HAPPENINGS:

TradFest 2019

Ireland’s largest festival of traditional music is happening around the Temple Bar area from Wednesday January 23 to Sunday January 27. The festival also features artists from the worlds of folk, nu-folk, and even (whisper it) rock’n’roll!

TradFest offers concertgoers unique opportunities to experience live music in some of Dublin’s most historic places, from the breathtaking nave of St Patrick’s Cathedral to the grandeur of City Hall. Full details at www.tradfest.ie.

AXA Raheny 5

All roads lead to Raheny this weekend for the 2019 AXA Raheny 5, which takes place on Sunday, January 27 at 3pm, 

The event, promoted by Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club, is now established as the leading road race in Ireland since being founded in 1985.

While the race features Irish top distance athletes, the AXA Raheny 5 caters for runners, joggers and walkers of all abilities. 

Race day caters for the entire community with four kids’ races taking place before the main event.

Participants can enter the race online at www.rahenyshamrock.ie.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

No Drama Theatre is presenting ‘The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance’ at the Boys’ School, Smock Alley Theatre from January 22-26. 

This is a classic story of good versus evil, law versus the gun, one man versus Liberty Valance.

It’s a tale of love, hope and revenge set against the vicious backdrop of a lawless society.

Recommended Age: 16+. Running time: 105 minutes. Written by Jethro Compton, by arrangement with Samuel French. Directed by Declan Ryan. 

Tickets cost €15/€12 Student/OAP/Unwaged Concession. For more information, visit www.smockalley.comDignity

Liam Cunningham’s ‘Dignity’ Photographic Exhibition with aid agency World Vision has opened at the Solomon Fine Art Gallery. The Game of Thrones actor introduced and recounted the stories behind the exhibition that features some of the extraordinary and intimate images captured on his trip to South Sudan last year. Liam documented his trip with some thought-provoking photography, capturing a rare glimpse of life for those struggling to survive so far away from home. Dignity, an exhibition of 10 images, is at the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre until February 3.

Vegan Foodie Festival 2

This is a celebration of vegan eating out and vegan life in the city. Vegan and Vegan friendly restaurants around the city will be taking part, providing a chance to try out a vegan dish. Foodies can walk from one place to another to try new delish dishes and they can tag the restaurant on FB/Instagram and vote what’s best they ate that day to vote for best dish. For more info and a list of participating eateries see www.veganfoodiefestival.com.

Holiday World Show

This is the biggest single event in travel and tourism in Ireland, providing the unique opportunity of meeting with over 2,000 industry professionals for personal advice and information.

Get inside info on what’s happening in the travel industry and how the savvy traveller can find better holidays and pay less.

Save time and money by meeting over 2,000 travel professionals from 70 countries assembled under the same roof.

It’s happening from January 25-27 at the RDS. See www.holidayworldshow.com for full details.

Quiz night

A fun table quiz in aid of St Francis Hospice takes place every Monday in the Estuary Pub, North Street, Swords, starting at 10pm. 

The quiz has raised a staggering €190,000 over the last 18 years all of which goes to the Hospice. Why not go along and enjoy the craic? It’s for a very good cause!

The Cripple of Inishmaan

The Cripple of Inishmaan is opening this week for a limited run at The Gaiety. It will be directed by Andrew Flynn who recently directed the hugely successful production of McDonagh’s A Skull in Connemara, and has a long association with his work including The Pillowman presented at the Gaiety in 2017. Now booking on www.gaietytheatre.com.

The First Protestant

Splódar Theatre is bringing playwright and actor Gerry Farrell’s ‘The First Protestant’ to Smock Alley from January 23 to 26.  It’s a gripping psychological drama with moments of intensity and also unexpected comedy. The play probes the far-reaching influence of Luther’s thinking on such leaders as Bismark and Hitler and also finds echoes in current events such as a European banking collapse and threats to global peace. The First Protestant written by Gerry Farrell, is directed by Prin Duignan and stars Michael Roper as Martin Luther and Gerry Farrell as the analyst.