This year the theme for EHOD is ‘The Art of Sharing’ which presents an opportunity to share our heritage stories through our buildings and their connections to location and people. This can be explored through workshops, talks, tours, exhibitions, art, literature, song, dance, drama, film, food or craft.

EHOD 2018 will also be a highlight of the European Year of Cultural Heritage, an initiative of the European Commission, to promote a greater awareness of our shared cultural heritage.

Cultural heritage is the fabric of lives and communities. It is evident in...

Your Local Birdlife Needs You!

Birdwatching Workshop

Sunday 11th February 2018

10am – 1pm at Ulster Folk and

Transport Museum, Cultra, Holywood

Workshop runs from 10am to approximately 1pm.

Is there a cost?

The workshop is free and every attendee will receive some BTO(British Trust for Ornithology) literature including a handy garden bird identification chart.

How to sign up?
Please send an e-mail to noeleen.farry@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk or alternatively...

County Down’s incredible medieval monasteries, castles and tower houses, could come alive with artisan business ideas and community art from beehives and community tapestries to a medieval trail linked to the Game of Thrones theme.     

Find out more and help shape the plans. Free event.

23rd January Market House, Portaferry, 7.00pm

With Dermot MacRandal, Senior Architect, HED, Department for Communities on exciting plans for Portaferry Tower House.

 More information Tel:028 42 728886 susan.mcclay@strangfordlough.org

We are delighted to have been awarded a grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to provide new training opportunities under the HLF Nature Skills NI programme.

This funding follows on from the success of the Skills for Living Landscapes and Seas Project and supports our ongoing commitment to training, allowing us to open up the opportunity for a career in the nature conservation sector to a wider range of people.

There is a skills gap in our sector and this project has enabled Ulster...

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has launched a new online service for operations and activities requiring consent in Areas of Special Scientific Interest.

NIEA, which is part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, says the new service will make consent applications more convenient, efficient and straightforward.

Head of the NIEA David Small explained: “Our Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) are a unique and vital part of the natural landscape. This is why they enjoy special protections.

“A key part of NIEA’s...

Is there an area in your community that could do with a clean up? Are you fed up of unsightly graffiti, litter and dog mess on your doorstep? Do you want to do something about it? Live Here Love Here's Adopt A Spot will help you adopt an area and look after it, for example keeping it free of litter through clean-ups. A free kit is provided to help get you started.

Volunteering is a great way to get out, meet people and feel good while making a real difference in your community. With the help of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful you will hold four clean ups a year at a time of your...

House holders are being asked to “Make the right connection and keep rivers and beaches clean for everyone to enjoy”

Household drainage misconnections occur where a foul water flow is connected in errof to a surface water drain, resulting in untreated wastewater going directly to your local river and may end up on beaches. Similarly, if gutters and gulleys are wrongly connected, they will be sending clean rainwater into foul water drain, overwhelming it and causing flooding and untreated wastewater going directly to rivers and beaches.

So what can you do? The answer...

Come along and enjoy the fun and spectacle!

The Strangford Lough & Lecale Partnerships FREE over wintering bird watch.  Guides will focus on the fantastic bird life that has made huge journeys to feed and rest here.  Booking is essential as places are limited. Call Leslie on 07715341251

10.30am on 11th February Meet in the Car Park opposite Kilclief Castle, Shore Road, Strangford, Co. Down   

No previous experience required just come along and enjoy the experience, bring binoculars if you have them and dress for the weather 

The strangford Lough & Lecale Partnership FREE over wintering bird watch.  Guides will focus on the fantastic bird life that has made huge journeys to feed and rest here.  Booking is essential as places are limited.  Call Leslie on 07715341251  10am on 10th december Meet at the Newtownards Flood Gate Car Park.  No previous experience required just come along and enjoy the experience, bring binoculars if you have themand dress for the weather.

Building United CommunitiesThrough Outdoor Recreation.

Wednesday 16th March 2016 - Greenmount Agricultural College, Antrim.

Outdoor Recreation is often a conduit which encourages communities to come together irrespective of age, gender,religion, socio-economic background, skill base or experience thereby enhancing social inclusion, community cohesion,upskilling, personal achievement, health and wellbeing and economic prosperity.A series of short case studies will highlight some of the current and proposed initiatives from across NI which aregeared towards building united...