Castle Espie Wildfowl Centre in Comber, Co Down

THE Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland over the next week (February 3 – 9).

For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto http://www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland

Sunday Snowdrops, Springhill, Co. Londonderry, February 2 & 9. As winter melts away, take a self-guided walk through Springhill’s glorious display of snowdrops.

Hansel and Gretel, Grand Opera House, Belfast, February 5 – 8. Meet Hansel, Gretel and a bewitching ballerina who is not at all as she seems. Deliciously surreal, mouth-wateringly inventive and with more than a sprinkle of festive magic – do you dare to go down to the woods this winter on an enchanted journey.

Under the Boardwalk, Millennium Forum, Co. Londonderry, February 6. Join Gillie Leroy Jones and his band in this two hour celebration of fifty years of hits from legendary group, The Drifters. Featuring a string of greatest hits including Saturday Night At The Movies, Kissing In The Back Row and, of course, Under The Boardwalk.

Philadelphia, Here I Come, Lyric Theatre, Belfast, February 6 – March 8. Philadelphia, Here I Come established Brian Friel as one of the greatest Irish playwrights of his generation. The play captures perfectly the Irish sense of belonging and also longing for someplace else, no less relevant today.

Guide in the Hide, Castle Espie Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre, Comber, Co. Down, first three Sundays in February and March. Castle Espie Bird Watching Club will be in the Brent hide to share their expert bird knowledge with visitors and help them identify different wildfowl and waders that come to our shores.

An Evening of Nostalgia with Johnny McEvoy, Market Place Theatre, Co. Armagh, February 7. Johnny McEvoy has always been highly acclaimed for his excellent shows and his concert is eagerly awaited by his legion of fans. This nostalgic evening will feature Johnny’s hit songs.

Cupid’s Cabaret, The Burnavon, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, February 7 & 8. The month of love is upon us. Why not spend an evening in the company of Carol Doey and friends, as they perform their burlesque routines and sketches all in the name of love for an unforgettable cabaret evening.

Other Voices Music Trail, various venues in the City of Derry, February 7 – 9. 60 of the best bands and singer-songwriters from all over Ireland and the UK will perform in the city’s venues, bars, cafes and cultural venues throughout the weekend for free.

Ballymena Festival of Music, Speech and Dance, The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, February 7 – March 15. This festival provides an opportunity for performers at all stages of music, speech, drama and dance. There will be two gala nights: the instrumental festival night and the vocal and prize winner gala.

School of Highland Dance Competition, Church Hall, Maguiresbridge, Co. Fermanagh, February 8. Don’t miss the annual highland dance competition which attracts dancers from all over Ireland and Scotland.