EVENTS

Welcome to Events in the Ards, where you'll find a comprehensive list of what's going on in and around the Borough during the next few months. From regular, much loved events to one-off specials, you'll find it all here.

For further information about any events in the Ards, please contact the Tourist Information Centre on tel: 028 9182 6846, E: tourism@ards-council.gov.uk or download the latest Events and Arts Guide here - the new Spring/Summer 08 guide will be available shortly.

Events in Ards Borough

- Sun 18 May. Craft stalls, floral art festival, family entertainment, music and Mount Stewart plant sale.
Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.
Sponsored by Ards Tourism

1pm - 5pm. Come and ride on the miniature railway. Contact David Tedford, Tel: 028 9188 2013.

7pm. Part of the Experience Ards tours. Journey lasting approximately 90 minutes, leaving from the Town Hall. Tickets £4/£3 concession.
Contact Ards Tourist Information Centre for booking, Tel: 028 9182 6846.

- Sun 28 Sept. EXPLORIS,PORTAFERRY Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

- Mon 26 May. Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank. Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Jazz performance on the lawn. Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

Come on board ye landlubbers to serve before the mast! Join 18th Century Captain Hopkins and his tyrant of a First Lieutenant as new crew on the latest vessel to sail Strangford Lough. Contact Ards Tourist Information Centre for booking, Tel: 028 9182 6846.

1pm - 5pm. Come and ride on the miniature railway. Contact: David Tedford Tel: 028 9188 2013.

The perfect moveable feast! Starters at the Temple of the Winds, then wind your way down the hill to the Bay Restaurant for the main course. Dessert will be served in the gardens, weather permitting. Contact: Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

Contact: Exploris Tel: 028 4272 8062.

It's Father Day, so come to Mount Stewart and treat your Dad to a meal,music and majestic walks around the grounds. Contact: Mount Stewart Tel: 028 4278 8387.

Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.Contact: Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Come and ride on the miniature railway.Contact: David Tedford Tel: 028 9188 2013.

Enjoy the tales on folklore and fairies in Scrabo Tower and celebrate
Midsummer with Valhalla Street Theatre. Please wear appropriate footwear. 7pm. BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL.Tickets £5/£3. Contact Ards Tourist Information Centre, Tel: 028 9182 6846.

Why not take some time from the pace of everyday life and experience the serenity of a trip around this beautiful but mystical Lough. Your Guide will show you where St Patrick first came ashore and you will hear how this Lough also experienced the pillage and plunder of the Viking raider. Yet the Lough also boasts some of the most varied and most beautiful wildlife. In short, Strangford Lough is our little piece of heaven. 2pm. Tickets: £8/£6 concession. BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. Contact Ards Tourist Information Centre for booking, Tel: 028 9182 6846.

More than a cemetery, Movilla is testament to the people who lived in the Ards area over the past 2000 years. This tour will reveal the true story of Movilla, with stories of mystery, asking why the actions of Colm Cille, at Movilla at the dawn of Christanity in Ireland led to his exile from the country.
The guide will also identify many people who were involved in the many aspects of both local and national historical events, and the unusual, such as the man from Ards who fought in the American Civil War with a headstone that would not look out of place in the American National Cemetery at Arlington. Tickets: £5.50/£3.50. Contact Ards Tourist Information Centre, Tel: 028 9182 6846.

A musical evening in the beautiful surroundings of the central hall of Mount Stewart House. Includes refreshments on arrival.Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

Jazz in the Garden. Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

- 30 July. Part of the 'Art in the Loft' series at Portaferry Tourist Information Centre. A selection of interiors from designer makers in the Ards Borough and Northern Ireland, hosted by Ards Crafts.
Contact Portaferry Tourist and Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 028 4272 9882.

- 26 July. An exhibition by Ciaran Maginnis in the Sunburst Gallery, Ards Arts centre, Tel: 028 9181 0803.

Come and ride on the miniature railway. 1pm - 5pm
Contact David Tedford, Tel: 028 9188 2013.

Enjoy spectacular views of both countryside and seaside as you run - or spectate! - from Newtownards and Comber on a brand new route.
Start/finish line: Ards leisure Centre, William Street, Newtownards. 6.30pm.
Contact Emma Hingston, Ards Borough Council, Tel: 028 9182 4018.

Part of the Experience Ards tours.
Did you know the connection between America and Scrabo Hill or Edinburgh Castle and Scrabo Hill? Just two of the many stories to be told on this guided walk to unlock some of the tales of Scrabo and the Londonderry Monument (Scrabo Tower). 7pm.
Tickets £5/£3 concession.
Contact Ards Tourist Information Centre, Tel: 028 9182 6846.

King Arthur - come and enjoy open air theatre in the gardens.
Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

Come and try your hand at painting in the world famous gardens at Mount Stewart. All ages welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult.)
Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Come and ride on the miniature railway. 1pm - 5pm
Contact David Tedford, Tel: 028 9188 2013.

For the second time around, Artz Yard are proud to showcase another collection of stunning photographs taken by the late Ernest Elliott.
Contact Artz Yard, Tel: 028 4272 9349.

Come and try your hand at painting in the world famous gardens at Mount Stewart. All ages welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult.)
Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

- Mon 14 July
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

- Wed 16 July
Come and ride on the miniature railway. 1pm - 5pm.
Contact David Tedford, Tel: 028 9188 2013.

- 13 July. Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Annual road run and BBQ at Kircubbin Sailing Club. 1.30pm.
Steak BBQ and music from 8pm.
For entries contact 07710 621452.

The perfect moveable feast! Starters at the Temple of the Winds, then wind your way down the hill to the Bay Restaurant for the main course. Dessert will be served in the gardens , weather permitting.
Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

- Fri 25 July
A week long programme of activities and events for all the family.
Contact Caroline Mageean, Tel: 07742 167917. www.portaferrygala.com

Come and try your hand at painting in the world famous gardens at Mount Stewart. All ages welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult.)
Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

Sunset on Strangford Lough is an experience you won't easily forget. The mystery and beauty of the majestic Lough seen under a vibrant red sky; hear the birds as they nest for the night and see the seals play in the twilight. 8pm - 10pm.
Tickets £10/£ concession. Refreshments provided in the Portaferry Hotel.
Contact Ards Tourist Information Centre, Tel: 028 9182 6846.

Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Come and ride on the miniature railway. 1pm - 5pm.
Contact David Tedford, Tel: 028 9188 2013.

This walking tour will transport you back to a time of knights in shining armour. Hear why the wonderful harbour was designed by Sir John Rennie.
Tour departs at the Town Hall, opposite Grace Neill's. 7pm.
Tickets £5/£3 concession.
Contact Ards Tourist Information Centre, Tel: 028 9182 6846.

Contact Morris Minor Club, Tel: 028 9187 8747.

Come and join in the fun with the staff in the Tourist Information Centre. 11 - 4pm. Admission free. Suitable for primary school age group.
Contact Portaferry Tourist Information and Visitor Centre,
Tel: 028 4272 9882.

Bring a picnic, enhance all your senses, take time to relax by listening to a selection of soothing classical tunes. A perfect way to spend a summer evening.
Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

Come and try your hand at painting in the world famous gardens at Mount Stewart. All ages welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult.)
Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

Part of the Experience Ards series of tours. Travelling back with Valhalla Street Theatre to the not so glamorous world of 1847. Mine Captain Richard Rickards, recently arrived with his family in search of a better life from the tin mines in Cornwall, will be your guide as you venture onto the mine sett.
The country is in the grip of a famine and the inhabitants of Newtownards and Conlig struggle to keep themselves alive, by working in the dangerous lead mining industry.
A hard life, where day turns to night and night turns to day, time becomes irrelevant working over a mile beneath the ground. Meet the women who work long cold days on the surface of the mine, Captain R.Rickards will ensure you do not distract these men and women of the Newtown Mine for long, as they tell of their daily toil and their life working the Newtown Lead Mine in the time of the famine.
1pm.
Tickets: £5.50/£3.50
Contact Ards Tourist Information Centre, Tel: 028 9182 6846.
Sturdy footwear and outdoor clothing are recommended for this tour.

Come and ride on the miniature railway. 1pm - 5pm.
Contact David Tedford, Tel: 028 9188 2013.

Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Jazz performance on the lawn.
Contact Mount Stewart, Tel: 028 4278 8387.

Come and ride on the miniature railway. 1pm - 5pm.
Contact David Tedford, Tel: 028 9188 2013.

Join the popular series of birdwatch mornings.
Contact Castle Espie, Tel: 028 9187 4146.

Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Come and ride on the miniature railway.1pm - 5pm.
Contact David Tedford, Tel: 028 9188 2013.

Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Divers feed the sharks and congers in the large open sea tank.
Contact Exploris, Tel: 028 4272 8062.

Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 September 2008, Castle Espie, 10am - 6pm.
Individual action makes a world of difference.
Find out how your actions can make a world of difference to the environment and visit the LifestyleGreen Show at Castle Espie.
The 'Great Green Family' event, sponsored by NIE Your Energy, will promote saving and renewable energy, with food, crafts, good music, exhibits, demonstrations and talks all on offer during the two days.
Plus:
o Claim a free energy saving bulb from NIE Your Energy.
o Collect a free tree to offset the carbon from your journey.

For further information visit www.lifestylegreenshow.com or contact 028 9065 6407.

Ards Borough Council

2 Church Street
Newtownards
Co.Down
BT23 4AP

Tel: 028 9182 4000
Fax: 028 9181 9628

Email us at ards@ards-council.gov.uk

From 30th April 2007, it will now be against the law to smoke in most indoor places other than your own home. Click on the logo for more information.

Space to Breathe logo

Content Management with U DO from Libertas Solutions Northern Ireland Web Design