HAPPENINGS: A few things worth checking out around the city

The Archaeology of 1916

Dublin City Council hosts an archaeology morning seminar in Wood Quay on Wednesday, December 14, from 9am-1pm. The seminar presents interesting results of an innovative project that set out to discover the surviving historical landscape of the city following the 1916 Rising.

What was found elsewhere in the city was sometimes surprising; areas not known to have seen heavy fighting, such as Camden Street, displayed most of the physical evidence for bullet holes, where buildings thought to have been destroyed, such as the Linen Hall complex off North King Street, still retained substantial fabric.

The project is funded by Dublin City Council, UCD and The Heritage Council and is an initiative between the Planning and Property Development Department and the School of Archaeology UCD.

Bookings can be made through www.eventbrite.ie.

It’s a Wonderful Bleedin’ Life

This re-imagining of the original heart-warming story is set in our very own Dublin city. The familiar festive story by Philip Van Doren Stern tells the tale of a good man driven to the brink of suicide on Christmas Eve, when a guardian angel approaches and shows him a world without his existence. 

Gary Duggan brings his trademark contemporary style to this adaptation where we find ourselves at The Summit Inn in Howth where we meet Georgie Travers, on edge at last orders on Christmas Eve.

The barman has disappeared to pull down the shutters, leaving Georgie with just one other straggler. Oddball Laurence won’t let Georgie finish his last pint in peace, working hard to convince his new bar buddy that Georgie’s life till now has not been one monstrous disappointment for all involved. And there’s a better possible future for Georgie than his own planned moonlit stroll to the cliff walk.

It runs at Bewley’s Café Theatre from Monday to Saturday at 1pm. See www.bewleyscafetheatre.com for details.

The Three Patricks!

For one nigh only, Patrick Cassidy’s Children of Lir will be brought to life by actor Patrick Bergin.

A unique narration and performance to include the Enchiriadis Chamber Choir and the Orchestra of Ireland will take place on December 14 in St Patrick’s Cathedral in aid of The Friends of St Luke’s Cancer Care. 

This enchanting evening of orchestral and choral music will cost from €25-€40 and all proceeds go to St Luke’s. Children of Lir was the first major symphonic work written in the Irish language. Originally recorded by the London Symphony orchestra and choir, Patrick Cassidy’s Children of Lir remained at number one in the Irish classical charts for over a year.

Tickets are available online at www.friendsofstlukes.ie 

Clontarf Cowboy

A night of great entertainment is promised this weekend when the Clontarf Cowboy rides back into town. 

Philip Donnelly will be appearing in a show called ‘Wear Something Red’ at Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club this Saturday, December 17. 

Doors open at 8pm. Show starts at 8.30pm. Tickets cost €15. Special guest Sean Deegan. 

Swords Castle Wonderland

Irish Village Markets is teaming up with Fingal County Council to bring a little bit of festive magic to Swords this weekend. 

Swords Castle will be transformed into a winter wonderland with snow machines and festive lighting, providing an authentic Christmas experience this Saturday and Sunday, December 17 and 18, from 12 noon to 9pm.  

Santa and Mrs Claus will take up residence in the Chapel in the castle. Tickets for Santa Claus will be limited to 100 per day and are priced at €5 plus booking fee.

The rest of the event is free, you just need tickets to visit Santa. For more information, visit facebook.com/events/216282885478554/

Cinderella in Rush

After an absence of years, Panto returns to the seaside village of Rush. 

Rush Dramatic Society and Rush Musical Society are collaborating to present a very special production of ‘Cinderella’ directed by Barry Kavanagh.  

Filled with fun, frolics and festive cheer, ‘Cinderella’ has something for all the family. Children and adults alike will have a ball, as Cinderella goes to the ball.

The Panto will take place over three weekends during the festive season from December 16 to January 8.

Standard adult tickets are €15, student and senior citizen tickets €12 and a family ticket (two adults and two children) at only €50. 

Tickets must be paid for in advance, either at the theatre box office or by debit/credit card. Bookings can be made by phoning the Millbank Theatre on 01-8437475, email bookings@millbanktheatre.ie or book online at www.millbanktheatre.com.

Phoenix Park Christmas Crib

The annual live Christmas Crib is now on display at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre. This year, the animals have been kindly supplied by local farmers through Agri Aware. 

The crib can be seen between 9.30am and 4.30pm on Saturday, December, 17and Sunday, December 18.

Santa at St Anne’s Park

Why not take along the little ones to meet Santa at Red Stables in the grounds of the lovely St Anne’s Park, Raheny? Kindly sponsored by Little Acorns Montessori, The Montessori Circle and Dublin City Council, Santa will be there from 4-8pm on Friday, December 16 and on Saturday, December 17 from 12-8pm. The cost of €10 per child includes a homemade treat from Olive’s Room. Booking essential through Olive’s Room on 01-8057546.

Noël!

The Mornington Singers and conductor Orla Flanagan are presenting an evening Christmas concert, Noël, at 8pm on Saturday, December 17 in Christ Church Cathedral.

Mornington Singers are an award-winning Irish chamber choir so this event promises to be a feast of beautiful Christmas carols, old and new, for all the family to enjoy.

Guaranteed to raise your seasonal spirits, tickets cost €12-€18 from www.morningtonsingers.org.