Life

What's On: Puppet power at Ards festival

Jacqueline McGonigle of whatsonni.com shares her pick of what’s on this bank holiday weekend across Northern Ireland

Delve into the Marble Arch Caves as part of their Family Fun Day
Delve into the Marble Arch Caves as part of their Family Fun Day Delve into the Marble Arch Caves as part of their Family Fun Day

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Northern Ireland’s only puppet festival dedicated entirely to puppets is back to thrill and delight with a jammed programme of puppet performance, workshops and general puppetry shenanigans. Taking place at venues across Ards, May 28-30, this is a unique and fun filled treat for children of all ages. Power to the Puppets!

ARMAGH

On Monday May 30 from 11am-5pm the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh are offering you the chance to become a Celtic Apprentice for the day. This promises to be a great family day out as our Celtic characters show how they live from day to day and train you on how to be a Celt. They will be making a cobb oven and need you to get your hands dirty to help them out. How creative can you be with your wicker weaving? The Celts used this to make fences around their homes, garlands etc and this is your opportunity to try this new skill and many more.

FERMANAGH

On Monday enjoy a jam-packed programme of events at Fermanagh’s Marble Arch caves throughout the day, including an interactive family nature hunt, face painting, and arts and crafts activities. There will be a small charge for additional activities.

TYRONE

Country In The Park comes to the Ulster America Folk Park Omagh Saturday and Sunday, Over the weekend the festival will host 50 artists on three stages. See www.countryinthepark.co.uk for the full line-up.

DERRY

The Tamlaght O’Crilly Country Fair and Vintage Rally takes place this Saturdayat Drumand School grounds with over 200 vintage vehicles, along with Ulster Heritage Day. There will be music by Country Features and Jordan Mogey, an Ulster Scots showcase, animal farm, arts and crafts, pet show, kids fun zone with inflatables and lots more for all the family. Starts at 12 noon.

ANTRIM

The Portrush Raft Race will take place on Saturday at the Harbour in Portrush as part of a packed bank holiday weekend of harbour-side family mayhem and fun. Portrush Raft Race and Ramore Restaurants will each be celebrating their 35th birthdays in the coming year, and are both are well loved fixtures of the popular County Antrim town. All the funds raised by Portrush Raft Race go directly to the local branch of the RNLI. Compered by Alan Simpson.

BELFAST

Join the BIG Pop-Up Picnic next to Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic, running from Saturday to Monday. Enjoy a mix of maritime activity including live music, dance-style flash performances, Titanic mascots, games for kids and the kids at heart, while enjoying a picnic.

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