Cornucopia Café & Restaurant host live music three evenings a week (Thurs, Fri and Sat). The restaurant is a Wholefood & Vegetarian Restaurant and is open until 22:15.
+ Every second Thursday N.C Lawlor, a songwriter, session player and troubadour plays a mix of country, bluegrass & blues from 19:30-21:30.
+ Every Friday (19:30-21:30) Junshi Murakami plays Irish Harp.
+ Every Saturday (19:30-21:30) Nollaig Mann plays a collection of popular and jazz classics.

“Rory Gallagher Reworked” with the bands Mother Mooch, Ali & the Dt’s, Deuce, The Rehns, Reverend JM’s panic worship will take place. Admission is free.

(Nearly) every Friday a European Folk Dance Workshop/Session will take place in the Exchange in Temple Bar.

The dances are French, Greek, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese folk and traditional dances and everybody interested to join in or to learn is welcome. Admission is free.

Because there are some Fridays when the event can’t take place, you should check on the Facebook Page below, before making your plans.

The Stillorgan Orchard has live music every Friday and Saturday. Many of the performers are established and very good bands. The upcoming gigs are detailed on the website below. Admission is always free.

A weekly car boot sale, one of less than a handful that is still reliably taking place, has up to 200 cars/sellers. The stadium is just a few minutes walk from the Red LUAS line stop and numerous bus stops. For traders the Car Boot Sale opens at 06:30 for buyers from 08:00. If you are interested in selling, check the details and register on their website.

The 9th Temple Bar TradFest will run from Wed 22 Jan – Sun 26 Jan. Over 5 days and 5 nights a whole range of high-profile, headline events (not free) will take place and in addition there will more than 200 (!) free events on the music trail and the family programme.

The Music Trail is a series of free concerts in the pubs of Temple Bar with well known bands and performers. Fureys, Bagatelle, Dublin Legends (former Dubliners), Dublin City Ramblers and Kilkennys are the bands and they perform in a total of 13 gigs. The details are here www.templebartrad.com/irish-folk-legends/ I am not sure, though how access works. The gigs are free, and you seemingly can’t pre-book tickets, so I assume it is first come, first served?

The Family programme brings street performers, face painting, mobile farms, outdoor stages, live painting and much more to the streets of Temple Bar this weekend.

The weekly Honest2goodness food market in Glasnevin has fresh meat, vegetables, fish, baked goods, and wines. It is open from 09:30-16:00. It is behind Lidl in the Industrial Estate just after the Glasnevin Cemetary coming from the City Centre.

Parkrun Ireland is organising free weekly runs in parks. It is a timed run over 5km and participation is completely free, but registration before your first parkrun is required.

The SuperNatural Food Market is taking place every Saturday from 09:30-15:30 in St. Andrews Resource Centre in Pearse Street, Dublin 2.

The Belgard Weekend Market is an indoor market with stalls with handcraft (incl. designer jewellery, aran jumpers and wool, christening robes and shawls, cards and cross stitch), household items, bric and brac, furniture, flowers, make-up, clothes, shoes, showers, upholstery, toys, kitchens, cafe, army memorabilia, collectors items, sweets, handbags books, blinds, party shop, tools and more.

It is open every Saturday and Sunday and is located in the Glen Abbey complex (opposite Jacobs) on Belgard Road.

Jamestown Flea Market + Car Boot Sale takes place every Sat+Sun from 10:00-17:00. You can reach it from Tyrconnell Road and from Kylemore Road and it is within 3 min from Black Horse stop on the red Luas line. There is free parking.

The Merchants Market on East Wall Road is a relatively new weekly market on Saturdays and Sundays with more than 80 stalls. There is everything from furniture and antiques to paintings and mirrors, electronics and hot food to bicycles and buns. Sounds interesting and I will check it out over the coming weeks. It is just a few minutes walk away from the Point Theatre/O2 (walk in the direction of the Port Tunnel). www.facebook.com/merchantsindoormarket

An indoor market in Coolock with over 40 traders with a wide range of goods and a café on site as well.

The Temple Bar Markets (Food Market on Meeting House Square, Book Market on Temple Bar Square and the Designer Mart near Cow’s Lane) are taking place every Saturday from 10:00-16:30.

The Ark in Temple Bar always runs interesting events for children. But because they are usually not free, I don’t get a chance to mention them much here. However, for two previous Saturdays and this week on Sat+Sun they will show the “Secrets of Kells Exhibition” and admission is free. The exhibition is suitable for ages 4+. It contains limited edition art prints of scenes from The Secret of Kells, the animated feature film by Kilkenny’s Cartoon Saloon.

This weekend, Pipe makers and players from Na Píobairí Uilleann will be in the exhibition space between 12:30 and 14:30 on Sat+Sun. Come and see how these intriguing native Irish instruments are made – starting from the surprising beginnings of just a few small pieces of wood.

Over the coming weeks there are more interesting (but not free) events. If you have children, check them out. You might find something really interesting.

At the Blackrock Market in the centre of Blackrock, you’ll find 50 stalls selling collectibles, antiques, handmade goods, books, food & there’s free popcorn, ballons & facepainting for the kids.
Open on Saturdays and Bank Holidays: 11:00-17:30, and Sundays: 12:00-17:30.

The Temple Bar Tradfest is getting better year after year and this year, the outdoor programme on Saturday and Sunday is really great. There is a separate brochure available on the Tradfest website with all the events, but I will try to summarise the free events that don’t require booking.

+ Crown Alley Outdoor Stage:
11:00-14:50 Celtic Irish Dance Show
15:10-16:10 Juhn Echo
16:30-17:20 The Jigsaw Jam
17:40-18:10 Tumbleweed Trad
18:30-19:30 Baile an Salsa

+ East Essex Street Stage:
11:30 Spoken Word / Hip Hop
13:00 Lunch Time Session – you can join in
14:00 Singer Songwriters
16:30 Bands known from the busking scene

Also in East Essex Street:
Child Vision Petting Farm 12:00-17:00
Experience Gaelic Games 12:00-17:00
Flamenco Dance Taster 12:30-17:30 (hourly)

Street Performers:
Brian Daly (Magician & Comedy) – Central Bank Plaza – 12:00+14:00
Oisin Charms (Unicycle & Escape) – Fleet Street – 13:00+15:00

Other:
Limerick Pipe Band at 11:30 Fleet Street + 15:30 Central Bank Plaza
Urban Street Farm at 20/21 Temple Bar
Nuada – Trad Band from Co. Waterford at 13:00 City Hall

By the way: Some event publications claim that the Super Ceili on Meeting House Square on Sat (22:00) is a free event. This is NOT the case. It sounds interesting, but it is not free. Admission is EUR 15.

The Ferocious Mingle Marcade (Market and Arcade) is back in a new location. The Marcade is now in Camden Street next to Daintree Paper and opposite the Centra and off-license there. It takes place every Thurs-Sun and is a flea-market-type permanent market with stalls and “chalets” for traders.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

Drop-in crafts club for children aged 4+. Part of Temple Bar Tradfest.

This year the Temple Bar Tradfest children’s crafts club will take inspiration from The Battle of Clontarf and the Book of Kells. Travel back in time and try your hand at crafting a mini metal shield, make your own illuminated scroll using calligraphy and print techniques or become a High King or Queen for the day by making your own crown/headpiece using a variety of materials. With craft artists Sabrina Meyns, Deirdre Rogers and Caroline Ryan.

The first session is at 12:00 and is running every 45 minutes (session is 30mins) and places are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Places will be available from 11:00. Admission is free.

The themes are:
+ Shieldmaking – Metal
+ Crown Making – Mixed Media (esp. for younger children)
+ Scroll Making – Print/Calligraphy

Children (Ages 6+) are invited to come and play in this real trad session, which is part of the Temple Bar Tradfest.

Drop in to this open event led by members of Ceoltóirí Chluain Tarbh, a long established and highly active Irish music organisation. Children who can play a tune on the fiddle, bodhrán, harp, concertina, or any instrument at all (even non-traditional instruments) are welcome to come along and give trad music a try. Recommended for children who are learning music.

Families are invited to come, watch and enjoy. Admission is free. More detail on the website below.

The weekly Ha’penny Flea Market is an indoor market in the Grand Social Pub, which offers vintage Men and Women’s clothing, contemporary crafts, books, DVDs, vinyl records, vintage and handmade jewellery, vintage hair styles, art, photography and much more. Dux & Co will offer food and the Grand Social’s Bar and Gourmet Coffee options are available.

The Temple Bar Craft Market will take place during the TradFest on Sat + Sun and more than 30 stalls will sell art and craft including handmade postcards, knitwear, soaps, candles, up cycling, picture frames, photography, original art pieces and more.

What does vegan mean? Why go vegan? Want to know more?
A free 2 hour workshop tailored for vegetarians who are interested in veganism will take place (although all are welcome).

Along with helpful information on going from vegetarian to vegan, ethical, health and social matters are investigated.
With particular focus on the dairy and egg industries.

There will also be some free vegan samples and goodies.

Archive at Lunchtime screenings take place Saturdays (Double Bill), Mondays and Wednesdays. The programme is changing weekly now (instead of monthly as in the past). To find out what film(s) will be screened go to www.ifi.ie/whatson/now-showing-coming-soon/ and look for “Archive at Lunchtime” on the right. Admission is free.

“These Are a Few of My Favourite Things” is the title of a Walking Tour that Emily Gallagher will run every Saturday. It will be an Alternative Arts and Culture Trail and she will bring you to “Dublin’s Best Cafes, Bars, Markets, Unusual Stores, Galleries, Theatres, Arts Spaces, and more! And hear some tales you’ve never heard before!”

Meeting point is at the Spire. The tours are free but donations are welcome and booking is required via egaldog@gmail.com or 085-2725095

The Family Programme ‘Happy Birthday National Gallery!’ with Sarah Edmondson will take place and admission is free. Suitable for children between ages 4 and 10.

From the warrior’s weapon to the merchant’s weight, archaeological artefacts symbolise many forms of power both obvious and subtle. Join Gordon Bond to learn why objects which may seem insignificant are actually dangerously powerful, while those which seem most important may really have no power over us at all. Admission is free and no booking required. Meet at Reception. Suitable from Age 14.

On the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns (1759), the national poet of Scotland, the “Burns Night Out”, a reading of his work (poetry etc) will take place in Ranelagh. Admission is free.

The venue is the Cinnamon Cafe & Winebar and they offer a special Burns Night menu with dishes like haggis, cullen sink, neeps’n’tatties and cranachan.

The Schola Peregrina perform a service of Compline, with Renaissance music including ‘Praeter Rerum Seriem’ by Josquin Desprez and ‘Gaude Flore Virginali’ by Hugo Kellyk. A Compline service is an evening mass.

The Beerhouse in Capel Street is running a Beerfest from 24 Jan – 02 Feb.

You will be introduced to more than 20 craft beers and there will be Tastings, Games & Music and Guest Speakers from Breweries. The “full” programme is a little sketchy, you have guess what the speakers will talk about and the music performances is a bit of a lucky dip, but at least the outline is defined on the website below.

“Early House” are performing in Whelan’s “Live from the Window” slot.

Cornucopia Café & Restaurant host live music three evenings a week (Thurs, Fri and Sat). The restaurant is a Wholefood & Vegetarian Restaurant and is open until 22:15.
+ Every second Thursday N.C Lawlor, a songwriter, session player and troubadour plays a mix of country, bluegrass & blues from 19:30-21:30.
+ Every Friday (19:30-21:30) Junshi Murakami plays Irish Harp.
+ Every Saturday (19:30-21:30) Nollaig Mann plays a collection of popular and jazz classics.

This is a weekly Saturday night jazz event in the basement Wine Cave of KC Peaches wholefood restaurant/café. Food will be served until 22:00 and wine, minerals & music will be available until later. Admission is free and a donation into a hat at the end of the evening is appreciated.

The Cravings, are a Rockabilly band from Dublin will perform. Admission is free.

The Devils Jukebox is live music from 20:00-23:00 and DJs with Alternative, Punk, Rock, Metal & Garage after that. Every Saturday! Admission is free.

The wedding band Double Cocktail will perform a free gig in Tom’s Bar in Bewley’s Hotel in Ballsbridge.

The Stillorgan Orchard provides regular live music and admission is free. The upcoming gigs are listed on the website below.

On Saturday the great Soul Band Santoria will perform.

Keith Moss & The Tightrope Walkers are performing in Whelan’s Midnight Hour. Admission is only free if you arrrive before 22:30.

The 9th Temple Bar TradFest will run from Wed 22 Jan – Sun 26 Jan. Over 5 days and 5 nights a whole range of high-profile, headline events (not free) will take place and in addition there will more than 200 (!) free events on the music trail and the family programme.

The Music Trail is a series of free concerts in the pubs of Temple Bar with well known bands and performers. Fureys, Bagatelle, Dublin Legends (former Dubliners), Dublin City Ramblers and Kilkennys are the bands and they perform in a total of 13 gigs. The details are here www.templebartrad.com/irish-folk-legends/ I am not sure, though how access works. The gigs are free, and you seemingly can’t pre-book tickets, so I assume it is first come, first served?

The Family programme brings street performers, face painting, mobile farms, outdoor stages, live painting and much more to the streets of Temple Bar this weekend.

Join the Dublin Branch of the Irish Wildlife Trust for a guided walk at Rogerstown Estuary (South-East of Lusk in North County Dublin) to see wintering birds feeding along the exposed mudflats.

Rogerstown Estuary is an important site for many of our wintering birds. The estuary is made up of saltwater marshes, raised salt marsh, wet meadows and riverine shallows and creeks. It is internationally recognised as one of the most important east coast sites and is vital for wintering wildfowl and waders.

Bring your binoculars and scopes and dress appropriately. Admission is free.

For more information and to book your place contact dublinbranch@iwt.ie and for more information on Rogerstown Estuary check www.facebook.com/RogerstownEstuaryTurveyPark

Jamestown Flea Market + Car Boot Sale takes place every Sat+Sun from 10:00-17:00. You can reach it from Tyrconnell Road and from Kylemore Road and it is within 3 min from Black Horse stop on the red Luas line. There is free parking.

The Merchants Market on East Wall Road is a relatively new weekly market on Saturdays and Sundays with more than 80 stalls. There is everything from furniture and antiques to paintings and mirrors, electronics and hot food to bicycles and buns. Sounds interesting and I will check it out over the coming weeks. It is just a few minutes walk away from the Point Theatre/O2 (walk in the direction of the Port Tunnel). www.facebook.com/merchantsindoormarket

Every Sunday, the Merrion Square Open Air Art Gallery takes place. Up to 200 artists exhibit their paintings on the railings on three sides (West, North and East) of Merrion Square and you can just enjoy the exhibition or even buy.

The Ark in Temple Bar always runs interesting events for children. But because they are usually not free, I don’t get a chance to mention them much here. However, for two previous Saturdays and this week on Sat+Sun they will show the “Secrets of Kells Exhibition” and admission is free. The exhibition is suitable for ages 4+. It contains limited edition art prints of scenes from The Secret of Kells, the animated feature film by Kilkenny’s Cartoon Saloon.

This weekend, Pipe makers and players from Na Píobairí Uilleann will be in the exhibition space between 12:30 and 14:30 on Sat+Sun. Come and see how these intriguing native Irish instruments are made – starting from the surprising beginnings of just a few small pieces of wood.

Over the coming weeks there are more interesting (but not free) events. If you have children, check them out. You might find something really interesting.

The next Dublin Flea Market is taking place in the Food Coop, 12 Newmarket, just off Cork Street, Dublin 8 on Sun from 11:00-17:00. The flea market takes place every last Sunday of the month. For more information or if you want to sell your own stuff, check out www.dublinflea.ie “A bizarre bazaar of vintage clothing, bric-a-brac and what nots, old and new. Stalls include hand-made goods, art, jewelry, furniture, records and lots more unwanted items that may just be your treasure!”
The Coop Hall is wheelchair accessible and lots of free parking spaces are right outside the door.

A weekly market with lots of food, but also many other products (art & crafts, books, etc) takes place every Sunday in the beautiful People’s Park in Dun Laoghaire. It is a very popular market and with around 50 vendors also one of the bigger markets.

There seem to be TWO weekly markets on Long Mile Road and both are very close to each other. One is behind Wigoders on Long Mile Road (across the road from Aldi). It hosts more than 50 stalls and there is also a Cafe on site. www.facebook.com/WigodersLongmileMarket And the other one is just on the other side of the road, next to Aldi. www.facebook.com/TheLongMileRdMarket

The well known Palestrina Choir sing every Sunday at the mass in St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. They sing complete masterworks by Mozart, Haydn, Dvorak, Palestrina, de Victoria, usually accompanied by Prof. Gerard Gillen on the organ, who often also plays a solo piece.

The Temple Bar Tradfest is getting better year after year and this year, the outdoor programme on Saturday and Sunday is really great. There is a separate brochure available on the Tradfest website with all the events, but I will try to summarise the free events that don’t require booking.

+ Crown Alley Outdoor Stage:
12:10-12:40 Nerniers
13:00-14:00 Atlantic Rhythm
14:20-14:50 eLVe & Karbunkulis
15:10-15:40 Skippers Alley
16:00-17:00 Betty Swing Machine
17:20-18:20 Adeniyi Allen-Taylor & his Afrobeat Orchestra

+ Meeting House Square Stage
11:00-17:00 Music and Dancing Schools are performing

+ East Essex Street Stage:
11:30 Poet’s Corner
13:00 Lunch Time Session – you can join in
14:30 Ceili Workshop for everybody
16:30 Bands known from the busking scene

Also in East Essex Street:
Child Vision Petting Farm 12:00-17:00
Experience Gaelic Games 12:00-17:00
Flamenco Dance Taster 12:30-17:30 (hourly)

Street Performers:
Brian Daly (Magician & Comedy) Central Bank Plaza at 12:00 + Temple Bar Square at 14:00
Oisin Charms (Unicycle & Escape) Fleet Street at 13:00 + East Essex Street at 15:00

Other:
Limerick Pipe Band at 11:30 Fleet Street + 15:30 Central Bank Plaza
Urban Street Farm at 20/21 Temple Bar

The Ferocious Mingle Marcade (Market and Arcade) is back in a new location. The Marcade is now in Camden Street next to Daintree Paper and opposite the Centra and off-license there. It takes place every Thurs-Sun and is a flea-market-type permanent market with stalls and “chalets” for traders.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

At the Blackrock Market in the centre of Blackrock, you’ll find 50 stalls selling collectibles, antiques, handmade goods, books, food & there’s free popcorn, ballons & facepainting for the kids.
Open on Sundays: 12:00-17:30. Open on Saturdays and Bank Holidays: 11:00-17:30.

Drop-in crafts club for children aged 4+. Part of Temple Bar Tradfest.

This year the Temple Bar Tradfest children’s crafts club will take inspiration from The Battle of Clontarf and the Book of Kells. Travel back in time and try your hand at crafting a mini metal shield, make your own illuminated scroll using calligraphy and print techniques or become a High King or Queen for the day by making your own crown/headpiece using a variety of materials. With craft artists Sabrina Meyns, Deirdre Rogers and Caroline Ryan.

The first session is at 12:00 and is running every 45 minutes (session is 30mins) and places are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Places will be available from 11:00. Admission is free.

The themes are:
+ Shieldmaking – Metal
+ Crown Making – Mixed Media (esp. for younger children)
+ Scroll Making – Print/Calligraphy

Children (Ages 6+) are invited to come and play in this real trad session, which is part of the Temple Bar Tradfest.

Drop in to this open event led by members of Ceoltóirí Chluain Tarbh, a long established and highly active Irish music organisation. Children who can play a tune on the fiddle, bodhrán, harp, concertina, or any instrument at all (even non-traditional instruments) are welcome to come along and give trad music a try. Recommended for children who are learning music.

Families are invited to come, watch and enjoy. Admission is free. More detail on the website below.

An indoor market in Coolock with over 40 traders with a wide range of goods and a café on site as well.

The Sundays at Noon Concert Series continues in the Sculpture Gallery at the Hugh Lane Gallery. This series of free (mainly classical) concerts continues to present the best of Irish and International music and musicians. Concerts run from September to June. The next concert will feature Heloise Geoghegan violin and Casper Frantz piano, performing works by Schubert, Chausson and De Falla.

The Temple Bar Craft Market will take place during the TradFest on Sat + Sun and more than 30 stalls will sell art and craft including handmade postcards, knitwear, soaps, candles, up cycling, picture frames, photography, original art pieces and more.

Join Members of the Maker Faire Community: Andrew Healy of Glitch n’Stitch will scan beautiful details from images found in the “Costumes Parisiens” exhibition to create templates for you to stitch. Admission is free and no booking required. This event will take place from Tues-Fri and on Sun 26 Jan. Each day from 13:00-15:00.

The “Dublin Sketchers” is an informal group of (hobby) artists who go somewhere different in Dublin every Sunday (e.g. National Museum, Maritime Museum, Dublin Flea Market, Farmleigh, Botanic Gardens, Dublin Castle, Science Gallery, …), sketch for one to two hours and then meet up for coffee afterwards and discuss their sketches.

There are some hugely talented people among them and it is a great idea to meet up with others who have the same hobby. Find out on their website below or on their Facebook Page where they will meet and join them if you do some sketching/drawing yourself. I know that the Dublin Sketchers often use the Dublin Event Guide to find interesting free events and I am delighted to be able to help!

Afternoon Jazz in Café en Seine. The Stella Bass Jazz Trio play every Sunday from 14:00-16:00 in Café en Seine in Dawson Street. Admission is free. A video is here www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8aKqtOB5S8

Come to the Family Drawing Sundays in the RHA. All children are welcome to use the RHA Art Cart, in the RHA Atrium. Admission is free. For further information, contact Ruth Carroll on 01 6612558 or via ruth@rhagallery.ie

Concorde contemporary music ensemble will return to the RHA in January 2014 for a new series of concerts. Up Close with Music will take place on the last Sunday of each month from January to April.

The four events will feature new work by Irish composers. The commissioned works will be performed twice and composers will be present to introduce their music.

The Museum’s history galleries tell many stories about the political and military history, from 1916 to the role of the ordinary Irish soldier played in the British Army in the 19th century. Discover some of the key artefacts on display with Museum educator Edith Andrees. No booking required, places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis 15 minutes before tour starts.

The Sunday lecture ‘Leinster House and its environment’, with Niamh Marnham, Architectural Historian and Historic Buildings Consultan will take place and admission is free. This talk is part of January’s series of talks celebrating the opening of the National Gallery of Ireland 150 years ago.

Unlike the three branches of the National Museum, the National Print Museum is normally not free, but every Sunday there is a free public tour for the next few weeks. Every visit begins with a short audio-visual presentation where the audience can observe active retired printers providing practical demonstrations of machines from the Museum’s collection.

A weekly Jazz gig will take place in the Sunshine Cafe for your Sunday afternoon entertainment. The Jazzwise Duo (piano and double bass) play classic jazz including Broadway standards, Bossa Nova, Blues etc

Brian is a classically trained guitar player who also has experience of different styles / genres of music ranging from ragtime and folk to baroque and contemporary. Admission is free.

This is a monthly session of Breton Folk Dances (every last Sunday of the month). There will be live music and admission is free.

The wedding and party band The LJJ Band play every Sunday evening in Café en Seine. Admission is free.

The Sweeney’s Dixeland Jazzmen play their weekly gig on the ground floor in Sweeney’s. Admission is free.

The Beerhouse in Capel Street is running a Beerfest from 24 Jan – 02 Feb.

You will be introduced to more than 20 craft beers and there will be Tastings, Games & Music and Guest Speakers from Breweries. The “full” programme is a little sketchy, you have guess what the speakers will talk about and the music performances is a bit of a lucky dip, but at least the outline is defined on the website below.

Saucy Sundays is a weekly free live music afternoon and evening in the Grand Social. The line-up and links to all bands/performers are available via the Saucy Sundays Facebook Page (see link below). In brief, the line-up is: Mojo GoGo, Leanne Harte, Waking Up Sunday, Andy Sheridan (Baker Jnr), Evan Prendergast, Gar Cox and Milo McMahon.

The Dublin Blues Cartel play a version of New Orleans R’n’B with a classic rock twist, sandwiched with swing, Rock’n’Roll, Soul, Funk, Blues and rap of all eras. Admission is free.

The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir Mass invites to a Mass in St. Francis Xavier Church at the top of Gardiner Street near the junction with Dorset Street every Sunday at 19:30. The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir, one of the best known choirs in Ireland will sing during the mass and everybody is welcome independent from your level of religiousness.

Every Sunday this singer-songwriter night takes place in the Bleeding Horse in Camden St. from 8.30pm. It is an Open mic night and performers can just turn up and put their name on the list for that night.

At the Jawbone Gig night in Sin É, Acoustic Folk & Blues will be performed every Sunday. Admission is free. For the line-up check here www.facebook.com/pages/Jawbone-Dublin-Acoustic-Folk-Blues-Commune/724102984268967

The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy downstairs in Stag’s Head, Dame Lane from 21:00 every week on Sun+Mon. Every week different comedians entertain and on top of that there is some free ice cream. The line-up can be found via the Comedy Crunch Facebook Page (see link below).

Rogério from the Brazilian dance project “Forró de Lampião” in Dublin tells me: Forró de Lampião is Brazilian music that has the same roots as Samba and there is a whole culture that has developed around “forro”. Every Sunday, free dance classes take place in the Grand Social (new loation!) and if you are interested, just turn up one Sunday.

“Rhythm Rocker at The Globe” is a weekly event on Sunday night in The Globe in Sth Great Georges Street, Dublin 2. It is a Rockabilly, R’n’R, Roots night with alternating (week by week) live bands Pavement Kings, Donna & The Sazzy Catz, The Mosquitoes and The Pacifics from 21:00 and with DJs from 23:00-01:30. Admission is free.

Billy Treacy & The Ha’Penny Heads are playing Ballads, Folk, Trad and Classic Country every Sunday. Featuring Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle and Banjo.

The weekly Sunday Roast is a free event in the Mercantile where live music is combined with free roast potatoes. The line-up for the upcoming Sunday Roast is available via the Sunday Roast Facebook Page (see link below). In brief, the line-up is: Adam Geraghty, Eulogys, The Sour Seeds, White Oak Barrels, Milo McMahon.

Every Sunday (except at Bank Holiday weekends), the Ragtime, Roots and Country Blues Band “Cool Hand Dukes” play in the Porterhouse near Grafton Street.

“Marketing Mavericks” with Dan Germain will help you to kickstart your marketing mojo, to inject some spark into your ideas, and to be inspired by the people and brands who are doing things that little bit differently.

Join this breakfast talk with Innocent’s head of brand and creative Dan Germain to hear about Dan’s work, the brand’s latest campaign and what other marketeers can learn from the Innocent way.

Admission is free, but booking is required.

Registration will be from 07:00 and there will be a light breakfast from 07:30.

The Dublin City Libraries run the “Mind Yourself” programme from 27 Jan – 12 Feb. It includes talks, workshops and classes to encourage you to take time for yourself, maybe try something new and achive a deeper sense of well being. Topics covered will include mindfulness, meditation, nutrition, health, massage and yoga.

All events are free of charge but booking may be required at the relevant library.

The first few events are:

+ The Power of Now – Talk by John Doherty at Walkinstown Library (Mon 27 Jan – 18:00)
+ Mindfulness and the new Holistic Psychology – Talk with Margaret Forde at Terenure Library (Mon 27 Jan – 18:30)
+ Introduction to Yoga – Taster Class with Eimear Murphy at Cabra Library (Mon 27 Jan – 18:30)

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

Archive at Lunchtime screenings take place Saturdays (Double Bill), Mondays and Wednesdays. The programme is changing weekly now (instead of monthly as in the past). To find out what film(s) will be screened go to www.ifi.ie/whatson/now-showing-coming-soon/ and look for “Archive at Lunchtime” on the right. Admission is free.

Sundance Ireland are inviting to a number of free taster classes on Monday in the Arlington Hotel Temple Bar (opposite City Hall). The classes are

+ Zumba Fitness at 18:30
+ Salsa at 19:15
+ Bachata at 20:00
+ Kizomba at 20:45

No booking required.

This is an open mic night with Special Guests every Monday. Arrive, sign in (from 19:00) and play. Admission is free.

“How to Tell the time” by Dr. David Malone (Lecturer, Hamilton Institute, NUI Maynooth) is a lecture of the Irish Astronomical Society. Admission is free and everybody is welcome.

“Knowing the time and date is important for day to day life, but also becomes important if you want to do navigation or even point a telescope in the right direction. Indeed, finding the precise time is one of the traditional jobs of the professional astronomer. In this talk, we’ll cover what the time and date mean, how we can find the current time and why we have leap years and leap seconds.”

Song Cycle is a weekly Singer/Songriter showcase. The line-up is not always easily findable on the Whelan’s website, but admission is always free.

The line-up this week is Nicole Yazolino, Susan Callaghan, Baker Jr, Deco Greene, Rachael McCormack, Glenn Brady.

The Monday Echo is a weekly songwriter and poetry live showcase held on Mondays in the basement of The International Bar. Usually, the show has 3 songwriters and 3 poets who perform for roughly 20 minutes each. Admission is free.
The weekly line-up can be found via the Facebook Page below.

The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy event every Sunday and Monday. Every week different comedians entertain and on top of good comedy you will get free ice cream. Admission is free. The line-up can be found via the Comedy Crunch Facebook Page (see link below).

The Crafty Monday Sessions is an Open Mic night for acoustic singer/songwriters and original bands. Admission is free.

The 4-piece band Loose Trad are performing every Monday in Mother Reilly’s. www.loosetrad.com/ Admission is free.

“These Are a Few of My Favourite Things” is the title of a Walking Tour that Emily Gallagher will on Tuesday now as well. It will be an Alternative Arts and Culture Trail and she will bring you to “Dublin’s Best Cafes, Bars, Markets, Unusual Stores, Galleries, Theatres, Arts Spaces, and more! And hear some tales you’ve never heard before!”

Meeting point is at the Spire. The tours are free but donations are welcome and booking is required via egaldog@gmail.com or 085-2725095

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

A series of four free concerts of the RTE Orchestra will take place featuring different Irish composers.

The next concert will be on 28 Jan. Admission is free, but booking is required via the website below.

The featured composer will be Brian Irvine and before the concert starts at 13:05, CMC Director Evonne Ferguson will interview Brian Irvine at 12:30.

All details about the event are on the website below.

The Lunchtime Talk “The Thrills and Spills of Costume Design for Film” with Joan Bergin (Irish costume designer). Admission is free.

Guided tour of the exhibition “Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats” will take place to mark the 75th anniversary of the death of William Butler Yeats. This multimedia exhibition brings together rare and unique material including original manuscripts, photographs and a top hat possibly worn by Yeats at the Noble Prize award ceremony.

Admission is free and no booking is required.

Willy Vlautin, bestselling author of critically-acclaimed novel ‘Lean on Pete’ as well as ‘The Motel Life’ and ‘Northline’, will be in the Gutter Bookshop for the Irish launch of his new book ‘The Free.’ Willy will read from ‘The Free’ as well as discussing his work with Roddy Doyle who will also officially launch the book. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Every Tuesday an informal sing along with Ukulele and Toy Musical Instruments takes place in the Stag’s Head. Just bring your instrument and come along. Beginners are welcome. Admission is free and further details (and a big book of songs) are available on the Facebook Page below. The get-together meets in the “snug” in Stag’s Head.

Ben Prevo & friends play saucy Blues & soul every Tuesday

Rumours have it that the Bluegrass Collective will perform in Sin É on Tuesday and there might even be an open Bluegrass Jam! Admission is free.

The Plateau Sessions, a regular open mic gig with special guests, is taken over by BIMM Dublin and performers are Clara Byrne // Oisin Furlong // Ryan O’Shaughnessy // Vernon Jane.

BIMM Dublin is the Dublin branch of the Brighton Institute of Modern Music and runs a variety of music courses in Francis Street.

Admission is free.

Every Tuesday a Jazz Jam Session will take place in the Grand Social and you are invited to listen or even to participate. Admission is free for musicians and audience.

Instruments are supplied (drums (no cymbals), double bass, guitar amp, bass amp, PA system) and ideas and themes will be proposed prior to the session to the musicians who join the event on Facebook (see Facebook Page below).

The Phoenix Big Band is a 16 piece band playing songs of the 1930s, 1940s and other big band arrangements and they are playing every Tuesday in the Tara Tower Hotel (since 2012!) for adult dancing. If you like to waltz, cha cha or foxtrot, come and enjoy their performance.

Admission is free.

The band plays in the main function room which is occasionally booked, so to confirm that they are playing, please ring the hotel on the day: Phone 01-2694666

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

The Little Museum of Dublin secured sponsorship from Johnston, Mooney & O’Brien until October 2014 and will therefore be able to continue the Big J Wednesday: Every Wednesday from 12:00-17:00 admission into the museum is free thanks to the bread company. There are free guided tours every hour.

Archive at Lunchtime screenings take place Saturdays (Double Bill), Mondays and Wednesdays. The programme is changing weekly now (instead of monthly as in the past). To find out what film(s) will be screened go to www.ifi.ie/whatson/now-showing-coming-soon/ and look for “Archive at Lunchtime” on the right. Admission is free.

The “Havana International Language Exchange” is taking place every Wed from 16:30-19:30 in Havana Tapas Bar in George’s Street. There are many Spanish speakers and English-speakers are explicitly invited, but everyone else is certainly very welcome too, to meet for a chat to improve your Spanish or English.

The fourth Living for the City event takes place as part of “Banter”. Banter (www.thisisbanter.com) is a series of discussions, talks, rows and conversations.

And Banter’s autumn/winter series of talks about living, working & playing in the capital city continues with a chat with Fr Peter McVerry about his life & work. The latest freeman of Dublin has been working with the city’s young homeless for more than 30 years. During this time has has campaigned tirelessly for the rights of these young people.

Admission is free if you have put your name on the guest list. The closing date for this was 21 Jan and I am not sure what happens after that. The website doesn’t say anything, so maybe you can still put your name on the list.

“Arriya (La piedra) – Arriya (The Stone)” is the next Spanish film that will be screened in the Instituto Cervantes with English subtitles. Directed by Alberto Gorritiberea in 2011, the film is part of the Contemporary Spanish Film Series. Admission is free.

“A lecture-recital in which Cora Venus Lunny will play a specially selected programme of Irish works for the audience will take place. This concert is part of the AIC’s Irish Canon series, which sees performers performing Irish new music in venues across the country, creating a new canon of Irish works. This event is free entry and all are welcome to attend”

From Warren Street Dublin to Galilee Israel: writer Margaret Callan Bergin from Dublin, whose mother Carmel Moore grew up in Warren Street in Portobello, is running a creative research project which has so far taken her on a journey of living memories and brought her into contact with senior citizens from Portobello to Galilee.

Rathmines Library (29 January at 18:30) will be running an event where people can come along and share their memories with Margaret in a very relaxed atmosphere.

If you or your family have memories of growing up and living in Warren Street or any part of Portobello when it was a thriving Jewish Community (1920s-1960s) get in touch with Margaret by e-mailing garbo@live.ie or call Margaret at Garbo Productions on 01-4642219 or contact Rathmines Library. Admission is free. Booking Advised.

“The Song Room” is another open mic event. It takes place in The Globe in George’s Street at 20:30 every Wednesday.

“The Zodiac Sessions” is a regular open mic event from 20:30 in Bruxelles (between Grafton Street and Westbury Hotel) for unsigned musicians. Admission is free and there is a different line-up every week.

Bad Boy Jake are every Wednesday in the Gypsy Rose Rock & Blues Bar playing their rock, blues and American.

Every Wednesday a Singer Songwriter Night will take place in Mother Reilly’s in Rathmines. This is YOUR chance to show everyone what you can do, alternatively you can just listen to the talented Singer/Songwriters. Admission is free.

Traditional Irish Music Session in Hedigan’s (The Brian Boru) in Phibsborough from 21:30 every Wednesday. If you play an instrument you are especially welcome (all levels are welcome).

The Ferocious Mingle Marcade (Market and Arcade) is back in a new location. The Marcade is now in Camden Street next to Daintree Paper and opposite the Centra and off-license there. It takes place every Thurs-Sun and is a flea-market-type permanent market with stalls and “chalets” for traders.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

The event “New Horizons in the Humanities” will introduce Humanities researchers to the structures and resources that exist regarding Horizon 2020. It aims to inform researchers of the opportunities that exist and encourage increased applications for EU funding.

It is jointly hosted by the Irish Humanities Alliance and Royal Irish Academy, and is sponsored by the Irish Research Council.

Panels on the day will include: ‘Briefing session on the Humanities and Horizon 2020’, ‘How to embed HSS across the Societal Challenges in Horizon 2020?’ and ‘How to be successful in drawing down EU Humanities funding?’

Find the programme and book via the website below.

“Social Welfare and other supports to help you get ahead” with Richie McRitchie is a workshop in the Dublin City Library’s Career Direction & Development Programme. Admission is free, but booking is recommended (via 01-8733996).

iYoga (the Iyengar Yoga Centre of North Dublin) is inviting you to their Thursday Sweeteners, a series of free classes in January. The classes take place on 16+23+30 Jan (17:45-18:30). And you can register for classes via info@iyoga.ie

The upcoming taster classes are:
+ 16 Jan: Examining Ancient Wisdom for modern living: Ayurveda and other ancient practices with Elena Agarkova
+ 23 Jan: Iyengar Yoga Taster Class with Margaret Cashman
+ 30 Jan: Pilates Class with Grainne Ahearne

More details are here www.iyoga.ie/ or on the Facebook Page below.

On the evening before the Chinese New Year, Dublin’s Mayor Oisin Quinn will launch the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival at an event in the Hugh Lane Gallery. The new year is the Year of the Horse and the Hugh Lane Gallery will show an exhibition that focuses on horses in visual art.

The Chinese New Year Festival will take place from 31 Jan – 14 Feb with the main public event, the Chinese Yew Year Carnival on Sunday 02 Feb. Many other events will take place and all are listed on the website below.

“These Are a Few of My Favourite Things” is the title of a Walking Tour that Emily Gallagher will run next Thursday. It will be an Alternative Arts and Culture Trail and she will bring you to “Dublin’s Best Cafes, Bars, Markets, Unusual Stores, Galleries, Theatres, Arts Spaces, and more! And hear some tales you’ve never heard before!”

Meeting point is at the Spire. The tours are free but donations are welcome and booking is required via egaldog@gmail.com or 085-2725095

The Beerhouse in Capel Street is running a Beerfest from 24 Jan – 02 Feb.

You will be introduced to more than 20 craft beers and there will be Tastings, Games & Music and Guest Speakers from Breweries. The “full” programme is a little sketchy, you have guess what the speakers will talk about and the music performances is a bit of a lucky dip, but at least the outline is defined on the website below.

The launch of the 5th issue of the Irish Art & Literature Magazine “The Runt” will take place in the Bellobar, the basement venue at the Lower Deck Pub.

A Look Inside the Marital Bedroom of Love and Literature: New Irish Writers and Artists Peek Beneath the Covers in Magazine Launch
Dante and Beatrix, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, F. Scott and Zelda; on and off the page, love and literature have been regular bedfellows for centuries now. But it’s when we take a peek at what goes on beneath the covers that things get more complicated. The 5th issue of the The Runt is entitled ‘Flesh of the Runt’ and contains an original and irreverent examination of love, both romantic and physical.

At the launch there will be the darkly humorous poems of National Olympic Weightlifting champion Colm Whelan and a performance from guest storyteller Richard Howard (Weird Tales). ‘Ride Irish,’ a satirical sketch about the ‘world’s oldest profession’, performed by Colm Kearns (wordlegs) and the renowned short story writer Boris Belony (Transmorphosis and Other Short Story), will be other features.

For more information check the Facebook Page below. Admission to the launch event will be free.

Dimestore Recordings run a weekly event in Sweeney Mongrel’s, Dame Street (formerly Le Cirk) with a variety of bands and performers. It starts at 20:00, follow the link for the line up.

Sleepyhead Gig Nights return after Christmas with the following line-up: Dan Comerford and Band, Orlaith Brennan, Clara Byrne, Joey Gavin, Slackers Symphony, Empathy, Whitetrash and the Sparrowhawks. Admission is free.

Bad Boy Jake are every Thursday until the end of February in the newly re-opened Rathmines Inn, playing their rock, blues and Americana.

The Max Zaska group and the Patrick Groenland group will perform on alternating Thursdays from 21:00 in the International Bar on 23 Wicklow Street.

Come to an easy going night of Traditional Irish music in Mother Reilly’s. Admission is free.

The next Cabin Sessions will take place in Dundrum. Featuring “The Cabin Crew” with Spats Davenport (guitar), Cathy McEvoy (fiddle), Con Butler (bass), Gerry Fitzpatrick (dobro), Christian Volkmann (harmonica). Special Guests Tom Horan (folk/country), Mke & Carena (latin folk), Emma Butler (contemporary).

Admission is free.

Every Thursday “Left Right & Centre” play a mix of blues & soul with a bit of rock&roll.

Every Thursday a free Trad Session takes place in McNeills and often there are high profile Trad musicians performing.

The Ferocious Mingle Marcade (Market and Arcade) is back in a new location. The Marcade is now in Camden Street next to Daintree Paper and opposite the Centra and off-license there. It takes place every Thurs-Sun and is a flea-market-type permanent market with stalls and “chalets” for traders.

The National Gallery has an extensive programme of free talks, public tours and Art Documentary screenings focusing on highlights of the European and Irish Collection every day of the week. Check their website for details.

The Asia Market in Drury Street sells over 3000 products and for the Chinese New Year Festival, they invite you to come for a Chinese Dumpling Tasting on Fri or Sat (12:00-17:00) to their shop. Admission is free.

If you want to find out more about Asian food and the Asia Market, you also can take part in the “Secrets of the Asian Kitchen” Tours with Eva Pau on Friday 31 Jan or Friday 07 Feb (17:30-18:30). There is a EUR 10 charge and booking is required via evap@asiamarket.ie

A workshop to make Brigid’s Crosses (in Irish) will take place in Connolly Books. Admission is free and all are welcome. Materials will be provided. Instructions will be in Irish.

The China Conservatory of Music (est. 1964 in Beijing) will perform a concert ‘Night in Beijing’ on Chinese New Year’s Day. They will be joined by the Dublin Institute of Technology Conservatory of Music who will perform complementary Irish traditional music.

The concert will include ‘Bull and Tiger Fight’ and ‘Go to the Flower Fair’ performed on classical instruments such as the guzheng and the Shanxi Jiangzhou Drum with Irish traditional music performed on the bodhrán and fiddle.

Admission to this event is free, but it is a ticketed event and you should get tickets as soon as possible via the website below.

The Beerhouse in Capel Street is running a Beerfest from 24 Jan – 02 Feb.

You will be introduced to more than 20 craft beers and there will be Tastings, Games & Music and Guest Speakers from Breweries. The “full” programme is a little sketchy, you have guess what the speakers will talk about and the music performances is a bit of a lucky dip, but at least the outline is defined on the website below.

Takin’ The Mic Open-Mic Night is an open mic night at the Irish Writers’ Centre, taking place one Friday every month. Writers, spoken-word artists and musicians are all welcome to perform. Names of contributors are taken from 19:00, so arrive early if you want to perform. Admission is free. BYOB

Cornucopia Café & Restaurant host live music three evenings a week (Thurs, Fri and Sat). The restaurant is a Wholefood & Vegetarian Restaurant and is open until 22:15.
+ Every second Thursday N.C Lawlor, a songwriter, session player and troubadour plays a mix of country, bluegrass & blues from 19:30-21:30.
+ Every Friday (19:30-21:30) Junshi Murakami plays Irish Harp.
+ Every Saturday (19:30-21:30) Nollaig Mann plays a collection of popular and jazz classics.

(Nearly) every Friday a European Folk Dance Workshop/Session will take place in the Exchange in Temple Bar.

The dances are French, Greek, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese folk and traditional dances and everybody interested to join in or to learn is welcome. Admission is free.

Because there are some Fridays when the event can’t take place, you should check on the Facebook Page below, before making your plans.

Common WOlf will perform in the Workman’s Club to launch their single “The Good I Own”. They will be supported by “Other Creatures”.

Admission is not completely free, instead a donation for the ISPCA is requested (min EUR 2) and you will get in return a great gig and the new single.

Rock/Soul/Blues/Motown/Funk with Billy’s Boots are an Irish band from Dublin. They play a mixture of original music and cover songs, with a sound that incorporates rock, soul & blues.

The Stillorgan Orchard has live music every Friday and Saturday. Many of the performers are established and very good bands. The upcoming gigs are detailed on the website below. Admission is always free.