There are plenty of things I would expect someone to suggest when organising a night out in Belfast, but a lecture would not normally be one.

Dinner, certainly. Drinks, probably. Sitting quietly and listening to someone explain the history of witch trials? Not likely, but the more I think about it the more appealing it sounds.

Ideas on Tap is bringing its lecture series to Belfast, with two upcoming talks which are fittingly macabre for the season.

Historian Dr Robyn Atcheson will explore corpse medicine through history, while Louise Heaslip of Haunted Tours NI will delve into the story of the Islandmagee witch trials over a pint at The Sunflower Bar.

Chris Donnelly: The big drum was beaten at Drumcree but unionists refused to march

Stephanie Chase: Young people have looked on in disbelief as Drumcree Orangemen attempted to drag us back to the past

The premise is straightforward: get people together, give them something interesting to listen to, and........

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