Issued on behalf of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB)
March 15, 2013
HAVE A CRACKING EASTER THIS YEAR IN NORTHERN IRELAND
FAMILIES keen to get out and about this Easter and enjoy some egg-cellent family fun should look no
further than their own doorstep, says the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).
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 their eggscape 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 avoid eggstinction?
For those families who prefer some outdoors fun then a visit to Streamvale 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 of Belfast 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.
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 1 which 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 unique Three 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 its Easter 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 the Roe 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 celebrate Easter 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’s
Giant 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 crafts and food, Easter egg trails and a
mega Easter egg hunt on both days.
more...
Or enjoy the perfect range of traditional spring activities at the Ulster 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 family including a special karting event, Laserquest, Phil’s Farm
and a giant birthday cake to mark Bangor’s 400th birthday.
Or why not follow the Easter 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 the Easter 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 the Easter 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 an
Easter 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 the Ulster 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 a spring in your step.
To find out more about events and places to see over Easter click on www.discovernorthernireland.com or
visit your local tourist information centre.
[ends]
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: For further information please contact Pauline Gormley of the Northern Ireland
Tourist Board on 028 9023 1221 or Alana Taylor or Kate Ferguson of Duffy Rafferty Communications on
028 9073 0880.