Ballyscullion Park Book Festival

BALLYSCULLION PARK BOOK FESTIVAL 2025 Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May 2025. A Celebration of Writing, Music and Art in the Heart of Seamus Heaney Country.

Following the success of its debut festival, the Ballyscullion Park Book Festival is set to become a key event in the literary calendar. The festival, held in the picturesque surroundings of Ballyscullion Park near Bellaghy in mid-Ulster, will bring together readers, writers and art lovers for an unforgettable weekend of cultural delights.

This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better, with a line-up of both new and returning authors, children’s writers, opinion formers, historians, poets, musicians and artists. Over the two days, attendees can choose from up to 50 talks, readings and panel discussions, as well as enjoying live music, local food stalls, artisan products and an art exhibition.

Among the highlights will be Carlo Gébler author, playwright and teacher, Lyndsy Spence author, historian and screenwriter and founder of The Mitford Society, Gareth Reid artist and winner of Sky Portrait Artist of the Decade 2023, John Goodall historian, author, and Architectural Editor of Country Life magazine, Dr Heidi Edmundson Portrush-born novelist and Emergency Medicine consultant in London, Martina Devlin award-winning novelist and journalist and Dr Caroline Campbell Director of the National Gallery of Ireland.

This year, the festival is proud to announce a charity partnership with NI Hospice. A percentage of the profit from ticket sales will be made to NI Hospice, and a representative will be on hand at the festival to talk about the care provided by the hospice.

Ballyscullion Park is part of the Loughinsholin Tourism Cluster, which aims to develop and promote a range of authentic, sustainable visitor experiences, a sense of place as well as a commitment to preserve and promote the generations of rich heritage and traditions found
in the region of mid-Ulster. The cluster is supported by Invest Northern Ireland through its Collaborative Growth Programme.

Rosalind Mulholland Festival Director said:
“We are thrilled to announce the return of the Ballyscullion Park Book Festival for 2025. This year’s festival will feature an incredible mix of returning speakers and exciting new faces. We are also delighted to announce our charity partner for 2025 as NI Hospice. The 2024 festival exceeded all expectations, and we are committed to building on that success by creating an even more vibrant and inspiring experience for all who attend. We look forward to welcoming returning and new visitors.”

Book free tickets for children and under 18s, with special children’s events including storytelling and book readings.

More details to follow.

📍 Venue: O’Neill’s Healy Park, Omagh
📅 Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
🕒 Throw-In Time: TBC

Immerse yourself in the passion of Gaelic football as Tyrone takes on Cavan in the highly anticipated Ulster Championship match at Healy Park, Omagh. Join fans from across the region for an exhilarating day of sport and community spirit in one of Ulster’s premier GAA venues.

Find out more HERE

📍 Venue: Healy Park, Omagh
📅 Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025
🕒 Throw-In Time: 3:45 PM

Experience the excitement as Tyrone takes on Dublin in a highly anticipated Allianz Football League clash at Healy Park! Don’t miss the action as two of Gaelic football’s finest go head-to-head in this crucial league fixture.

Find out more HERE

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is delighted to announce that it plans to host a tourism conference on Thursday 27 February 2025 (9am-1pm) at the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges.

The theme of the conference is on Regenerative Tourism and key speakers have been engaged to inform and inspire delegates with their knowledge and expertise. Also, Mr Conor Murphy (MLA), Minister for the Economy and Mr John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism Norther Ireland, have accepted invitations to address the conference.

So please put this date in your calendar and further details on registrations will be communicated early in the New Year.

📍 Venue: Healy Park, Omagh
📅 Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
🕑 Throw-In Time: 1:45 PM

Get ready for an unforgettable clash as Tyrone faces off against Kerry in the Allianz Football League! Join us at Healy Park, Omagh, to experience top-tier Gaelic football action and cheer your team to victory. Find out more HERE

📍 Venue: Healy Park, Omagh
📅 Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
🕒 Time: 1800

Join us at Healy Park for an electrifying clash between Tyrone and Derry as the Allianz Football League kicks off! Witness two Ulster powerhouses battle it out in Round 1 of the 2025 league season.

Don’t miss the chance to cheer on your team and be part of the thrilling atmosphere.

Find out more HERE

The Country’s Biggest Taylor Swift Tribute Show! Get ready for an unforgettable day as we present A Tribute To Taylor Swift, featuring the critically acclaimed tribute show by Taylor NI. With over 35,000 Swifties already mesmerised by the performance, this is your chance to experience the magic of Taylor Swift’s music like never before! Hosted by the very special Sabrina C – Short ’n’ Sweet Tribute To Sabrina Carpenter

Irish country sensation Derek Ryan’s road to stardom is set to continue with his biggest concert tour to date. After the resounding success of his recent nationwide Irish concert tour, Derek is back with a brand-new concert show for 2025 at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh on 7th February.

Derek and his fantastic band are back on the road to perform material from Derek’s new album Long Shot Love, along with his biggest chart-toppers Hold On To Your Hat, Down On Your Uppers, and God’s Plan, all of which have cemented his position as one of Ireland’s bestselling country singer/songwriters.

Special guests Barry Kirwan & Louise Morrissey

Tickets available from Hotel Reception or buy online HERE

Jake O’Kane, one of the country’s most popular stand-up comics returns along with the talented Terry McHugh for his annual end of year review show. A high-tech presentation of photos and videos picking apart the great, the good and the not so good from the previous year. As always, the backbone of the show remains Jake’s unique mix of political satire and personal observations covering his struggles with ageing, modern technology and his beloved Protestant and halflings. If you’re one of Jakes army of fans you’ll already know who the Protestant and halflings are; if you don’t, then you won’t regret buying a ticket to find out.

Tickets available from Hotel Reception or buy online HERE

First aid fun day bringing children on the journey of learning first aid and CPR. Music, talks, colouring books and lots of fun at Gortin Glen Forest Park.

Find out more

 FLEADH THÍR EOGHAIN 2.0 

Fleadh Thír Eoghain 2025 returns to Fintona 

The Omagh Half Marathon & 5k Run, now in its 35th year, started off as a 10mile race in 1981. In 1986 it was a 12mile race but changed to the Half Marathon distance in 1987. Omagh Junior Chamber organised it from 1981 – 1996 before it was cancelled for three years 1997- 1999. The local running club Omagh Harriers regrouped and relaunched the event in March 2000. The SPAR Omagh Half Marathon Race & 5K Run/Walk has had a steady increase in participation, starting with 240 in the year 2000 but with the slick organization of the hard working Omagh Harriers Half Marathon Committee, it is now one recognized as one of the most prestigious running events in the country and we expect a record 4500 participants in 2025 to mark our milestone anniversary.

With the Covid 19 pandemic having a major impact on businesses, society and sporting events, the committee took the decision to cancel the race in March 2020 but instead ran it as a very successful virtual race with many participants running the ‘Omagh 1/2’ in many overseas exotic locations. Unfortunately the Covid situation persisted which meant there was to be no race at all in 2021.

Back with a fresh look our event sold out in record time this last two years so enter early for 2025 to guarantee your place as we will sell out again before the New Year. There is a  quality top guaranteed for All Half Marathon entries plus newly designed bespoke medals for All finishers including the 5k finishers. Chip timing, fast course, race pacers, street entertainment, finish line refreshments are all on offer to make this one of the top events in the 2025 sporting calendar.

This year’s Omagh Half Marathon/5k chosen charity is TBC.

Please support our Sponsors, SPAR, LINWOODS, TC AUTOS, OMAGH CREDIT UNION, MJ McIVOR SOLICITORS, PIZZAMAC, CALOR, CALDWELL CYCLES, BRADLEY’S PHARMACY, JMG SYSTEMS, GRANTS OF OMAGH, WHITE’S, SILVERBIRCH HOTEL, TAYTO, RECYCO, LYONS&WARD WOODCRAFT, BALLOO HIRE & LOUGH TEC.

Half Marathon Walk 8.30am

Half Marathon Run 9.30am

Half Marathon Run, Wheelchair and Walk all start at Omagh Leisure Complex.

SPAR 5k Run 9.45
5K starts at Omagh Leisure Complex approximately 15 minutes AFTER the 1/2 Marathon commences

Prizes

A prize fund of over £6000 is on offer plus £250 bonus for the 1^st male & female to break the 1/2 record time (Male-64.46min, Female-74.28min) There is a quality long sleeved top guaranteed for all Half Marathon entries and newly designed medals for ALL finishers including 5k Fun Run finishers.

Pacers will be there to help you run your target Half Marathon time. We have pacers for 1:30hrs, 1:45hrs, 2hrs, 2:15hrs, & 2:30hrs. They will be clearly visible at the start line.

Cash Prizes in all categories listed below.

Half Marathon

• Male & Female Overall; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th.
• Male & Female; 1st, 2nd in all Categories, Under 20, over 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65
• Wheelchair; 1st, 2nd Male & Female
• Team Prizes; 1st, 2nd, 3rd Male & Female Team (6 to run, 3 to score)

5k Run

• Male & Female Overall; 1st, 2nd  3rd
• Male & Female 1st, 2nd in all Categories, Under 19, 17, 15, 13.
• Team Prizes: Male & Female School Team 1st; Male & Female Non-Athletics Sports Club 1st (3 to score)

The Ulster American Folk Park opened in 1976, and tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries, using objects and buildings to reflect experiences in both places. We have been working to incorporate marginalised histories into the narrative at the Folk Park. This includes bringing to the fore the stories of Indigenous Peoples, many of whom suffered greatly as a result of colonisation, as well as enslaved Africans who were exploited by some of the Ulster emigrants whose stories we profile.

Frederick Douglass Day is celebrated annually on the 14th February, a date chosen by Douglass to be his birthday. Douglass was born into slavery in 1818 and never knew his real birth date. He went on to become one of America’s great abolitionists, writers and leader of the movement for African-American civil rights in the 19th century.

To mark the occasion, join Liam Corry, Curator of Emigration, for an informal talk looking at Douglass’s life and Ulster’s links with Douglass and slavery in the United States.

What to know

• All events are charged at general admission cost, and include entry to the Folk Park for the whole day.
• This event is suitable for 12 years +.
• All under 16-year-olds should be supervised by an adult.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Walking Weekend on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23  March 2025
1 moderate and 1 challenging walk for max of 30 people per walk on both Saturday and Sunday

For the last three decades, we’ve paid homage to the heritage and legacy of Bluegrass music at the Ulster American Folk Park.

Next year, Bluegrass Omagh returns at the Folk Park for the last Bank Holiday in May – Saturday 24th to Monday 26th May 2025.