12 things to do in Northern Ireland in the next week!

For all events in ni2012 click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto http://www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland

*The Wedding Album, Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, May 17 – June 30. An exhibition of wedding photos from Victorian times to the present day which will give an insight into one of the biggest events in people’s lives.

*Talk and Tour: Augustine Henry and Portglenone Forest, The Braid, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, May 22. Get to know the man whose family hails from Portglenone and who spent almost 20 years travelling and collecting plants in China and discovered many species new to science.

*Ballyclare May Fair, Ballyclare Town, Co. Antrim, May 22 – 27. There’s something for everyone at this May Fair including the Mayor’s parade, concerts and arts and craft.

*Sleeping Beauty, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, May 25. Highly acclaimed European Ballet presents this classic and most enchanting performance about a beautiful princess that can only be woken by the kiss of a handsome prince.

*Thai Cookery Course, Belle Isle Estate, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, May 26. Learn how to cook with fresh zingy herbs, spices and coconut to produce authentic dishes.

*Sandcastle Competition, Newcastle, Co. Down, May 26. Grab your bucket and spade for a brilliant day at the beach and watch an expert sandcastle builder create a fantastic sculpture and then show off your own skills.

*Banks of the Ballinderry Fair, Wellbrook Beetling Mill, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, May 26. Learn about the heritage and wildlife of the Ballinderry River and join our costumed characters for an experience of the mill in the 1800s.

*IPKSA Race Series Parakarting Event, Benone Beach, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, May 26 – 27. Take part in or watch sandyachting, landboarding and buggy races on the beach.

*Northern Ireland Countryside Festival, Moira, Co. Down, May 26 – 27. Enjoy the best of Northern Ireland’s countryside with three great events rolled into one fantastic weekend. Enjoy clay pigeon shooting, archery, birds of prey and strongman events.

*Meet the Man at Arms, Sketrick Castle, Killinchy, Co. Down, May 27. Meet the 15th century man at arms who will explain his part in defending a medieval tower house and display his costume and weapons.

*Archaeological Day, Divis and the Black Mountain, Belfast, May 27. A guided archaeological tour of the enclosures, cairns and settlement sites across Divis Mountain.

*Ring of Gullion Annual Photography Competition, Forkhill, Co. Armagh, until September 5. Get your entries in for this year’s photo competition. The theme is wet and wild and the photographers are free to interpret this any way they choose by taking a photo in the local area