Northern Ireland

'Celebrate outdoors' warning as north experiences second Easter in lockdown

National Trust property Castle Ward in Co Down is open for visitors. Picture from Tourism Northern Ireland
National Trust property Castle Ward in Co Down is open for visitors. Picture from Tourism Northern Ireland National Trust property Castle Ward in Co Down is open for visitors. Picture from Tourism Northern Ireland

With Northern Ireland experiencing its second Easter in lockdown, families are being encouraged to enjoy socially distanced outdoor activities.

Parks and outdoor spaces remain open although some sites, including Carnfunnock Country Park in Ballygalley near Larne, Co Antrim, have warned that their car parking spaces are already fully booked.

Many National Trust sites, including Florence Court and Castle Coole in Co Fermanagh and Rowallane Garden in Co Down are hosting Easter egg hunts over the bank holiday.

People have been able to meet outdoors for exercise in groups of ten from two households since Thursday, April 1. A total of six people from two households can also meet in a private garden.

However, indoor venues remain closed and many Easter events are being held online.

The MAC in Belfast is hosting online story-telling and craft workshops for young children on its Facebook page from this morning.

Discover Northern Ireland is offering cooking classes on its YouTube channel, including one from Tartine at Distillers Arms in Bushmills, Co Antrim, on how to make Easter roast lamb.

OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory in Davagh Forest, Co Tyrone, is promoting International Dark Sky Week from Monday.

The venue is encouraging budding sky-gazers by posting astronomy videos on their Facebook page throughout the week.

Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people not to mix indoors over Easter while police have urged people to remember that the tay at home message advice remains from the Department of Health.