The 'Travel' Life of Brian

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PET travel is here to stay as one of tourism’s biggest trends, with huge numbers of owners opting to take their four-legged friend on holiday instead of experiencing the heartbreak of separation.

Continue reading “SIT, STAY, SAIL! ALL ABOARD FOR PET TRAVEL WITH STENA LINE” →

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LOOKING for something different to do with the kids this Easter? 

Continue reading “HOP ONBOARD FOR AN EASTER FAMILY CRUISE WITH STENA LINE” →

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STENA Line’s enchanting Pirates & Princesses Day Cruises are back for 2026 with a series of 10 new dates announced for the hugely popular trips.

Continue reading “PIRATES AND PRINCESSES BACK ON THE HIGH SEAS WITH STENA LINE” →

1. Garden History Tour at Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, 28 March. Explore the stories behind the landscape, historic features and the dynasties that have shaped the estate over the years. A fascinating guided walk led by Ken Dawson, this tour is for anyone who loves gardens, history and the beauty of the past brought to life.
   
2. Easter Egg Hunt at Rowallane Garden, Saintfield, County Down, 28 March – 7 April. Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. The trail takes place from 10am to 5pm. Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg. Weave in and out, solve some puzzles, create some art and race your friends on a trail exploring the areas around the house and Stableyard.
   
3. Newry Arts Festival, Newry, County Down, 19 – 29 March. Newry Arts Festival is a celebratory mix of exhibitions, comedy, music and drama, and will shine a light on Newry City’s arts scene. Newry Arts Festival will welcome renowned acts from the Newry City area.
   
4. Dome Shows at Armagh Planetarium, Armagh, County Armagh, visit website for open dates and times. The main attraction at Armagh Planetarium is a 360-degree digital theatre, where they present immersive dome shows on a wide range of topics. With programmes designed for toddlers, families, and adults, there’s something for every visitor.
   
5. OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Davagh Forest, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. Star hop across the universe on one of their daily guided tours. Their interactive exhibition links the landscape with the astronomical and archaeological heritage of the Sperrins, featuring holographic installations. OM guided exhibition tours run throughout the day and last approximately 1 hour.
   
6. Derry By Fork, Various locations across Derry~Londonderry, 28 March (future dates available). Derry by Fork food and drink tours offer the ultimate way to discover the city’s thriving food scene. Blending history, culture, and exceptional flavours, these tours are led by passionate locals who reveal hidden culinary gems and share the stories behind Derry~Londonderry’s most iconic landmarks.
   
7. National Trust’s Florence Court, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, visit website for open dates and times. Surrounded by lush parkland and thick woodland with Benaughlin mountain rising in the background, Florence Court enjoys a majestic countryside setting in West Fermanagh. There is something for everyone to enjoy at this extensive and welcoming place.
   
8. Easter Egg Hunt at Mount Stewart, Newtownards, County Down, 28 March – 7 April. Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. The trail takes place from 10am to 5pm, with last trails being sold at 4pm. Come along and explore the beautiful gardens of Mount Stewart. Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg.
   
9. Joinery Taster Workshop at Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra, County Down, 26 March. Create your own redwood miniature sheeted door with a mortise and tenon frame to take home. Guided by experts from the Historic Environment Division, you’ll learn about heritage joinery, approaches to conservation and repair, and try practical techniques for yourself. This workshop is ideal for enthusiasts, those considering training in joinery, or professionals interested in incorporating traditional techniques into their work.
   
10. Ashes to Fashion at Ulster Museum, Belfast, until 13 September. A collection reborn through significant acquisitions, a future-proof collecting policy and generous donations, making it one of the most important collections in Western Europe. ‘Ashes to Fashion’ marks this extraordinary milestone with a stunning showcase of fashion from the eighteenth century to today, from historic garments to contemporary pieces by Chanel and Versace.

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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ABTA’s advice on navigating travel during the Middle East conflict has been reaching its members and their customers with significant uplift in traffic to ABTA’s website and engagement on its social media channels. 

Continue reading “ABTA’S MIDDLE EAST CRISIS ADVICE REACHES GROWING NUMBER OF MEMBERS AND CONSUMERS” →

1. St Patrick’s Day at Slemish, Broughshane, County Antrim, 17 March. Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in spectacular style with a memorable trek up Slemish – the legendary mountain where Ireland’s patron saint once tended sheep. This iconic annual tradition invites you to conquer the 1.5 kilometre round walk to the summit and take in the breathtaking panoramic views.
   
2. St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival 2026, Derry~Londonderry, 17 March. Savour mouth-watering food from local vendors, explore the charm of traditional Irish music and be part of the magic as the St Patrick’s Day parade winds through the streets, showcasing dazzling displays of colour, creativity, and culture. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Spring in Derry~Londonderry.
   
3. St Patrick’s Day Parade, Belfast, 17 March. A dazzling display of costume, music, dance and circus will bring the streets of Belfast alive this St Patrick’s Day. The annual parade will weave its way through the city centre. With colourful live performance and a high energy soundtrack, this year’s parade will include some new elements to celebrate the legends of St Patrick.
   
4. St Patrick’s Day at Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra, County Down, 17 March. Join them for a family day filled with music, storytelling and hands-on activities that bring Ireland’s past to life. There’ll be traditional music performances and Irish dancing displays, plus folklore tales of legends and lore. Try Irish language taster sessions, sample colcannon and get hands-on with their family craft station.
   
5. St Patrick’s Day Parade in Newry City, and St Patrick’s Day Parade in Downpatrick, County Down, 17 March. St Patrick’s Day parades will be the centre of celebrations in Newry City and Downpatrick. Led by Saint Patrick himself, the St Patrick’s Day parade will offer a feast for eyes and ears as swirling dancers, community floats and costumed characters entertain the crowds.
   
6. St Patrick’s Day Omagh: Music and Mythology, Omagh, County Tyrone, 17 March. The streets of Omagh will come alive at this year’s St Patrick’s weekend with a vibrant celebration of music, mythology, dance and carnival parade. Delivered by Urban Events NI under the theme Music & Mythology, this year’s programme brings together an exciting blend of traditional musicians, dancers, performers and local groups to create an unforgettable festival experience.
   
7. St Patrick’s Day at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, 17 March. Enjoy a day of Irish heritage and celebration as you explore the history of the shamrock, accompanied by the sounds of traditional Irish music across Ulster and America. Watch Irish dance performances and see traditional craft demonstrations like basket weaving throughout the day. Stop by the Mellon House where the table will be filled with customary foods like colcannon and apple tart, taste samples of fruit brack and follow the ‘Shamrock Selfie Trail.’
   
8. St Patrick’s Day Parade in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, 17 Match. From Castle to Castle, the traditional parade will snake through the heart of Enniskillen, crossing its iconic bridges and celebrating the unique geography of the island town. The celebrations continue with an extended free fun day at Enniskillen Castle and the Broadmeadow, featuring family entertainment, activities and special guest appearances throughout the early afternoon.
   
9. Sunrise at Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh, County Armagh, 17 March. What made Emain Macha so special to the ancient people of Ulster? Why was this site so steeped in history and wonder that it drew St Patrick to the area to build his first church? Celebrate St Patrick’s morning with St Patrick himself and the ancient people of Ulster. This year bear witness, through drama, to the story of a bull which attempted to stop the building of Patrick’s church and participate in a ceremony by the sacred pool. Afterwards, have breakfast with them, to the sound of live music.
   
10. Sperrins Festival, Gortin, County Tyrone, 20 –22 March. Sperrins Festival is a three-day celebration of landscape, heritage, and community, taking place across Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It aims to strengthen connections between people and place, support sustainable tourism, and provide new opportunities to learn, explore, and celebrate the area’s rich and diverse heritage and culture.

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.

MAKE giant memories this Easter with a stress-free and fun-filled spring reset in Northern Ireland.

Continue reading “THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF FAMILY FUN EVENTS THIS COMING EASTER….” →

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FOLLOWING the continued popularity of its onboard wine tasting experiences, Irish Ferries has announced a new series of Wine Tasting Mini Cruises for 2026, which will take place onboard the W.B. Yeats ship on March 12, April 16 and May 21 2026.

Continue reading “IRISH FERRIES LAUNCHES SPRING WINE TASTING MINI CRUISES” →

1. St Patrick’s Weekend at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, 15 March. Visit Hillsborough Castle and Gardens for a fun-filled family day out with stories, music and celebration in honour of St. Patrick’s Day. Immerse yourself in the magic of traditional Irish storytelling with renowned storyteller Eamonn Keenan, accompanied by the captivating music of Aodan MacSeafriadh.
2. Homes In Focus: Tea Lane at Ulster Folk Museum, Holywood, County Down, 14 March. Join Victoria Millar, Senior Curator of History, for a talk on the Tea Lane Houses. Discover what life was like for those who lived here and explore the research happening behind the scenes. Originally located off Sandy Row in Belfast, the houses were built for workers in the nearby textile mills and brickfields in Sandy Row. They are believed to be amongst the earliest surviving examples of industrial housing in Belfast.
3. Leprechaun Treasure Trail at Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, 14 – 17 March. Can you track down Montalto’s mischievous Leprechauns? Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a fun-filled treasure trail style adventure through the beautiful Trails & Gardens at Montalto Estate.
4. St Patrick’s Day at Antrim Castle Gardens, Antrim, County Antrim, 14 March. Bring the whole family along for a day of fun in the stunning gardens. Enjoy live music, Irish and Ulster-Scots dancing and plenty of family-friendly activities as the gardens come alive with the spirit of St Patrick’s Day.
5. Belfast St Patrick’s Music Festival, Belfast, 13 – 17 March. Belfast St Patrick’s Music Festival returns with five days of concerts, workshops, dance, pipe bands and a free Festival Village in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast, UNESCO City of Music. At the heart of the festival is a diverse, cross-cultural celebration of traditional arts in honour of St Patrick.
6. Wild Caving at Marble Arch Caves, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, 14 March. 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 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.
7. Walled City Music Festival 2026, Derry~Londonderry, 12 – 15 March. Derry~Londonderry is set for a serious musical takeover this March as the Walled City Music Festival returns with a razor-sharp programme built for everyone – the seasoned concertgoer, the curious first timer, and anyone who simply wants to feel something live. Expect powerhouse piano, high-voltage violin and richly coloured chamber music, performed by world-class artists in the heart of the city.
8. Ashes to Fashion at Ulster Museum, Belfast, until 13 September. A collection reborn through significant acquisitions, a future-proof collecting policy and generous donations, making it one of the most important collections in Western Europe. ‘Ashes to Fashion’ marks this extraordinary milestone with a stunning showcase of fashion from the eighteenth century to today, from historic garments to contemporary pieces by Chanel and Versace.
9. Home of St Patrick Festival 2026, Armagh, County Armagh, 8 – 18 March. The Home of St Patrick Festival celebrates St. Patrick’s life through music, art, theatre, film, and dance. This is a chance to reflect on the legacy of St Patrick and have fun celebrating his influence on history and culture.
10. Visit Gortin Glen Forest Park, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. Gortin Glen Forest Park is made up of a network of 5 waymarked trails of varying lengths that start from the Trailhead close to the main car park. All trails are colour coded and return back to the car park. Each of the trails give the visitor the opportunity to enjoy the woodland, nestled nicely in the Sperrin Mountains.

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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JET2HOLIDAYS has announced that 1,500 hotels in its collection are now classified as a ‘Certified Sustainable Hotel’, meaning that they meet an official standard for sustainable accommodation practices on ABTA’s list of hotel certification schemes.

Continue reading “JET2HOLIDAYS REACHES 1,500 CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE HOTELS MILESTONE” →