National Trust NI Regional Director Heather McLachlan, Mount Stewart property manager Jon Kerr and BBC NI Director Peter Johnston at the launch of this year’s Mount Stewart Conversations Festival to be held on the 14-15 October. They were joined by Dani Carragher and Nikos Petsakos, two musicians who will attending the event which is billed as a festival of sparkling conversations, arts and culture. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/mountstewart

The National Trust recently launched its exciting programme of activities for the Mount Stewart Conversations Festival which takes place on the 14th and 15th October with a stellar line up of speakers, international music performances and a full programme of arts and animation throughout the house and world famous gardens.

The event, now in its second year, is also the launch pad for the National Trust’s UK wide national programming focusing on women and suffrage in the centenary year 2018.

The weekend Festival, supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council kicks off on Saturday 14th October with a number of high profile talks, performances and entertainment. Everyone is encouraged to get down to Mount Stewart and enjoy this spectacular and engaging two day event.

Speakers include Mail on Sunday columnist Rachel Johnson, distinguished lecturer Professor Senia Paseta, as well as Ian Hislop one of the UK’s best known and best loved satirists and editor of Private Eye.

Ahmad Sarmast, the founder of the Afghanistan Women’s Orchestra will feature alongside Shalini Wickramasuriya of The Music Project in Sri Lanka, to discuss the use of music and arts to overcome conflict. The festival will also include a tongue and cheek look at ‘Boys Jobs, Girls jobs’ with TV’s ‘Googlebox’ favourites Giles and Mary Wood.

Guest speakers will also include Jonathan Lynn, who co-wrote Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, Dan Cruickshank, Natalie Haynes, Edith Hall and Fiona Stafford.

Festival goers will be encouraged to engage in live debates and discussions, as well as share personal views and opinions.

Fringe festival fun

In addition to the talks programme, the festival will also have a fringe programme which will include an eclectic mix of participative activities, art, dance, music and much more.  This programme will be delivered through our partners Beyond Skin, an intercultural arts organisation, and many local artists and practitioners.

Speaking about Mount Stewart Conversations Festival, Jon Kerr, General Manager, Mount Stewart said; ‘This year’s festival is attracting a wonderful line up of speakers who will share, reflect and debate a wealth of contemporary and debatable topics.

'In addition to the amazing programme of talks, the fringe festival will create an opportunity for visitors get involved and play their part - create new art, make music, write a story and discover more about this magical place.  We are also delighted to announce that the Trust’s National Public Programme Theme for 2018 will be launched at the festival, which is a wonderful accolade for Mount Stewart”.

The Festival will be much more though than high profile debates and conversations with many free events taking place. The National Trust are hosting an exciting programme of arts and animation  for children of all ages including The Garden of Thought Experiments where visitors will be encouraged to Explore the Magical Gardens of Mount Stewart and meet an array of characters who will challenge and amaze in the world of philosophy and introduce the young and old to new ways of expanding minds.

Take part in a Street Art or Circus Workshop or enjoy a lecture on  The History of the Mixed Drink, Use Mind Control like Donald Trump, or the Suffragettes of Soccer with much more to be announced.

If you fancy something completely different a Ukulele workshop is on hand where visitors can learn to play Swahili songs, or experience an interactive art wall and a music and arts workshop by Youth4Peace delivered in partnership with Beyond Skin, an intercultural arts organisation.

In addition to this stellar line up of speakers and international music events the National Trust is also joined by BBC Northern Ireland for a series of conversations exploring the theme of Journeys, Journalism and Books. Some of those taking part include historian and television presenter Dan Cruickshank, children’s author Geraldine McCaughrean and Alister McGrath, who will be discussing CS Lewis and the BBC. Tickets for these and other BBC conversations will be available soon at bbc.co.uk/tickets. 

It is our volunteers who turn good events into great experiences. If you would like to join the team for the weekend and get really involved in Mount Stewart Conversations Festival, there are lots of volunteer roles which will suit a range of skills, abilities and interests.  Details can be found on the volunteering section of the festival website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart/features/volunteer-at-mount-stewart-conversations

Please note - individual talk ticket prices are for entry into the talks only and Normal Admission Prices will apply to gain entry to the property on the day (Members Free).

For a full programme listings and ticket availability, please go to https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart/mount-stewart-conversations-festival