HAPPENINGS: A few things worth checking out this week

BAI Culture Night 2016 

Taking place on Friday, September 16, the BAI will celebrate the evolution of radio in Ireland over the past 100 years. 

Visitors to the BAI building at 2-5 Warrington Place in Dublin 2 will be able to explore a free exhibition marking the centenary of the first broadcast in Ireland in 1916, and the 90th anniversary of the country’s first radio service, 2RN

National Fitness Day 

If you’re feeling energetic this weekend, why not take part in Ireland’s first National Fitness Day.

The event, which will take place on Friday, September 16, is being led by Ireland Active and supported by Healthy Ireland and Sport Ireland.

National Fitness Day is a celebration of the role physical activity plays in Ireland, the positive impact fitness has on people’s lives and will showcase the many different ways available nationwide to partake in physical activity. 

Ireland Active is the national association for active leisure and fitness and represents over 200 leisure centres, gyms, swimming pools, education providers and outdoor recreation facilities on the island of Ireland.

Information on the opportunities to be provided and made available to the public can be found at www.nationalfitnessday.ie which, will be continuously updated in the lead up to September 16.

Sunday Theatre

Sunday Theatre at Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, continues with Bethencourt Productions’ staging of ‘Easter Tuesday’, John Lattimore’s 1916-themed love story, on Sunday, September 18 and Sunday, September 25, and a free performance on Culture Night, Friday, September 16.

Easter Tuesday is an allegorical love story in which two young people find themselves drawn into an affair born of, and ultimately overwhelmed by, the political and social movements that led to the rebellion.

Time: 7pm (duration 70 minutes). Tickets cost €12 each (concession: €10). For reservations call or text 087-9719151, purchase at www.tickets.ie or buy at the door.

Raheny Country Market

If you’re in the Raheny area this weekend you are invited to drop into the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Raheny Country Market.

The market takes place on Friday, September 16 from 10.30am to 12noon at Johnston Hall (beside All Saints’ Church), Howth Road, Raheny. 

Home baking, jams and marmalades, preserves, savouries, plants and vegetables, crochet, knitting, handmade cards and jewellery, stained glass and other crafts. Free cuppa for all.

Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated by Ethnic Chinese worldwide, including those here in Dublin. The Mooncake Festival takes place on Thursday, September 15, at the Asia Market, Drury Street branch. 

Riddles will be attached to all lanterns hanging in the shop. For every guessed riddle, a free mooncake will be given! Loads of free food sampling will be available for tasting all day. On Sunday, September 16, there’ll be a free Bamboo Flute performance at 2pm in Chester Beatty Library, Dublin 2 from Hung-Jen Wu, who is known for his emotionally expressive style and diverse influences. More info at www.asiamarket.ie. 

Youth Theatre Workshop

D15 Youth Theatre members are welcoming newcomers into their world for Culture Night on Friday, September 16. Bring a friend, introduce them to Draíocht and dip your toe into the waters of a fun Youth Theatre Workshop from 7-8pm. 

It’s a good introduction for the youth theatre auditions that are taking place on Sunday, September 25. More details available online at www.draiocht.ie/youth_arts. 

Culture Night at Dublin Castle

To mark this historic centenary year, Dublin Castle will be transformed for Culture Night on September 16, with music, theatre, screenings and lively discussion filling its historic walls.

Visitors of all ages can look forward to open-air performances, workshops, talks and readings throughout this majestic building and its grounds.

The special programme is brought to you by RTÉ in partnership with Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Dublin City Council, Ireland 2016 and The Office of Public Works. 

Smithfield Square Playground

Smithfield Square will be turned into a playground on Culture Night for a plethora of interactive drop-in activities including drumming, capoeira, salsa and hip-hop dancing, 

Makeshop Doodlebot workshops for youngsters, Tetrahedron structure build along with a 3D map of Dublin, fencing, an art zone and a whole area dedicated to mouth-watering international and domestic gourmet food. The action takes place from 5-9.45pm.

Golf lessons

Play2Learn Golf are offering adult and child golf lessons at the Carr Golf Centre at Spawell in Templeogue.

Side-by-side is open to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and all care givers as the programme gives both adults and kids the chance to learn golf in a comfortable, relaxed environment. The four week programme costs €99 per family of up to four participating pairs and starts on Sunday, September 18, from 12pm to 1pm.

To book a place in the programme for you and your kids you can call 01-4907990 or alternatively email info@play2learngolf.com. 

World Record attempt

On September 15, the eve of National Fitness Day, 1escape health club in Dublin will be attempting to break a Guinness World Record for the largest exercise ball class in the world.

1escape are encouraging residents from all over Dublin to get down to Smithfield Market to participate in a 30 min exercise class from 6pm.

The event is open to everyone over the age of 16.  Everyone who registers will receive a complimentary exercise ball on the day with thanks to sponsors Argos Ireland.

1escape need 400 participants in order to break the world record so every registration counts!  

To find out more see www.facebook.com/1escapehealthclub/