Author: Brian Ogle

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AS reports of severe airport delays dominate headlines this week, travel rights experts at AirHelp (Airhelp.co.uk) are warning passengers that many may be confused about what compensation they are actually entitled to if airport queues cause them to miss their flight.

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NEWS consumer sentiment research, released today from ABTA – The Travel Association, explores the impact of the conflict in the Middle East and the rising cost of living on people’s intention to travel over the next 12 months.

1. Belsonic, Belfast, 12 June-1 July. A firm favourite in the gig guide, Belsonic returns to the idyllic setting at Ormeau Park. Featuring ten days of international acts including Pitbull, Kings of Leon, Def Leppard, The Cure and Michael Buble, the popular Farmer’s Bash opens the string of concerts with in demand Garron Noone, Whistlin’ Donkeys and Mark McCabe all announced.
2. Home & Garden Show Ireland, Antrim, County Antrim, 12-14 June. Home and Garden Show Ireland returns to Antrim Castle Gardens, offering a vibrant and inspiring experience for visitors of all ages. Guests can enjoy expert talks and live demonstrations from ambassadors David Domoney and Suzanne Garuda, alongside special guests sharing practical tips, creative ideas, and gardening inspiration.
3. The Royal Landing 2026, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, 13 June. The historic town of Carrickfergus is once again preparing to host one of the most anticipated events in the cultural calendar, as The Royal Landing returns with a vibrant, family-friendly festival that showcases history, heritage and community spirit, attracting thousands of visitors from across Northern Ireland and beyond.
4. Armagh City Summer Walking Tours, County Armagh, visit website for dates and times. One of the best ways to discover more about the story of Armagh and its citizens from the pre-Christian era up to modern times is to book a guided walking tour. This leisurely tour will take you through the city centre, stopping off at various locations on a route of approximately 1 km.
5. Nature Day at Ulster Folk Museum, Holywood, County Down, 13 June. During Nature Day, you’ll have the chance to explore rich natural spaces and connect with the passionate people involved in growing, conservation, and scientific research at the Ulster Folk Museum. With a variety of hands-on activities, guided walks, and experiences tailored for all ages and interests, there’s something for everyone.USA 250: Showbusiness, Culture and the Causeway Coast Exhibition, 6. Coleraine, County Londonderry, until 29 August. From local cinemas and dance halls to theatre and the rise of rock ‘n’ roll, USA 250: Showbusiness, Culture and the Causeway Coast highlights how American culture has shaped entertainment and everyday life in the region. Set within Coleraine Town Hall, discover stories of Ulster migrants, the influence of Hollywood and popular culture, and the ways in which American showbusiness captured the imagination of generations.
7. Hidden Heritage – Dungannon Town Walking Tour at Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House, County Tyrone, 13 June. Step into the rich history of Dungannon on a guided walking tour through the heart of this historic Ulster town, central to Ireland’s story. As you explore its streets, your guide will bring centuries of heritage to life, from ancient times through to the powerful legacy of the O’Neill dynasty.
8. The Battle of Ballynahinch Walking Tour at Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, 14 June. Celebrate the 228th anniversary of The Battle of Ballynahinch by taking a walking tour with historian, Ken Dawson, through Montalto Estate. Inhale the scents of these beautiful gardens and hear the crunch of gravel underfoot as you are transported back in time to hear the stories of not only the battle, but the estate itself.

9. Let’s Talk Trees at the Marble Arch Caves, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, 13 June. Step into the heart of nature with Dr Kate Crane, the Marble Arch Caves Ranger, on an unforgettable walk at Cladagh Glen National Nature Reserve. Explore the ancient woodland and discover the diverse species of trees that thrive in this breathtaking landscape. Kate will guide you through the wonders of these important green spaces, sharing fascinating insights into the area’s rich biodiversity and explaining why Cladagh Glen has been recognised as both a National Nature Reserve and an Area of Special Scientific Interest.
10. Willow and Lore Heritage Farm Walking Tour, Newtowncrommelin, County Antrim, 10 June (more dates available). Discover the myth and folklore rooted in the land and how they now care for it on Willow and Lore Heritage Farm. Start with a traditional country welcome, a hot drink and a light bite and select your preferred walking farm tour from the following: local lore through the words of published local poets; traditional heritage farming and modern regenerative farming hand in hand; or Glenravel, two millennia of history: High Kings of Ireland to iron ore mining in the Industrial Revolution.

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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Jet2Villas has once again been recognised as a Which? Recommended Provider, after finishing joint top in Which’s Villas and Holiday Lets Abroad survey for the fourth consecutive year and cementing its consumer champion position.

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THIS summer, Florida’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex invites guests to discover the USA’s pioneering spirit and bold mission to travel beyond earth, as the visitor complex honours the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

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IT WAS the sound of summer last year and now the UK’s consumer champion, Jet2, is inviting customers to be part of the advert that everyone is talking about through a new competition.

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MARBELLA is set to shine even brighter this summer as the Starlite Occident Festival returns from June to August 2026 with one of its most star-studded line-ups to date. Maroon 5, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, Rick Astley, Anastacia, the Gipsy Kings, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Deep Purple and Kool & The Gang are just some of the names taking to the stage at the open-air auditorium carved into the natural quarry of Nagüeles.

1. Cultra Motorsport Festival, Holywood, County Down, 6 June. Hosted in partnership with the Thoroughbred Sports Car Club NI and Porsche Centre Belfast, this is an action-packed day with vintage, classic and modern cars on display at Cultra Manor, including gems from the Ulster Transport Museum collection, released from the Ulster Transport Museum’s private stores just for this event.

2. Every Voice Festival, Derry~Londonderry, 6 – 14 June. The Every Voice Festival celebrates the transformative power of singing together. From powerful sacred music and inspiring youth performances to community choirs, workplace singers, care home concerts and spectacular gala performances. Whether you love choral music, storytelling, live performance or simply celebrating community spirit – there’s something for everyone.

3. Long Meadow Cider Orchard/Cider Tour Experience with Tastings, Tea/Coffee, Apple Tart & Fresh Cream, Portadown, County Armagh, 6 June. Enjoy a fully immersive orchard/cider experience in the company of the McKeever family. Enjoy an orchard walk explaining the various orchard plantations in place. Visitors can experience the apple blossom in May or the trees laden with fruit from June-October. And, of course, no visit with the McKeever family would be complete without tasting their award-winning craft ciders and apple juice.

4. The Benjamin Franklin Dining Room at Hillsborough Castle, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, visit website for dates and times. Step into a fascinating chapter of transatlantic history at Hillsborough Castle, where visitors can explore the castle’s remarkable connection to America’s founding story. To mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, the magnificent State Dining Room has been transformed into the Benjamin Franklin Dining Room, showcasing a unique collection of historic objects linked to the celebrated statesman.

5. Celtic Heart at Belfast Waterfront, Belfast, visit website for dates and times. Created in collaboration with The Music Yard, Celtic Heart is a locally produced show celebrating Belfast’s rich storytelling, traditional music and homegrown talent. Transporting audiences to the industrial heart of early-1900s working class Belfast, Celtic Heart is an intimate and powerful storytelling experience brought vividly to life through the spoken word, live traditional music, captivating vocals, and breathtaking dance choreography.

6. Titanic Belfast Curates… Northern Threads, Belfast, visit website for dates and times. A celebration of style, creativity and contemporary design in Northern Ireland. The exhibition showcases how fashion and textile design is bold, expressive and deeply connected to place. It’s about what’s being created now and the ideas, stories and influences shaping it. At the heart of Northern Threads are Gráinne Maher, Hope Macaulay, Kindred of Ireland by Amy Anderson and Éadach by Sara O’Neill.

7. Under the Hawthorn Tree at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, visit website for dates and times. A powerful story of hardship, loss and survival, this exhibition brings Marita Conlon-McKenna’s much-loved children’s novel, Under the Hawthorn Tree, to life. The exhibition uses objects, sounds, smells, interactives and illustrations to tell the story, inviting visitors, young and old, to experience the story in a new and immersive way.

8. Viking Village at Fermanagh Fun Farm, Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh, 6-7 June. Step back in time at the Viking Event at Fermanagh Fun Farm. With live battle re-enactments, interactive warrior demonstrations and a fully set up Viking village to explore, there’s plenty to see and experience.

9. Little Construction Club at Millennium Forum, Derry~Londonderry, 4 June (more dates available). Little Construction Club is a pop-up construction-themed play experience for toddlers and young children. Children can explore a fully themed mini construction site featuring ride-on diggers and dumper trucks, build zones, sensory play, dress-up stations, roadworks roleplay, ball pit fun and interactive play areas designed to encourage imagination, creativity and active play.

10. The Gobbins, Islandmagee, County Antrim, visit website for dates and times. Experience a thrilling world where bridges will carry you over crashing waves to sunken caves and sheer cliff faces. On the thrilling Gobbins Experience, nature isn’t content to just sit back and be admired. It completely engulfs you: from the all-enveloping Irish Sea winds and the dolphins dancing off the coastline, to the squawking native sea birds and the salty air as it hits your lips.

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.

AER Lingus has celebrated the take off of its first flight from Dublin Airport to Pittsburgh.

1. Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne Guided Tour, Castlerock, County Londonderry, 25 May. 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.
   
2. Sizzle, Sips & Sounds at Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, 25 May. Visit the stunning and exclusive Walled Garden at Montalto Estate on Bank Holiday Monday for a day full of entertainment and food in perfect surroundings. From 11am – 4pm, grab a bite to eat at their BBQ station, along with a cold, refreshing drink while enjoying live music by local musicians.
   
3. W5 Space, Belfast, 23 May – 31 August. Step into an immersive training mission at the Space Explorer Academy, where young astronauts are recruited to embark on a journey beyond the stars. Take on cosmic challenges, test your skills through hands-on missions, and discover what it takes to become a true explorer of the universe. From countdown to launch, to interstellar discoveries, every experience is designed to ignite curiosity and fuel imagination.
   
4. Birdwatch morning at WWT Castle Espie, Comber, County Down, 27 May. Join the experts for a relaxed and informative birdwatching walk across the reserve, timed to catch the birds at their most active. It’s perfect for all experience levels – whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned spotter, our team will help you identify species, understand behaviour, and make the most of the wetland’s seasonal highlights.
   
5. From Blossom to Bottle Tour with Armagh Cider Company, Portadown, County Armagh, 27 May. Come and learn about the history of Ballinteggart and how it has become the home of Armagh cider. With a welcome drink in the mature grounds, discover the history of the area, farm and family. You’ll enjoy sampling their range of drinks produced from their own spring water and take time to dander through their traditional orchards.
   
6. Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market, County Down, 30 May. The popular Royal Hillsborough Farmers Market returns to the historic village for three markets on the last Saturday of May, June and July. The market is set along the Dark Walk and extending into the grounds of Hillsborough Fort. It makes a lovely day out, especially when combined with a browse of the eclectic mix of independent shops and eateries in the village.
   
7. Glenravel International Furnace Festival & Forge In, Newtowncrommelin, County Antrim, 30 – 31 May. Expert smelters and blacksmiths from around the world are gathering in the small mining area of Glenravel in the Antrim hills to bring traditional iron skills back to life.
   
8. Timeless Tastes – The Fermanagh Experience, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, visit website for open dates and times. Begin your adventure deep underground at the Marble Arch Caves, where the Owenbrean River Cave Tour leads you through an ancient limestone labyrinth. Hear the echoes of rushing water, feel the cool cave air on your skin, and marvel at breath-taking underground formations sculpted over millennia. Then, return to the surface and indulge in the craft of spirit making with a guided tour of Boatyard Distillery on the tranquil banks of Lough Erne.
   
9. Magherafelt Speciality Market, Magherafelt, County Londonderry, 30 May. Find and support independent businesses while enjoying a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. From artisan produce, gifts, art and craft to delicious street food. It’s the perfect base to explore the vibrant Magherafelt town.
   
10. The Garden Fair at Corick House Hotel and Spa, Clogher, County Tyrone, 24 – 25 May. Enjoy the seasonal changes at Corick House Hotel & Spa with their Garden Fair – a vibrant two-day celebration taking place within the stunning surroundings of their countryside estate.

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.