Dublin and the Great War
NEAR90.3FM is hosting ‘Dublin and the Great War’ on Wednesdays April 5, 12 and 19 at 6.15pm in Coolock Library, Barryscourt Road.
• April 5: Padraig Yeates (the influence of the Russian Revolution) John Dorney (anti-war agitation in Dublin, socialists, pacifists and republicans)
• April 12: Niamh Murray (Irish Suffragettes and the Great War) Fionnuala Walsh (Women at work during the Great War)
• April 19: Tom Burke (The Royal Dublin Fusiliers) and Jennifer Wellington (Remembrance and the Great War)
Events will be recorded and broadcast on NEAR FM in the summer.
Flower shows
The Dublin Five Horticultural Society’s next two events are as follows:
• Thursday, April 6, a talk by June Sharkey on St Anne’s Estate at 8pm in the Artane Beaumont Family Recreation Centre, Kilmore Road (admission €5), and
• Saturday, April 8, the annual Spring Show at 2pm in Chanel Coolock Village. All are welcome, phone 087-2423020 for details.
Asgard talk
Garristown Historical Society is holding a talk on the ‘Asgard’ on Thursday, April 6 at 9pm at Garristown Community Centre, north county Dublin.
Pat Murphy presents the life of this famous yacht in Irish history, from her launch in 1905, to her conservation today in Collins Barracks Museum.
All are welcome.
MusicTown
Now in its third year, MusicTown celebrates the rich music heritage and contemporary artistic lifeblood of Dublin, one of the world’s most musical cities.
Over 11 days and nights from April 7-17, the beat of the city will be set by the eclectic mix of concerts, masterclasses, collaborations and workshops taking place across the capital.
Highlights include the first concert of the inaugural Dublin International Choral Festival, Craig David and Our Lady’s Choir presenting Handel’s Messiah in Fishamble Street on April 13.
Full details online at www.musictown.ie.
Japanese Film Festival
The 2017 Japanese Film Festival features a diverse, packed programme of films, which includes work of the most acclaimed filmmakers from contemporary Japanese cinema, and covers a variety of themes, genres and topics.
It’s a nationwide festival with most Dublin screenings happening at The Lighthouse in Smithfield where there’s a feast for film fans this weekend.
See www.jff.ie for full schedule.
ESB Feis Ceoil
Around 5,000 young musicians from around the country are facing the music in the RDS at the ESB Feis Ceoil, which finishes up on April 7. The classical music competition has been held annually in Dublin since 1896 and all of the competitions are open to the public. Entrance fee is great value at just €5. The senior vocal final is on Friday night (April 7) at 7pm.
For more information see www.feisceoil.ie.
Elijah
The Culwick Choral Society will be presenting Mendelssohn’s immensely dramatic Biblical narrative Elijah in the National Concert Hall on Sunday, April 9 at 8pm.
Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was long fascinated by the rugged Old Testament figure of Elijah and his confrontations with King Ahab and his wife – the notorious Jezebel – and with the prophets of Baal.
Under the direction of Bernie Sherlock, the Culwick Choral Society and orchestra with leader Brona Fitzgerald are joined by four superb soloists. Tickets are €13 – €30 (concessions available) from the National Concert Hall Box Office phone 01-4170000.
The Constant Wife
Square One Theatre Group is performing the first production of the year, ‘The Constant Wife’ by W Somerset Maughan from Tuesday, April 4 to Saturday 8 in the Mermaid Arts Theatre, Bray.
Maugham’s modern and amusing take on marriage and infidelity gives a quick-witted, alternative view on how to deal with an extra-marital affair. Ticket prices are €18/16. Groups of 10 or more tickets are €14 each. Tickets can be booked online at www.squareonetheatregroup.ie
The Wolf & Peter
CoisCéim Dance Theatre are a multi award-winning dance company who have choreographed opening ceremonies for Special Olympics and ‘The Wolf & Peter’ will be the company’s first time staging a show aimed at youngsters.
CoisCéim have turned the original story of Peter & the Wolf upside down and in this case, tells the story through the eyes of the wolf. This, the company’s first ever production for children and families, performs at 13 Irish venues taking in the Tallaght Theatre on April 4 and 5. Full tour details and further information is available at www.coisceim.com