Arts and Entertainment

Country queen Philomena Begley duets with star, and fan, CMAT at the NI Music Prize.

Queen of Country's crown shines as Philomena Begley gets lifetime award

Co Tyrone artist Connor Flanagan with his new comic 'Thunderbirds: Hidden Dangers - Burnout' and the 1991 first issue of a Thunderbirds book that made him a fan as a child.

Thunderbirds make childhood dream real for artist Connor - no strings attached

Country music star Garth Brooks pictured at Croke Park in Dublin in 2021 when promoting his 2022 gigs there.

Garth Brooks returns to Belfast for two concerts next year

Victoria Square will launch its Christmas celebrations this weekend with a festive lights switch-on and two days of seasonal entertainment in Belfast city centre

NI shopping centre kicks off Christmas celebrations with two-day festive event

The ladies of Calendar Girls.

IN PICTURES: 'Calendar Girls' to support Macmillan Cancer Support

Richard Kerrigan aka Rickydrewapiccy has built a growing business from his distinctive, humorous artwork – and his biggest creative projects are still ahead

'Hey presto’: How one print changed everything for NI rising art entrepreneur

Londonderry's Halloween celebrations, pictured here in 2022, are renowned as the biggest October 31st bash in Europe. Photo: Lorcan Doherty

Londonderry celebrates 40 years of city's Halloween bash

Ghouls and witches are causing interference on the line at Downpatrick and County Down Railway this Halloween

Heritage railway full steam ahead for Halloween spook show

Lyric Theatre Belfast Creative Learning Department has completed a five-week tour of primary schools in 11 council areas across Northern Ireland of their production ‘Waste Busters the Eco-Musical’.

Eco musical completes five week tour of primary schools across NI

Wallace & Gromit Lego set

15 Wallace & Gromit gifts to celebrate Aardman's 50th birthday

Chloe Freeman-Wallace as Elsa.

Don't be left out in the cold - book NOW for Ballywillan Drama Group's Frozen

Christmas magic for everyone at Antrim Castle Gardens.

Enchanted Winter Garden Set to Dazzle Visitors This Christmas

Liberty X will join East 17, Atomic Kitten's Natasha Hamilton and other pop favourites at Boybands vs Girlbands at a Parkdean Resorts holiday weekend, ahead of their Popstars: The Originals tour with Hear'Say next year.

Liberty X fans can see the group at weekend event before reunion tour

Ballymoney singer songwriter Jordan Connor.

Busking in Ballymoney to SSE Arena, local singer Jordan Connor releases new song

In their own words, the officers from the BBC documentary ‘Peelers’ Part 1’ features Constables Jade and Adam, and Sergeant Nigel

Peelers stars reveal ‘insane’ reaction to BBC series in new podcast

Martin Reid (left) played 'Uncle Andy' and Tim McGarry played 'Da' in Give My Head Peace, which has now been axed due to cutbacks.

Axing 'Give My Head Peace' by email after 30 years 'stung'
The team that gave Northern Ireland the iconic Troubles TV comedy, Give My Head Peace, say the fact the show was axed by email "stung" after an unprecedented 30 year run with the BBC.
Philip Bradfield

The cast of Give My Head Peace, which has been axed by BBC NI amid budget pressures. Pic: BBC

BBC NI axes two of its biggest shows amid budget pressures

A still of David Bowie in the video for single 'John, I'm Only Dancing'. (c) Mick Rock, 1973, 2026. Courtesy of the Estate of Mick Rock

David Bowie producer and glam-era drummer bring tribute show to Belfast tonight

Lisburn Fusiliers Flute Band putting on a show during a previous Lisburn Tattoo in the city centre.

Lisburn Tattoo prepares to mark Ulster Day - anniversary of Ulster Covenant

The 13th Belfast International Tattoo attracted some 10,000 people over two days to the 02 Arena earlier this month.

Belfast Tattoo criticises Tourism NI and Belfast Council for lack of support

Ciara O’Flanagan, founder and owner of Fermanagh School of Music and Performing Arts reflects on a decade of growth, from music lessons to major stage productions and a thriving community of more than 350 students

10 years, 350 students and a dream: How I built my NI performing arts school

East Strand Portrush

New multi-day music festival could come to Portrush in summer 2027

Big Tom, as pictured on the sleeve to his second album with the Mainliners. Image: Emerald Gem

Birthday bash honours Big Tom: Late 'king of country' remembered

Hollywood Bowl opens new NI centre following multi-million-pound investment

The Downshire Guiding Star Flute in the major annual competition in the town last September.

Excitement builds for one of Northern Ireland's biggest parades of the year

Portrush actor Andrew Porter.

Portrush actor Andrew heading for the hills in Ulster Scots 'Waiting for Godot'

The launch will see Fibrus offer a new television and entertainment service that will bring live TV, streaming services and gaming together through a single platform for its customer base, which now exceeds 155,000 homes and businesses

NI firm expands beyond broadband with new 250 channel TV and gaming service
Northern Ireland broadband provider Fibrus will offer more than 100 live channels, streaming apps and cloud-based gaming to broadband customers
Claire Cartmill

Senior Drum Major Jason price from Northern Ireland taking the stage.

Belfast Tattoo: NI Ireland bands once again punch way above their weight

Dollyfest is billed as a ‘global double-day, double-weekend, double-continent party of a lifetime’

Plans to celebrate Dolly Parton’s life and music

The Belfast International Tattoo is returning to the 02 Arena, Belfast tomorrow for a spectacular showcase of music, precision, and tradition, brining together world-class performers from across the globe.

Belfast International Tattoo returns for military music, dance, and heritage

William Lyons was decorated for his services to piping in the British Army with the British Empire Medal.

Elite piper William played for Queen and heads of state, mourners hear

The Shankill Defenders Flute band said they were treated well at the Fleadh in Belfast but rejected by Sinn Fein in Newry.

SF's 'double standards' on road closures at Fleadh and 'Black' parade

Five young members of the Black from Kilkeel were among those who were enjoying the event - Harvey Gordon, Ben McConnell, James Annett, Joel Young and Mason Hanna.

Crowds turn out to see 17,000 members of 'The Black' and 300 marching bands

Clandeboye Festival director Barry Douglas (left) with Alf McCreary at the launch of Alf’s new book on the festival. Pic: Neil Harrison

Clandeboye Festival celebrates its 25th year with gala concert and dinner

Dolly Parton performing at Glastonbury in 2014. Tributes have been paid to her this week from across the world after her death. Few artistes have left a deeper imprint on the American musical and cultural landscape than Dolly Parton

Billy Kennedy: We’ll all miss Dolly and her bubbly personality

The rise in Salmonella in the UK has been linked to imported eggs.

UK Salmonella rise is linked to imported eggs

Royal Black Institution members celebrating the Last Saturday in Loughgall, Co Armagh, in 2023. Pic: Graham Baalham-Curry

Last Saturday of August to be ‘wonderful spectacle'

Dolly Parton arrives on the red carpet at Academy Awards - Oscars - at Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles in 2006.

Dolly: From humble cabin to country music queen who championed literacy

Eithne Vallely's funeral took place in Armagh Cathedral. PA Photo.

Funeral of musician Eithne hears her music books were 'legendary'

Thousands enjoyed the traditional street market at the Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle on Monday 24 August, 2026. Pic: Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

Ould Lammas Fair 2026 ‘drew on success of All-Ireland Fleadh’ in Belfast

Bar owner Paul Donegan, musician Lee Hedley and Open House Festival director Alison Gordon strike a chord for this weekend's Bangor Music Trail.

Bangor hits the right note with weekend trail of 40 free gigs

Loughkillygreen Accordion Band’s hall marked 100 years with a special celebration on Friday night.

‘It's more than just a band, it's a community,’ says bandmaster on centenary

Each year sees a traditional horse parade during the Old Lammas Fair in Ballycastle. Date 21 August 2026. Picture Kevin McAuley

Mayor expects ‘gorgeous’ weather for Ould Lammas Fair

Live music from the main stage at last year's Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle.

Mayor welcomes everyone to ‘soak up’ the 2026 Ould Lammas Fair

Abigail Wenloc is a two-time European and Scottish Champion.

Meet the women keeping the Art of Drum Majoring alive

Cookstown-based audio-visual supplier Rea Sound has completed an upgrade of the audio system at Londonderry’s Millennium Forum as the venue prepares to mark its 25th anniversary

Co Tyrone family firm installs new sound system at the 1,000-plus-seat NI venue

Rosemary Drama Group present Swipe Right in Portrush Summer Theatre

‘Swipe Right’ comes to Portrush Summer Theatre

Officials described the flute band's appearance as a spontaneous performance that wasn't part of the official Fleadh programme. Photo: Iain Gray/News Letter

Republican flute band with IRA link 'not part of official Fleadh'

An area outside Belfast City Hall has been pedestrianised for the Fleadh. Photo: Iain Gray/News Letter

Fleadh's traffic-free Belfast city centre welcomed - but should it continue?

Kneecap's DJ Provai, aka 38-year-old James John O'Dochartaigh, performing on the West Holts Stage during the Glastonbury Festival last year. Photo: Ben Birchall/PA Wire

DUP call over Kneecap and Bob Vylan gig in Falls Park

A showcase of Ulster-Scots musical culture takes place on Belfast's Titanic Slipway tonight as part of the all-Ireland Fleadh.

Huge Fleadh show sees marching bands take centre stage

Masters student Daniel Coulter and his Belfast-based band, 4amclub, will open the show at Ebrington Square on Saturday, August 29, after emerging victorious in a competition open to Ulster University student musicians. Pictured is Daniel with Live @ the Square festival promoter Karl Diamond and UU reps

NI band wins dream support slot with one of the UK's biggest pop acts

Ed Sheeran has revealed his charity foundation stages its opening act on the island of Ireland next week with a Belfast City Hall show involving 50 kids unveiling new compositions blending traditional music with other forms. Photo: Petros Studio

Ed Sheeran launches Belfast grassroots music project

An independent theatre company founded by five Northern Ireland artists is bringing Adam Gwon's celebrated musical Ordinary Days to Belfast's Lyric Theatre this September.

North coast theatre company brings heartwarming musical to Lyric

Former President Barack Obama will appear at Belfast, Glasgow and Manchester later this year for onstage interviews

Barack Obama to appear in Belfast as part of series of UK live interviews

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