Blog

Foyle Port welcomed its first cruise ship of the 2025 season yesterday, Sunday 11th May, as the state-of-the-art expedition vessel World Explorer arrived at Lisahally. Her visit marks the start of what is set to be a positive and exciting cruise season for the region.

The Tower Museum’s famous Armada Shipwreck collection is on the move, as National Museums NI commences restoration work on the key artefacts before they make the transition to their new home in the state-of-the-art new DNA (Derry~Londonderry on the North Atlantic) Museum in Ebrington Square.

The ‘City of Song’ certainly lived up to its name at the weekend as tens of thousands soaked up the sunshine and the sounds at the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival.

One of the most significant moments in world history will be commemorated in Derry next month with a special event to mark 80 years since the surrender of the Battle of the Atlantic, and the end of a fierce struggle to protect vital shipping lines that claimed over 100,000 lives during World War II.

Warm up those Jazz Hands, the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival kicks off this Thursday. Festival Co-ordinator with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Aisling McCallion, joined Kyron Bourke and Linley Hamilton ahead of their production of the fabulous ‘No Citation’ being staged on the opening night of the festival in the Playhouse. The Festival will run from Thursday May 1st – Monday May 5^th with over 400 performances in venues across the city.

The Summer Programme offers a range of world class music, literature and film events including an appearance by one of the UK's most loved comedians, Frank Skinner, and one of the first performances of Charlotte McCurry's new play, Julie. 

The City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival is a firm favourite of music-lovers locally and nationally, getting the chance to see and hear their favourite musicians in various venues across the city. But what most love it for, is getting to see and experience new acts from around the world, which they might not have had the opportunity to do so before.

This year, one of those exciting new groups is Dutch soul sensations, The Tibbs.

Get ready for a vibrant injection of New Orleans spirit as 'Angela and Her NOLA Brass Squad' prepares to make their highly anticipated debut at the City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival.

The North West region is set for a significant surge in cruise tourism this year, with cruise calls increasing by 21% compared to 2019, reinforcing its growing appeal as a key destination for international visitors.

Translink has launched its transport plan for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club, 13th - 20th July 2025.

St Patrick’s Day will see Strabane transformed into a sea of colour and excitement as this year’s parade makes it way from Holy Cross College to the town centre on Monday 17^th March.

OPRY le DANIEL, TG4 television’s highest rating country music series of concerts, returns to the Millennium Forum, Derry, from Monday 24th March.