Please note that there will be a charge for many of the events listed and prices will vary.
Except where otherwise stated, bookings and enquiries will be taken through a central booking line at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, telephone (028) 3832 2205.

Saturday 5th April − 10.30am
Herons Ahoy
Coney Island (meet at Maghery Country Park)

Coney Island (meet at Maghery Country Park) Take a trip to Coney Island to witness these wonderful creatures as nesting season comes to an end and the young heronns begin to peep from their nests for the first time. A breathtaking sight not to be missed.
£5.00 per person. Booking essential.
Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Saturday 26th April − 11.00am
Woodland Wander
Slantry Wood

Join our Conservation Team for a guided walk of this beautiful wooded area located at Tarsan Lane on the outskirts of Portadown. Slantry Wood has recently been designated as a Local Nature Reserve by Craigavon Borough Council so come along and learn of its importance to wildlife and the local area.
£2.00 per person. The walk is suitable for both adults and children.Booking Essential.
Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Saturday 10th May − 6.00am to 7.30am
Dawn Chorus
Oxford Island

Does the early bird catch the worm? Join our Conservation Team and find out on a guided walk around the Reserve, listening to the early morning birdsong. Then enjoy a cooked breakfast in the Loughside Cafá.
There will be a charge for this event. Booking Essential.
Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Friday 16th May − 8.00pm
Bat Walk and Gourmet Supper
Oxford Island

Enjoy a gourmet supper at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre before heading out onto the Nature Reserve in search of the bats which make the night their own.
£10.00 per person. Booking essential as places are limited, tickets must be bought in advance.
Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Tuesday 20th May − 6.00pm
Cusher River / Newry Canal paddle

Meet at Bann Boulevard car park at 6.00pm. Families welcome. 
  £10.00 per adult, £5.00 per child. Booking and pre-payment is essential.
Contact the Recreation Development Department for further details 028 3831 1683.

Saturday 24th May − 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Hands on Herbal Fun
Oxford Island

A chance for children to take part in crafts using common herbs. Learn about the language of herbs and how to make a tussie mussie to give to a friend or relative. Make fragrant potpourri and herb pillows and plant some herb seeds in pots to take home. Suitable for children aged 7 and above.
£3.00 per child. Booking essential.
Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

14th − 22nd June
National Bike Week

Get on your bike and take part in the UK's nationwide celebration of cycling.
See local press for events in your area.

Thursday 19th June − 7.00pm
Wildlife Walk
Craigavon Watersports Centre

Enjoy a pleasant stroll with our Conservation Service to discover the abundance of wildlife found around Craigavon Lakes. £2.00 for adults, £1.00 for children. Booking essential.
Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Friday 20th − Sunday 22nd June
Midsummer's Dream
Lurgan Park

Midsummer’s Dream will showcase local creative talent with a theme of imagination and dreams. The event will enhance the already beautiful surroundings of the park and provide relaxing and varied experiences for different age groups in different zones of the park.
The weekend events will include elements of visuals (lighting and props), music, dance, performance, film, food, boat rides and more and will be a celebration of community activities and engagement. We want local organisations and groups with an arts focus to take part and showcase their work; there will also be performances from the ‘Beginner 2 Band’ project and other local young bands.
The main event will take place on Saturday 21st June from 2.00pm until late so come in costume as your favourite fairytale or magical character; other family activities will take place over the 3 days; see local press for more details.
Local community groups will be invited to showcase their particular skills.
If your group would like to take part in the event please contact catherine.mcneill@craigavon.gov.uk or telephone 028 3831 1682.

Saturday 28th June − 11.45am to 4.00pm
Plundering Pirates
Coney Island
(meet at Maghery Country Park)

Become a Pirate for the day − children and adults wear your own costumes or let us transform you! An afternoon of games and challenges awaits. Following ferocious battles on Coney Island over the last two summers the Pirates have defeated the Vikings and claimed the Island for their own. However the Pirates have never been known for their friendship or their honesty; so following a split in the camp you’ll have to join one of the rival bands and conquer the challenges of Coney to find the treasure and claim victory and with it the freedom of the Island, join the loosing team and you might just end up walking the plank!
Suitable for children aged 6 and over, parental supervision required.
Meet at Maghery Country Park.
£5.00 per person, family of four £18.00.
Booking essential, tickets to be bought in advance from
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Throughout July and August
Exhibition − The Living Lough
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre

Lough Neagh is the largest lake on the Island of Ireland and the whole of the British Isles and boasts a wealth of species and habitats. Craigavon Borough Council’s Conservation Service has produced an informative and interactive exhibition exploring the history of the Lough and how it continues to play an important role in our everyday lives.
The Lough is internationally renowned for its natural habitats and this exhibition will give you the opportunity to explore its wide ranging biodiversity from the microscopic life in the Lough to the microscopic plants and animals found on the Lough Shore. Discover too the abundant bird life on the Lough which increases with both summer and winter migrants.
For those interested in the human history of the area both fact and fiction you can journey through the living history of the Lough from the Vikings to the many myths and legends. Hear not only of old favourites such as Finn McCool and the Scottish Giant but other myths such as how you will turn to stone if you stand in the Lough for too long!
Lough Neagh has always been a working lake, stone age man not only fished the Lough but also used the hazel and willow on the banks of the Lough to make their houses and their fishing baskets. However, the biggest boats on the Lough are not fishing boats but the sand dredgers which would even dwarf the ‘lighters’ which went up and down the canals some seventy years ago.
Check the local press for one-off activities such as story telling, crafts and willow weaving that will form part of the exhibition.
Exhibition times will vary
contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205 in advance for running times.

Saturday 5th July − 10.00 am to 12noon
Marvellous Moths
Oxford Island

Come along and discover these wonderful creatures. Examine the contents of a moth trap left out overnight to capture these nocturnal creatures. We are sure to be treated to a great diversity of colourful and fascinating creatures.
£2.00 for adults, £1.00 for children. Booking essential.
Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Saturday 19th July − 11.00am to 12.30pm
Bugs World
Oxford Island

Come and explore the habitats of Oxford Island to see the range of mini-beasts out and about during the summer. Learn of some simple methods you can use to encourage minibeasts into your garden and the benefits they can bring.
£2.00 per child. This event is suitable for children aged 5 years and over, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking is essential as places are limited.
Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Saturday 9th August − 11.00am
Guided Cycle
Newry Canal Towpath
Event charge: £5 (includes light lunch)

Enjoy a guided tour of Newry Canal Towpath from Bann Boulevard car park to Scarva and back. Meet at Bann Boulevard car park at 11am.  Participants must have some experience of riding a bike on dust/rough paths. Estimated time of return 2.30pm.
Limited number of bikes available so early booking will be essential.
Estimated time of return 2.30pm.
Booking and pre-payment is essential.
Contact Recreation Development for further details 028 3831 1683.

Friday 15th August − 7.30pm
Bat Walk and BBQ
Lurgan Park

As the light fades, join the Conservation Service as we meet at the Lurgan Park tennis pavilion and enjoy a short talk on the bats found in your area. A BBQ will then be available, so bring along your own food. Once you are fed and watered, and the sun has gone down, we will then go for a walk in search of the bats using our Bat Detectors. This event is suitable for adults and children aged 7 years and over.
£3.00 per adult, £2.00 per child, family of four £8.00. Booking essential.
Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Monday 18th to Friday 22nd August − 2.00pm to 3.00pm
Children's Wildlife Hour
Oxford Island

Have fun and learn lots of new wildlife skills at Oxford Island. On each day of the week, we will look at a different aspect of nature such as; pond life, insect life, birds, woodlands and crafts with a wildlife theme. A certificate will be issued on completion of all 5 activities. Suitable for children aged 5 years and over.
£1.50 per child per day or £5.00 for the week (if paid on the Monday).
Parental Supervision Required For Under 8’s.
Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.

Saturday 27th September − 11.00am to 1.00pm
Harvest Home
Oxford Island

Celebrate the bringing in of the harvest by exploring the age-old rural traditions and have a go at making your own friendship bracelets and harvest knots. There will be a demonstration and workshop for both adults and children.
£3.00 per adult, £2.00 per child (family of four £10.00).
Booking is essential as places will be limited.
For further details contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.