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Cockle Row Visitor Centre starts its season of 'Summer Sundays' on 2 June!
Each Sunday throughout the summer months of June, July and August, Cockle will see activities and entertainment visiting the seaside village of Groomsport to provide an afternoon of FREE fun!
June - Sundays, 2pm – 4pm
2 June | The first will be Blackberry Farm, who will bring all things cute and cuddle from the countryside to the seaside!
9 June | Let your little ones get their craft on and join Mrs Maker for some family creativity by the sea.
16 June | Enjoy a display of birds of prey by NI Falconry on the green learning of their different traits and skills and let the little ones join in the seaside crafts as Boom Studios bring their creative skills to the Cottages.
23 June | Learn the traditions of calligraphy with local artist Jacqui Brachi, perhap even have a go! Relax and enjoy live music from the Pipes and Drums of Graham Harris and Lee Lawson. For the little people who may be around, mermaid will also be stopping by to captivate their imagination. Entertainment provided in collaboration with the Ulster-Scots Agency.
30 June | Come and while away an afternoon taking in tales of the past with Valhalla Street Theatre as they bring the cottages to life through living history, meeting characters who may have lived there and worked the shores!
July - Sundays, 2pm – 4pm
7 July | Join What the Sea Saw for an educational afternoon looking at the beach finds and marine litter and how this affects our coastline. Aileen is passionate about improving our seas and coast and hopes to inspire others to do their bit when out and about this summer.
14 July | Come along for a relaxing afternoon of live music in front of the cottages and watch soda bread being made inside in the traditional manner on the griddle over the turf fire - perhaps even taste a little. The team there will be on hand with some crafts for the children.
21 July | The country comes to the seaside this Sunday afternoon when Blackberry Farm returns to the cottages with their furry friends - a favourite for all the family.
28 July | This afternoon will have an Ulster Scots influence with Story Telling by author Steve Lally. Also joining us is Piper, Alan Glenholmes who will be bringing along some practice chanters for folks to have a go.
Aileen returns with What the Sea Saw for another afternoon of interesting Beach finds and lastly there will be soda bread on the griddle in the Cottage. So come along and enjoy a wonderful afternoon by the sea.
The Big Butterfly Count
Saturday 3 Aug | This is a really special treat! Cockle Row will be hosting the Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count on this Saturday. Join us for some family friendly butterfly craft activities. Expert, Rosie will take us on a stroll to identify our butterflies, learn about how they are faring and how to support them by recording your observations or what to plant. Booking essential, email Rosie at rirwin@butterfly-conservation.org
August - Sundays - Cockle Row Cottages open 11am - 5pm, with the activity 2 - 4pm
Sunday 4 Aug | Let the children get their craft on at Cockle Row and join Mrs Maker to create their own little paper cottage to take home as a memory of your trip or relax and enjoy live music for Paul and his guitar while taking in the view. Extend your visit with the new children’s Sense Trail, exploring the shore using your senses and taking time to notice the world around you.
Sunday 11 Aug | Welig Crafts bring a traditional skill back to the cottages as they provide a willow weaving demonstration, chat to them and learn what is involved in this craft and how it was used. NI Falconry will also be along with their fabulous display of birds of prey on the green with their handlers who are on hand to answer any questions about these special creatures.
Sunday 18 Aug | Bring your mini people to learn about some of the mini beasts of our world with Beth, join her on a bug hunt, spot bees and butterflies and make some pollinators to take home to your own garden. Don’t forget about the free Sense Trail, ask one of the staff for this and enjoy using your senses to explore this special place and looking at things differently.
Sunday 25 Aug | Some favourites return to the Cottages this Sunday as Demi Walker School of Dance will be entertaining the crowds with their Scottish Dance skills. In the cottages Christine will have the soda on the griddle and well know children’s storyteller Steve Lally will be captivating those listening with traditional tales. Thes activities are in association with The Ulster Scots Agency.
September, note, additional Saturday opening - Cockle Row Cottages open 11am - 5pm, with the activity 2 - 4pm
Sunday 1 September | The picturesque cottages of Cockle Row will be the focus for a Pop Up Sketching Session with Mrs Makers as she will provide hints and tips on how best to capture this special place. No experience necessary and paper, drawing materials and clipboards will all be available - so come along and have a go! Bring the family along to create a sketch to take home and also learn more about the shoreline with our FREE Senses Trail which will help them discover what makes this little place so special.
Saturday 7 September | This weekend the Cottages join the Village in Celebrating the Eagle Wing! Come along and enjoy living history characters from that time and hear of their adventures on this ship as Valhalla Street Theatre visit the Cottages. Acclaimed storyteller and writer Liz Weir will captivate you with her stories as she sits in front of the open fire of the old fisherman’s cottage.
Sunday 8 September | Ropes were an important tool for fisherman, enjoy a demonstration of this heritage craft and chat to Christine in the cottage as she cooks fresh soda over the griddle. Children can enjoy some seaside crafts and explore with Senses Trail discovering what makes this little place special.
Saturday 14 September | come along for a relaxing afternoon by the sea, enjoying warm soda bread fresh from the griddle in these traditional fisherman’s cottages. Take in the heritage craft of basketry and chat with craftsman Clive Lyttle and hear about the traditions and skill of weaving willow. Children can enjoy some seaside crafts and explore with Senses Trail discovering what makes this little place special.
Sunday 15 September | be captivated by the skills of local crafter Jacquie Brachi and Clive Lyttle as they demonstrate the heritage crafts of calligraphy and basketry. Join in as artist Andrea Hayes introduces you to ‘shape painting’ or simply relax and listen to well know children’s storyteller Steve Lally will along with traditional tales. These activities are in association with The Ulster Scots Agency.
The cottages are open Thursdays - Sundays throughout June - 15 September 2024.
Little explores can also have a go at our new sense trail, encouraging them to look, listen, smell and feel the natural surroundings of this special place. Pick up your free Explorers Pack from the Visitor Information staff, inside, where you will also find a souvenir and summer fun essentials for the kids and you can wander the cottages to see what life was like for the family that lived there.
Cottages open from 11am - 5pm
Free family fun will take place weekly, on Sundays, from 2pm to 4pm
Find out more about the picturesque village of Groomsport and Cockle Row, including information on seasonal tours of the village and on Groomsport Inclusive Beach.
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
