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About
The Portico of Ards is located in picturesque Portaferry at the tip of the Ards peninsula. Built in 1841, this beautiful church, modelled on the Greek temple of Nemesis, has unique ‘grade A listed’ architecture. It was restored and reopened in 2016 as an Arts and Heritage Centre, retaining many original features including its pews and marbled columns. The pipe organ was also refurbished, with a new Greek-inspired case and a spectacular new console. The organ loft is now accessible and showcases how the organ works. The heritage tours at Portico include the organ loft and a chance to have a play on the organ or make it play by itself!Portico’s heritage displays hold artefacts from nearby Neolithic sites and an excellent timeline detailing local history from the Ice Age to the present. Interactive options include the story of Christian music, access to a Digital Film Archive and a wealth of history on tablet computers outlining Portaferry’s fascinating history and Portico’s links with the United Irishmen. Guided tours are available at any time of year but must be pre-booked.
Seating over 300 and with stunning acoustics, Portico’s events programme is highly popular. There are concerts most weekends ranging from all kinds to music to theatre, film and comedy. In September, the Portico Comedy Arts Festival takes place with events including operetta, stand-up comedy and sketch shows. Portico attracts many high quality international artists: to check what’s on this month or buy tickets please visit porticoards.com
Portico is part of the Strangford Lough Tourism Cluster and there are frequently offers for accommodation or dinner and concert deals with The Portaferry Hotel, a five minute walk away at the edge of the lough. Portico is also easy to reach by ferry from Strangford: ferries operate every half an hour and concerts always end in time for the last ferry.
Guided tours £10 per person (discounts for groups)
Events individually priced (please see website)
Facilities
Children & Infants
- Baby changing facilities
Guide Prices
Guided tours £10 per person (discounts for groups)
Events individually priced (please see website)
Events
Saturday, 2nd November 2024 - Saturday, 2nd November 2024
Stories and Songs of The SeanchaíColin Urwin is a modern-day Seanchaí - a folksinger, songwriter, storyteller and author.
Steeped for a lifetime in the language, folklore and traditions of his beloved Glens of Antrim, Colin has long been exposed to traditional Irish and Scottish music, song and story.
This concert is supported…- more info
Sunday, 3rd November 2024 - Sunday, 3rd November 2024
Anne-Marie O'FarrellWe are delighted to welcome the world renowned harpist Anne-Marie O'Farrell to Portico.
Leading harpist of her generation, Dr Anne-Marie O'Farrell from Dublin performs all over the world, and is frequently invited to perform and teach at international conferences and festivals, including several…- more info
Friday, 8th November 2024 - Friday, 8th November 2024
COLIN GEDDIS: G.O.A.T. (GEDDIS ON ANOTHER TOUR)Colin Geddis' brand new stand up show G.O.A.T. (GEDDIS ON ANOTHER TOUR) will hit the road this Autumn with a headline show in Portico!
With sell-out live shows across the UK and Ireland, including 6 shows at Belfast's SSE Arena, Colin's career has gone from strength to strength starting with his…- more info
Saturday, 16th November 2024 - Saturday, 16th November 2024
THE BJORN IDENTITYWorld-class, International Tribute to ABBA
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Waterloo!
Musicon Entertainment Presents: The Bjorn Identity
The Bjorn Identity hailing from Northern Ireland, have become one of the most sought-after tribute shows in Europe. Following recent tours of Germany &…- more info
Sunday, 17th November 2024 - Sunday, 17th November 2024
Fews Ensemble and Aaron O'HareJoin The Fews Ensemble & tenor Aaron O'Hare for a soul-stirring concert with Barber, Schubert, and world premiere of Amy Rooney's Response.
The Fews Ensemble are made up of leading chamber musicians, orchestral leaders and principals and soloists from Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Irish tenor,…- more info
Friday, 22nd November 2024 - Friday, 22nd November 2024
William Thompson: Scumbag MillionaireWhat would you do if you became a millionaire overnight? Would you invest it? Save it for a rainy day? Or blow it as quickly as possible?
This is the question that William Thompson (Mudblood Podcast, William of Orangedale, Tea With Meghan) will answer in his brand new show Scumbag Millionaire.- more info
Saturday, 23rd November 2024 - Saturday, 23rd November 2024
The IllegalsWidely regarded as one of the best live tribute acts in the country, The Illegals are into their 25th year with this ever-popular show.
Every year, the Illegals delve deeper into the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac back-catalogues to keep their dynamic live show fresh but familiar to packed venues…- more info
Sunday, 24th November 2024 - Sunday, 24th November 2024
The Clyde DuoMoving On Music is delighted to present the Clyde Duo consisting of Irish Flautist, Aisling Agnew and Welsh Harpist, Sharron Griffiths.
Aisling and Sharron share a passion for performing music from the beautiful vast flute and harp repertoire including music by well-known composers such as…- more info
Friday, 29th November 2024 - Friday, 29th November 2024
Second Night Announced! Neil Delamere: Achilles NeilOur comedy hero is back on the road with a brand new epic standup show.
Second night now available!- more info
Saturday, 30th November 2024 - Saturday, 30th November 2024
Sold out: Neil Delamere: Achilles NeilOur comedy hero is back on the road with a brand new epic standup show.
Join one of Ireland's favourite comics as he takes on life's absurdities in his own inimitable way. A celebration of the altogether too frequent weaknesses that make us human.- more info
Sunday, 1st December 2024 - Sunday, 1st December 2024
Organ Recital: David GoodeWe are delighted to welcome leading UK organist David Goode to Portico.
David Goode is one of the UK's leading organists. He was organ scholar at King's, Cambridge and Sub-Organist at Christ Church, Oxford, and was for 17 years Organist at Eton College. He is now a busy freelance recitalist,…- more info
Friday, 6th December 2024 - Friday, 6th December 2024
The Henry Girls and LoreThe Henry Girls and Lore join forces to create a double whammy of gorgeous folk fabulousness!
The Henry Girls are sisters Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin from the most northerly part of Co. Donegal. The trio formed as a professional music group in 2001 and have recorded 6 studio albums,a couple…- more info
Saturday, 7th December 2024 - Saturday, 7th December 2024
Merry Opera: Handel's MessiahA staged production of Handel's Messiah by the Merry Opera Company, featuring professional Northern Irish musicians.
Twelve professional singers play characters who experience transformation from need and despair to understanding and hope as they sing this traditional work.
The MOC is grateful…- more info
Friday, 13th December 2024 - Friday, 13th December 2024
Tim McGarry's RidiculousTim McGarry, the lanky star of Give My Head Peace and the Blame Game has a brand-new stand-up show - Ridiculous.
Join Tim as he examines life, politics and the modern world and looks for the ludicrous, highlights the hilarious and laughs out loud at the frankly ridiculous.
- more info
Sunday, 15th December 2024 - Sunday, 15th December 2024
Goldilocks and the Three BearsCentre Stage presents this classic tale for traditional family fun at Christmas.
Goldilocks! She's off to seek her fortune but she soon finds that it is not as easy as she thought. Meanwhile The Three Bears are hiding a very special honey hive, making honey that helps Santa have a very special…- more info
Friday, 10th January 2025 - Friday, 10th January 2025
Jake O'Kane: The Absent Intelligence TourDavid Hull Promotions Presents – Jake O'Kane's "The Absent Intelligence Tour"
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.- more info
Sunday, 12th January 2025 - Sunday, 12th January 2025
Red PriestA Baroque Extravaganza
An utterly thrilling programme of baroque masterworks performed in Red Priest's inimitable, high energy style. The group – now in its 28th year – explores some of the highlights of its glittering international career at the cutting edge of baroque performance.- more info
Saturday, 18th January 2025 - Saturday, 18th January 2025
The Whistlin' DonkeysA unique fusion of Irish folk and Celtic rock that has captivated audiences around the world.
The Whistlin' Donkeys is a remarkable Irish Folk band hailing from County Tyrone which has been making waves for the past decade. From entrancing renditions of "Bees Wing" to rocking the house with…- more info
Friday, 31st January 2025 - Friday, 31st January 2025
BBC Radio 3 Piano Recital: Michael McHaleMichael McHale & Friends' weekend mini-festival: the first of a trio of BBC Radio 3 concerts being recorded at Portico over one weekend.
Belfast pianist Michael McHale presents three special concerts in Portico in association with BBC Radio 3, comprising an opening solo piano concert and a pair of…- more info
Saturday, 1st February 2025 - Saturday, 1st February 2025
BBC Radio 3 Piano & Clarinet Recital With Michael McHale & Michael CollinsThe concluding concert in the trio of concerts featuring Michael McHale and friends being recorded at Portico this weekend by BBC Radio 3.
Belfast pianist Michael McHale presents three special concerts in Portico in association with BBC Radio 3, comprising an opening solo piano concert and a pair…- more info
Saturday, 1st February 2025 - Saturday, 1st February 2025
BBC Radio 3 Piano and Oboe Recital: Michael McHale and Juliana KochThe second in the trilogy of concerts by Michael McHale and friends being recorded by BBC Radio 3 over one weekend.
Belfast pianist Michael McHale presents three special concerts in Portico in association with BBC Radio 3, comprising an opening solo piano concert and a pair of duo recitals with…- more info
Friday, 7th February 2025 - Friday, 7th February 2025
Colin Murphy: Murphy Beaucoup!NI Comedy In Association With Lisa Richards Agency Presents: COLIN MURPHY 'MURPHY BEAUCOUP!'- more info
Sunday, 9th February 2025 - Sunday, 9th February 2025
The FureysLegends of Irish music & song, The Fureys are renowned for their hit songs 'I Will Love You', 'When You Were Sweet 16', 'The Green Fields of France', 'The Old Man', 'Red Rose Café', 'From Clare to Here', 'Her Father Didn't Like Me Anyway', 'Leaving Nancy', 'Steal Away' and more! Their emotive songs…- more info
Sunday, 23rd February 2025 - Sunday, 23rd February 2025
Organ Recital With Richard PinelA recital from the award-winning organist Richard Pinel who delivers 'electrifying impact' and 'truly tremendous verve'!
Richard Pinel is a freelance organist and choral conductor, a Professor of Organ at the Royal Academy of Music and Director of Music at St Mary's, Bourne Street in Belgravia.…- more info
Saturday, 1st March 2025 - Saturday, 1st March 2025
SjaellaA Choral Sensation
The International choral sensation, Sjaella, come to Portico (and to Ireland) for the first time. Uniform yet individual, gentle yet robust, precise yet free-flowing – this versality is what Sjaella's sound is all about.
This is a night that none of us will want to miss….- more info
Sunday, 2nd March 2025 - Sunday, 2nd March 2025
The Calidore String QuartetThe Calidore String Quartet RETURNS to Portico for the first time in almost 10 years bringing an all Beethoven programme that will coincidentally be recorded by BBC Radio 3 for its prestigious Evening Concert slot.
Apart from Portico the Calidore has appeared in the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall,…- more info
Sunday, 30th March 2025 - Sunday, 30th March 2025
Foster and Allen: 50 Years of HitsInternational recording artists Foster & Allen look forward to celebrating an amazing milestone of 50 years of hits!
For A Night To Remember Don't Miss Foster & Allen's 50 Years Of Hits Tour 2025.- more info
Friday, 16th May 2025 - Friday, 16th May 2025
Legends of the 60s ShowA brand new production for 2025!
Join a multi award-winning all-star cast of musicians and singers - Stephen, Raymond and Chris - for the musical masterpiece that is the "Legends of the 60s Show".
An entertaining musical live experience featuring over 40 iconic hit songs never to be forgotten!- more info
