the village’s past that you won’t find anywhere else.

6. Eats & Beats Festival, Newcastle, County Down, 5 – 6 September. As summer fades, the Eats & Beats festival lights up Newcastle, celebrating Mourne Gullion Strangford’s vibrant musical heritage and food scene. This festival is a foodie’s and music lover’s paradise with a wealth of flavours and incredible acts, in addition to events and festivities in venues right across the town. This eclectic mix of delicious food and live performances ensures an unforgettable weekend in the heart of the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark.

7. Leaf and Lore: Autumn Native Tree Walk at Ulster Fork Museum, Holywood, County Down, 5 September. Learn how to identify different tree species and their important roles in our local eco-system. Find out how different tree species have shaped the history, folklore and landscape of Northern Ireland. During the walk, The Conservation Volunteers will tell you about the work they’re doing to a preserve our trees, plus the challenges posed by invasive species, climate change, and human activities. You’ll also have the chance to visit our on-site tree nursery.

8. Beach Ride Experience with Crindle Stables, Limavady, County Londonderry, 11 September. Enjoy a scenic horseback ride along the stunning Northern Ireland coastline. This Beach Ride with Crindle Stables offers a unique outdoor adventure for riders 12 years and older, and is perfect for all skill levels.

9. European Heritage Open Days (EHOD), various locations across Northern Ireland, 12-13 September. Discover the stories, places and people that make Northern Ireland unique during European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) 2026, taking place on 12–13 September 2026.  Hosted by the Department for Communities, EHOD is Northern Ireland’s largest celebration of built, cultural and natural heritage, offering free access to hundreds of events, historic sites, and unique experiences across the region. Whether you’re interested in architecture, archaeology, local history, industrial heritage, traditional crafts, family activities, or hidden places normally closed to the public, EHOD offers something for everyone.

10. Autumn Foraging Walk with Broughgammon Farm, Ballycastle, County Antrim, 13 September. Step onto their beautiful, nature friendly farm and uncover the hidden food and remedies growing all around us on this wild food Foraging Walk. This immersive experience will guide you through their native hedgerows, woodland, gardens, and farm land to discover the wonderful plants nature provides.

11. Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down, various locations, County Down, 11-27 September. Taste Autumn is set to show case the very best of Ards and North Down’s food and drink through a packed programme of events and experience. Savour seasonal tide and turf produce and some of the borough’s finest food and drink which offers something for all palates. Enjoy this celebration of land and sea and savour the season with delicious local produce.

12. The Wee Binnian Walkers Hillwalking Festival, Warrenpoint, County Down, 11-13 September. This September Wee Binnian Walkers [the Social Club that walks] warmly invites you to join them for their 2026 hillwalking festival. Throughout the weekend you will have the opportunity to hike in the Mourne and Cooley mountains, both areas of outstanding natural beauty steeped in myth and legend. Their trained and experienced leaders will guide you on a variety of graded walks suitable for all abilities. 

13. Mourne Alpacas Sunset Supper, Dromara, County Down, 10,11 and 17-19 September. Arriving into stunning pastures in the large alpaca breeding and fibre farm, your experience begins with our Alpaca Trek where you get to trek with one alpaca in the pastures seeing so many more along the route. The scrumptious Sunset Supper (which can be tailored to your preferences for content if time allows) is £85 for two people with additional guests £38 per person – includes a full alpaca trek, fascinating field to fashion presentation and delicious luxury Supper with juices, tea & coffee included. Time for the experience is listed at 1.5 hours.

14. Culture Night 2026, Various locations, 18 September. Across towns and cities in Northern Ireland, Culture Night invites everyone to explore museums, galleries, historic buildings, streets and public spaces after hours. Culture Night celebrates creativity in all its forms, showcasing local artists, cultural organisations and communities, and offering a unique opportunity to experience Northern Ireland’s rich cultural life in fresh and unexpected ways.

15. Wild Caving – Marble Arch Caves, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, 19 September. Delve off the beaten track with our experienced and qualified Cave Leader to explore “wild caving” in the depths of the Marble Arch Caves system. Your group of 10 will explore wild cave passages, negotiate boulder chambers and clamber through the well-known flyover to emerge into the public tour area of the show cave before navigating your way out through the wild chambers.

16. Meet the Designers: Fashion Tea at Titanic Belfast, Belfast, 20 September. Join Titanic Belfast and the Council of Irish Fashion Designers (CIFD) for a stylish afternoon celebrating Irish fashion, creativity and craftsmanship. Enjoy live music before a fascinating panel discussion hosted by renowned fashion commentator Eddie Shanahan, featuring leading Irish designers Amy Anderson (Kindred of Ireland), Sara O’Neill (Éadach), Sarah Murphy (Jack Murphy) and Monica Walsh (Cobblers Lane).

17. Aspects Festival, various locations across Bangor, County Down, 23 September – 4 October. Aspects Festival returns to Bangor with a vibrant programme of author talks, poetry events, workshops, performances and exhibitions. This year’s festival welcomes acclaimed writers including John Banville, Jan Carson and David Park, alongside an exciting mix of poets, authors and performers from near and far.

18. Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World : Gulliver’s Travels at 300 at Armagh Robinson Library, Armagh, County Armagh until 24 December. 2026 marks the 300th anniversary of the first edition of Travels Into Several Remote Nations of the World. This work, written by Jonathan Swift, is commonly known as Gulliver’s Travels. The library is very proud to own Jonathan Swift’s own large paper copy of that first edition. This copy contains annotations by Swift’s own hand. This exhibition, “Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World : Gulliver’s Travels at 300”, explores Gulliver’s Travels as a commentary on 18th century society, politics, science, education, and human nature.

19. Sperrin Sculpture Trail, various locations, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. Nestled in the heart of Northern Ireland, the Sperrin Mountains offer nature lovers and adventure seekers an unforgettable experience.  And deep within this beautiful landscape, lie three gentle and majestic giants.  Together, the trio form the Sperrin Sculpture Trail, an exciting art installation created by world acclaimed artist, Thomas Dambo. The three locations include: Nowanois: The Storytellers – Glenelly Valley near Cranagh; Darach: The Guardian – Mullaghcarn Mountain; and Ceoldán: The Stargazer – Davagh Forest.

20. OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory Guided Tour, Omagh, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. Star hop across the universe on one of the daily guided tours. The interactive exhibition links the landscape with the astronomical and archaeological heritage of the Sperrins, featuring holographic installations.

For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit: discovernorthernireland.com

Subject to availabilities with select dates. 

ENDS