EVENTS AT OXFORD ISLAND
October 2011 to March 2012
October-March 2011
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
With funding from Big Lottery – Community Wildlife, and with the support of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust – Walking for Health programme, the Leisure Services Department of Craigavon Borough Council will deliver a series of led walks across the Craigavon Borough Council area, including at Oxford Island, over the coming months.
These walks will take place at various locations. Walks will be led by trained walk leaders, accompanied by a nature/conservation expert and will include refreshments and the opportunity for participants to meet other participants to identify potential walking ‘buddies’.
These walks are all free of charge however, booking is essential to ensure we have adequate numbers of leaders and refreshments available.
For more details or to register for one or more of these walks please contact the Recreation Development section on 028 38 311683 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
….. All you have to do is book, turn up, and enjoy!
We look forward to hearing from you.
October 2011 – January 2012
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
The latest in a series of photographic exhibitions at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is on display at the Discovery Centre from October 2011 – January 2012. The exhibition focuses on the wildlife of Oxford Island NNR and is the work of local photographer and Craigavon Council member of staff Danny Gibson.
Entry is free of charge. For further details please call (028) 3832 2205 or see www.oxfordisland.com
October 2011
Throughout October:
POWERBOAT AND SAILING COURSES
Kinnego Marina
Monday 3rd October: RYA Radar
Tuesday 4th October: RYASea Survival
Wednesday 5th October: RYA VHF/DSC
Monday 10th - Wednesday 12th October: First Aid at Work 3 Day
Monday 17th- Wednesday 19th October: First Aid at Work 3 Day
Monday 24th- Tuesday 25th October: First Aid at Work 2 Day Refresher
For further details contact Kinnego Marina 028 3832 7573, fax 028 3834 6018 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Saturday 29th October: 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm
HALLOWEEN SPOOKY ARTS AND CRAFTS
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Create your own monster masks and spooky props for Halloween. Come along in fancy dress and enjoy some traditional Halloween activities such as creating shrunken skulls and spooky spiders.
£4 per child. Booking essential as places are limited. Children should be over 6 years old, parental supervision is required. Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.
November 2011
Throughout November:
POWERBOAT AND SAILING COURSES
Kinnego Marina
Wednesday 2nd – Thursday 3rd November: RYA Powerboat Level Two
Wednesday 9th– Thursday 10th November: RYA Powerboat Intermediate
Monday 14th– Wednesday 16th November: First Aid at Work 3 Day
Monday 21st – Tuesday 22nd November: First Aid at Work 2 Day Refresher
Wednesday 23rd–Thursday 24th November: RYA Basic Navigation and Safety
Friday 25th November: RYA VHF / DSC
Monday 28th – Tuesday 29th November: First Aid at Work 2 Day Refresher
For further details contact Kinnego Marina 028 3832 7573, fax 028 3834 6018 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
7th Nov 2011- 25th Feb 2012
‘Don’t you know there’s a war on?’- A Visual Journey through the Home Front in Craigavon 1939-1945
Waterside House, Oxford Island
An exhibition exploring the impact World War II had on the daily lives of people from Portadown, Lurgan and the surrounding districts. Artifacts, film, photographs and posters will be used to illustrate what life was like for local people, who had to live through rationing and blackouts, under the constant shadow of war.
School and group bookings welcome. Admission FREE.
For further details please contact Museum Services on 028 3834 1635.
Wednesday 16th November 10am – 2pm
Eco Schools Celebration Day
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island
Come along to the Lough Neagh Discovery as we celebrate the wonderful work that local schools in Craigavon have been doing as part of their Eco Schools awards
Visit the Centre throughout the day and come into contact with some inspiring young people who are doing their bit for the environment. See the projects they have been working on in their schools and get involved in some interactive workshops.
This is a free event and no prior booking is required. For further details please contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.
December 2011
Throughout December:
POWERBOAT AND SAILING COURSES
Kinnego Marina
Monday 5th December – Tuesday 6th December: Emergency First Aid at Work
Wednesday 7th December: RYA First Aid
Wednesday 14th – Friday 16th December: RYA Powerboat Intermediate
For further details contact Kinnego Marina 028 3832 7573, fax 028 3834 6018 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th December: 11am – 4pm
Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th December: 11am – 4pm
Saturday 17th - Sunday 18th December: 11am – 4pm
SANTAS GROTTO AND ACTIVITIES
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Come along to Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and join the Conservation Service as we prepare for the arrival of Santa Claus and his Narnia themed Christmas Grotto.
Santas spectacular grotto will be open for business over 3 weekends in December and there will be a variety of activities on offer such as arts and crafts, face painting, spot prizes for the best fancy dress costume and special offers in the café including a special Christmas menu.
There will be an art competition running throughout the month of December and an opportunity for mums and dads to make a special Christmas Wreath or table decoration (please note there will be additional charge for this activity). Local school choirs will also be making an appearance at the Discovery Centre in December with carol singing and festive dancing.
Please note that a photographer will not be available at the grotto so please feel free to bring your camera to capture all those memories.
Cost £5 per child. Booking is not essential for this event but should you wish to book a place please contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.
January 2012
Saturday 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th January: 10am
Woodland Workout
Waterside House, Oxford Island.
To work off the excesses of Christmas why not do the ‘Woodland Workout’ in January and get the new year off to a good start. You will tone up your muscles stacking rotting timber into habitat piles (high rise for insects) and sawing hazel so as to keep it healthy to provide nuts for wildlife. Tree recognition, folklore and a guide to native and introduced trees will be provided.
As the ground is uneven strong footwear is essential, as is warm and waterproof clothing due to the time of year. Tools and goggles will be provided.
Meeting at Craigavon Museum car park, Waterside House.
Booking required, contact Pascal Downing on 028 3834 1635.
Sunday 22nd January: 1pm – 4pm
GET READY FOR THE BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Come along to Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and join the Conservation Service as we prepare for RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch which takes place on Sunday 29th January. Enjoy a range of bird based activities before heading out on to the Reserve on a bird watching walk (weather dependant) taking in some of the hides to spot our winter visitors and woodland birds. Please note nuts may be used during this event therefore it may not be suitable for those with nut allergies.
Suitable outdoor clothing will be required for the walk part of this event.
This is a drop event and is free of charge – booking is not required. Children should be Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 3832 2205.
Sunday 29th January 2012: 2-4pm
ST BRIGID’S CRAFT DAY
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island
Come along to the Discovery Centre and hear about some of the customs to mark the beginning of spring. Learn to make a St Brigid’s Cross out of rushes to celebrate the Saint of light and spring. Activities are suitable for children age 7 and over.
£4 per person. Booking essential. Contact Lough Neagh Discovery Centre 028 38 322205.
February 2011
Saturday 11th February: 10.30am – 12.30pm
LOVE NATURE
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Enjoy a morning of “love” with nature based activities to set you up for Valentine’s Day. You can make a creepy crawly valentines card in the shape of a beautiful beetle or cute caterpillar and enjoy some nature games and activities.
£4 per child, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential.
Sunday 26th February: 10.45am
RAMBLE AND ROAST
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Enjoy a guided walk around the picturesque Oxford Island National Nature Reserve before heading into the Loughside Cafe for our famous Sunday roast dinner (vegetarian option available).
£8 per adult £5 per child. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, places limited, contact 028 3832 2205.
March 2011
Saturday 3rd, 10th, 17th March: 11am
Annual Local History Lecture Series
Waterside House, Oxford Island
ADMISSION FREE.
For further details contact the museum on 028 38 341 635.
Friday 30th March: 6.30pm til late
Supper with the Stars
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Join the Irish Astronomical Association for a spectacular evening of stargazing and culinary delights at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre.
There will be star shows in a mobile planetarium commencing at 7.30pm, followed by celestial views of the First Quarter Moon, brilliant Venus ("the Evening Star"), and fascinating Jupiter with its four large Galilean moons, plus a lot more! All this is of course weather dependent.
There will also be an exhibition of the best photos taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and the best ground-based observatories plus some amazing ones by IAA members, a display of telescopes and binoculars, and some amazing meteorites.
£5 entry for stargazing experience.
£15 includes the stargazing and a two course meal (6.30pm Loughside Café).
Booking is essential for this event.
Please contact the Interpretive team at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre on 028 3831 1673 / 028 3832 1671 for further details and to book a place.
