Event Guide 131: Christmas in Docklands and at Farmleigh House, Dublin Flea Market, Christmas Eve Gospel Mass

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| DUBLIN EVENT GUIDE (for Free Events) No. 131
| 18 December 2009 Subscribers: 5493
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Hi all!

This weekend I will be on holidays. Hurray! But as promised, you will not have to spend the weekend without the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)”, instead I will send it already one day earlier. It means, however, that there are not all the usual things included in full. But I hope you will be ok with it for once week. ;-) So, for once, don’t JUST rely on this Event Guide for the free events, but keep your eyes peeled as well in case you can find something else interesting. :-)
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With Christmas around the corner, I guess it is time for me to send my letter to Santa. Who knows, he might get back to me with one or the other thing? Maybe one of you has a good “in” with the big man?

Last year I had a Segway Personal Transporter on my wish list. Not because I need it, just because this transport device is sooooo cool. ;-) www.segway.ie But Santa decided that I was asking for too much and I didn’t get the Segway. I have learned from it! ;-) So this year, I will ask for much less in that respect: MAYBE Santa will be able to get me a ticket for a Segway trip in Phoenix Park with www.glidetours.ie if they are still in operation? I haven’t heard or seen anything off them during the whole year apart from the website which seemingly didn’t get updated since March.

There are some alternative to it. I would love to have a remote control helicopter (again I scaled down – for the moment – from my true wish of a REAL helicopter :-) ). So if you have a 4 or 5-channel helicopter that needs a new home OR if you can ask Santa to get one to me, think of me. ;-) www.helipal.com/walkera-hm-60-helicopter-2-4g-edition.html?osCsid=tah499vuk96m21d67lv9d8apm1 Not sure what the fascination is with helicopters, but it seems that many guys share it. ;-)

But back to the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events), there are some wishes here as well. I wish and hope that we will continue to grow the Dublin Event Guide Community, spread the word further and for this I really need your help! So Santa and you, BOTH have to help to get the word out. Did you think about giving a voucher for the Dublin Event Guide as a Christmas present?? The perfect present for economically depressed times. Both the giver and the receiver will benefit. ;-) Just print out this www.perfectresults.info/event_guide_mini_flyers.pdf and hand them out to all the people that you would like to do something nice for. …and if you want to do something nice for all the shoppers in Grafton Street, just print PLENTY of them! :-P If your friends subscribe by sending a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com and use “Subscribe Xmas” in the Subject, I will even send them a personal welcome message and a Christmas Wish. Isn’t that something? :-D

By the way, if the presents I mentioned above on my wish list are too big for you, then just invest the affordable amount of EUR 12 (or maybe even more) in the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) to make sure that you will continue to receive it every week.

Please help letting lots more people know about the Event Guide by printing out the flyers that I have put together some while ago and by hanging them up at your work place or in your university or school or sports club/gym/church:
www.perfectresults.info/event_guide_mini_flyers.pdf
www.perfectresults.info/event_guide_tear_off_poster.pdf
If you have another idea how to spread the word, please send a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com with “Spread the word” in the subject line. All serious ;-) suggestions will be mentioned in one of the next issues and you will get credit for it!

For this week’s “Feel Good Slot” I was looking for a list of the nicest Christmas movies and found two lists of “Feel Good Movies”. Prepare before next week and when you are partied out, then make yourself comfortable in front of the TV and enjoy some heart-warming quality time:
www.ivillage.co.uk/newspol/film/filmfeats/articles/0,,648093_717954,00.html
www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Feel-Good-Movies/lm/3221RZCMPJOW6
The guys might not be tooo impressed (Bridget Jones? Mamma Mia?), but I am sure a repeat of Die Hard will be on one of the stations. ;-) And apart from that, guys, allow your softer side to shine through a little at this time of the year, it won’t count against you – just don’t tell your male friends. LOL

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A big thanks to Elaina O’N who invested in the Event Guide so that all of you will get it every week. Wanna help her (and me) a bit? Just EUR 12 will help hugely!

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, Saundra S, Meisoon N, Ruth F, Valerie McN, Estelle O, Aoife M, Mairin M, Fionán O’L, Maeve L, Blaithin O’D, Ciara D, Mike G, Andrej G, Deirdre R, Vanessa O’L, Chris McK, Frank B, Dolores P, Cornelia K, Cathy A, Orla C, Kevin McC, Steph G, Wanda J, Siv M-J, Niamh niS, Gwen H, Jasmin T, Ian O, Eva C, Will P, Gráinne P, Caroline R, Elizabeth F, Suzanne B, Adele G, Jack C, Keeva H, Mairead MacM, Niamh G, Siobhan C, Jackie B, Penny O’D, Kathryn K, Aidan G, Ciara G, Deirdre L, Stephen D, Mary Q, Donald P, Aidan C, Julia Sch, Isak R-B, Sharon O’S, Brajan V, Nancy O’D, Zelie McG, Niamh K, Jennie R, Semin S, Gavin H, David G, Becky B, Emer niB, Niamh N, Esme E, Ciaran H, Lois M, Gerard Ph, James O’H, Pere OC, Marsha D, Sarah McC, Patrick O’C, Sandra R, Christoph Sch, Deirdre O’B, Ellen C, Eimear O’F Luna B, Leslie C, Elaine McH, Elva O’G, Deirdre G, Martin O’M, Maeve C, Ciara O’C, Sarah D., Patrick C, John O’R, Brian C, Brian R, Caroline C, Elaina O’N and www.stickyfingerstravel.com (The travel guide for parents travelling with their children.), www.flamencoindalo.com (A group that supports and promotes the art of Flamenco in Ireland.), www.thepaulkanegallery.com (A great Art Gallery, located at 6 Merrion Square, which supports contemporary Irish artists.) and www.a1computers.ie in Dun Laoghaire/Cabinteely (…who repair computers, printers and sort out Internet problems fast and who sell computers, laptops and low priced printer cartridges). The main sponsor is www.kravmagaireland.com, the self-defence training centre for everyone, which provides regular 12-week or 2-day self-defence training courses for beginners.

Currently more than 5000 people are receiving this Event Guide every week and the wonderful people that have helped financially to get this newsletter to you every week are listed in the section above. To keep this newsletter going in its current form and to improve the layout and readability your help is needed! You can donate as much as you want or can, but if you need some guidance, maybe consider just ONE Euro per month i.e. 12 Euro per year (that is just 25 cent per newsletter) as a fair donation. (A once-yearly payment is better for you and me than a monthly payment.) — I know, some of you multiply 5000 x 12 and come up with huge numbers. ;-) I like your positive thinking, but over the last two years only about 2% of the subscribers have donated anything, so I am definitely not enriching myself ;-), your donation is really only used to ensure the survivability of this newsletter.

You can transfer your donation directly to “Joerg Steegmueller, AIB, SortCode 93-36-78, AccountNo 03556043” or donate using PayPal or your credit card by following this link to the PayPal donation page www.perfectresults.info/donation.htm.

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 promise for correctness can be given.

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______Joerg’s Picks______________

This section is intended to provide some help in picking and choosing from the huge number of events by sharing with you what I will/might or would do. Let me know if it is helpful, otherwise I might remove this section again to shorten the newsletter. This is not a “best of…” list and if an event is not listed here, it by no means implies that the event is not interesting. Instead my “picks” are just based on my personal preferences. All events mentioned here are described in detail further down.

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As you can imagine, the Christmas Week is VERY VERY quiet. There are still a few events at this weekend, but then on Monday all will calm down in the event world and get ready for Christmas. The Christmas Market in the Docklands will continue until 23 Dec, though.
I will be on holidays from today until Sunday. A mini-holiday, I know. But enough to visit a German Christmas Market and enjoy the good food and the Glühwein there. Hurray! I will miss a few events due to that. The one I would have definitely gone to is the SoulPower gig on Saturday evening and the Flea Market on Sunday. Apart from that I am looking forward to Christmas and a few days off. On Christmas Eve you will find me in Gardiner Street Church from 20:00 in case you want to wish me a Merry Christmas. ;-)

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______Competition______________

This week, I have no Competition for you, but if you work in a company that would be prepared to give a few items away for getting mentioned in this section, please contact me. I am always open for new ideas. If you have tickets for non-free gigs that normally wouldn’t make it in the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events), let me know and I will explain to you how the competitions work. Send a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com with Competitions in the subject line.

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______________

SNOW AT CHRISTMAS!?
90% chance for snow at Christmas, is the prediction of a 61-year-old postman from a remote village in Donegal. If it really happens and if it will reach Dublin is not known yet, but in a few days we will all know. ;-) www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1213/breaking13.html?via=mr

PASS THE HOT POTATOE: EIRCOM
The fifth owner in less than 10 years is taking over Eircom in January. The Singaporian company ST Telemedia is buying Eircom through a Cayman-island based company called Emerald Communications for EUR 140.2 million. Since the disastrous way the privatisation was handled approx. 10 years ago when a lot of people in Ireland lost significant amounts of money after buying Eircom shares, no single owner was ever interested to hold on to Eircom for more than they had to. And considering that Eircom is still the most expensive service provider for a whole range of services, it is surprising that the company can continue to keep a strong hold in the Irish telecommunications market. www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1216/breaking21.htm

MORE PUB NEWS
A receiver has been appointed for three Dublin Pubs that were owned by the Capital Bars group. Café en Seine, The George and Howl at The Moon are now in receivership (www.mlaw.ie/news/examinership-receivership-and-liquidation-what-s-the-difference). All will remain open … at least over Christmas. What happens after that remains to be seen. www.rte.ie/business/2009/1211/capital.html

———Opportunities—————–

In order to beat an economic downturn not governments can help, but individuals are needed that take the initiative and to create new markets and new opportunities for themselves and for their customers and hopefully employees. The banks don’t help anymore, the government doesn’t want to help, so we have to help ourselves! The Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) will help you if you have recently started a company and if you could do with spreading the word. I hope being mentioned here and being seen by the 5400+ readers of the Event Guide will kick start something big for you. In return I expect you to tell your clients and friends about the Event Guide and once you have made a nice bit of money, a donation would be very appreciated. ;-) (This offer is for start-ups in relatively early stages only. Established companies can contact me regarding very affordable advertisement options in the Dublin Event Guide.) If you want to promote your start-up/young company here for free, let me know: dublineventguide@gmail.com.

IRISH BEER BUDDY FROM BAN SUPPLIES
Blair Fanning has started BAN Supplies with two friends and Blair is a member of the Dublin Event Guide Community and would like to tell you about their new Irish company. www.BANsupplies.com is focussed on supplying novel gift ideas. At the moment they are selling a Thierry Henry Handball T-shirt and the Irish Beer Buddy.
The Thierry Henry Handball T-shirt is a fun gift for any sports fan and the guys from www.BANsupplies.com hope to see many Irish soccer fans wearing it at the next Ireland match. The second product is the Irish Beer Buddy bottle opener, an ingenious invention, which removes all standard sized glass bottle caps with a simple downward press motion. A video on the website shows the procedure and it is impressive! By placing the ‘Irish Beer Buddy’ bottle opener over the neck of a bottle a special spring-loaded mechanism removes caps with the minimum amount of effort and “with maximum party-pleasing potential”. Priced at EUR 5, the Irish Beer Buddy is the ideal stocking filler for Christmas 2009, so hurry over to www.BANsupplies.com.
All purchases are securely facilitated through Paypal.

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______Exhibitions_______________

CLODAGH EMOE – PROJECT ARTS CENTRE
‘Cult of Engagement’, an exhibition of work by Clodagh Emoe, will run at the Project Arts Centre from 17 Dec – 31 Jan. Please note that the Project Arts Centre will be closed from 23 Dec-01 Jan. www.projectartscentre.ie/programme/whats-on/759-cult-of-engagement (Venue Details: Project Art Centre, 39 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, www.projectartscentre.ie, Open: Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00)

GROUP SHOW – NATIONAL PRINT MUSEUM
‘New Additions’, an exhibition showing print works by Ann Gilleece, Susan Early, Bébhinn NicLiam and Angela Shivnen will be in the National Print Museum in Haddington Road, Dublin 4 from 15 Dec-29 Jan. www.nationalprintmuseum.ie

DIANNE WHYTE – MILL GALLERY
‘Echo of a Silent Cry’ is an exhibition of photography by Dianne Whyte. It will be on show at the Mill Gallery from 12 Dec-14 Jan. A special Christmas wine reception for the show will be held on Mon 21 Dec from 19:00. www.milltheatre.com

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______Friday___________________

TEMPLE BAR MARKETS
Especially for Christmas the Temple Bar Book Market)on Temple Bar Square) and the Designer Mart (in Cow’s Lane) will open this week on Friday AND on Saturday. If you wanted to buy something at the Designer Mart www.templebar.ie/home_nav_32_m_3.html and postponed it again and again, you should make your way this week to Cow’s Lane, because this is the last chance to buy the goods. After Saturday the Designer Mart will be on a long break until 13 March. I will unfortunately miss out! For a long time I am fascinated by the Robosteel www.robosteel.com/ robot thingies, but couldn’t decide which one to buy. Because I am away this weekend, I won’t get a chance now to buy before March if I want to see and hold the robot before I buy it. Make sure that you don’t miss out!
The Food Market (Meeting House Square) will take place on Saturday and will continue after Christmas without a break.

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.
* Need to wind down after a tiring week? Free Sahaja Yoga Meditation classes in Temple Bar every Friday at 19:30 at 4/5 Eustace Street, Temple Bar (next to IFI, ring bell no. 3). These are drop in classes, newcomers are welcome. For more information email info@sahajayoga.ie or check www.coolspirit.info or www.sahajayoga.ie. Classes are also on Mondays at 19:00 in Blanchardstown Library.
* The Covers play Rock Covers from 22:00 in The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2. Later: DJ Carlos Irie. Admission is free.

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12 DAY OF CHRISTMAS – DOCKLANDS CHRISTMAS MARKET
The “12 Day of Christmas” is the only genuine Christmas Market in Dublin and if you want to experience the flair of it and have a cup of Gluehwein there, you have to come to the Docklands. The market is next to the chq building at George’s Dock in the IFSC. It will run until 23 Dec and is open every day from 10:00-20:00 at the weekend and from 12:00-20:00 during the week. www.dublindocklands.ie/12daysofchristmas/index.jsp

TEMPLE BAR MARKETS
See Friday for details.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS – DEPAUL IRELAND
Depaul Ireland has launched their “Home for Christmas” Art&Music event to raise awareness of homelessness on Wed 16 Dec. It will consist of an exhibition, art workshops and live music at the Christmas Market stage in the IFSC.
* EXHIBITION: 16-23 Dec in CHQ Building at George’s Dock (All day)
The art exhibition will consist of art from past and present residents of Depaul Ireland. The exhibition reflects the residents’ experiences of homelessness and is designed to highlight the issue of homelessness while challenging some of the prejudices surrounding homeless people.
* ART WORKSHOPS: 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23 December (13:00-16:00 each day)
Children are invited to get creative and paint or colour their very own little Depaul Angel – designed by Dublin-based artist, Alan Mongey. The workshop takes place at the DePaul stall on the Christmas Market Platform in George’s Dock.
* LIVE MUSIC: 21 Dec (16:00-20:00), 22 Dec (12:00-15:00), 23 Dec (16:00-20:00)
Musicians and performance artists will ‘Busk for Depaul’ at the Christmas Market stage.
www.depaultrust.ie/

CHRISTMAS AT FARMLEIGH HOUSE
On Sat 19 Dec the Christmas Events at Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park are
10:00-17:00 Christmas Food Market, Courtyard/Farmyard;
10:00-17:00 Festive Crib & Children’s Christmas Room, Outdoors/Arkle Room;
12:00-12:30, 13:45-14:15, 15:30-16:00 The Witch in the Wood with special guest ‘Rudolf’ Christmas Puppet show with Anne Fitzpatrick, Cowshed Theatre
13:30-15:30 Carol Singing with St. Marys Chorale, The Ballroom
14:00-16:00 Barbershop Melodies with the Mellowchords, Outdoors;
12:45-13:30, 14:30-15:15, 16:15-17:00 Storytelling for Children with Danielle Allison & Sue Brown, The Old Kitchen
www.farmleigh.ie/culturalevents/currentevents/christmas2009/saturdaydecember19th/#d.en.12315

x-ARTS MARKET – CENTRE FOR CREATIVE PRACTICES
x-Arts Market at the Centre for Creative Practices is described as “a creative alternative to ”traditional” Christmas shopping for the entire family”. It will continue until 20 Dec, daily from 11:00-22:00. You will find original Paintings, Prints, Photographs, Textiles, Fine Art and Sculpture by outstanding Irish and international artists, you can take part in a series of creative workshops and events for both kids and adults. And you can make your own Christmas Cards, Illustrate Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, Origami, Ikebana, Calligraphy, or just listen/watch/eat/drink Readings, Storytelling, Short Films, Music, Performances, Hot Punch and Christmas Specialities. The workshops are not free, but visiting the market is free. The x-Arts Market is at the Centre for Creative Practices, 15 Pembroke Street Lower, Dublin 2. www.cfcp.ie/xart.htm

Free CAROL SINGING – GPO, O’CONNELL STREET
Would you like to help contribute to some Christmas cheer for all those busy shoppers on O’Connell Street? Sli Eile, a Jesuit organisation who works with young adults, is running a carol singing afternoon at the GPO on O’Connell St on Sat 19 Dec from 14:30-16:30. They have a permit to collect money as a fundraiser but have decided against that and will just sing some carols for fun to simply add to the spirit of Christmas. They are now inviting you to participate. You don’t have to be a fantastic singer, just come along for the fun even for a little while if you can’t do the full 2 hours. You can join them at the GPO or can come to the Sli Eile offices at 20 Upper Gardiner St (yellow door opposite Gardiner St Church) at 13:00 for soup and sandwiches before the start. It’s a small way to give something freely to others in the true spirit of Christmas. www.sli-eile.com

FAMILY & ADULT EVENTS – NATIONAL MUSEUM
# The Adult Gallery Talk “Cohabitation – Everything Counts!” takes place on Sat 19 Dec from 12:00-12:30 in Collins Barracks. It is suitable for Age 14+. Join ecologist Catherine McGuinness, NMI, to find out more about biodiversity and why all living things are all inextricably linked. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=894

FAMILY PROGRAMME – NATIONAL GALLERY
# “Seasonal Images” is the Saturday Tour in the National Gallery on Sat 19 Dec from 14:00. www.nationalgallery.ie/html/programevents2.html

SOULPOWER – WESTIN HOTEL
Have you ever heard me praising The Ratzingers? A super band that you will definitely like? Well, if you like the Ratzingers or if you like soul and funk, then a gig with SoulPower is an absolute most for you. SoulPower is made up of a number of people from The Ratzingers, with the big difference of the wonderful and talented Ratzingers front woman Katie Hughes being swapped out for the not less talented Mick Sheridan. If I were around I would be at this gig. Can someone go for me? And if you go say “HI from Joerg” to Padraig at the Keyboard. ;-) SoulPower will be Live in the Mint Bar in the Westin Hotel on Sat 19 Dec from 22:00-01:00 www.myspace.com/soulpowerbandireland

REGULAR SATURDAY EVENTS
* Don’t forget that the Temple Bar Markets (Temple Bar Food Market on Meeting House Square and 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
* The Dublin Food Coop runs a food market every Saturday (09:30-16:30) and Thursday (14:00-20:00) at Newmarket in Dublin 8. Fresh local and artisan produce, mainly organic, and other products for sustainable living are on sale. www.dublinfood.coop
* Sunday Market & Car Boot Sale at Kart City
Old Airport Road, Santry, Dublin 9. The Kart City Weekend Market is open every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 08:00-16:00 and until the end of May all car boot sellers can sell for free. sundaymarket.ie/
* Blackhorse Flea Market + Car Boot Sale. Every Saturday from 10:00-18:00 the Blackhorse Market is taking place. You can reach it from Tyrconnell Road and from Kylemore Road and it is within 3 min from Black Horse stop on red Luas line. theblackhorsemarket.com
* The Black Sheep play Rock Covers from 22:00 in The Mezz 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2. Later Dj Glenn Brown (Dublin Calling). Admission is free.
* Havana Tapas Bar is inviting to a Salsa Night with afro-latin percussion every Sat night 22:30-02:00. Bachata, salsa, merengue, reggeaton with resident DJ Papi Chulo. Food is available until 00:30 and usually there is plenty of room to get dancing.

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______Sunday __________________

12 DAY OF CHRISTMAS – DOCKLANDS CHRISTMAS MARKET
See Saturday for details.

DUBLIN FLEA MARKET
The last Dublin Flea Market this year is taking place in the Dublin Food Coop, 12 Newmarket, just off Cork Street, Dublin 8 on Sun 20 Apr from 11:00-17:00. This special Christmas Flea Market will hopefully help you to complete your Christmas Shopping. :-) 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. The Coop Hall is wheelchair accessible and lots of free parking spaces are right outside the door.

TALLAGHT VILLAGE GREEN CHRISTMAS MARKET
From Sun 29 Nov – Sun 20 Dec, every Sunday this market will take place at Village Green. There will be stalls each with different goods: Giftware, Jewellery, Candles, Toys, Clothing, Food, Crafts, Flowers and many more. In addition there will be free entertainment provided (Santa, Face-painting, Choirs, Lighting, etc) and free parking is available. dublincity.olx.ie/village-green-christmas-market-tallaght-iid-56695990

CHRISTMAS AT FARMLEIGH HOUSE
On Sun 20 Dec the Christmas Events at Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park are
10:00-17:00 Christmas Food Market, Courtyard/Farmyard;
10:00-17:00 Festive Crib & Children’s Christmas Room, Outdoors/Arkle Room;
12:00-16:00 Barbershop Melodies with the Mellowchords, Outdoors;
12:00-12:30, 13:45-14:15, 15:30-16:00 Christmas Crackers Christmas Puppet show with Conor Lambert, Cowshed Theatre
12:45-13:30, 14:30-15:15, 16:15-17:00 Storytelling for Children with Danielle Allison & Sue Brown, The Old Kitchen
13:00-16:00 Horse & Carriage Rides, Outdoors;
13:30-15:30 Carol Singing with Ballymun Music Programme, Ballroom
www.farmleigh.ie/culturalevents/currentevents/christmas2009/sundaydecember20th/#d.en.12316

STORY TELLING – HUGHES & HUGHES DUNDRUM
It is Storytime in Hughes & Hughes in Dundrum! Every Sunday from 12:00 you should bring all the family for storytelling and cookies plus extra fun activities, including crafts & face painting. All ages welcome. www.hughesbooks.com/

SUNDAY AT NOON CONCERT – HUGH LANE GALLERY
Nearly every Sunday a free “Sunday at Noon” concert is taking place in the Hugh Lane Gallery. From 12:00-13:00 classical music will be performed for free. No booking is required. This week’s concert on 20 Dec is with the Contempo Quartet playing String Quaret compositions by Haydn and Mendelssohn. www.hughlane.ie/whats_on_detail.php?id=400

GOSPEL PROJECT – ARNOTTS
On Sun 20 Dec the “Gospel Project” will be “Singing for Simon” in Arnotts, Henry Street, Dublin 1, from 14:00-16:00. Bring the family along for some carols & gospel tunes, and help to raise much needed funds for Dublin Simon. Further info: www.dubsimon.ie and www.thegospelprojectireland.com

SUNDAY SKETCHING – HUGH LANE GALLERY
The Hugh Lane Gallery on Parnell Square is running a “Sunday Sketching for 7+ year olds” programme. The title this week (20 Dec 15:00-16:00) is “Christmas Tree Pop-up Cards” Admission is free. www.hughlane.ie/whats_on_detail.php?id=357

FAMILY PROGRAMME – NATIONAL MUSEUM
# “My Museum: Festive Fun: A flight of imagination” takes place on Sun 20 Dec from 15:00 in Collins Barracks and is for Age 6+. “Join us this Christmas for a very special workshop with artist and facilitator Jole Bartoli.” www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=860
# “My Museum Family Programme: A Medieval Christmas Fair” is taking place on Sun 20 Dec in Kildare Street. It is an event for the whole family and runs from 14:00-17:00. Experience the magical tastes, smells and sights of a Medieval Christmas Fair. Meet market sellers of a bye-gone era as they peddle their wares. No booking required. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=873

HOLY JOES INFERNAL CABARET – THE MEZZ
Nearly every Sun from 16:00-21:00 “Holy Joes Infernal Cabaret” takes place in The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Admission is free. The next event is on Sun 20 Dec with Scarecrow Disco, Run Kid, David Clarke. It seems this week the event will start at 18:00 instead of the usually starting time of 16:00. www.myspace.com/gigevent

MATTINEE BRUNCH CLUB – ODEON BAR & GRILL
The Odeon are inviting all families on Saturdays + Sundays from 12:00-18:00 to a “Mattinee Brunch Club”. Good Food, Kids movies (13:00 and 15:00), major international sporting events on the other big screen, kids under 3 eat for free are the main attractions of this offer.
“The Matinee Brunch Club is a place where you, your family and friends can relax, watch a movie [or the match] and eat quality freshly made food in an informal family friendly atmosphere. We serve a full brunch menu all day and kids under 3 eat for free! At The Matinee Brunch Club it’s easy for you, and your family to have fun together.”
Upcoming Movies are 19/20 Dec: Elf, 02/03 Jan: Ice Age, 09/10 Jan: Monsters Inc, 16/17 Jan: Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, 23/24 Jan: Finding Nemo, 30/31 Jan: Happy Feet. For further information ring 01 672 7690 or check www.odeon.ie/
The Odeon Bar & Grill is in the Old Harcourt Street Station, Dublin 2.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT – DESTINY CHURCH
Siobhan H told me about an event at the Destiny Church in 64 Great Strand Street, Dublin 1 (behind the Morrison Hotel, near the Liffey). On Sun 20 Dec at 18:30 you are invited to “Christmas Carols by Candlelight”. Admission is free and there are even mince pies afterwards. More information about the church and the event is here www.destinychurch.ie

REGULAR SUNDAY EVENTS
* Blackhorse Flea Market + Car Boot Sale. Every Sunday from 10:00-18:00 the Blackhorse Market is taking place. You can reach it from Tyrconnell Road and from Kylemore Road and it is within 3 min from Black Horse stop on red Luas line. theblackhorsemarket.com
* The Mary Stokes Band (Blues) will be back in Bruxelles, Harry Street near Grafton Street and near the Westbury Hotel from 30 Aug. The start time is advertised as 18:00, but the actual start is usually significantly later. The gigs are not EVERY week, but most weeks. Admission is free.
* Jazz in The George in George’s Street from 16:30-18:00: Jazz Band Zrazy.
* Sunday Roast is a weekly event in the Globe in Sth George’s Street from 20:00-01:00. Provided are free live music, games & roast potatoes. www.myspace.com/sundayroast1
* “Loose Change” play in Gibneys Pub, New St., Malahide every Sunday from 18:00-20:00.
* The great Funk/Soul/Reggae/Jazz band Mob Fandango are playing in the newly renovated Camden Street Palace every Sunday evening from 20:00-22:00. Admission is free. www.myspace.com/mobfandango
* From 21:00 in The Bleeding Horse on Camden Street “The Apollo Sessions” is a free show featuring multiple styles of original music from local and international musicians and songwriters www.myspace.com/thebleedinghorsesessions
* The Brazilian Samba Rock Band +55 is playing every Sunday at the Odeon in Harcourt Street from 20:00-22:00, followed by a DJ playing Forro, Axe, and a mixture of Brazilian rhythms and salsa beats. Admission is free before 21:00 and EUR 5 after that.
* 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
* The Burning Effigies are playing afrobeat, jazz, funk and soul every Sunday from 23:00 in Turk’s Head in Parliament Street. www.turkshead.ie
* 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 Vir gin 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————————–

CINE-CAFE – MOTHER REILLY’S, RATHMINES
Howard Linnane’s Irish movie screening night Cine-Café (an evening of short films) and Pint & Picture (full feature film screening) take place on alternating weeks with the next event taking place on Mon 21 Dec at 19:00. (Well, I guess it does take place. Please check with Howard beforehand because Christmas Week is a little odd for regular events.) The venue is Mother Reilly’s in Rathmines, Dublin 6 (Uppercross House Hotel, 30 Upr Rathmines Road (opposite Tesco)). Because there can be changes to the start time depending on other events in the pub, it would does make sense to ring Howard on 085-1351822 to confirm the start time.

REGULAR MONDAY EVENTS
* Every Mon from 20:00-22:00 in Bewley’s Cafe Theatre, 78 Grafton Street, the recently-formed music collective the ‘Lazy Band’ is playing roots, trad and folk songs from Ireland, England, America and anything else they like. Admission is free and the bar serves during the show. Some people order up pizzas from downstairs. Laid-back atmosphere, unplugged and informal. www.myspace.com/thelazyband
* ‘Hugh Cooney Don’t Like Monday’, a cabaret and live visual performance by Hugh Cooney, will take place every Monday night from 20:30 at The Pygmalion, South William Street, Dublin 2 (formerly Ba Mizu in Powerscourt Shopping Centre). Admission free. www.myspace.com/hughcooneycomotions
* From 21:00 in the International Bar, Wicklow Street: The Glór Sessions feature acoustic singer-songwriters, comedy, spoken word and poetry hosted by Stephen James Smith. Entry is free. www.stephenjamessmith.com/Glor.html
* From 21:30 a traditional Irish music session is taking place in Kennedy’s Pub in Drumcondra. Admission is free.
* From 22:00, the front bar of Whelans is the venue for the Open Mic event “Acoustic Nightmares Night”, organised by the band The Mighty Stef and some members from The Last Tycoons. This is a free event. www.facebook.com/pages/THE-MIGHTY-STEF/17575454643
* Upbeat Generation is playing Soul/Funk/Rock Covers in The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2 from 22:00. Later: DJ Rasheed. Admission is free.

———Tuesday————————

REGULAR TUESDAY EVENTS
* Open Mic Night with The Last Tycoons in O’Donoghues on Suffolk Street every Tueas from 20:00. It’s free and anyone can get up, sing a song or do whatever they like. www.facebook.com/pages/ODonoghues-Open-Mic/71834618844
* 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
* White Chocolate is playing Rock Covers from 22:00 in The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2

———Wednesday———————-

REGULAR WEDNESDAY EVENTS:
* CoCo Markets at Docklands. Every Wed from 15 Apr-28 Aug from 12:00-14:30 a CoCo food market is taking place at Excise Walk in the IFSC. www.dublindocklands.ie/index.jsp?p=94&n=341&i=26
* The “Havana International Language Exchange” is taking place every Wed from 17:30-19:30 in Havana Tapas Bar in George’s Street. The majority of people there are Spanish or English-speaking, but French, Italians, Polish and Chinese are sometimes coming to and everybody is welcome to meet for a chat to improve your Spanish or English.
* “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 SOME Wednesdays. The frequency got less predictable in recent weeks/months and you should check the website before going. www.myspace.com/thesongroom
* 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).
* Seven Deadly Skins are playing Reggae/Ska Covers from 22:00 with DJ Dotsie later. The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2. Admission is free.

———Thursday————————

CHRISTMAS EVE
On Thursday 24 Dec is Christmas Eve and while this is an extremely important day in most countries, in the English-influenced countries it is not sooooo relevant. In Ireland it is the last (for some people the FIRST) Christmas Shopping Day, so expect full shops and packed Grafton Street and Henry Street. The shops start closing at around 16:00 and around 18:00 most shops will have closed (unless they leave it until later this year to sell something even to the last shopper). For some it is then off to the Pubs, since Christmas Day is a pub-free day for most. ;-) Others prepare for Christmas Eve mass or later for midnight mass (could start anytime between 22:00 and 00:00, depending on the church).

CHRISTMAS – GARDINER STREET GOSPEL CHOIR
The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir will be busy on Christmas Eve and that means I will be busy too. ;-) From 08:00-10:00 we will sing on Dublin’s 98 radio show which will be transmitted live from Bewley’s Café in Grafton Street.
And later on Christmas Eve we will sing during the Christmas Eve Mass at 20:00 in Gardiner Street Church near the junction of Gardiner Street and Dorset Street. If you want to experience a wonderful and magical Christmas Eve with brilliant music, you have to come to this Christmas Eve mass. I suggest you come early because the church fills fast on Christmas Eve!

SINGLE MINGLE – SHELBOURNE BAR
“8out Introductions” invites to a “Mix & Mingle” event in the Shelbourne Hotel Bar 27 on Christmas eve for anyone looking to meet new people, have fun and find romance. It’s free to come along for this special once off Christmas eve introductions party. The party starts at 18:00 and finishes at 19:00. For more information contact info@8out.ie or check www.8out.ie. Saoirse Sheridan is the organiser of this event and when you go there, please tell him that you heard about it in the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events).

CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL
If the Christmas Eve Gospel Mass in Gardiner Street Church is not your thing, then you can go to St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral for the Christmas Eve mass there at 21:30. (You could even go to both masses if you are so inclined.)
The famous Palestrina Choir begins the evening in St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral with Christmas Carols at 21:30 and at 22:00 the candlelit Mass of Christmas Night begins. The Lord Mayor and members of the Dublin City Council and the Diplomatic Corps are usually in attendance, so you’ll be rubbing prayer books with Dublin’s Establishment too! Arrive early if you want a seat.
( The Palestrina Choir is comprised of choir boys aged 9-14 years old, who have toured all over Europe and given evening services in Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s. The choir specialises in classical polyphony and Gregorian chant.) www.procathedral.ie/

You can’t automatically assume that the Regular Events between now and the new year really take place, so please check before you go!

REGULAR THURSDAY EVENTS:
* A weekly pub quiz is taking place in Peadar Kearneys, Dame Street every Thursday. Register from 19:00. There is no charge.
* Open Mic Night – Lucan County Bar. Set-up and run by Ian Smith, who is a friend of mine, this event will take place every last Thursday in the month at 20:00. The venue is the 1st floor of the Lucan County Bar (on the grounds of the Lucan Spa Hotel on the N4). www.lucanspahotel.ie/ENG/map.html
* Quiz Night in The Lotts Cafe Bar, 9 Lower Liffey St, Dublin 1. Every Thurs a quiz night with great prizes is taking place at 20:00/20:30 depending on football. Participation is free.
* “Thirsty Thursday” Open Mic Night from 21:00 in the Mullingar House in Chapelizod Village. www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111621257112
* The Bionic Rats play live Reggae and Ska every Thursday in Turk’s Head from 22:00. Admission is free. www.turkshead.ie
* The Poor Boys play Rock Covers from 22:00 in The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, D2. Later: DJ Tim. Admission is free.

———Friday————————

CHRISTMAS DAY
Today is Christmas Day and at the 40 Foot in Sandycove the traditional Christmas Swim in the sea will take place. In a number of locations there are Christmas Charity Runs in the morning. From around midday the City will turn quiet and the Christmas Dinner is the central event in families. All shops will be closed in Dublin (in recent years with the exception of some Spar/Centra shops that are run by non-christian staff). Typically all pubs are closed on Christmas Day.

———Pre-Announcements————————

This section contains lots of events this week that happen in the future some of them require free tickets and it is mentioned where this is the case. Put the events in your diary and for the ticketed events hurry to request your tickets:

SALES START EARLY
In recent years the 26 Dec, which is called St. Stephen’s Day (NOT Boxing Day!), was a similarly quiet day like Christmas Day (25 Dec), but this year many shops have announced that they will open for an early start of the sales. Expect the shops that do open on that Saturday to close at around 18:00.

______________________________
______This is odd!!______________

MAPLIN – SHOCKING PRICES
We all know that British shops fleece Irish customers by applying imaginary exchange rates to their prices when they convert from British Pound to Euro. And while often an explanation is attempted, nobody was ever able to justify the huge “Ireland Surcharge” as far as I can see. VAT rate difference, higher insurance cost and rents and higher salary explains SOME of the price increase, but not all.
I have heard stories about Debenhams, Argos, PC World and a good few more shops of applying unreasonable “Ireland surcharges” and to make it less apparent a number of shops have stopped showing GBP and EURO prices on the same label.
For me the perfect example of a totally overpriced British shop is Maplin, the so-called “electronics specialist”.
A nice person gave me some Maplin vouchers last year as a present and for that reason I unfortunately can’t buy elsewhere.
Last week I was in Maplin in Jervis Street and saw three products: A 1 TB Harddisk was priced at EUR 99. In the UK you can get the same harddisk from Maplin for GBP 69.99 (www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=257315) and a similar (but not identical) 1 TB harddisk can be bought in Reads in Nassau Street for about EUR 75. (In Germany you can get the identical disk as in Maplin for EUR 69.). A “Heavy-Duty 5-in-1 Jump Starter” is in Maplin in Ireland EUR 99.99 and in Maplin in the UK the same one costs GBP 49.99!! (www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=224871) And taking the biscuit is the “Strength Ball”, a gyroscopic exercise ball, which is priced at the outrageous EUR 29.99 in Maplin in Ireland, whereby Maplin UK charges GBP 9.99 (www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=344961). All Irish prices are taken from the current brochure that I picked up in the shop in Jervis Street last Saturday. With price differences like that, I guess Maplin Ireland is not the shop for price conscious shoppers!

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—————–
Have a wonderful Christmas, if we don’t hear from each other before. ;-) Actually, you will hear from me over Christmas, because the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)” is always there to tell you about free events and there will be free events between Christmas and New Year. So, check your mailbox next weekend, you might get post from me on Friday! ;-)

–Joerg

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This Event Guide (the “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)”) is an Event Guide with a difference. It covers mostly free events based on the thinking that free events deserve additional support and that non-free events have the money to pay for advertisement. The Guide is a _guide_ and not just a listing and is therefore at times quite extensive. It is sent for free to anybody who is interested and if you want to be added to the mailing list or know somebody who would like to receive this guide, just send a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com with the Subject “Subscribe”.
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BTW: I am not paid or otherwise rewarded for compiling and distributing this Event Guide it is purely a hobby so your donations are needed: www.perfectresults.info/donation.htm. Advertisement in or sponsorship of the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) is possible and very welcome, please contact me for more information.
Please note: The Dublin Event Guide (for Free Event) is not related or connected to the former fortnightly printed publication “the event guide” that you found until December 2008 in pubs and other venues.
Copyright 2009 by Joerg Steegmueller.
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