50 | THE LOCAL TOURIST THE LOCAL TOURIST
Get Your Green On: Everything That’s on in Armagh this St Patrick’s Day
Grand Opera House Celebrates 130th Anniversary with £130,000 Raised for Children’s Cancer Unit Charity
ST Patrick’s Festival will take place from Tuesday 10 March to Wednesday 18 March 2026 in Armagh – the Home of St Patrick. The festivities will bring families, friends and visitors of
all ages together across the city’s historic streets, theatres, pubs, green spaces and ancient sites. Armagh becomes a stage for storytelling, creativity and
shared celebration, including a special Brian Finnegan & Friends concert in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, marking the return of the acclaimed Armagh-born composer during a break from his international touring schedule. Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and
Craigavon Borough, Councillor Jessica Johnston, said: “Armagh has a long and meaningful connection to St Patrick, and that heritage continues to shape the character of our city today. With two cathedrals dedicated to his name, the story of St Patrick remains an important part of our shared history and identity. “Our St Patrick’s Festival is a fantastic opportunity for
our local businesses, traders and hospitality providers to shine. The festival brings thousands of visitors into the city, supporting our local economy and showcasing the warm welcome Armagh is known for. I encourage everyone to get involved, join the festivities.” The programme will continue throughout the week with
the St Patrick’s Festival Live Music Trail. This event will fill Armagh’s bars, cafés and cultural spaces with live Irish music, creating a vibrant soundtrack. Along with this, festivalgoers can experience everything
from Trad Tok Live – a fusion of traditional Irish music and electronic dance beats – to guided heritage activities such as the Stained-Glass Treasures Walking Tour A Vigil Walk will take place, led by the Archbishops of
Armagh. By torchlight, visitors join locals on a lantern-lit journey between the two St Patrick’s cathedrals – a moving
symbol of faith, reconciliation and shared tradition.
Tourism NI Puts Spotlight on Innovation at Belfast Business Clinic
THE roadshow took place at Stormont Hotel and was attended by tourism providers keen to refresh their visitor experience and strengthen sustainability and resilience. Businesses also had the opportunity to take part in the ‘From Moments That Matter to Visitor Value’ workshop designed for businesses who want to enhance their visitor experience but unsure where to start. The workshop offered attendees the chance to gain insight into practical ways they can improve the visitor journey and delivery behind-the-scenes. A Business Clinic took place where tourism providers could take part in one-to-one appointments with Tourism NI teams offering expert advice and guidance for their future plans. Teams came from various departments including Marketing, Experience Development, Regions, Accommodation: Quality & Standards and Events.
BELFAST’S Grand Opera House has marked the close of a two- year partnership with The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity and during this time has raised a remarkable £130,000 to help support children and young people living with a cancer diagnosis in Northern Ireland. The milestone figure holds particular significance as it coincides with the Theatre’s 130th anniversary year, making the partnership a fitting reflection of the Grand Opera House’s long-standing commitment to giving back to the community it has served for more than a century. The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity
was chosen as the Theatre’s charity partner by staff, with the impressive
The Coach Tourism Association Host First Ever Annual Convention in Derry
AROUND 170 businesses from the UK’s coach tourism sector were in attendance for the conference and workshop The CTA remains a key partner for Tourism Ireland, with members bringing valuable visitors to the island throughout the year. Highlights of the event included the CTA Meet the Buyer workshop where over 1,200 one to one meetings where held giving businesses the opportunity to develop new itineraries and strengthen partnerships. The event also included a walking tour of the walled city, the Giant’s Causeway, Mussenden Temple, the Ulster American Folk Park, GORTA –Swatragh’s Famine Story and Glenshane Country Farm. They also visited Wild Ireland and The Muff Liquor Company in Donegal. Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s Head of GB, said, ” This year’s conference and workshop provides a platform to showcase our superb tourism offering, helping our GB coach tour operator partners develop new and exciting programmes for their clients for 2026 and beyond.”
total achieved through a combination of audience collections and donations, alongside a wide-ranging programme of Grand Opera House staff fundraising activities and events. Over the course of the partnership,
the Grand Opera House team created and staged five sell-out performances of Broadway and Beyond in the Theatre’s Studio, with proceeds from ticket sales donated to the Charity further contributing to the overall total. The £130,000 raised will help The
Children’s Cancer Unit Charity continue its essential work at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. The Charity funds specialist staff, equipment and infrastructure, as well as research and a range of family support services for children and young people living
Titanic Belfast Rolls Out New Accessibility Measures for Visitors
THE attraction has introduced fresh initiatives to support inclusivity across it’s visitor experience. The new initiative series will focus on accessibility and inclusion, with
the introduction of Sensory Backpacks and Quiet Sessions to provide comfort for visitors with additional needs. Their new Sensory Backpacks are designed for children aged five-twelve and customers will be able to borrow them free of charge. Each backpack will include a range of items including, ear defenders,
sunglasses for brighter areas, emotions and senses cards, a range of fidget and sensory toys, drawing materials, smelling cubes with aromas associated with Titanic, a visual contents list and a sensory trail. Quiet Sessions will give visitors the chance to unwind in a calm and
sensory-friendly environment with softer lighting and reduced noise. Paula Bradley, Head of Operations at Titanic Belfast said: “We
believe that everyone should be able to enjoy a visit to Titanic Belfast in a way that feels comfortable, welcoming and accessible to them.
A Festival to Lift the Spirits: Spring Comes Alive at the Portico of Ards
SET on Portaferry’s coastal town, the Feel Good Festival returns with a month long celebration of music, arts and uplifting experiences. The festival will start on 1st March
with The Furey’s opening with their farewell concert, setting the tone for the month of performances taking place. From comedy debuts to sound spas and 80’s nights, the Feel Good Festival gives audiences the opportunity to encounter artists up close in a space where the surroundings amplify the experience. The event is supported by Ards and
Carolyn Boyd, Industry Development Manager at Tourism NI, said: “We are delighted for the opportunity to support innovation in tourism.” Boyd continued, “The high level of engagement at our clinic gave Tourism NI the opportunity to meet with industry at the very start of 2026 and help them seize all the opportunities open to them.”
North Down Borough Council and The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the festival celebrates artistic excellence and range, presenting Irish and international talent across multiple genres. Feel Good Festival Director, Neil McClure, said, “The Feel Good Festival at The Portico of Ards is about more than music – it is about joy, connection, and renewal. This March our carefully curated diverse programme of performances will invite audiences to engage deeply with sound, space, and each other, leaving everyone refreshed and inspired. With a huge thanks to Ards and North Down Borough Council and The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for their support.”
March 2026
with cancer and their families across Northern Ireland. Ian Wilson, Chief Executive of the
Grand Opera House said: “The Grand Opera House is committed to making an impact both on and off stage and has a long history of supporting local charities. As the Theatre marks 130 years at the heart of Northern Ireland’s cultural life, raising £130,000 for the Children’s Cancer Unit stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when audiences, staff and performers come together for a shared cause. "I would like to extend my heartfelt
thanks to everyone involved for their kindness and generosity, and I hope this donation will help make a meaningful difference to the charity, and the children and families it supports." Jane Hoare, Chief Executive of
The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity added: “We are thrilled with the amazing total raised by the Grand Opera House and are so thankful to all the staff, audiences and cast who have donated. This money will make a significant contribution to the support services we deliver to children, young people and their families. “It has been a pleasure to work with
the Grand Opera House team during the last two years, and we have been so impressed by their commitment and generosity. While we are sad that our time with the Grand Opera House has come to an end, we hope our paths will cross again in the future. We wish them all the very best with their new charity partner.” The Grand Opera House staff have
selected the Theatre’s new charity partner and further details will be announced in March 2026.
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