12 THINGS TO DO IN NORTHERN IRELAND NEXT WEEK

Medieval Madness, Carrickfergus Castle, Co. Antrim, until July 31. Meet different characters each weekend at the castle and experience aspects of life in a medieval castle.

· Mary Black, Clonard Monastery, Belfast, August 3. For the last quarter-century, singer Mary Black has been a dominant presence in Irish music, both at home and abroad.

· Gig in the Garden, Minnowburn, Belfast, August 4. A fantastic musical line up, local food stalls and fun children’s activities in beautiful surroundings.

· Donaghadee Lifeboat Festival, The Parade, Donaghadee, Co. Down, August 4. Enjoy the annual raft race, live music, stalls selling a wide variety of goods and local produce, children’s rides and a chance to visit the lifeboat.

· Bluegrass on the Walls, Foyle Street, Co. Londonderry, August 4 – 5. Tim Rogers, the Broken String Band and Wookalily will play from 1 – 4pm and there will also be a Bluegrass evening at 7.30pm.

· Sunday Band on the Promenade, Newcastle, Co. Down, August 5. Sunday band performance takes place on the promenade or inside the Newcastle Centre, depending on weather

· Jazz Picnic in the Drying Green, Castle Coole, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, August 5. Bring along a picnic and enjoy listening to some Jazz in the relaxing surroundings of the Drying Green.

· Quoile Bat Night, Quoile Countryside Centre, Downpatrick, Co. Down, August 5. An illustrated talk on native bats followed by a walk through the woods in an attempt to find out which species inhabit the local area.

· Movie Superheroes: Mystery Movie, Waterfront Hall, Belfast, August 5. Who will feature in the Mystery Movie? Will it be one of your favourite superheroes? Come along and find out.

· Kite Festival, Downhill Demesne, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry, August 5. Kites of all sizes and colours will adorn the skies with experts showing us how easy it is to fly a kite.

· The Wickerman Fire Ceremony, The Navan Centre and Fort, Co. Armagh, August 5. Through ritual, music and dance, the tribes of Ulster will come together to ceremonially burn the Wickerman, a 40ft spectacle not to be missed.

· Scrufts, The Argory, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, August 5. Keith Mathews the ‘Dog Guru’ will be on hand to give some dog training tips throughout the day with prizes for all shapes, breeds and sizes.

For further information please contact Pauline Gormley from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on 028 9044 1650 or Alana Taylor of Duffy Rafferty Communications on 028 9073 0880.