HAPPENINGS: A few things worth checking out around the city

Pets in the City

Dublin City Council’s Pets in the City, supported by the DSPCA and King of Paws, takes place on Sunday May 14 in Smithfield Square, Dublin 7 from 11.30am to 4.30pm.

It’s a great family event and promises to be a super day out for animal lovers living in the city with a wide range of activities, stalls and entertainment. 

The DSPCA King of Paws Training Team will host Dog Agility Workshops and Scruffs Dog Show, where you can enter your own four-legged friends. 

A reptile corner, an exotic animal area and an animal farm will also give visitors the opportunity to interact with, and learn about, all kinds of animals

Plant sale

A plant sale will take place this Saturday, May 13, at St Paul’s College, Raheny from 10am to 4.30pm. 

At this event you can pick up some fabulous bedding plants, hanging baskets, window boxes and patio planters plus a wide variety of perennials. Relax with a cuppa and a home bake. For more details, call 086-8374947.

Music and song

The Seafield Singers are presenting an evening of music and song at 8pm on Friday, May 12 in St John the Baptist Church, Seafield Road West, Clontarf. 

The performance will include a variety of contemporary pieces from their repertoire. Eunan McDonald will be compere and guest singer, Elizabeth Hilliard will be musical director while both David Bremner Alison Young will be accompanists. Tickets cost €15. Contact Joe Lonergan at 01-8338711 or they are available at the door.     

Book Fair

Holy Faith Clontarf Parents’ Association is holding a Fundraising Book Fair in the school hall, Belgrove Road, Clontarf, on Friday, May 12 from 7pm-9pm; Saturday, May 13 from 10am-2pm; and Sunday, May 14 from 10am to 2pm. 

There will be lots of interesting titles on display to consider for your summer reading! 

Should you have any books, CDs or DVDs in good condition that you would like to donate to the fair, they can be left in to the school any weekday until Friday, May 12 between 9am and 7pm.

Bray Cualann Historical Society

Michael Lee will be the guest speaker for the Thursday, May 18 meeting of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, the local history society for Bray and North Wicklow. 

He will present his lecture ‘Edward Lee – A Model Employer’ and ‘Lees of Bray’ in the Royal Hotel, Bray, at 8pm when he will recall the life of this iconic retailer who had shops in Bray, Dun Laoghaire, Rathmines and Dublin City Centre. 

All are welcome. Admission to lectures is €5 for visitors – members free. 

The Confirmation Suit

Brendan Behan is about to make his confirmation. It is a coming of age moment for all Catholic boys, full of excitement and promise.

Written in 1962, just two short years before Behan’s death, the Confirmation Suit is filled with humour, insight and pathos. It is a story that still resonates today, more than 50 years after its composition.

Adapted for the stage by Peter Sheridan and performed by Gary Cooke, it will run in Bewley’s Café Theatre from May 8 to June 3. Booking: 086-8784001 or see  www.bewleyscafetheatre.com.

Space invaders

Space Invaders returns to Farmleigh House on May 13 & 14 with a creative and playful programme for children aged 0-5years and their adults.

This is an artistic programme that celebrates and supports the important first years in life. Meet with and workshop alongside recognised expert early years artists during the Professional Development Day on Saturday for educators and artists wishing to develop their skills and understanding of the arts in early years. The programme begins at 10.30am on both days.

Latin American Festival

Taking place at The Grand Social on Sunday, May 14 at 3pm the Latin American Festival features Latin band, Mariachis, five DJs, Cuban salsa dance classes, dance performances, kids entertainment until 6.30pm and food from eight different Latin American countries. The action continues until 11pm and admission is €6.

Silent Books

Following the successful first leg of its Irish tour in South County Dublin, an international exhibition of picture books is now coming to dlr Lexicon. 

The Irish section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is introducing Silent Books, a travelling exhibition of over 100 recent, exciting wordless picture books from around the world. 

The collection will visit dlr LexIcon until May 29 and highlights include a talk by writer in residence Sarah Webb (pictured) who will highlight her favourite titles from the collection through podcasts and on social media.