From light shows to music gigs and more food than you can shake a stick at, our event guide for this month has something for everyone
Irish Design Week with DCCI: 13 – 17 Nov
Irish Design Week is a national programme of events from Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) taking place across Ireland from 13 – 17 November. The theme of this year’s Irish Design Week is, Is Folklore the Future? Throughout the week, DCCI will be curating and hosting a series of events focusing on Ireland’s rich heritage of folklore and storytelling – currently hot topics in international design circles.
The majority of the events are free so click here to find out more about how to book events during Irish Design Week.
Light Moves Festival: 9 – 12 Nov
An Irish festival with a global reach, Light Moves Festival, returns for its 7th edition from 9 – 12 November in Limerick City with its unique blend of performance, dance, film, music, and digital art. Light Moves 2023 offers a thrilling showcase of the richness and diversity of work from Ireland and across the world, as artists embrace dance, movement, and the screen as a powerful platform for activism and visibility.
The festival is also excited to present a 2-day workshop hosted by Tanin Torabi, and a Dance and Ecology workshop facilitated by Rosemary Lee supported by Dance Ireland. Visit lightmoves.ie for further details.
Listowel Food Fair, Co Kerry: 9 – 13 Nov
If you love food and find yourself in the Kingdom around the middle of the month, be sure to check out the Listowel Food Festival. Established in 1995, it is one of Ireland’s longest-running food festivals, celebrating not only the region’s culinary offerings but also its cultural heritage.
As well as that, celebrity chef and food writer Darina Allen is set to attend the ‘Celebratory Awards Banquet’ which will take place on Thursday 9 November at the Listowel Arms Hotel. See listowelfoodfair.ie for more details.
Wonderlights Experience at Malahide Castle, Co Dublin: 10 Nov – 2 Jan
If you’re thinking of attending this incredible event, get ready to experience enchantment like you’ve never seen before as Wonderlights returns to Malahide Castle with a brand new show ‘The Magic of Winter – Where Light Comes to Life’. Visitors will be mesmerised by Ireland’s biggest light show unveiling breathtaking new displays alongside beloved classics from November to January 2024.
Now in its fourth year, guests will be immersed in a world where nature awakens in vibrant hues, and light dances in harmony with the darkness. This dazzling and highly accessible sensory walk promises to captivate all ages, making it the perfect outing for families, couples, and friends alike. See wonderlights.ie for more details.
Art Source at the RDS, Dublin: 10 – 12 Nov
Irish art lovers will have the unique chance to get their hands on 100 pieces of original artwork for €100 each when Art Source opens its doors at the RDS next month.
Over 15,000 people are expected to attend the year’s biggest and most exciting art show from November 10-12, which will feature 200 of the best in contemporary Irish and international artists and galleries. Among the top artists exhibiting are Tom Byrne and David McGlynn, who have had their work bought by Hollywood stars Elizabeth Banks and Amy Adams. For more information and tickets visit artsource.ie.
Photography Workshops at Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara: 15 – 16 Nov
Ballynahinch Castle is hosting two one-day residential workshops with photographer Podge Kelly this month, designed to help complete novices and keen amateurs alike get the most out of either their mobile phone cameras and/or DSLR cameras.
Based in the lovely bright space of Lettery Lodge at Ballynahinch, the workshops will cover still life and, subject to weather, landscape photography, with participants exploring the magnificent estate and its setting through the lens of their cameras. The grounds and landscape around Ballynahinch, the changing skies and gorgeous seasonal colours provide a wonderful source of inspiration, and Lettery Lodge is an ideal base from which to learn how to make successful work. This is the perfect chance to learn some intimate photography knowledge, surrounded by some of the country’s most beautiful scenery. To book a place on these exclusive workshops or for further information, email info@ballynahinch-castle.com.
Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo: 16 Nov – Jan 2024
The theme for this year’s spectacular award-winning Wild Lights event is ‘The Enchanted Zoo’. Walk inside an enchanting world where you’ll discover the secret life of the Zoo at night! You’ll be greeted by a wizard and presented with a choice of three pathways to explore first. From there, you’ll be transported to lands of magic and wonder, with fairies, mythical creatures, multi-coloured animals and even a candyland, all lit up as beautiful silk lanterns.
As you journey through this immersive experience, you’ll also have the chance to meet the nocturnal keepers and guardians of the mystical animals and creatures, the Zoo gnomes, visible only at night. Wild Lights is an truly unforgettable experience for friends, families and groups, and a perfect way to come together to celebrate the festive season. Click here to book tickets.
Wild Lights will open to the public every day from 5pm-9pm, excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day).
Chef Kevin Burke at Sheen Falls, Co Kerry: 20 Nov
For one night only, Sheen Falls Lodge, the prestigious five-star hotel, will welcome critically acclaimed chef Kevin Burke of Library St., Dublin to its kitchen. This exclusive dining event will take place in The Falls Restaurant, promising an extraordinary gastronomic experience.
Chef Kevin Burke, deeply inspired by the artistry of French cuisine, will bring a distinctive contemporary gourmet evening to Kenmare. He will present a contemporary menu that celebrates the exquisite flavours of fresh, locally sourced produce. See sheenfalls.ie for more details.
Italian Cooking Experience Weekends, West Cork: 24 Nov – 3 Dec
The beautiful Dunowen House in Clonakilty will host an Italian cooking series this winter with midweek and residential weekend cookery classes. If you dream about being able to rustle up velvety pasta, slow-cooked Italian sauces and delicate Italian desserts at home, then this is the cooking experience for you.
The team from Burlamacchi Villa in Lucca will be travelling to Dunowen House in West Cork to co-host two weekends, the 24 – 26 November and the 1 – 3 December, plus day courses on 28 and 29 November, on the preparation of Italian food. Guests can expect to be fully immersed in Italian culture without facing an airport. You can expect to learn the skills of creating ravioli, perfecting panna cotta and making your own homemade pasta plus much more and a lot of fun along the way. To book your place email kela@dunowenhouse.ie or call (023) 8869099.
Remember Me Walk, Co Dublin: 26 Nov
The Mater Hospital Foundation is inviting members of the public to come together to remember and attend its annual ‘Remember Me 5km Walk’; an uplifting event to honour and celebrate our loved ones gone, but never forgotten. The walk will take place from 11am on Sunday, 26 November in the beautiful and peaceful grounds of St. Anne’s Park, Co Dublin.
The fundraising event will help raise vital funds for end-of-life care in the Mater Public Hospital. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome, as are their canine companions, and a shorter route will be available on the morning for those who need it. The walk will be followed by tea, coffee and refreshments at Olive’s Room. Register and set up your own In Memory fundraising page at materfoundation.ie/rememberme.
Cinderella at the Gaiety: 26 Nov – 7 Jan 2024
Bursting at the seams with Panto antics, song and dance, breath-taking costumes and mesmerising magic, this updated rags to riches tale will show us what dreams are really made of…and that a dream isn’t just a wish your heart makes. As always, true love finds a way and good conquers evil in this enchanting story, because there’s no room for bullies at the ball.
This year is extra special as the Gaiety Panto is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Click here for more information.
