Life

What's On: Dot Blakely guided birdwatch at Castle Espie

Jacqueline McGonigle of whatsonni.com shares her pick of family events across the north this week.

Wookalily will perform at the Cajun, Bluegrass Club at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh
Wookalily will perform at the Cajun, Bluegrass Club at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh Wookalily will perform at the Cajun, Bluegrass Club at The Market Place Theatre in Armagh

Down

This Thursday, January 28, join expert Dot Blakely for an informative morning birdwatch on the Castle Espie reserve overlooking Strangford Lough. Birdwatch Mornings meet in the Visitor Centre at 10:30am. Free for WWT members.

Armagh

The Market Place Theatre Cajun, Bluegrass Club returns this Saturday, January 30, featuring the best of bluegrass and Cajun music and food that's as spicy as the music. Wookalily are a female-led band hailing from all over the north who have gigged extensively throughout Ireland with a unique and quirky sound that's all heart. Their style, sometimes referred to as 'chillbilly roots', has an old-timey feel with a young-timey appeal.

Fermanagh

Celebrate NI Year of Food & Drink's Breakfast Month with a Big Breakfast at Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre on Thursday between 10am and 2pm at the Belleek Restaurant.

The Big Breakfast Event will showcase local produce, support local businesses and invite the local community to enjoy a traditional full Irish breakfast served on Belleek Parian China.

Tyrone

Enjoy a Scottish Ceilidh this Friday, 8pm at the Burnavon Theatre, Cookstown. Enjoy a great evening of Scottish Country and Ceilidh dancing. With the help of experienced dance leaders Ken and Linda McLean, see how it is done and then join in. You don’t need to have danced before, just come along with your best dancing shoes and a sense of fun. Music provided by Risin’ Stour.

Derry

This Sunday come to the hidden haven of Lough Beg near Bellaghy, Co Derry, to celebrate World Wetlands Day 2015. At this time of year, Lough Beg is home to a wealth of wildlife, from breeding waders like lapwing to wintering wildfowl like tufted ducks.

Antrim

See the Metropolitan Opera perform Puccini’s Turandot at a live screening this Saturday evening at The Theatre at The Mill, Newtownabbey. Nina Stemme takes the title role of the proud princess of ancient China, whose riddles doom every suitor who seeks her hand. Tenor Marco Berti is Calàf, the brave prince who sings Nessun Dorma and wins her love. Franco Zeffirelli’s golden production is conducted by Paolo Carignani.

Belfast

The Wedding Journal Show returns to the Titanic Exhibition Centre this Friday to Sunday. Find everything you need to plan your perfect day in this one-stop-wedding shop with hundreds of exhibitors presenting thousands of inspirational wedding ideas.

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