Little Logan Montgomery enjoys a day out at Streamvale Farm in Dundonald which is reopening for spring with its Baby Animal Farm from March 22 April 7.
FAMILIES keen to get out and about this Easter and enjoy some egg-cellent fun despite the recent snow storms should look no further than their own doorstep, says the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
This year will be jam-packed with Easter fun with events taking place right across Northern Ireland and Spring is the perfect time for everyone to enjoy some time outdoors and explore the many tourist attractions on offer.
NITB’s Destination PR Officer Pauline Gormley says there will be something to suit everyone this Easter.
“There is so much going on this year to celebrate Easter including egg trails, craft days, a scenic boat trip, the chance to meet and feed new born animals and even the opportunity to visit the three houses of the three little pigs,” said Pauline.
“As well as the wide range of events there are also lots of places to visit and sights to see all over Northern Ireland. With the brighter weather and the children off school, Easter is a great time of year to plan a family day exploring all the fantastic events and attractions that are on offer,” she added.
To help you have an egg-citing time in the run-up and during the Easter holidays, NITB has highlighted a range of events taking place.
Belfast
W5 at Odyssey has become renowned for its unique fun spin on Easter egg racing and this year is no exception as W5’s little egg critters are back for more family fun at the brand new Jurasegg Park event from March 23 – April 7.
The egg critters just love to plan theireggscape and this year they’re going to need help to evade the jaws of doom in a dinosaur-themed, obstacle-filled Jurassic track. Will your egg have what it takes to win the race and avoideggstinction?
For those families who prefer some outdoors fun then a visit toStreamvale Open Farm is perfect and the farm reopens for spring with its Baby Animal Farm from March 22 – April 7. Visitors can become farmers for the day as they get the chance to bottle feed the brand new lambs, cuddle the chicks and see the baby piglets. You can also have fun on a tractor or take a pony ride before enjoying some homemade ice cream.
Or why not celebrate Easter with the residents ofBelfast Zoo at the Easter Extravaganza event from March 26 – April 2. As well as visiting your favourite animal at feeding time little explorers can follow the Easter egg trail around the zoo.
Why not bring your family along to Belfast City Hall and enjoy a free four day Easter extravaganza from March 30 – April 2. You’ll be spoilt for choice with a packed programme of free activities from exhibitions and tours, films and talks to drama, fashion, puppetry, face painting and much more.
Co. Antrim
Bring your eggs along to Watertop Farm, in Ballycastle, from March 30 – April 1,for the Big Egg Roll. As well as the many prizes that are on offer activities include boating, go-karting and pony riding.
Join in the fun at the Easter Egg Trail in association with Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory on April 1which takes visitors on an exploration through Glenarm Castle Walled Garden in the search for clues to claim a chocolate prize. Children will be helped in their chocolatey quest by none other than the Easter Bunny himself.
Follow the Easter bunny and hop on over this spring to join Mr Hullabaloo and his cast of colourful puppet friends for an Easter Eggstravaganza at the Courtyard Theatre in Newtownabbey. Throughout this special storytelling event, children will be invited to take part in a series of interactive story adventures, taking place on March 24.
Co. Armagh
Armagh gets in on the action this Easter too with the exciting and uniqueThree Little Pigs @ Navan event from March 30 – April 2. Visit the three little pigs in their houses made from straw, wood and stone and see what will happen when the big bad wolf comes calling. Which house will survive the huff and puff and remain standing? Visitors can join in the fun by making their very own piggy nose and following the Easter trail. Children are encouraged to come dressed up as their favourite story time characters.
Try out a range of seasonal craft activities, competitions and trails this year at the Armagh County Museum during itsEaster Family Fun Day on March 23. This free event is suitable for primary school children and will be running from 12 – 4pm.
Co. Londonderry
Celebrate Easter in Limavady with theRoe Valley Easter Storytelling and Crafts event which takes place on March 30 at the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre. This is suitable for children aged 5 to 9 years old and admission is free. Enjoy Easter Eggcentricities in Springhill House in Moneymore on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday for an afternoon of fun with lots of activities for children including an egg trail, crafts, balloons and face painting.
Children young and old can get outdoors and celebrateEaster at Downhill Demesne on March 31 and April 1, where they can play detective by hunting high and low for clues, around the beautiful surroundings of Mussenden Temple, which will lead them to a delicious chocolate treat.
Co Down
Get on a roll this Easter with lots of events and activities at Castle Espie Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre’sGiant Easter Bunny Hunt from March 22 – April 7. Follow the maps and clues provided and search for the large coloured bunnies hidden around the site. As well as picking up one of the many prizes children can also leave their mark on the bunny board and make free bunny crafts.
The Easter fun continues at Castle Ward, Strangford, with the annual Easter Fair from March 31 – April 1, which boasts horse and carriage rides, children’s activities, local craftsand food, Easter egg trails and a mega Easter egg hunt on both days.
Or enjoy the perfect range of traditional spring activities at theUlster Folk & Transport Museum, Cultra. Easter Celebrations at the museum take place from March 31 – April 2 and include egg-rolling, traditional street games and a treasure hunt with exciting clues.
Bangor promises to come alive on Easter Monday with the Easter Parade & Family Funday, jam-packed with activities and attractions for the whole familyincluding a special karting event, Laserquest, Phil’s Farm and a giant birthday cake to mark Bangor’s 400th birthday.
Or why not follow theEaster Chick Trail in Rowallane Garden in Saintfield on April 2 from 10.30am – 3pm and explore the nooks and crannies around the beautiful garden while following the clues to find an Easter surprise.
Co. Fermanagh
Join in the Easter Madness at Castle Coole in Enniskillen on Easter Sunday for a day of treats and fun for all the family.
Also in Enniskillen on March 31 is theEaster Sunday Treasure Trails at Florence Court event where visitors can enjoy a great day out around the grounds following the trails for hidden chocolate treasure.
Crom Castle in Newtownbutler gets in on the action on March 31 with theEaster EGG-stravaganza where children can join the Egg Trail and follow paths around the estate to find chocolate prizes.
Or why not soak up the beautiful Co. Fermanagh scenery with a cruise around Upper Lough Erne with anEaster Cot Trip at Crom on April 1 – the Cot is Crom’s 100 year old traditional craft.
Enjoy a Picnic in the Park on Easter Monday as Forthill Park in Enniskillen welcomes families to explore the beautiful Victorian park while enjoying music, an Easter egg trail and family games.
Co. Tyrone
Easter celebrations are taking place at theUlster American Folk Park in Omagh from March 30 – April 1. This special Easter event offers a host of traditional outdoor activities for all the family including butter churning, basket weaving, spinning and rope making. Visitors can also roll up their sleeves to help feed baby chicks, participate in the egg’n’spoon race and join the toe-tapping fun at the spring hoe-down in the Pennsylvania Barn.
Anglers can show off their skills and compete in the special Easter Monday Angling Competition in Dungannon where the first prize of £150 is sure to put aspring in your step.
To find out more about events and places to see over Easter click onwww.discovernorthernireland.com or visit your local tourist information centre.
EGGSPLORE NORTHERN IRELAND…Little Logan Montgomery enjoys a day out at Streamvale Farm in Dundonald which is reopening for spring with its Baby Animal Farm from March 22 – April 7. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is encouraging families to get out and about this Easter and enjoy some egg-cellent family fun right on their own doorstep. This year will be jam-packed with Easter fun with events taking place right across Northern Ireland including egg trails, craft days, a scenic boat trip, the chance to meet and feed new born animals and even the opportunity to visit the three houses of the three little pigs. To find out more about events and places to see over Easter click onwww.discovernorthernireland.com or visit your local tourist information centre.
