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| DUBLIN EVENT GUIDE (for Free Events) No. 84
| 23 Jan 2009                      Subscribers: 3174
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Hi all!

Many of you know that there is a Dublin Event Guide facebook group. This group and word-of-mouth (you telling your friends!) are my only ways to “let the world” know about the Event Guide. I setup the facebook group on 08 Jan 08 and today it has 2927 members. For reasons unknown to me, many join the group but don’t read the description that says that you have to send a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com to subscribe because facebook neither supports the sending of large mails nor is it a reliable platform for a growing group of people with a common interest. So every 2-3 months I send a message to all group members to remind them that the group is only there to let people know about the existence of the Event Guide, but the real benefit comes by subscribing to the newsletter. I have done so again last week and more than 100 new subscribers have joined our Dublin Event Guide Community! Welcome to each and every one of you!! Lots of others people have joined us and I am guessing (by the last names) that we know have a large Lithuanian group amongst us. Welcome to you too!! The Dublin Event Guide Community is hugely international and is great to see it grow. More than 3100 members! I am planning a meeting again soon, after the last two were so successful, and if every one came, we would have a SERIOUS problem! :-) But these are GOOD problems! I will tell you more about the idea for the meeting next week!

Speaking of this meeting, maybe someone can help with ideas regarding this: I am looking for a suitable venue and maybe you have an idea. The meeting will most likely be on a Saturday (I will explain why next week.)  I have no idea how many people might come. If there are 5 it is worth meeting up and I KNOW there will be at least 5. :-) But with 3100 Dublin Event Guide Community members, there could easily be 30-50 people or even more. It would be cool to have lots more, but less is great as well, because at least then everybody can talk to everybody. ;-) Now back to the venue: The ideal venue would be able to accommodate up to 50 people easily on a Saturday evening (and wouldn’t be upset if it is only 20 or if it is 70). It doesn’t need to be in a completely separate area, but it would be good to have initially some space we could gather and that could be easily found by the people arriving. The venue should be in walking distance from the City Centre and it would be great to have some music but not so loud that we can’t talk anymore. (After all we will meet up to MEET each other not to stand quietly next to each other or to shout our lungs out. ;-) ) If you have an idea/suggestion or work in a pub/venue and would love us to meet in “your” place, send me a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com with “Venue” in the subject line. Any help or suggestions are much appreciated.

This weekend I will be in Germany for two days, so I won’t be getting your e-mails until Monday, but in general I have to apologise to many of you who have sent e-mails and who haven’t heard from me. I do TRY to reply to all e-mails that should get or need a reply, BUT I am not days or weeks, I am MONTHS behind! I appreciate every mail and read every single mail, but replying is currently not my strong point. It will get better, though! ;-)

To everybody who answered to the “Opportunity” invitation: You will hear from me early next week!

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A big thanks to Estelle O. who sent me a donation this week. Every donation is hugely appreciated and I am looking forward to YOURS! ;-)

And please read this: This Event Guide is sponsored by Esme E, Cliodhna D, Brian L, Padraig S, Kathie S, Orla niF, Jef B, Susanna N., Kate C, Nicola J, Claus Sch, Gordon S, Jeanne M, Fiona O’C, Marta M, Angela C, Isabelle F, Sundra S, Meisoon N, Ruth F, Valerie McN, Estelle O. and www.stickyfingerstravel.com, the travel guide for parents travelling with their children. The main sponsor is www.kravmagaireland.com, the self-defence training centre for everyone, which provides 12-week or 2-day self-defence training courses for beginners.

I am grateful for all support, the sponsoring is picking up, but YOUR support is NEEDED too! Going to free events saves you a LOT of money. True? ;-) Knowing about these free events is essential so that you then can decide if you want to go or not. True? This is at least worth 1 Euro per month, which is just 25 cent per newsletter!? Do you agree? Can I count on your 12 Euro per year? Feel free to give more if you can, but please do consider the 12 Euro.
To contribute go to “http ://url . ie/v6z” and just remove the three Spaces in the web address (I have to write it like this, otherwise Spam Checkers complain about the url .ie address.) you then can donate using PayPal or your credit card!
Alternatively you can transfer your donation directly to “Joerg Steegmueller, AIB, SortCode 93-36-78, AccountNo 03556043” or send a mail to me (dublineventguide@gmail.com) and we can arrange a different route for your donation. This Event Guide is a hobby project and NOT a commercial enterprise, so I do need donations!

All events listed in this Event Guide are free of any admission charges or at least appear to be free unless otherwise stated. I try to find confirmation in all cases and do my best to double-check the information. However errors can happen and therefore no guarantee for correctness can be given.

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______Joerg’s Plans______________

Quite a number of you asked me to provide a digested version of the week’s events from the long list of events in this newsletter. It is quite challenging to pick and choose, so to make it a little easier for me, I am describing in this section what _I_ intend to do or what I would do if I weren’t busy with other things. ;-) Maybe that helps you. All events mentioned here are described in further detail further down.

Unfortunately I don’t have time enough today to write something in this category. However, here are some hot recommendations. I would DEFINITELY suggest to check out the Lightwave Exhibition in the Science Gallery. In addition I would go to the Flea Market on Sunday and the Chinese New Year Festival event on Sunday. Oh and on Friday I would search the city centre for free art. :-) ..but because I will be away, you have to do all these things without me! Enjoy!! ;-)

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______Competition______________

This week I don’t have a competition for you but here is a pre-announcement for a competition and an event that should be great. As things stand at the moment, I might be involved with it so to make it a success, your help is very much appreciated.

KEVIN DOYLE SINGS HOLLYWOOD AND BROADWAY HITS
Kevin Doyle, star of the hugely successful stage show ‘The Elvis Presley Story’ is embarking on a new project, performing hits made famous on stage and screen, live in concert. With Kevin’s singing talent and stage presence it is about time that his brand of magic is extended beyond the hits of Elvis Presley to the hits of Hollywood and Broadway. Called ‘Doyle sings Hollywood and Broadway’, this debut concert in this new genre will take place at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin on Saturday 04 April. Kevin will be backed by a full live band with strings, a brass section and a choir and the show will see more than 20 musicians and singers on stage to support him performing some of the greatest songs ever written, including music from the likes of Stand By Me, Midnight Cowboy, Les Miserables, Against All Odds and The Lion King. Kevin is Ireland’s leading Elvis performer and has – with his band and backing choir – in 2008 sold out the National Concert Hall and four times the Olympia Theatre!! Earlier he has fronted the show in the Point Theatre that was the first ever performance on the same stage of Elvis’ vocal backing group the Jordanaires and his Las Vegas backing musicians the TCB band. He has a great musical range and impresses with his easygoing stage manner, charm and quick wit. Tickets for the concert on Saturday 4th April are on sale at the Olympia Box Office and from Ticketmaster.ie. For more information: www.doylemusic.co.uk
A little closer to the concert I expect to get some tickets for a competition and I will fill you in on all the details then. In the meantime keep this concert in mind for yourself, but as well if you are thinking about a present for a family member or a friend. I had the pleasure of performing on stage with Kevin Doyle in more than 30 concerts in the last 2.5 years (him fronting the show and me in the backing choir :-) ) and I KNOW that this concert will be great. Check out www.doylemusic.co.uk/ for more information in the coming weeks.

PETER MCVERRY TRUST FUNDRAISER – TICKET COMPETITION
Thanks for all your entries to the ticket competition for this concert in the Button Factory on Wed 21 Jan. The pair of tickets was won by Laura Byrne. Congratulations!

All events in this Competition Section are non-free events, but the organisers are making free tickets available for you to win. I usually get lots of competition entries and unfortunately not everybody can win, so even if you are not the winner, please consider going to an event to support the organisers. :-) If you don’t win, and will go to the event, please help showing the organisers that promoting their event in the Dublin Event Guide is beneficial and mention to them that you heard about the event through “Joerg’s Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)”. Thanks!

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______Dublin News______________

This week there are more than usual Dublin News, but they are all relevant to you, so hopefully you will agree:

DUBLIN BUS CUTS FLEET AND JOBS
290 jobs are to go at Dublin Bus as part of a series of cost-cutting measures and in addition Dublin Bus is withdrawing 120 buses, which is 10% of its fleet. They claim that no routes will be removed, but some services would be merged and the frequency of buses would be reduced in some areas. The plans come into effect from March.
I don’t get that! Everybody knows that BETTER public transport is needed in Dublin, not the opposite. Yes, money needs to be saved in all public sector areas, but could someone wake up the Government and show them that there are essential and less-essential services? Hospitals, teaching, public transport are essential!! A LOT of admin and purely political areas are less essential as far as the survivability and productivity of the country are concerned. How can it make sense to increase parking fees, decrease the number of car park spaces in the city centre, increase the extent of bus lanes and then cut the buses and drivers?
www.rte.ie/news/2009/0116/dublinbus.html

RYANAIR GETS TOUGH ON HAND BAGGAGE
It was just a mater of time but on Tuesday Ryanair has announced that they will charge people who try to carry more than one piece of cabin baggage aboard its flights. The rules say that you are allowed to carry one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 10kg on board, but it seems there has been a big increase in the number of passengers ‘abusing’ this allowance. Ryanair says one passenger tried to carry five items of hand baggage onboard one aircraft. From now on, Ryanair passengers who turn up with more than one piece of hand baggage will be charged EUR 30 at the departure gate.
I know that in some airports they weigh the hand luggage not only at the check-in desk, but a second time at the security check since mid 2008. So the “trick” of circumventing the weight allowance – and I have done that too – will unfortunately not work anymore. Be careful when you fly the next time! www.rte.ie/business/2009/0120/ryanair.html

IRISH TIMES LUNCH OFFER
An amazing offer has been instigated by the Irish Times: A two course lunch in 6 of Dublin’s premier restaurants is available for EUR 20 and it includes starter, main course and a glass of house wine. The offer is only available from Mon-Thur 26-29 Jan and from Mon-Thurs 02-05 and for lunch only and since it leaked out a few days ago the restaurants have been flooded with bookings, but with a bit of luck you can still get a booking. The participating restaurants are Chinasichuan, Town bar & grill, The Cellar, LÉcrivain, Chapter One and Bentleys.
Just phone the restaurant of your choice and book quoting “Lunch Times Offer”, then arrive with a copy of the Irish Times from 26 Jan -05 Feb. Please note a maximum of two diners per brought in newspaper. The service charges are not included and a voluntary contribution can be made when paying your bill, to Our Lady’s Hospice.
www.cheapeats.ie/2009/01/15/swanky-lunch-for-e20-with-the-irish-times

MAKE YOURSELF RECESSION-PROOF – SEMINAR OFFER
Target2020, a training service provider that focuses on helping people to achieve more and to maximise their potential has joined the Dublin Event Guide Community as a sponsor and to donate something to all interested subscribers of the Event Guide, they are offering a 20% discount on their next two upcoming courses if you mention “Dublin Event Guide” when you book the course.
The courses are
* “Recession Beating Strategies for Business Owners in a Downturn”
This is a 1/2 Day workshop on Tues 27 Jan from 08:30-12:30 in the Mercer Hotel, Lower Mercer Street, Dublin 2.
You will learn 10+ Business Strategies for success and the focus is on Sales & Marketing Strategies – Increasing Your Revenues, Resource Optimisation – Getting the most from Your Resources, Cost Reduction and Key Areas of Finance. The seminar costs EUR 149 (minus a 20% discount if you mention the Event Guide) and more details are here www.target2020.com/services_4.html
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* “Career Directions Programme”
This is a 2-Day Workshop on 29&30 Jan from 09:00 in the Mercer Hotel, Lower Mercer Street, Dublin 2.
If you feel your job is not right for you or if you are unfulfilled in your job, are uncertain about your career direction or are or might become a casualty of the recession then this seminar is made for you. The focus is on Identifying the job/career/life you want, Planning Your Goals and achieving them, Identifying your gremlins and beating them, Selling your best self, Crating dynamite CVs, Brilliant Interviews, Understanding how your values & beliefs shape your future and Motivation-Confidence-Networking. The cost for this seminar is EUR 365 and a 20% discount applies if you mention the “Event Guide”. For more information check www.target2020.com/services_4.html
To book you can contact www.target2020.com on 01 4429968 and on info@target2020.com.

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______Exhibitions_______________

GROUP SHOW – CHESTER BEATTY LIBRARY

‘Artist’s Proof’ is an exhibition of twenty four prints and is running from 15 Jan-19 April. The show is taking place in the Chester Beatty Library and the artists are affiliated to the Graphic Studio Dublin. They are Gerard Cox, Gráinne Cuffe, Cliona Doyle, Niamh Flanagan, Desmond Kenny, Brian Lalor, Jennifer Lane, Stephen Lawlor, Sharon Lee, James McCreary, Niall Naessens, Ruth O’Donnell, Tom Phelan, Robert Russell, Katherine Van Uytrecht, Norman Ackroyd, Christopher le Brun, Arno Kramer, Elaine Leader, David Lilburn, Mary Modeen, Lars Nyberg, Barbara Rae and Hayashi Takahiko. All limited edition prints in the show are for sale through the Chester Beatty Library Giftshop and there are nineteen Limited Edition Boxed Sets including all 24 prints from ‘Artist’s Proof’ available.
www.cbl.ie and www.graphicstudiodublin.com
(Library Details: Chester Beatty Library, Gardens of Dublin Castle, www.cbl.ie, Open: Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00 from 01 May-30 Sept, Tue-Fri 10:00-17:00 from 01 Oct – 30 Apr, Sat 11:00-17:00, Sun 13:00-17:00)

VARVARA SHAVROVA – GALLERY OF PHOTOGRAPHY
On Friday 23 January 2009 at 18:30 the Gallery of Photography on Meeting House Square in Temple Bar will screen the opening of ‘Untouched’. Untouched is a projection exhibition by Varvara Shavrova, which traces links between Beijing in China, and Ballycastle in Co. Mayo. The same screening will take place from the beginning of darkness until 22:00 on 24+25 Jan to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Admission is free. www.varvarashavrova.com (Gallery Details: Gallery of Photography, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, wwww.galleryofphotography.ie, Open: Tues-Sat 11:00-18:00, Sun 13:00-18:00)

GROUP SHOW – OISÍN GALLERY
‘…/THREE’ is a group exhibition, featuring paintings & sculptures by Christine Bowen, Katherine Liddy and Tanya Elliot Nyegaard. The show will run from 22 Jan – 07 Feb. (Gallery Details: Oísin Gallery, 44 Westland Row, Dublin 2, www.oisingallery.com, Open: Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00, Sat: 10:00-17:30)

MARIE HANLON – RUBICON GALLERY
An exhibition of paintings by Marie Hanlon will be on show from 22 Jan-21 Feb. (Gallery Details: Rubicon Gallery, 10 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, www.rubicongallery.ie, Open: Tues- Sat 12:00-18:00)

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______Friday___________________

FREE ART FRIDAY
Free Art Friday is a great idea and it is a pity that I am not around for it: Artists create a painting, sketch, sculpture or installation and leave it on the street. The piece can then be picked up by anyone and the finder can claim it as their own. Finders are encouraged to email the artist and tell them how and where they found it. Free Art Friday is taking place today 23 Jan and you should look out for the free art in town. Painters, photographers, illustrators, sculptures, graffiti artists, taggers, cartoonists were invited to contribute a small piece of work that will be hung/placed/or left on the streets of Dublin for anyone to take away. The pieces of art won’t be bigger than 60x60cm and will have an official Free Art Friday label affixed to the back. Find your piece of art to keep and if you find a second piece, then I would appreciate it! ? Because I will be in Germany from this morning, I won’t be able to “hunt” for a piece of free art. Hopefully you will all find something nice for yourselves. ;-) www.freeartfridayireland.wordpress.com

CLIMATE CHANGE LECTURE – UCD EARTH SYSTEMS INSTITUTE
The UCD Earth Systems Institute is inviting to a weekly seminar about climate change. The next public lecture will take place on Fri 23 Jan from 12:30-13:30 in The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, 6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2. The topic is “Extreme weather and extreme climate” by Dr. Rodrigo Caballero, UCD School of Mathematical Sciences. A detailed description is here www.ucd.ie/earth/seminars/5_23jan09_rc_abstract.pdf and an overview over the whole seminar programme until June 2009 is here www.ucd.ie/earth

MIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION SEMINARS – TRINITY COLLEGE
The MPhil in Ethnic and Racial Studies program (School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Trinity College Dublin), in association with the Trinity Immigration Initiative Migrant Networks Project are hosting a series of seminars in coming weeks:
On Fri 23 Jan from 13:00-15:00 David Joyce (Barrister, Lawyer and Activist) will talk about “The transition from solving the ‘Gypsy problem’, to the recognition of ‘Roma/Traveller Human Rights” and Alessia Passarelli (Sociology TCD) will present “Case study on Roma people in Italy beyond stereotypes and prejudices”. The event will take place in College Green Room 4 in TCD.
The Seminar Series is open to all. There is no registration required in advance however the room will only accommodate 50 people so admittance is on a first come first serve basis. For more information contact Ronit Lentin (rlentin@tcd.ie) and find details on www.tcd.ie/immigration/networks/news.php

IT’S A PEG BAR AFFAIR – NETWORKING EVENT FOR ANIMATORS
‘It’s a peg bar affair, vol.2’ is a networking event for animators and it will take place upstairs in Murray’s Bar, on O’Connell St. Dublin, Ireland on Friday 23 Jan. The night will kick off at 20:00 with Eamon Butler of Double Negative. He will be followed by screenings of a number of showreels from artists across the globe. Entry is free. There will be a donation box on the night to keep Peg Bar alive and running.
www.pegbaraffair.blogspot.com

LIGURIAN PATHS FOR NORTHERN TRAVELLERS – BOOK LAUNCH
On Fri 23 Jan at 18:30 the Istituto Italiano di Cultura invites you to the launch of the latest publication on the rich literary tradition of Liguria. Prof. Paola Polito, editor of the volume, has brought together the knowledge of Italianists, artists and writers with the awareness of experts in literature, art, history of ideas, Italian culture, linguistics, and art in a dialogue bridging Liguria and the universities of Copenhagen, Lund and Dublin. The evening will be conducted by Professor Catherine O’Brien with various readings of prose and poetry, including those of Paolo Bertolani, translated and read by Anamaria Crowe-Serrano. Admission is free. The Istituto Italiano di Cultura is at 11 Fitzwilliam Square East.

WORLDVIEW FILM CLUB
The next Worldview Film Club screening is on Fri 23 Jan at 19:00. The film is “The Kite Runner” (2007) and the theme of the discussion afterwards is “Friendship & Redemption”. Check worldview.project.googlepages .com/invitation (unfortunately googlepages URLs are suspicious to some spam filters, therefore you have to copy the address in your browser and then remove the space between “googlepages” and “.com”) or check www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27560436112
The Worldview Film Club is inspired by the Bahá’í Religion: www.bahai.ie

PLATO LECTURE – TRINITY COLLEGE
On Fri 23 Jan from 19:30-21:00, the world-renowned scholar Professor Christopher Rowe will lecture at Trinity College Dublin on the topic of ‘Reading Socrates in Plato’s Dialogues’. Professor Christopher Rowe is one of the most distinguished authorities on Platonism in the English speaking world. He is professor of Greek in the Department of Classics and Ancient History, at Durham University. He has recently published a major study of the Platonic corpus: Plato and the Art of Philosophical Writing. The event is taking place in the Robert Emmet Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin. www.poetryireland.ie/whats-on/index.php

REGULAR EVENTS – FRIDAY
* James Sheeran (Acoustic/Rock/Trad) is playing from 18:00 in Peadar Kearney’s in 64 Dame Street, Dublin 2. And The Eastern Harps (Trad) are playing there from 20:00. Admission is free.
* Sahaja Meditation program every Friday at 19:30 at 4/5 Eustace Street (bell 3, next to the IFI), Temple Bar. For more information contact Seamus on SHarten@upc.ie www.templebar.ie/home_ns_9_action_view_nid_229.html

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______Saturday_________________

DUBLIN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL
From 23 Jan-01 Feb Dublin will celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Ox with some events including a Lecture series in Chester Beatty Library, Arts & Crafts Workshops in Dublin Libraries and the Hugh Lane Art Gallery, A Special Outdoor City Event on Chinese New Years Eve (25th January), Dublin Zoo will celebrate with an Asian Trail, A Sports Tournament across the city including soccer, badminton, table tennis and basketball, and a special Sino/Celtic Design Exhibition featuring John Rocha and the Chinese Institute of the Architects in Ireland will all be part of the week.
www.dublin.ie/arts-culture/chinese-new-year-2009.htm
Please check the lectures and sports events etc on the website. You can download the programme for the Festival from there.
The main event is a good bit smaller than last year, when a big festival took place on Smithfield Plaza. This year a “Chinese New Year Festival Carnival” will take place in the small “Wolfe Tone Park” on Jervis Street, Dublin 1. Wolfe Tone “Park” is the space behind The Church Pub at the side of Jervis Street Shopping Centre. The Carnival is taking place on Sunday 25 Jan from 13:00-18:00. While the space is a lot smaller than Smithfield Plaza, I guess Dublin City recognised that Smithfield Plaza is just that bit too far away from the City Centre to attract the masses. Despite well organised events in the past, it never really attracted the number of people that should have been at these events. The pity about Wolfe Tone Park is that despite the fact that it is relatively new, it does appear to be a bit run down and is by far not as attractive as for example the Meeting House Square in Temple Bar.
But back to the Chinese New Year Festival: “To welcome in the Chinese New Year of the Ox you are invited to a carnival comprising of many features including interactive art workshops, Chinese food and craft stalls, information booths, a well-being marquee and authentic Chinese performances such as lion dances and martial arts displays. We are especially delighted to welcome, for the first time in Ireland, the Chinese Arts Performance Group from China who will present a one-hour spectacular as part of the carnival celebrations. The Silk and Bamboo Trio will perform a selection of enchanting pieces on silk strings and bamboo flutes. The programme will also include Chinese acrobatics, face-changing episodes from Sichuan Opera, and traditional Chinese ribbon dance.
From 18:00 a Chinese New Year Party will take place in The Church Pub from 18:00 with Live Chinese Performers and a Top Chinese DJ.

LIGHTWAVE FESTIVAL – SCIENCE GALLERY
The Science Gallery is in my opinion one of the most interesting and attractive exhibition spaces in Dublin and the people who operate it are brilliant in providing really interesting exhibitions and talks. If you become a member (Membership is free) you get advance notice of events and can get free tickets to ticketed events. The Science Gallery opened one year ago with the “Lightwave Festival” and now a year later and an impressive 120,000 visitors later (I would have been counted at least 10 times in this figure ;-) !)  the Lightwave Festival 2009 has been launched last night.
Lightwave Festival 2009 is absolutely packed with talks, performances and events and I would definitely recommend a visit. The exhibition is taking place from 23 Jan – 20 Feb, but the core part of the Festival is only running until 31 Jan. During this time the artists/scientists are present every day (16:30-18:30) to explain their work to you and there will be talks and films and performances. Most events are free (some require booking). Check out www.sciencegallery.com for all the details.
As the name suggests the Lightwave Festival focuses on light, light effects and experiments that have to do with light. I was at the launch event last night and will definitely go once again during the week.
A great thing about the Science Gallery is that the opening hours are work-friendly from 16:00-21:00. It couldn’t be any better!
So check out www.sciencegallery.com and then get yourself to the Science Gallery over this weekend or during next week. The Gallery is at the back of Trinity College in the Naughton Institute very near Pearse Street Dart Station. The easiest to get there is to walk from College Green along Pearse Street until you reach the church on the left. The Science Gallery is on your right behind the glass front.

CLARE DILLON – HMV IN-STORE PERFORMANCE
Cara Dillon will be playing acoustic live and signing copies of her new album ‘Hill Of Thieves’ in HMV, Grafton Street on Saturday 24 Jan at 11:00.
hmv.com/hmvweb/navigate.do?pPageID=1080

FAMILY & ADULT EVENTS – NATIONAL MUSEUM
* The Adult Gallery Talk: “The Fonthill Vase: From Private to Public Collection” by Caomhan Mac Con Iomaire (Ceramicist) is taking place in the National Museum in Collins Barracks from 12:00. The presentation will explore the journey of this extraordinary vase from 14th Century China to modern day Dublin. The talk is free of charge and no booking is required.
www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=246
* “Drawing Animals” is the title of an event for all ages on Sat 24 Jan in the National Museum in Kildare Street (14:00-16:00): Come and enjoy drawing and sketching our animal collection in Kildare Street under the supervision of a professional artist.
www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=262

FAMILY WORKSHOP – HUGH LANE GALLERY
On Sat 24 Jan (12:00-13:00) and Sun 25 Jan (13:30-14:30) the “Chinese New Year Workshops for all the Family” is taking place in the Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Street:
In conjunction with the Chinese New Year Festival and the Chester Beatty Library, Belfast artist Chen Jing Lin will lead this Mono-Print workshop for all the family! Chen was born in Mainland China, Huizhou city in the Guangdong Province. He moved to Belfast City in 2001. He specialises in printmaking and mixed media work, and teaches art and craft workshops in the local community and schools.
Workshops are free and open to all the family, to book please contact the Gallery Reception on 01 2225564. www.hughlane.ie/whats_on_detail.php?id=207

FAMILY PROGRAMME – NATIONAL GALLERY
On Saturday 17 Jan from 15:00-16:00 a National Gallery Family Programme will provide an opportunity for adults and children to enjoy the excitement of learning about the arts through a wide range of free Gallery-based activities including exploring storytelling, music, art, poetry and drama. The topic of this week’s event is “Tales of Long Ago” with Mary Broderick. The programme takes place in the Baroque Gallery and is suitable for children from 4-10 years. www.nationalgallery.ie/html/programevents2.html#3

LATIN CLUB – LA VIE
ObsessionSalsa is inviting to a new Latin Club in La Vie, 1-5 Exchequer Street, on Sun 24 Jan from 22:00. Entrance is free. Best latin tunes, salsa, reggeaton, meringue, bachata will be played. Louis Nguyen is organising this event and asked me to include it this week. On Thuesdays Louis is teaching Salsa in La Vie from 20:30-21:30 followed by a free Salsa Club from 21:30. If you want to find out more, contact ObsessionSalsa@live.com or ring Louis on 086-3776636.

REGULAR EVENTS
* Meet the Gardener in Phoenix Park. Until 03 March a gardener will be available on most Saturday mornings from 10:30-12:30 in the Victorian Walled Garden (Ashtown Demesne) in Phoenix Park to answer your questions. The service is free. To check if this Saturday is one of the “most Saturdays” contact 01 677 0095 or phoenixparkvisitorcentre@opw.ie. www.heritageireland.ie/en/Dublin/PhoenixPark
* Don’t forget that the Temple Bar Markets (Temple Bar Food Market on Meeting House Square and – on a long break until 14 March – the Temple Bar Designer Mart near Cow’s Lane) are taking place every Saturday from 10:00-16:30.
* The SuperNatural Food Market is taking place every Saturday from 09:30-15:30 in St. Andrews Resource Centre in Pearse Street, Dublin 2. www.supernatural.ie
* Enda Reilly (Acoustic/Rock/Trad – www.myspace.com/endaderoad) is playing from 19:00 in Peadar Kearney’s in 64 Dame Street, Dublin 2. Fiach (Acoustic/Rock/Soul – www.myspace.com/fiachmusic) is playing there from 21:00. Admission is free.

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______Sunday __________________

CHILDRENS WORKSHOPS – PHOENIX PARK VISITOR CENTRE
Until December 2009 an impressive programme of workshops for children will be provided in Phoenix Park every Sunday from 10:30-12:30. Participation is free. The max number is 20 and the workshops are suitable for ages 5+ (Parental supervision required.) The children’s workshops combine art, nature awareness, history and heritage and are taking place at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre.
Next Workshops:
* 25 Jan – Medieval Life – includes visit to Ashtown Castle
* 01 Feb – Pond life
* 08 Feb – Make a Valentines Card
* 15 Feb – Creepie crawlies
* 22 Feb – Save the Planet! Discover Eco Art
* 01 Mar – Spring in the Walled Garden
* 08 Mar – Trees what would we do without them
* 15 Mar – St Patricks Day Cards
* 29 Mar – Medieval Life includes visit to Ashtown Castle
Bookings & Further Info: 01 6770095 or phoenixparkvisitorcentre@opw.ie
www.heritageireland.ie/en/Dublin/PhoenixPark

DUBLIN FLEA MARKET 2009
The first Dublin Flea Market this year is taking place in the Food Coop, 12 Newmarket, just off Cork Street, Dublin 8 on Sun 25 Jan from 11:00-17:00. “Come to our bizarre bazaar of vintage clothing, bric a brac and what nots and bring ur unwanted christmas presents to swap…If you have not experienced the new Dublin Flea Market then make sure not to miss the next one Sunday 25th January. And if the last two are anything to go by this indoor market promises to be a great day out with live music, food and plenty of bargains to be found from vintage & second hand clothing, accessories, hand made and organic goods, second hand bicycles, art, furniture, vinyl, books, dvds and loads of other quirky odds and ends.”
From now on the flea market will take place very last Sunday of the month. For more information check out www.dublinflea.blogspot.com. If you have items to sell contact dublinflea@gmail.com to find out if there is space available etc. And to check out the wonderful poster for the January flea market check the blog entry from 14 Jan.

SUNDAY AT NOON CONCERT – HUGH LANE GALLERY
The Sunday at Noon Concerts are free, 1-hour concerts in the Hugh Lane Gallery. Every Sunday at 12:00 a free concert will take place in the gallery. No booking is required and the concert is free. This week’s concert will celebrate the Chineses New Year Festival with the performers “The Silk and Bamboo Trio”.
“The enchanting sounds of silk strings and bamboo flutes transport one to China. The Silk and Bamboo Trio is part of the UK Chinese Music Ensemble – a leading Chinese instrumental group in Europe with international reputations. Comprising wind and string instruments, the sounds of the erhu (2-stringed fiddle), yangqin (hammered dulcimer) guzheng (21-stringed zither) and dizi (bamboo flute), are wonderfully played by virtuosi musicians. On this occasion, the Trio presents a set of traditional and modern Chinese music including regional and folk repertories.”
www.hughlane.ie/whats_on_detail.php?id=257

FAMILY PROGRAMME – NATIONAL MUSEUM
* In the National Museum in Collins Barracks the My Museum Programme is entitled “Silver Creations” for Age 7+. At 14:30 on 25 Jan a tour of the Treasures of Today’contemporary silver exhibition with Muireann Charleton and Mary Greene is provided and you can then learn how to make your own inspiring designs on silver and gold foil, using some of the same tools and techniques as a Silversmith. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=247
* On Sun from 15:00-16:00 the National Museum in Kildare Street will provide a Family Event in the “My Museum” series with the topic “Animal Origami” for Age 7–12: The marvellous art of paper folding gets a zoological twist. Come along and make your very own paper animals. No Booking required. Max 20 people.
www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=263

FAMILY EVENT – HUGH LANE GALLERY
“Sunday Sketching” the weekly workshop for 7+ year olds from 15:00-16:00 will not take place this week. Instead a Chinese New Year Workshops for all the Family is taking place from 13:30-14:30 on Sun 25 Jan. See Saturday for more information about this event!

FRENCH FRIDAY (ON A SUNDAY)
The next “French Friday on Sunday” is on 25 Jan in the Bia Bar, 28/30 Lower Stephens Street, Dublin 2. The evening starts at 20:00 and includes a pub quiz with food and drinks prices. french-friday.com/

REGULAR SUNDAY EVENTS
*The Mary Stokes Band (Blues) from 18:30 in Bruxelles near Grafton Street and near the Westbury Hotel. I listened to them a few times and they are brilliant!
*Jazz in The George in George’s Street from 16:30-18:00: Jazz Band Zrazy.
*Sunday Roast is the event in Thomas Reads “The Oak” in Dame Street/Parliament Street every Sunday from 19:00. Provided are free live music, games & roast potatoes.
* “Loose Change” play in Gibneys Pub, New St., Malahide every Sunday from 18:00-20:00.
* The Tangenteers (Rock/Reggae) are playing from 18:00 in Peadar Kearney’s in 64 Dame Street, Dublin 2. Ro Byrne (Acoustic/Rock/Indie – www.myspace.com/earthquakehair) is playing there from 21:00. Admission is free.
* Songs of Praise, a Rock Karaoke is taking place every Sunday from 21:00 in The Village in Wexford Street, Dublin 2. www.getpraise.com
* Gardiner Street Gospel Mass in St. Francis Xavier Church at the top of Gardiner Street near the junction with Dorset Street every Sunday at 19:30. Everybody is welcome independent from your level of religiousness. www.gardinerstreetgospelchoir.com
* Ballymun Gospel Choir Mass at 19:00 in Virgin Mary Church, Shangan Road, Ballymun.

WEEKEND EVENTS
If you are just looking for Sunday events, please check the event list for Saturday as well. A good few events are taking place on Saturday AND Sunday, but it wouldn’t make sense to list them twice.

______________________________
______Next Week_______________

———Monday————————–

FRENCH FOR TODDLERS – ALLIANCE FRANCAISE
“A petits pas” is the name of this “event” and it is especially for francophile mothers (and fathers) with toddlers. The Alliance Francaise (1 Kildare Street, Dublin 2) describes the programme in this way: “Starting from February the Alliance Francaise French language immersion programme for toddlers 1-5 year old will deepen the parent-child bond through French. “People who learn a second language at a younger age are more likely to have more advanced grey matter than those who learn later” say researchers from University College London. At Alliance Française, we strongly believe this and now offer an innovative programme one toddler-one adult to enrich your child’s intellectual development and ability to be open-minded to other languages and cultures. The open days is taking place on Mon 26 Jan from 10:00-12:00. For more information, contact: primary@alliance-francaise.ie or (01) 438 14 49.
www.alliance-francaise.ie/Newsletter

REGULAR MONDAY EVENTS
* Pint&Picture or Cine Café. From 19:30 Howard Linnane is screening short films and full-length films in his fortnightly alternating movie event in the Portobello Pub in South Richmond Street. Ring Howard (086-3614787) for more information. The film screenings are free.
* From 21:30 in the International Bar, Wicklow Street: An acoustic singer-songwriter session hosted by Jacqueline Tuck. Entry is free. The music styles vary from pop to folk to traditional. www.myspace.com/jacquelinetuck
* From 21:30 a traditional Irish music session is taking place in Kennedy’s Pub in Drumcondra. Admission is free.

———Tuesday————————

CONTEMPORARY MUISC LUNCHTIME CONCERT
A free contemporary music lunchtime concert in the National Concert Hall’s Horizons series will feature composer Benjamin Dwyer on Tues 27 Jan (at 12:30). Performing are RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Dwyer guitar, Richard O’Donnell percussion, Gavin Maloney conductor.
The pre-concert talk by Benjamin Dwyer will start at 12:30 and the concert begins at 13:05 in the National Concert Hall. Admission free. Booking: 01 417 0000 www.nch.ie
Other featured composers in the Horizons series are Seóirse Bodley (13 Jan), John Buckley (20 Jan) and Derek Ball (3 Feb).
www.rte.ie/performinggroups/2009/0127/horizons.html

OPERA SCREENING
“L’incoronazione di Poppea”, Claudio Monteverdi’s last opera (1642) will open this semester’s cycle of opera screenings in UCD. It will take place on Tues 27 Jan at 18:00 in the Newman Building, Lecture Theatre Q in UCD. All are welcome.

REGULAR TUESDAY EVENTS
* In the Bankers Inn on Trinity Street (off Dame Street) at 21:30: An acoustic singer-songwriter session hosted by Dave Murphy. A contribution is requested but not required. This is a listening club so is very quiet and features a lot of experienced songwriters trying out new material. www.myspace.com/davemurphyandfriends

———Wednesday———————-

TEMPLE BAR TRADFEST
From Wed 28 Jan the Temple Bar TradFest is taking place in Temple Bar. There are non-free concerts and free events. A lot of pubs in Temple Bar have joined in and are providing traditional music for free throughout the festival. The programme is quite extensive and I suggest that you have a look for more details on www.templebartrad.com. I will list some events next week, but for this week, you better check yourself. ;-)

BOTANIC GARDEN – LECTURE
The Lecture “Conserving threatened conifers of the world through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh” by Martin Gardner is taking place on Wed 28 Jan. Martin Gardner is Coordinator of the International Conifer Conservation Programme at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland and a leading international authority on the world’s conifers. The event is taking place from 15:00 in the Education and Visitor Centre of the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. (Venue Details: National Botanic Garden, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, www.botanicgardens.ie, Open: Winter (mid-Nov to 16 Feb): Mon-Sun 09:00-16:30, Summer (17 Feb to mid-Nov): Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00, Admission is free)

A SHORT HISTORY OF DEATH, DYING AND BEREAVEMENT
The new seminar series ‘Death, Burial and the Afterlife’ (organized by the research strand of the same name) will highlight the role death has played in past and present societies, present results of recent research and show the many ways in which it has been approached by different disciplines. The seminars will be presented on the last Wednesday of the month during term time, stretching from January 2009 until April 2010. For the launch of the series we welcome Allan Kellehear (Centre for Death & Society, University of Bath) who will present ‘A Short History of Death, Dying and Bereavement’. On Wed 28 Jan at 17:30 in the Newman Building, Lecture Theatre P, in UCD College of Arts & Celtic Studies. All Welcome
www.ucd.ie/events/?nd=&d=29%2F01%2F2009&f=week&dt=&k=

WRITERS READING
The ‘Last Wednesday Series Reading And Open Mic’ with readings from featured Writers and guests, including you is coming back on Wed 28 Jan at 19:30-21:30It is the first Seven Towers event of 2009 and it takes place at 19:30 in Cassidy’s of Westmoreland St. The participants are Steve Conway, Ross Hattaway, Eamon Lynskey, Donal Moloney, Noel O Briain, Oran Ryan among others!
www.seventowers.ie/cms/index.php?option=com_extcalendar&Itemid=27&extmode=view&extid=246

MICHAEL LONGLEY LECTURE
On Wed 28 Jan Michael Longley will deliver a lecture entitled “One Wide Expanse: A Return to the Classics” as part of his tenure as Professor of Poetry for Ireland. It will start at 20:00 in the Walton Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin, D2

REGULAR WEDNESDAY EVENTS:
* “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. www.thezodiacsessions.com/
* “The Song Room” is another open mic event. It takes place in The Globe in George’s Street at 20:30 on Wednesdays as well. www.myspace.com/thesongroom

———Thursday————————

DARWIN LECTURE – NATIONAL MUSEUM
The National Museum in Kildare Street is providing a Darwin Lecture with the title “Evolution of Humans Adults” on Thur 29 Jan at 13:00 and (repeated) at 18:00: “Walking upright, using tools, making fire and acquiring speech, guest lecturer Prof Tom Hayden (UCD) tells a story about humans that spans 5 million years.” www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=264

GRAHAM RAWLE: BARRY’S ‘TEA WITH’ WORKSHOP – RHA
Illustrator Graham Rawle will be at the RHA Gallagher Gallery on Ely Place in Dublin 2 on Thurs 29 Jan for the 2nd part of the Barry’s ‘Tea With’ series of  cultural tea-drinking workshops. Presented in association with Monster Truck Gallery & Studios, the workshop with Rawle, best known for his ‘Lost Consonants’ series with The Guardian, will take place at the RHA from 18:30. For an invitation to the event you can either become a fan of Barry’s Tea on facebook or else contact barrystea@thinkhousepr.com. www.grahamrawle.com and www.monstertruck.ie
(Royal Hibernian Academy 7 days per week: Mon – Sat 11 am – 7 pm and Sundays from 2 – 5 pm. www.rhagallery.ie)

DICE GLOBAL DIMENSIONS SEMINAR
The Global Dimensions seminar series of the ” Development Education and Intercultural Education Project” is an opportunity to come together bimonthly after work to hear about and discuss contemporary global and intercultural issues that affect us all. Each session is aimed at creating a relaxed and comfortable space where you can engage with those issues of today that you don’t normally get a chance to engage with.  Experienced speakers will be invited to facilitate informal but meaningful discussions about a range of current themes. On 29 Jan from 18:00-19:30 Conall O’Caoimh will talk about “What is Unfair About Trade?” This workshop looks at trade rules. It will outline the agenda of issues which needs to be addressed to bring about fairer trade rules. It will examine what is on the table in international trade negotiations, such as the WTO, and what outcomes are needed to rebalance the current injustices in the trade system. Conall O’Caoimh is a freelance consultant in development and trade and is Director of Value Added In Africa. Conall lobbied on trade issues at WTO, UN and EU level while working at Comhlámh and Dóchas. He also served on the Board of the Debt and Development Coalition from 1996 to 2002.
More information: www.diceproject.org/upcoming_events_dice.aspx. To register please send an email to info@diceproject.org. Please note that places are limited and early booking is advisable. Please check our website www.diceproject.org for an update on programme.

PAULA MEEHAN – POETRY READING
A poetry reading with Paula Meehan is taking place on 29 Jan in the Blanchardstown Library, Civic Centre, Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15. Their phone number is 01 8905560 or 01 8905563. And since I unfortunately couldn’t find the start time  for this event, you might want to ring eh Library.

JAY ROCHE – ARTIST TALK, THE LAB
Jay Roche will talk about his exhibition ‘RandomDreamSystem’ at The LAB, Foley Street, Dublin 1. He will be asked questions by Fergus Feehily. The event will take place on 29 Jan at 18:00. The discussion will be followed by a short sound improvisation performed by Anthony Kelly and David Stalling. All are welcome.
(Gallery Details: The LAB, Foley Street, Dublin 1, www.dublincity.ie/RecreationandCulture/ArtsandFacilities/Pages/TheLabFoleyStreet.aspx, Open: Mon-Sat: 10:00-18:00)

TRIBUTE TO JAMES LIDDY – POETRY IRELAND
On Thurs 29 Jan Poetry Ireland is inviting to “A tribute to James Liddy”, an evening of readings and reminiscences by friends of the poet James Liddy (1934-2008). Featuring Philip Casey, Alan Hayes, Jessie Lendennie, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Gerard Smyth, Macdara Woods, Tommy Smith and Brian Lynch and the launch of his last two books of poetry Askeaton Sequence & Wexford Arcady (Arlen House) and a memoir, The Full Shilling (Salmon Poetry).
The event will take place in the Unitarian Church, 112 St Stephen’s Green West, D2 at 18:30 and Admission is free. www.poetryireland.ie/whats-on/index.php

CHRISTIAN ORIGINS LECTURE SERIES – TCD
Trinity College is running a lecture series about Christian Origins. The lectures will take place on Thursday evenings from 29 Jan at 19:30 in the Walton Theatre, Arts Building
29 Jan – Professor Sean Freyne, TCD Emeritus and internationally renowned scholar of Christian Origins.
05 Feb – Dr Helen Bond, acclaimed author currently writing a book for T&T Clark on the Historical Jesus.
12 Feb – Professor James Dunn, Durham University Emeritus, ground breaking scholar in studies on the Apostle Paul.
19 Feb – Professor Loren Stuckenbruck, Durham University.
www.tcd.ie/Secretary/Communications/Noticeboard/ls_notices.html#12655

ARCHITECTURE LECTURE
On 29 Jan at 19:30 Sara de Giles (MGM Architects) and Dominic Stevens are in Trinity College, Davis Theatre for a lecture. Sara de Giles (Seville, 1972) in 1998 graduated from ETSA, Seville, and since 1999 has worked there as Associate Professor (Department of Architectural Projects). She joined José Morales and Juan González Mariscal’s studio in 1998 converting it into MGM Architects. Their work may be seen in Andalucía, Ceuta, Extremadura and Galicia.
Irish architect Dominic Stevens only does one or two projects a year from his one-man studio, based in an old refrigerated truck. He does his own carpentry and juggles his architecture with farming (he breeds goats, chickens and geese as well as making cheese), in the Irish town of Cloone, population 327. He lives in a crude house of plywood and sheets of glass, saying “Today the house is one of those unknown objects for which people always have to call in the experts to repair it. If instead our children grew up in a house in continual construction, they would learn about the art of building and could build their own houses
The lecture is part of the “Fresh-air-kitecture” series of talks.
www.morales-giles-mariscal.com/
dublin.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha53991_16_2.htm

———Friday————————

CLIMATE CHANGE LECTURE – UCD EARTH SYSTEMS INSTITUTE
The UCD Earth Systems Institute is inviting to a weekly seminar about climate change. The next public lecture will take place on Fri 30 Jan from 12:30-13:30 in The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, 6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2. The topic is “Making Road Transport Sustainable” by Dr. Lisa Ryan, UCD School of Geography Planning and Environmental Policy. A detailed description is here www.ucd.ie/earth/seminars/6_30jan09_lr_abstract.pdf and an overview over the whole seminar programme until June 2009 is here www.ucd.ie/earth

MIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION SEMINARS – TRINITY COLLEGE
The MPhil in Ethnic and Racial Studies program (School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Trinity College Dublin), in association with the Trinity Immigration Initiative Migrant Networks Project are hosting a series of seminars in coming weeks:
On Fri 30 Jan from 13:00-15:00 Dr Dominic Bryann (Institute of Irish Studies Queens University, Belfast) will talk about “How Belfast got its own indigenous Carnival: Civic space in Northern Ireland”. The event will take place in College Green Room 4 in TCD.
The Seminar Series is open to all. There is no registration required in advance however the room will only accommodate 50 people so admittance is on a first come first serve basis. For more information contact Ronit Lentin (rlentin@tcd.ie) and find details on www.tcd.ie/immigration/networks/news.php

Friday 30 January 2009 In association with the Post Conflict Justice Centre, TCD
1-3 PM, College Green Room 4 Dr Dominic Bryan, Institute of Irish Studies Queens University
Belfast
How Belfast got its own indigenous Carnival: Civic space in Northern Ireland

REELAN – CD LAUNCH
On Fri 30 Jan the newly formed Traditional Irish Group “Reelan” will launch their debut album ‘The Crooked Picture’ – a collection of new and fresh original compositions (music & song) by fiddle player Sandie Purcell. The event will take place in The Cobblestone Bar, 77 North King Street, Dublin 7 near Smithfield Plaza and will start at 21:30 (Doors 21:00). Admission is free. For further information visit www.myspace.com/reelan or email reelanmusic@gmail.com

———Pre-Announcements————————

TEMPLEBAR TRADFEST
The Temple Bar TradFest is taking place from 28 Jan – 01 Feb with the main events next weekend. In addition to non-free concerts, there are many free concerts and performance. I will tell you more about it next week, but to check out the programme before go to www.templebartrad.com

MID TERM WORKSHOPS – NATIONAL MUSEUM
The National Museum is running a number of workshop in the mide-term break for students. These workshops are free and all materials are provided and due to popular demand the workshops  are run twice a day, one at 11:00-12:00 and the second at 14:00-15:00. Places are limited to 15. Booking is essential. To book a place please ring  the Bookings Office on  01 6486453. The workshops will be taking place at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts, located in Collins Barracks.
Mid-Term Programme:
* Wednesday 18 February 2009 – Sliotars of Love
Make traditional Irish Hurling balls and learn how they were used as love tokens.
Age 8+. Places are limited to 15. Booking is essential.
* Thursday 19 February 2009 – Explore our new Barracks Life Room
We will have two sessions showing you the galleries letting you handle the objects and try on the uniforms in our Barracks Life Room
Session 1   11.00am – 12.00pm: Come along and examine the equipment and uniforms of soldiers who lived in this Barracks in the 1880’s, find out just how unhealthy the Barracks was and see what the soldier learnt.
Session 2    2.00pm – 3.00pm: Explore life in Ireland during the Emergency in the early 1940’s, look at our crashed plane engine, bomb shelter and see what the soldiers wore and used in their daily life in the Barracks.
Age 9+. Places are limited to 20. Booking is essential.
* Every Day at the Activity Area
The Activity Area is situated between the Out of Storage and Silver Galleries on the first floor of the Museum. Activities are free and don’t need to be booked, which means you can stay for as long as you like. Activities will follow a monthly theme relating to the Museum’s collections. Age 4+
www.museum.ie The booking line is open from 10:00-14:00 Monday to Friday.
Please note tours & workshops must be booked 2 weeks in advance

______________________________
______This is odd!!______________

RECESSION FREE ZONE?? – MINT BAR
Have you heard about economic crisis and recession and bank collapse and unemployment company closures in recent months? All doom&gloom around us but one oasis remains: The Mint Bar in the Westin Hotel, Style Bar of the Year 2007, seems to be a recession free zone. When I was there last week I had a look at the Cocktail Menu and saw at the front of the menu booklet a cocktail with Cognac and Vodka. Not my thing, I thought and moved on…until someone else pointed this cocktail out to me again and suggested that I read the whole description:
It said there: “The Minted” with Hennessy Richard Cognac, Grey Goose La Vanille Vodka, Mozart White Chocolate Liqueur, Crème de Cacao, 24-carat gold, Served in a Jasper Conran Waterford Crystal Martini Glass”. Yes I just read through that without thinking much about it, but the price did take my breath away. You can get this neat Cocktail for the measely sum of EUR 500 !!!!!!!!! I guess it is the 24 carat Gold (sprinkled over the rim of the glass) that makes it sooo expensive? SO you just drink the gold? Ok, it will re-appear at some stage, but at that time “digging for gold” will get a new meaning, I guess! The fact that you get “Two Jasper Conran Waterford Crystal Martini Glasses are gift wrapped for you to take away” is either to calm you down OR to give you palpitations every time you see them at home. :-) Obviously I don’t know how many of these Cocktails are sold, but even having it in the Cocktail Menu makes you wonder if the Mint Bar is on a different planet.
starwood.webcanada.com/restaurant/resources/user/5171/CocktailsDec2008.pdf
www.themintbar.ie

—————–
So, if I do not hurry now, I will NOT make my flight this morning! No sleep tonight for me. Ah well, maybe next week! ;-)

Enjoy the weekend!

–Joerg

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