This is a relatively new, expanding museum and heritage centre with a 140-seater restaurant and…read moreroof terrace with great views across the city. Their restaurant was opening on the evening that we were there. The museum's namesake was an Irish Republican who despite a lack of contemporary evidence of his actual involvement in the United Irishmen rebellion, became a major figure in nationalist - republican martyrology in his late teens. We were given a tour and we were fascinated by it as in the space of 50 footsteps with tact and diplomacy we travelled through a snapshot of a few hundreds of years of the north's history with a mainly nationalist/republican tinge. The journey was informative, sometimes funny and sometimes sad but and intended not remotely offensive. There is a part that includes the unionist pro British aspect but I must shout out that this place and similar only give a light overview of a deeply complex, sometimes contradictory tapestry of a history that continues to unravel in a very small place of little importance on a world scale. What struck me most was how human the experience was made - almost personal. They spent time telling stories of individuals who sometimes played a minor part others played huge roles. I sensed that while this place records and shows our past the reality is that its custodians are moulding this place as a living, growing symbol of our collective future and I formed the view that it and we are in safe hands. If it teaches us just to think about living with each other in a peace - albeit an imperfect one - without 'what aboutery' trumping everything and diminishing the desire to coat - trail then the investment in it will be repaid in spades. After all we are such stuff as dreams are made.

Wow. Impressive suet up…read more Modern, new and bright space that is well lit with natural lighting. Has two floors. The upstairs is a gallery that looks onto the gallery below. Was impressed with the World illustrators Award exhibition that I came especially from Belfast to see. Could not believe a show of that calibre would be in NI never mind a galley I had not heard of or been to before rather than the bigger well know Belfast galleries. Also got an invite from the receptionist to the next show by Sea Court printers. Apparently when you sign up to receive emails you get invites to opening events. Pretty cool.

Clotworthy offers many varied create and craft classes for people of all ages and abilities, fair…read moreprices and set in the stunning castle grounds. Plays and concerts are available all year round and the centre has its own recoreding studio on site where young people can record their own music. Lots of the exhibitions tend to be a bit odd but cafe is very nice. Ask about the white lady if you visit. Ni problem with parking

There are some paintings of real quality in Lisburn Art Gallery, which is in an anassuming small…read morered brick terrace. Particularly impressive was the selection of watercolours that included work by the late Tom Carr, who taught at Belfast Art College. Other watercolors by David Long were especially good of the North Antrim coast. RB Higgins and Julian Friers also featured with much else besides. It was good to find an art gallery with less brash commercialism than others I have visited, with paintings by local artists that could compete with some of the best and a genuinely friendly atmosphere generated by the owner.

The new town hall is a very welcome addition to ballymena. The centre offers lots of various…read moreperformances usually at very reasonable prices. The centre is really well decorated with some excellent art work. The acoustics are really good as well. In my opinion this is a really positive change for ballymena and improves the image of the area.

I remember this festival being advertised when I started college this time last year and this time…read morearound I'm planning on taking advantage of all the great acts on offer. I just SOL'ed (that's Screamed Out Loud) (and erm I just made it up) when I checked the website for the line up there and saw that Dublin's finest Villagers are sold out!! Mercury Music Prize 2010 nominees Villagers are the cream of the crop. If you're lucky enough to have gotten a ticket you are in for a captivating show. Seriously. Another top tip (take my word for it) is the lovely Isobel Anderson who is playing the No Alibis Tent (at Custom House Square) on Sunday Sept 12th at 12:00pm. There seems to be a real buzz around this spellbinding folk singer at the moment. She plays an autoharp and guitar to back her intensely personal folk songs. A cut above the rest. Out of the other big acts there is Wilco who are superb live, Mumford and Sons (unfortunately sold out), Seasick Steve, Modest Mouse, Iron&Wine and some great local acts like Kowalski. (If you would like some more music tips, visit my music blog on my profile here) Anyway the Open House festival is a tip top festival comprising of little gigs dotted around Belfast's finer venues from the 6th to 12th September. There are loads of little quirky events going on too- are you brave enough to enter the chilli eating contest? There's also the intriguing sounding Strictly Come Barn Dancing, vintage clothing, a Beard grooming comp, Helium karaoke, a Cupcake Corner, Black Market and the highly recommended Vintage Rocks hairstyling (see my next review) to pick from. There's also some traditional Irish music if you enjoy a good aul session!

Oh look, another festival in Belfast…read more.. Sometimes it annoys me that we have so many festivals, but then, when you look at it, each of them brings something worthwhile to the city, so I shouldn't' really moan. This festival brings a more bluesy, country and traditional music to Belfast, and while none of those genres particularly excite me, it's great to see them being catered for. Plus, this year they got Mumford and Sons and Wilco, both of whom I love, so it's a very enthusiastic 4 stars from me!

Leadlines is a beautiful stained glass studio located beside Donegore Landscape Centre. This…read morecompany was established in 1983 and recently moved to these stunning new premises. It's not only a gallery, call in here and you can see the artists at their work and check out their personal portfolio. This was a fascinating feature. The studio here belongs to David and Eileen Esler (David is the resident artist while Eileen is the concept designer) They are a couple who aspire to break the norms and conventions of traditional glass staining and revive it as an exceptional art work. They want people to see it as an art form, moving away from the traditional pictorial format and use new designs instead. There are workshops held here regularly where you can try the fascinating art form out for yourself (contact the gallery for more information regarding this) other services the couple offer include; blowing glass, fusing glass, sandblasting, refurbishment and manifesting as well as traditional stained glass services. As well as the gorgeous glass on display you can feast your eyes on a selection of paintings, jewellery, ceramics, sculpture and prints. This gallery is a really fascinating place to see and discover the skill of this forgotten art form.

This Gallery sells original Irish art from a wide range of professional artists…read more It has an excellent website at:- http://www.gracehillgallery.com Well worth a visit

Test Drive The Arts NI is a scheme run by the Belfast City Council and the Arts Council in which it…read morelets people who do not regularly go to art performances to actually get free tickets to plays or performances which could be of interest to them. The idea is that if you go to it once and enjoy it, you will happily start going to more and more, thus showing your support, thus bringing family and friends, thus funding the already lacking Arts Council. The idea and premise is really quite simple and as a writer and a student, it is encouraging that firstly there is a company that shares a similar interest in the performing arts as myself, and secondly, (and most importantly) there is clearly an audience for this. I have been on this website quite regularly waiting for that hidden gem of a show to come up that I can go to, but often it surprises me just how many of these shows get "sold out" which can only be good news for the shows themselves. According to the website, similar schemes have been run successfully in UK, Sweden and Australia so it is proof that this website does work and if you see a show on it that is really popular, I would insist that you book early to avoid disappointment. Very good idea and very well executed