Get ready to dust the winter blues away with the first Feel Good Festival at the historic Portico of Ards in Portaferry, 1 – 10 March. From candlelit concerts, laser lit dance gigs and relaxing activities, everyone is invited to take in the beautiful surroundings with a range of events that will simply make you feel good in 2024.
Portico website HERE
We visited the beautiful Portico of Ards to find out more about the festival, enjoy the picturesque town of Portaferry, as well as immersing ourselves in the beauty of this restored church with a grade A listed Greek inspired architecture through a relaxing Pew Bathing session with the wonderful Tessa Anne.
Also, as part of the festival experience, visitors can enjoy local food and drink with special offers from nearby restaurant The Bull & Claw, accommodation at The School House and drinks at Dumigans Bar.
Find sanctuary and peace with two candlelight concerts. On Fri 1 March Ruth McGinley will perform ‘Piano Peace’, a compilation of beautiful soothing sounds from composers Sakamoto (Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence) and Einaudi (Le Onde). Join Christian Forshaw for Choral Sanctuary on Sat 2 March to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of his much-lauded album Sanctuary, an exquisite exploration of sacred music, blending saxophone, organ and choral voices with original composition.
Feel uplifted with the power of fresh or familiar music with two incredible laser lit gigs. On Fri 8 March enjoy D.O.M.E ( Dynamic Organ Multi- sensory Experience) with experimental musician DJ Son Zept and experimental composer Xenia Pestova Bennett as they transform Portico’s church into an immersive multi-sensory dome, blurring past, present and future by combining the venue’s iconic pipe organ with surround-sound live electronics, video projections and spectacular pro laser lighting in a mind-opening and body-tingling experience like no other! Immerse yourself and celebrate ‘one more time’ on Sat 9 March with an emotionally evocative performance of live authentic DJ mix with the widely-acclaimed international act Daft Punk Tribute.
Come along and embrace the start of a new season with a range of feel-good activities. A spiritual awakening or emergence of Spring – See the Light: Seacourt Print Workshop showcases selected artists from the workshop. Take time to heal and sink into the ‘pew-bathing’ Sound Healing Spa experience with Tessa Ann or Come On And Sing Get, Happy! with Una McCann who will soon have you harmonising and feeling uplifted through singing – no experience necessary.
Visitors to the Portico of Ards will enjoy taking time out in the picturesque town of Portaferry, located along the shores of Strangford Lough, an Area Outstanding of Natural Beauty, as well as immersing themselves in the beauty of this restored church with a grade A listed Greek inspired architecture. Also, as part of the festival experience, visitors can enjoy local food and drink with special offers from nearby restaurant The Bull & Claw, accomodation at The School House and drinks at Dumigans Bar.
The Feel Good Festival is supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council and the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Dr Verity Peet Portico of Ards Manager, said:
“As we emerge out of winter and into spring, we invite everyone to join us for the first Feel Good Festival this March. Immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings of our Grade A Listed building, take part in a range of unique activities and events that will make you feel good and take time out to explore the picturesque Portaferry and Strangford Lough. Make 2024 the year you feel good – see you there!”
Wendy Smith, Tourism Manager for Ards and North Down Borough Council, added:
“Ards and North Down Borough Council are delighted to support such a vibrant and imaginative
programme set in such wonderful surroundings. I would encourage everyone to get their tickets early for the Feel Good Festival!”
For further information and to book festival tickets visit www.porticoards.com. Follow Portico of Ards on Facebook, X @PorticoArds and Instagram@porticoportaferry.
Bull and Claw Portaferry
Website HERE
On The Strand in Portaferry, combining traditional and contemporary dining, The Bull & Claw serves great food, perfect pints, and fine wines, with an extensive gin list and terrific cocktails.
We called in to enjoy a delicious lunch, starting with a rich, earthy Mushroom & Artichoke Soup with Parsley & Scallion Oil & a Mini Wheaten Loaf, along with some Proper Sourdough Co.’s delicious bread.
We then enjoyed an “amuse bouche” of fresh Scampi, before our main course of Fish Pie wrapped in a golden flaky pastry with Pea Puree, Peas, Scallions, Parsley & Chunky Chips.
Finally, a moreish Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream.
The Bull & Claw delivers quality and freshness using the best local produce & carefully sourced ingredients, and is the ideal venue to enjoy a delicious meal deal when visiting any of them forthcoming events as part of the first Feel Good Festival at the historic Portico of Ards in Portaferry, from 1–10 March.
About Portico
WHO? WHAT? WHERE?
The Portico of Ards (‘Portico’) is an Arts and Heritage Centre in Portaferry, County Down, at the mouth of Strangford Lough in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (45 mins south of Belfast).
Built in 1841, Portico is a venue with unique grade A listed Greek architecture. It is owned by the charity Portico of Ards Ltd. but still used every Sunday morning by the Portaferry Presbyterian congregation (now our tenants).
Portico was restored and reopened in 2016 as a venue for events: Classical, Comedy, Country, Folk, Jazz, Organ, Pop, Rock, Theatre and more!
We also offer guided tours of the architecture, heritage exhibitions and the refurbished organ with its spectacular modern console.
Portico is a social enterprise that aims to make life better for locals and visitors. We believe that arts and heritage brings joy to individuals and social and economic benefits to the wider community by attracting visitors and local spend.
Our wonderful team of volunteers make it all happen!
VOLUNTEER AT PORTICO
Volunteers are what makes Portico happen. Whether they are able to give one day a week or one day a year, volunteers are crucial to our success and much valued.
