Author: Brian Ogle

1. Titanic Belfast Curates… Northern Threads, Belfast, until 30 September. 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.
   
2. Sea Bangor, County Down, 23 – 24 May. Sea Bangor is a free, family-friendly maritime festival celebrating the rich coastal heritage of the city of Bangor. Taking place along the seafront, the event offers a packed programme of nautical-themed activities both on and off the water, along with live entertainment, music, and delicious local food.
   
3. Lir Sessions, Ballycastle, County Antrim, 21 – 25 May. Lir Sessions is a new folk and traditional music festival bringing five vibrant days of music, culture and craic to the seaside town of Ballycastle. The festival features over 40 free events and performances, including headline concerts, intimate gigs, lively session trails and interactive activities for all ages.
   
4. Rathlin Sound Festival, Ballycastle, County Antrim, 21 – 31 May. The long and rich coastal traditions of Rathlin Island are showcased during this festival which celebrates local cuisine, live music and maritime heritage.
   
5. OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Davagh Forest, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. Take a journey through time and space with a visitor experience that’s out of this world. Book your visit to Northern Ireland’s only International Dark Sky Park. Fully guided by an experienced tour guide, the centre will give visitors a unique opportunity to experience the night sky as it is rarely viewed.
   
6. Ballymena 400, County Antrim, 23 May. Join us as Ballymena marks 400 years with a full day of celebration for all ages. The day begins at 10.30am with a vibrant town centre parade showcasing Ballymena today. Expect a colourful procession featuring community, youth groups and sports organisations, all brought together with music and atmosphere as the town celebrates its past and present. From midday until 4pm the celebrations continue in People’s Park with a free family friendly event.
   
7. Names of the Land at Sir Hans Sloane Centre, Killyleagh, County Down, 22 May. A talk by Dr Frances Kane (Associate Fellow of the Institute of Irish Studies. Queen’s University Belfast). Place-names are one of the most enduring records of language, history, and everyday life. This talk explores how Irish and Ulster-Scots have shaped the names of townlands, fields, roads, and settlements, and what those names can tell us about how people understood the land around them.
   
8. Wild Caving – Marble Arch Caves, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, 23 May. Delve off the beaten track with their experienced and qualified Cave Leader to explore “wild caving” in the depths of the Marble Arch Caves system. Your group of ten 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.
   
9. Orchard/Cider Tour Experience with Tastings, Tea/Coffee, Apple Tart & Fresh Cream with Long Meadow Cider, Portadown, County Armagh, 23 May. Enjoy a fully immersive orchard/cider experience in the company of the McKeever family. No visit with the McKeever family would be complete without tasting their award-winning craft ciders and apple juice.
10. Family Fun BBQ at Roe Valley Resort, Limavady, County Londonderry, 24 May. Enjoy daytime dancing, ice cream, character meet & greets, and fresh BBQ eats while your little explorers dive into a kids’ activity zone made just for them. They’ll bounce sky-high on a giant inflatable, take on the bungee trampoline, and cruise mini 4x4s around our child-sized track, plus enjoy the colourful Helter Skelter, kids’ arcade, and adventure play park for nonstop fun. No need to book, just follow the fun and purchase your activity wristbands and BBQ tokens in their Kids Activity Zone.

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.

NEWS LINES…………… NEWS LINES……………… NEWS LINES………………. NEWS LINES……………… NEWS LINES………………….

ABTA is supporting its members ahead of the key summer holiday season with a new phase of its ‘Travel with confidence’ campaign, telling UK holidaymakers that ‘The Time is Now’ to book with an ABTA member.

NEWS LINES…………….. NEWS LINES……………….. NEWS LINES…………………. NEWS LINES………………….. NEWS LINES

BRITISH holidaymakers face a summer travel lottery amid the global jet fuel crisis – with some airlines better placed than others to dodge anticipated flight chaos.

NEWS LINES……………. NEWS LINES……………… NEWS LINES………………. NEWS LINES……………… NEWS LINES……………….

MORE than a third of Northern Irish holidaymakers say they have delayed making travel plans this summer due to recent global events, according to new research.

KEFLAVIK (KEF) Airport, Reykjavik, has launched the world’s first on-site airport tour programme – its very own series of guided tours designed to offer visitors another view of Iceland before departing.

1. Ballyscullion Park Book Festival, Bellaghy, County Londonderry, 16 – 17 May. Nestled in the heart of the Northern Irish countryside, Ballyscullion Park Book Festival offers a truly unforgettable literary experience. Set within the beautifully Walled Garden of Ballyscullion Park, the festival blends world-class literary talent with the warmth and intimacy of a family-run venue, creating an atmosphere that is as inspiring as it is welcoming.
   
2. Balmoral Show, Lisburn, County Antrim, 13-16 May. The 157th Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank will kick off at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn with something for everyone. From competitive livestock classes to award-winning local produce, sensational show-jumping competitions and live stunt displays, there’s never a dull moment across the showgrounds.
   
3. Garden History Tour at Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, 16 May. Explore the stories behind the landscape, historic features and the dynasties that have shaped the estate over the years. This is a fascinating guided walk led by Ken Dawson, for anyone who loves gardens, history and the beauty of the past brought to life.
   
4. National Drawing Day at Ulster Museum, Belfast, 16 May. Embrace your creativity and pick up a pencil. There’ll be many opportunities to draw objects relating to their exhibitions, or head to one of their Discovery Centres on Level 1, 3 and 5 to focus on an item from the museum collections. This event is free and open to all.
   
5. Roe Valley Speciality Market, Limavady, County Londonderry, 16 May. If you love local fresh food, quirky handmade crafts, fine art, and speciality products, visit a speciality market day at Drumceatt Square, Limavady’s only communal public square. This small, friendly outdoor market features speciality food, art and handmade craft.
   
6. UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship 2026, Belfast, Larne & Coleraine, 4 –17 May. Northern Ireland’s hosting of the 2026 UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship finals has kicked off. Northern Ireland, who make their debut in the eight-team tournament, will take on England, Germany and Norway in Group A. Group B includes France, Finland, Spain and Poland.
   
7. Golden Hour Alpaca Trekking Experience in Ballynahinch, County Down, select dates in May. Discover the ultimate blend of adventure and indulgence with a brand-new activity: Golden Hour Alpaca Trekking & Luxury Charcuterie Board. Exclusively designed for adults, this unique experience combines the serene beauty of a guided alpaca trek along their purpose-built scenic alpaca trekking trail with the gourmet delight of a specially curated charcuterie board, all set against the enchanting backdrop of the golden hour.
8. Enniskillen International Spring Market, County Fermanagh, 15-17 May. The Enniskillen International Spring Market returns to Enniskillen Castle, on the shores of the River Erne. Food and crafts from around the world can be enjoyed in the historic grounds of the Castle.
   
9. Visit Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh, County Armagh, visit website for open dates and times. Navan Centre & Fort, located just two miles from Armagh City, is a place where myth and reality meet. As the ancient seat of Kings and the earliest capital of Ulster, there is plenty to explore.
   
10. Coalisland Summer Bash, Coalisland, County Tyrone, 17 May. The free family event, organised by Mid Ulster District Council, will take place at the Shared Space, Lineside from 10.30am – 1pm to coincide with the annual Newell Stores 10k and 5k run. During the event, visitors, runners and supporters can enjoy a host of free family friendly activities including face painting, walkabout characters, large games and the return of the very popular bubble bike with hundreds of bubbles a minute.

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.

NEWS LINES……………. NEWS LINES……………….. NEWS LINES………………… NEWS LINES………………. NEWS LINES……………..

UK consumer champion Jet2 has published data showing how consumers are increasingly seeking the assurance of a package holiday.

NEWS LINES……………. NEWS LINES………………. NEWS LINES……………… NEWS LINES………………. NEWS LINES…………..

WITH reports in the media speculating about fuel supplies and cancellations, ABTA has provided the following clarification and reassurance for customers:

NEWS LINES……………. NEWS LINES……………… NEWS LINES………………. NEWS LINES……………… NEWS LINES………………..

JET2HOLIDAYS has expanded its Eurocamp portfolio for Summer 2026 to now include parks across Mainland Spain, providing families with even more choice when it comes to booking a Eurocamp holiday with the UK’s largest tour operator.

NEWS LINES………………. NEWS LINES…………………. NEWS LINES…………….. NEWS LINES……………….. NEWS LINES

 UK consumer champion Jet2 has geared up for a bumper May Day Bank Holiday weekend, when it will take more customers on their well-deserved holidays over the period than ever before.