Northern Ireland's Best Bank Holiday Getaways
The arrival of May on our calendar marks not just one... but two bank holidays! A bank holiday is a perfect time to make the most of quality time with family and friends. And, should you be fortunate enough to have some time off, below is a list of activities to enjoy as part of the long weekends ahead.
Explore the Apple Orchards in Armagh
The chances of us getting some sunshine to enjoy the great outdoors certainly increases this time of year. If you’re planning to get out and about, head to the apple orchard county of Armagh where the annual Apple Blossom Festival takes place every year. Armagh is known as the orchard of Ireland because the county boasts over 4,000 acres of countryside.
Ardress House, a National Trust property is celebrating the Apple Blossom Festival from 5th – 7th May with orchard tours, cider tasting, apple produce for sale and an apple trail for the kids.
For something a little different, visit the Navan Centre and Fort which is hosting the Beltaine Festival of Fire, an ancient Celtic tradition from Saturday 5th – Monday 7th May. Find out more on the Navan Centre and Fort website.
For keen golfers, Armagh Golf Course has several packages offering golf, dinner, bed and breakfasts. Armagh offers a number of great accommodation options to make a long weekend of it with 4* hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites and self-catering accommodation available.
Slow it Down in the North West
Bank holiday breaks are a great chance to take an extra day of rest and unwind from the pressures of daily life. Try a new kind of adventure and immersive experiences at Slow Adventure NI. Example activities include a ‘Connecting with Nature Irish Walking Tour’, which is led by a local ecologist tour guide who explains the plant life and archaeology of the region. Other experiences include an on foot and horseback experience through the beautiful countryside.
If you fancy something livelier come night fall, the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival can be found in Derry City Centre from 3rd – 7th May. Now in its 17th year, the festival features artists from right across the globe drawing in crowds of over 60,000. Not only will you be blown away by the talent of the on-stage acts, but you can also learn more about jazz through hands-on master classes. The Darren Beckett Master Class is open to all musicians who will learn how to play the drums in a jazz setting. See the full line up and masterclass timetable on the festival website.
If you are heading northwest later in the month, get a gang together and try the latest craze of football golf. Foylehov Activity Centre has an 18-hole course where you use your feet instead of your hands and clubs to putt the ball. Guaranteed to be a great team activity, you can book in advance online.
Bustling Belfast
This bank holiday make the most of bustling Belfast by spending a day or two in the city. Even if you're located close to the city, a day or overnight treat might just be the ticket to ensure you get a proper break this bank holiday.
When visiting the city, take in its historical sites like a tourist, grab a black taxi tour and learn more about the city’s fascinating history. Take a few hours exploring the legacy of Titanic at the Titanic Visitors Centre, now one of the world’s leading visitor attractions.
Should the weather be good to us, you might like to take a picnic to one of Belfast’s great parks, be it Ormeau Park, Botanic Park or Lady Dixon, where you can find your little oasis in the city.
*Belfast Marathon - Do bear in mind that the city's annual marathon will be taking place on Monday 7th May 2018 and, unless you’re up for cheering along participants, you may be better planning your visit to the city around this.
Have you any bank holiday ideas to share?
These are just a few of the many wonderful Northern Ireland bank holiday breaks on offer. Share your ideas and suggestions using the hashtag #SmarterLiving on Facebook and Twitter and we might just share them!
