April Sky Design

08/10/2026

Just Arrived !!

The Rugby Clubs of Ulster featuring Ards and Holywood Rugby Clubs 🏉

24/09/2026

Congratulations to Dr Ken Addley OBE on the publication of his new book 'The Rugby Clubs of Ulster: A Celebration'. We were honoured to work on this beautiful book.

The hardback coffee table book tells the story of every club affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the IRFU. Across 250 pages and featuring hundreds of photographs, the publication celebrates the achievements, personalities, traditions and unforgettable moments that have helped shape rugby throughout the province.

Available to buy from the Colourpoint Books website:

https://colourpointbooks.com/product/the-rugby-clubs-of-ulster/

10/09/2026

We thoroughly enjoyed designing this beautiful book and organising all three of its reprints. Glad to hear it has been so successful!

From the authors, We’re delighted to say the 3rd reprint of "Balloo, Killinchy - A Hidden History" has arrived and is now available.
If you’d like a copy of this wonderful book, just send us a message here and we’ll arrange it.
There’s only a limited number printed this time, so please don’t leave it too late!
Copies will be available from Killyleagh Branch of NIFHS through secretary Ken Tait ( [email protected] )
and through the NIFHS on-line shop

26/08/2026

We really enjoyed working on this fascinating history of Downtown Radio!

50 years ago in 1976, Downtown Radio hit the airwaves. A new book, by Ivan Martin and John Rosborough tell the story of the station and the broadcasters that made Downtown Radio such a success.

Many thanks to Ivan and John who visited us and donated a copy to the library.

‘It was a pleasure to meet with Ivan and John to talk about the fascinating social and cultural insights captured in their book charting the history of Downtown Radio as it marks its 50th anniversary. We are always delighted to receive donations to enrich our local studies collections, and It Brought a Smile to Your Ear is a great addition which I am sure will be well used now and in the future.’ Samantha McCombe, Librarian, The Linen Hall

‘We are delighted to donate this book to The Linen Hall. Issued to coincide with Downtown’s Radio’s 50th Birthday, the book tells the story from the beginning of Radio in Belfast as far back as 1924, to the arrival of Independent Local Radio as an alternative to the BBC, the preparations for the launch on March 16th, 1976, and the five decades that followed right through to the present day.

Both Ivan and I know the station from the inside; Ivan was the host of the breakfast programme ‘First Edition’ with Richard Young over two decades, and I was the Head of Programming for 21 years up to the year 2000.

We met a range of former Downtown people, who shared recollections of their days in Newtownards when the station provided a fast and reliable news service in what were difficult times, along with the entertainment needed as a counterbalance to lift the mood of the audience.’ - John Rosborough, Author of ‘It Brought A Smile To Your Ear’

08/07/2026

Our website has a fresh new look! ✨

Visit www.aprilsky.co.uk to explore examples of our latest projects, discover how we can help bring your vision to life, and request a no-obligation quote.

Are you ready to make your book happen? We'd love to help you every step of the way.

Trusted book publishers in Newtownards by April Sky Design. With 20+ years' experience. Get free quotes and complete book design, print and ISBN support.

03/06/2026

'Queen's University Air Squadron: A History', written by Guy Warner, designed by April Sky Design and published by Colourpoint Books was launched at the 85th anniversary celebration of the QUAS at Queen's University Belfast on Saturday.

28/05/2026

Congratulations to Denis Mayne on the publication of his book of reminisces and tall tales, 'Caught in a Bleb of Time.'

Designed by April Sky Design and available from the Colourpoint Books website:

https://colourpointbooks.com/product/caught-in-a-bleb-of-time/

20/05/2026

Delighted to see the launch was a success!

14/05/2026

We thoroughly enjoyed working on 'Sheer Success', launched yesterday in the pavilion at Balmoral Show.

Royal Ulster Agricultural Society

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 🐑

We’re delighted to celebrate the launch of 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 by Ian Harvey MBE at this year’s Balmoral Show!🙌🏻

This powerful new book tells the remarkable story of 𝐄𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐬 – 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 of the RUAS – and the first Northern Ireland competitor to become British Sheep Shearing Champion, as well as a European Gold Medallist 🥇

More than a biography, Shear Success captures the rich history of competitive sheep shearing in Northern Ireland and pays tribute to the people, passion, and heritage behind it 🐑

With inspiring stories from shearers, wool handlers, and farming families, the book highlights the ongoing importance of wool as a sustainable, natural fibre – “not a relic, but a solution hiding in plain sight.”

📍 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬
🗓 Wednesday 13th May 2026
📌 Sheep Shearing Pavilion, Balmoral Show
⏰ Immediately after the YFCU Sheep Shearing Competition (approx. 12pm)

🎗 Limited edition copies will be available to purchase at the Show, with all proceeds going to Air Ambulance NI and Cancer Research UK.

08/05/2026

🪻 Introduction to the Wildflowers of Northern Ireland
✍️ Written and published by James Napier
💻 Designed by April Sky Design
📦 Available from Colourpoint Books

Northern Ireland is well known for the beauty of its natural landscape. With a better understanding of the plant species which grow in our woodlands, coasts and other natural habitats, we could all appreciate our natural surroundings much more.

This book will introduce you to many of our common, and not so common, plant species in their natural environments. Introduction to the Wildflowers of Northern Ireland will encourage you to give those plant species we frequently stroll past a second look!

https://colourpointbooks.com/product/introduction-to-the-wildflowers-of-northern-ireland-9781399928977/