Is Your Little One the Next Tiger or Rory?

Jessica Martin aged 16 from Greenisland launches the Irish Golf Expo’s ‘Cash back to Clubs’ initiative. Organisers of the Expo, which takes place on 20th and 21September st at the Kings Hall Complex, will donate £1 from every ticket purchased by a golf club member in Northern Ireland to the corresponding club’s Juvenile section.

Ireland’s only interactive golf experience, Irish Golf Expo will feature a variety of exhibitors showcasing the latest in golf equipment, fashion and gadgets from the leading global brands in the game including Taylormade and Bridgestone Golf. The family-friendly event will also have demonstrations and free golf lessons from PGA professionals as well as an indoor driving range with custom fitting and club testing, on-site golf superstore and much more.

For tickets visit www.irishgolfexpo.com and follow the Irish Golf Expo on Facebook at facebook.com/IrishGolfExpo or twitter @IrishGolfExpo #loveirishgolf.

Ikea Is Having a Sleepover Spa Event, Will I See You There?

Swedish home furnishing retailer IKEA has announced the opening of its first overnight spa experience – the IKEA Retreat – a pop-up sanctuary designed to make people think twice about the healing power of the bedroom and the bathroom.

On Sunday 7th September, 30 local IKEA FAMILY members will spend the night in the Belfast store indulging in an array of spa treatments and holistic therapies that will show them just how easy it is to have a wonderful start and end to everyday.

Myriam Ruffo, head of bedroom and bathroom at IKEA, explained: “Our recent Life at Home study revealed the toll that our busy lives are taking on us, with Northern Ireland residents experiencing 13 bouts of stress a day. What’s more worrying is that two thirds of us feel stressed before we even get out of bed.

“It’s vital that people create a space where they can completely escape and find ways to organise their lives to combat stress before it has even begun. Luckily, just a few small changes can make a big difference. This event will show people that you really don’t have to go to a retreat to have a treat; there are lots of simple ways to unlock the healing power of the bedroom and the bathroom so you can start and end each day better.”

The IKEA Retreat is just one in a series of in-store events at IKEA. On the 13th and 14thSeptember, the Ideas Festival will provide customers with even more inspiration with interactive workshops, fun activities and fantastic IKEA FAMILY offers – all demonstrating how one small change in the bedroom and bathroom can make a big difference.

The IKEA Retreat is open to IKEA FAMILY members and will take place at IKEA Glasgow, IKEA Belfast, IKEA Warrington, IKEA Lakeside and IKEA Manchester. To apply to attend, or for more information on the Ideas Festival, simply visit the participating store’s website https://events.myikeafamily.com/

Find 26 tips to help you start and end your day better at http://www.ikea.co.uk/wonderfuleveryday

Our Anniversary Getaway at The Causeway Hotel, Bushmills.

Last weekend we celebrated seven years being married, and spent a wonderful night away staying at The Causeway Hotel, Bushmills.

Owned in part by The National Trust, this pleasant hotel has the prime location on the North Coast, settled right on the cliff tops, literally a stone's throw from the Giant's Causeway. From the free car park you have views of the world famous landmark, and if you look at the far right of the photo below, you'll see the entrance to the visitor attraction. You really can't stay closer, and as a guest of the hotel you and your family have free entry to the Causeway and centre automatically.

The rooms are airy, spacious, clean and tailored to take advantage of the jaw dropping views. Our room welcomed us with fruit and bubbly, as they knew we were celebrating, a lovely touch. 

You may guess for such a prime location you'd pay top dollar. Well I've just checked room prices for this weekend coming and you can stay in a double as a couple for as little as £99 a night. 

The best part about the room is that the doors open out onto your very own little outdoor terrace, where you can sit for the evening and chat.

Last summer we attempted a visit to The Giant's Causeway as part of the blogging trip I wrote up for Tesco Living. As soon as we jumped off the little bus the heavens had opened, so we had to scramble back onto the bus and just take in the new visitors' centre instead.

This year we couldn't have planned any better weather. We got the bus down to the stones from the centre, explored them then climbed the 160-something cliff steps to walk back to the hotel along the cliff tops. 

Again, this is how close The Causeway Hotel is to the visitor centre. It's in the background, I'm standing on the roof of the centre.

After all that trekking we were pretty hungry, so we drove the ten minute journey to Portstewart and had burgers and ice cream in Morellis. There was also a new doughnut shop along the front.

The day was so beautiful we decided to stock up on snacks and just spend the evening at the hotel. Just beyond the visitor centre is a quaint little country pub called The Nook. We dandered over and had pub chips sitting at one of their outside picnic tables overlooking Port Ballintrae & Portrush beyond. It was so relaxing.

Of course I can't finish a hotel blog without sharing with you their Ulster Fry breakfast! My husband had that and I had pancakes and bacon.

It was definitely the most 'get away from it all' hotel stay I've ever had, and I'm pencilling in a stay for our 8th anniversary next year. It could become a lovely little tradition. Thanks for having us, Causeway Hotel.

Summer at The MAC, Belfast

​Al Fresco dining, Chilean wine tasting, afternoon tea with strawberries and cream and a tapas menu that the Spanish themselves would be proud of.

Set the MAC, Belfast’s award-winning  arts venue in the heart of Saint Anne’s Square in the Cathedral Quarter, Canteen at the MAC offers  Belfast’s premiere, must-visit café culture experience. 

The popular outdoor areas, which spill onto Saint Anne’s Square, will once again invite diners and drinkers to enjoy the sights and sounds of summer time in Belfast.

Sharon Wright, director of Canteen at the MAC said: “We are very excited about the months ahead and are gearing up for a real café-culture vibe in our outdoor dining areas. 

“Not only has the MAC got a brilliant summer line-up scheduled, including the rock and dance summer schools for little ones, there’s also live World Cup  streaming which sees key matches shown in the new indoor garden on large plasma screens, but St Anne’s Square is also playing host to some very exciting outdoor events, including the Taste of Summer Food Festival which will include street food, arts and craft stalls, Canteen’s wine tasting and our famous coffee masterclass.  

“In addition, we have developed a bespoke Canteen Tapas menu and a fantastic range of drinks promotions which will complement the sporting schedule perfectly.  

“We have our limited edition Bud beer buckets, as well as our Lanson Champagne offer where customers will receive a free Wimbledon Neoprene with each purchase, and our special Bella View Rocks cocktails – perfect for those wanting soak up the buzz of Belfast.

“Whether it’s a special occasion such as graduation celebrations or simply a leisurely afternoon or evening out, we look forward to welcoming visitors new and old to our new outdoor areas and are ever hopeful that the weather will remain kind to us.”

For further information on Canteen at the MAC, including menus and photo gallery please visit themaclive.com or call 028 9023 5053 to make a booking or enquiry.

Free Fireman Sam Fun for your Little, Future Firewoman or man this Saturday in Ards.

Ards Shopping Centre is gearing up for a big Pontypandy welcome this Saturday with the arrival of the highly anticipated Fireman Sam show, which will run on the hour from 1pm to 4pm. The Hero Next Door will be joined by some real-life hero’s in the form of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service  (NIFRS) who will be staging a fire safety information day, aimed at driving awareness about important fire safety issues during the summer months. Three-year-old Jude Robinson from Bangor is pictured getting into character ahead of the event.

For further information visit www.ardshoppingcentre.com or visit the Centre’s Facebook page. 

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails All Over the UK this Weekend. We Took Up the Quest at Mount Stewart.

We are just back from a lovely day out at Mount Stewart, one of the National Trust's Northern Irish properties. This long weekend, all over the UK, Cadbury are holding Easter egg trails, and you can find your nearest trail here.

We had a lot of fun. The trail costs £1 on top of National Trust admission. Your child receives a special Cadbury Passport, a Safari hat, and on completion of the trail each child gets an egg. 

Mini Hunter S Thompson

This is a 'stop taking photos and get on with the trail' face.

Michael with his egg

We brought a picnic, but there is also a small restaurant/cafe at the property.

On the way home to Bangor we cut across the peninsula and stopped in Donaghadee for a paddle and to share a parcel of chips. Perfect day.

Today We Went on the Strangford Sea Safari

The folks at NITB had asked me would we like to take part in one of the activities this Adventure Weekend. With me being unwell I couldn't see us canoeing, and with the little man being aged six we couldn't choose the Segways at Titanic, so we opted for the Sea Safari at Strangford, with it's promise of being suitable for ages 3 - 103!

The Safari departs from a little pier to the left of the main ferry dock on the Strangford side. I would allow approx. an hour to drive there from Belfast, and although you book ahead and the guide waits as long as possible for late comers, there is a cut off point and we set off five minutes late after waiting for the other group to arrive. 

We left plenty of time to get there and arrived 45 mins early and had a picnic, so as we weren't in any rush. The town also has pubs and fish & chip shops should you want to tuck into something warm before your trip. 

Little Michael was a bit nervous at first, but the guide made us all feel at ease and it's easy to see the boat isn't exactly a rickety rowing job, it's a safe speed boat and even going high speeds you feel completely safe.

Fifteen minutes before departure you'll be given an extra coat and life jacket. I was just wearing a tshirt on the drive down, but I wore my cardigan, wool duffel coat AND the coat they provided and still felt the chill. Make sure you wrap up and wear decent footwear in case you get wet.

The Safari takes you out seaward first, past birds and seals to a lighthouse where you have a view of the mountains of Mourne. I couldn't take many photos as I was holding tight to Michael, but if you are a photographer there are plenty of chances to get unique shots from the sea.

You also witness these crazy whirlpools, formed by a cliff face below the lough. For Game of Thrones fans, you get to see some of the outdoor filming locations from the sea, pretty impressive photos to bring home to show your friends and make them jealous!

After 45 mins of zipping around the lough, the guide does some pretty impressive doughnuts with the boat (the boys seem to love this bit) and then it's back ashore.

The guys also do Belfast Sea Safaris, so for information on booking a trip for your family, or any other of the outdoor activities in the area, get in contact with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board at 

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/