Whether it’s a play, an art exhibition or a comedy gig, this is a great time of year to plan something fun that you’ll really enjoy
Jack and the Beanstalk, Cork: Until 21 Jan
If for some reason, you didn’t get to the panto last year, don’t despair! Jack and the Beanstalk is dazzling and delighting audiences right through the New Year period. Fans of all ages are loving the chance to join Jack, Jill, Patsy the Cow, Rancid, Spit Snot, a magical golden harp, an enchanted golden-egg laying goose, and everyone’s rollicking favourite Nanny Nellie, live at Cork Opera House. See corkoperahouse.ie for more information.
ALL EYES ON US Art Exhibition, Crawford Art Gallery, Cork: Throughout Jan
Crawford Art Gallery’s winter portrait exhibition, ALL EYES ON US, invites the public to investigate the famously eerie “Mona Lisa effect,” an illusion where the eyes of a portrait seem to follow the viewer. Just like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, will the eyes of the portraits follow you around the room, to unsettling effect? The exhibition combines much-loved favourites, such as Victoria Russell’s beguiling portrait of Fiona Shaw and Murdo Mcleod’s eye-catching portrait of Roy Keane, with lesser-known works like Gerald Festus Kelly’s portrait of fascinating Russian author and translator Sasha Kropotkin and Kevin Mooney’s Storyteller, a surprising portrait of Peig Sayers. Click here for more information.
Light Moves’ “Screendance in the Gallery”, Limerick: Until 28 Jan
The Light Moves Festival exhibition Screendance in the Gallery continues at Limerick City Gallery until the end of the month. The works on display, which have been drawing the crowds and fantastic feedback, include seven compelling and thought-provoking installations by prominent artists in the fields of dance, visual art, and film. This is the festival’s fourth exhibition of screendance works at the gallery, and is the most expansive one yet. Visit lightmoves.ie for more.
The Pogues and Shane McGowan Exhibition, EPIC Museum, Dublin: Until 31 Jan
If you’re a fan of the late Shane MacGowan and The Pogues, you won’t want to miss this. EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum has unveiled They Gave The Walls a Talking, a meticulously researched and poignant exhibition that has been months in the making. Running until the end of January and developed in collaboration with Hot Press, this is a special temporary exhibition dedicated to the legacy of Shane MacGowan and The Pogues.
It features contributions from Victoria Mary Clarke, Siobhan MacGowan, Jem Finer, Nick Cave, Damien Dempsey, Cáit O’Riordan and the family of the late Frank Murray, the band’s original manager. Click here to book tickets.
BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BYTSTE), Dublin: 11 – 13 Jan
BT Ireland, proud organiser of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) has an incredible programme of events for the 2024 and 60th BTYSTE, which is one of the leading school science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) exhibitions in Europe.
This year’s BTYSTE, which will take place at the RDS Dublin from January 11-13, will be jam-packed with an unmissable programme of events, with magnificent experts from the world of STEM delivering unmissable shows. The line-up of special acts at the 2024 event will explore many different areas of STEM, from outer space to how our brain really works to exploring the extremes of our planet, with something for everyone of all ages to enjoy. Click here for more information.
The 24 Hour Plays: Dublin, Abbey Theatre: 14 Jan
Six short plays will be written, rehearsed and presented all within 24 hours by the best of Irish writing and directing talent and over two dozen of Ireland’s most recognized and beloved stars of stage and screen. A team of over 30 theatre technicians, including producers from The 24 Hour Plays® in New York, will facilitate the work. This will be the 11th annual presentation of The 24 Hour Plays: Dublin as a special gala fundraising event for Dublin Youth Theatre. Click here for more information
Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo®, Dublin: 21 – 23 Jan
One of Ireland’s largest international trade shows, Showcase offers manufacturers, designers and craft makers the opportunity to exhibit their new collections. It celebrates their highly crafted and creative products that have become synonymous with Irish design and is an important destination for buyers.
Showcase 2024 sees a further emphasis on sustainability and the retailers, often independent, that support Irish makers and designers and responsible retail. In keeping with this, Showcase 24 will broaden its sector development through themed days and talks on training, development and trends by domestic and international speakers including partners from the DCCI Academy which was launched at Showcase 23. Visit showcaseireland.com for more information.
TradFest 2024, Dublin City: 24 – 28 Jan
With 100 concerts taking place over 5 days and nights, TradFest 2024 is Ireland’s largest gathering of trad and folk music. Running in venues across Dublin city centre and Fingal, it has a stellar line up of nationally and internationally-renowned artists.
TradFest 24 will honour some true legends as well as introducing exciting new voices. It will feature an extended programme of artists for National Stadium concerts as well as a new TradFest musical commission by composer Neil Martin and performed by Actor, Stephen Rea commemorating the 170th anniversary of the tragic sinking of The RMS Tayleur, off Lambay Island, also known as the first Titanic. See tradfest.com for more information.
Leeside Laughs: A Night at the Everyman, Cork – 26 Jan
After a season of pantos and kids activities, why not take your friends or significant other out to a comedy gig in Cork? Kick back and join Alison Spittle, Kiri Pritchard McClean, Mike Rice, Shane Clifford, Martin Angolo, Tadhg Hickey and your host Laura O’Mahony for a night of laughs and great craic! A brilliant option to get you over the Blue Monday slump of the year. Click here for more details.
Pure Results Boot Camp Weekend, Co Kildare: 27 – 28 Jan
Kickstart 2024 the right way and escape in the New Year to the Pure Results exclusive luxury weekend retreat in the world-renowned K Club. Tucked away in the Kildare countryside but just on Dublin’s doorstep, enjoy two full days of fitness and yoga classes, coaching workshop, delicious healthy meals and hours spent exploring the 550 acres of mature parkland.
It’s not all hard work though as there’s plenty of time in the evening to relax in the award-winning K Spa with its fabulous indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and a rejuvenating outdoor hot tub. Click here for more information.
Brigid 1500 Art Exhibition, Kildare: 28 Jan – 18 Feb
Kildare Town will transform into an open air art gallery, when more than 20 local businesses will exhibit 60 works of international and national art in their windows as part of the Brigid 1500 celebrations this month. This uniquely accessible art exhibition titled “Unravelling an Icon, Celebrating and Remembering Brigid and her Legacy,” was organised by Sult Artist-led Collective based in Kildare, to reflect the traditions, customs and symbols associated with Brigid’s legacy, to mark the 1500th anniversary of the death of Brigid in February 2024.
The exhibition will include paintings, ceramics, photography, film, sculpture, animation, printmaking, stitching, felting, weaving, digital art, stained glass, drawing, embroidery, mosaic, mixed media, batik and textile works. Visit sultartists.com for more.
