Event Guide 248: St. Patrick’s Festival (Parade, Big Day Out, Treasure Hunt), Get Started Conference

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| DUBLIN EVENT GUIDE (for Free Events) No. 248
| 16 March 2012 Subscribers: 10582
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Hi all!

This weekend is probably the busiest of the year. St. Patrick’s Festival might not be the best or most attractive festival for many, but because it is the only official festival of the year, it gets a lot of money and support. And for that reason there are events just everywhere.
The weather is obviously important for such a big outdoor event and earlier it didn’t look too good, but there is a good chance that it will improve over the weekend, so let’s hope!

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I worked really hard this week to send this “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)” out earlier than in the last few weeks and I hope it will work. Sometimes the delaying problems occur in the last few minutes and this week I nearly had my Laptop causing some disaster, but it all got sorted. ;-)

Many people expect that the St Patrick’s Day Festival is not vey exciting and having seen the St. Patrick’s Day Festivals since they were started again about 7 years ago, I can definitely confirm that the festival is increasing every year, so give it a chance and you might be impressed. What I always hated about St. Patrick’s Day is that there was absolutely nothing to do in town after the parade, luckily this is very different this year. There are band performances and street performances and other events, so that the masses that come to the parade have something to do after the parade. So, I am looking forward to this year’s festivities.

One suggestion to Dubliners that come originally from the USA: Do not not not not not give St. Patrick’s Day (or Paddy’s Day), the awful name “Patty’s Day”! I don’t know who came up with this, but he or she should be smacked for it! :-)

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Are all your friends and family as informed about St. Patrick’s Day events as they should be? Or do you have to tell them again and again what the interesting events in Dublin are? Make your life easier and get them to subscribe to the Dublin Event Guide so that they don’t annoy you anymore! ;-) Tell them to subscribe to the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) and they will give you a bit of a break. They can subscribe at www.dublineventguide.com or on www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide (Click on “Join Email List” in the menu on the left.)! And please tell the WORLD by printing this poster and hanging it up in your gym, work place, local supermarket etc. www.perfectresults.info/event_guide_tear_off_poster.pdf

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We are more than 7800 people on the Dublin Event Guide – Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide but it would be great to grow the community there even more. Join in and click LIKE on the facebook page and tell your friends! You will get last minute updates and event reminders through the Facebook Page and you can share your free events directly there with the other people in the Dublin Event Guide Community.

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The “Feel Good Slot” at this place in the Dublin Event Guide is to share some inspirational, motivational or thought provoking quotes, stories or video clips. You wonder why I added this section to this e-zine? If your week was great, you might not need it, but most of us had some challenging moments in the last week and this section is for the people that want to remind that despite all, life is great and it is important to be alive!
During the week I came across a quote that I liked. I don’t even know who said it, it might just have been a smart insightful person instead of a famous person and it doesn’t really matter. Many people have dreams, but don’t do much about them or allow circumstances to hold them back and I am sure you have heard the advise “Follow your dreams!”. But the one that I liked goes a big step further and I would like to give that to you and maybe some can use it as a motto for the next while. The saying goes “Don’t follow your dreams! Chase them!” I will take that onboard and I will make sure that you will benefit from it! ;-)

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This part is important to “keep the show on the road”:

Last week Clare D and Paula R contributed to the Dublin Event Guide. Their contribution is HUGELY appreciated! But, dear readers, I need more of you to help with a small donation! The donations are important to ensure that you all will continue to get the Dublin Event Guide every week. If you have never helped with a contribution, ask yourself if the Dublin Event Guide has helped you to find events that you otherwise wouldn’t have known about or if it even helped you to save money…and then go to www.perfectresults.info/donate.htm

To join the list of the much appreciated and esteemed supporters of the Dublin Event Guide, go to www.perfectresults.info/donation.htm I appreciate ANY help. EUR 12 would be great, but even if it is just the price of 2 pints it will help me to cover the cost. – To cover the cost for this Event Guide, I need about 4 donations every week and to improve the Event Guide, I need another bit more.

I am giving 25-30 hours every week for no pay or reward, so that you get the Dublin Event Guide every week. All I need from you is to help with just 25 cent per week or EUR 12 per year. Where else can you get sooo much value for soo little money!?

BTW: If you think that I make money from advertisement because you see a few ads here or on the website, then please note that only if YOU click on the link in this newsletter/e-zine AND then buy or order (for example, order books from bookdepository) a (very) small amount (EUR 0.30 on average!) will be paid to me. If you don’t BUY, I get nothing and if you don’t click on the link here every time you want to purchases something, I don’t get anything either. Have a look at the website www.dublineventguide.com and if you want to book a hotel at hotels.com or buy something from any of the other advertisers, make sure you click on the ad on the website just before you buy, only then I will get some money for the ads.

You can donate online by following this link to the PayPal&CreditCard donation page www.perfectresults.info/donation.htm If you want to transfer your donation directly to my account, just send a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com and I will send you the details.

In the last 12 months the following wonderful people have sponsored this Dublin Event Guide: Donna M, Arthur D, Selina McC, Katrin H, Gil H, Padraig P, Melina Z, Cathy A, Thomond C, Raymond R, Nicola R and Noemi V, Ciaran W, Isabel F, Brendan M , Tom D, Luke, Monika K, Janine McK, Tom D, Sebastian B, Paul T, Anne G, Marc F, Camelia P, Nicola B, Ciaran H, Ryan M, Ellen M, Gerard C, Laura G and Fergus G, Emma S, Tara R, Karen L, Catherine T., Rainey D-G, Sally P, Johan S, Lorraine F, Eimear MacH, Elzbieta D, Monika E, Tracey OC, Julia Sch., Isabelle F, Barry P, Alan G, Gerard Ph, Irial G, Louise M, Milena V, Fanny T, Clodagh O’C, Fiona F, Yvonne S, Loretta K, Lauren O’R, Charles C, Caoimhe L, Adrian Ph, Sandi C, Elva O’G, Sally Ph, Thomas D, Emilie Ch, Hans Martin W, Eamonn O’R, Patrick O’C, Eamonn U, Fiona O’R, Louise B, Serena F, Paul M, Louise F, Colin D, Philip McK, Catherine E, Mélanie B, Irene H, Jo H, Ronan K, Clodagh O’C, Alison P, Claire H, Brian L, Therese O’R, Sean S, Zelie McG, Christian K, Esme E, Vincent R, Sophie P, Tom B, Barbara Q-B, Joan S, Catherine E, Deirdre I, Donna M, Conor R, Tom McM, Anna F, Corina R, Maite L-Sch, Aine C, Justin McC, Paul A, Enrique P, Kiera M, Sinead D and Sarah C, Anto K, A C, Lorraine M, Nikodem R, Stefanie N, Emma L, Brendan M, Margaret B, Karen D, Clare D, Paula R and www.GravitationalFX.ie (An Irish Web Design, SEO and Internet Marketing who offer affordable web design.), www.FlamencoIndalo.com (A group that supports and promotes the art of Flamenco in Ireland.), www.olliart.com (An art curator and seller of art to businesses and private collectors.), www.thepaulkanegallery.com (A great Art Gallery, on the search for a new gallery venue.) and www.a1computers.ie in Dun Laoghaire/Cabinteely (…who repair computers, printers and sort out Internet problems fast and who sell computers, laptops and lo w 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.

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. 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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This week I will indulge in a number of St Patrick’s Festival events. On Saturday I plan to go to the parade. Not to see the parade, I have been too far back for the last 2 or 3 years, so I am giving up on seeing the parade, but the atmosphere is great in town (assuming the weather is ok). When the atmosphere changes at around 19:00, I will definitely leave the city to the drunken people, but before that there are some bands on Open Air stages and I am looking forward to that.
On Sunday I will be at the Big Day Out and in the evening you will find me in Gardiner Street Church for the Gardiner Street Gospel Mass like every Sunday. On Monday I might (but am not fully decided yet) take part in the Treasure Hunt. I have never tried it and would like to at some stage.

On Tuesday there are THREE interesting events. The first one is the Get Started conference for Start-ups in Dublin City University (DCU), then there is a RDS Talk about Titan (is it a moon or a planet?) and the Alchemist Café talks about Neutrinos. I know, sometimes it is strange things that interest me, but I like widening my horizon! :-)

On Wednesday and Thursday I will take some time off events. Not totally! I will already work on the next Dublin Event Guide, but I don’t plan to go to any of the events listed here, I have some other things to do. ;-)

Make the most out of the long weekend if you are so lucky to have Monday off!

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______Competition______________

WEE ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL – TICKETS
The 5th Wee Adventure Film Festival will take place on Fri 30 March in Vicar Street. The festival is the home of short films with a sense of adventure and this year there will be 20 adventurous films. Get your tickets on www.ticketmaster.ie for EUR 15 (+ booking fee). Vote for your favourite film at the festival and be in with a chance to win great outdoor gear. The films will cover Climbing, Mountain Biking and Kitesurfing as well as newcomers Ocean rowing, paragliding and Free Running. For the adventurous readers of the Dublin Event Guide, the organisers have a nice price: They made 2 pairs of tickets available for a competition and that is where your chance lies. To enter the competition for a pair of tickets, send a mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com with WAFF in the subject line and with you rname and mobile phone number in the body of the mail. Your mail has to be with me by 12:00 on Tues 27 March. And check out all the event details on www.waff.ie

There are a few competitions in the pipeline, so there will be more next week, but if you know someone who would like to get the word out about a product they are selling, put them in contact with me. Ticket competitions are great, but it would be nice to have a few more product competitions too. You can reach me on dublineventguide@gmail.com

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______Dublin News______________

ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL: TO GO OR NOT TO GO!?
Every year a number of people ask me if they should go to the St. Patrick’s Festival or not and it is a fair question. For many the festival or at least some elements of it (e.g. the Parade) is seen more as an event for visitors than for the locals and I know where that is coming from. The parade was a poor effort for many years, but that has definitely changed. The effort that goes into organising the parade and in building and planning the contributions (the decorated platforms, either built on a vehicle or towed behind one are called “Floats”) is huge and the parade is improving year on year. Is it perfect? Not yet, but it is worth checking out!
One of the highlights for me is the Big Day Out on Sunday. It is more like a Family Day around Merrion Square and on a nice day is a lot of fun.
The Ceili is taking place already on the Friday and the two years that I went to it, it was a lot of fun, but you have to give some jumping around (we can’t really call it “Irish Dancing” in a lot of cases) a go. If that is not your thing you can come to listen to the music, but if that is not your thing either, then go somewhere else.
I am looking forward to the “Band & Street Performance” element, which is brand new this year. The Treasure Hunt (on Monday) I have never done, but I have heard from others that they enjoyed it.
So, all in all, I would definitely recommend you try a number of all of the events. But there are big downsides to some evens as well: The parade is MUCH too short, not the number of floats/contributions, but the route is too short for the number of people that would like to see it. (Check out this week’s “This is ODD” for more about the problems with the parade and about the hilarious lies around it!) The atmosphere in town AFTER the parade is disappointing when, despite all efforts, the City Centre degrades into drunkenness. I usually leave the centre by around 19:00 at the latest. No more fun after that. Let’s hope it is better this year! The biggest disappointment for me is that there will again be no Skyfest (Fireworks at the Liffey).
So there are a LOT of bright aspects, but we have to face the minuses as well and hopefully things will improve year after year.

NEW CINEMA AT THE POINT VILLAGE
A lot has been tried at the Point Village. A Food/Farmers Market was terminated after a few months of no success. A Christmas Market was stopped before it even started. A Car Boot Sale never took off. The Big Wheel has been removed in an overnight action because people didn’t use it. The concert venue that was planned for the area has still not been completed. An underground pub near the Point Depot (O2) is more closed than open, or has it maybe completely been closed?
The only thing that seems to work at the Point Village is the concert venue that is the Point Theatre or O2.
Now a new attempt is made to inject some live in the area: Odeon, the largest cinema group in Europe has announced that they will open their first Irish cinema on 27 March in the Point Village. It will have a supersized, “three storey-high” screen and will have a total of six screens with more than 1000 seats.
Will this new cinema get people to come to the Point Village? Or will it be another flop? Only time will tell! (Thanks to Lisa C. for telling me about this.) www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/new-dublin-cinema-to-host-three-storey-screen-543480.html

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AMERICAN FOOTBALL IN DUBLIN – HUGELY POPULAR
On 01 Sept, an American Football Game between the University of Notre Dame and the United States Naval Academy will be played in the Lansdowne Road Stadium (Aviva Stadium). The tickets will only go on sale in Ireland on 20 March, but 25,000 tickets have already been sold in the USA. If that means that nearly 25k US visitors are coming to Ireland because of a single American Football game, we might have found a fix for the trouble the tourism industry is in at the moment. Just run a game every few months here and thousands of Americans will flock to Ireland thescore.thejournal.ie/keen-interest-in-american-football-fixture-at-lansdowne-382870-Mar2012/

RIVERDANCE COMES TO AN END
After the whopping number of more than 10,000 performances, Riverdance is ending its worldwide tour after 16 years. Definitely an Irish success story, this modern take on Irish dancing was born as an entertainment act at the Eurovision night in Ireland in 1994 and then went on tour for more than 1.5 decades. It is probably Ireland’s most successful export article and has brought Irish music and dancing to more than 22 mio people. The story about the final US tour and some other quirky facts is here:
thedailyedge.thejournal.ie/riverdance-bids-farewell-to-us-382610-Mar2012/

PADDY’S GO Free – GUINNESS STORE HOUSE
The Guinness Store House has a full programme for the St. Patrick’s Day weekend with live music from 16-18 March and lots of other events. Guinness Store House events are never free, so they can’t be included here, but St. Patrick’s Day is slightly different…as long as you are a Patrick, Patricia or another variant of the name Patrick (all valid variations are here www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/docs/name_variantions.pdf) If you are named after Patrick, then you will get in to the Guinness Store House for free on 17 March. Check the details here: www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/St-Patricks-2012.aspx If you are not named after Patrick, unfortunately the price of admission is EUR 12.96 or more.

———Opportunities—————–

In order to beat an economic downturn not governments can help, but individuals are needed that take the initiative and create new markets and new opportunities for themselves and for their customers and hopefully employees. 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. Being mentioned here and being seen by the 10,000+ readers of the Dublin Event Guide should help to 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 much 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.

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______Exhibitions_______________

Based on your feedback, I have decided to do the following with the Exhibition section in this newsletter from now on: I will provide you with a link to a near-comprehensive listing of exhibitions provided by www.visualartists.ie. For me to list all exhibitions would only be doubling their good work and would be an inefficient use of my resources. The link is visualartists.ie/category/listings/exhib-lein/
On top of that I will every now and then include here a small selection of exhibitions that either are not mentioned in the Visual Artist listing or are note-worthy to be mentioned separately.

PIVOT DUBLIN EXHIBITION – NATIONAL LIBRARY
Fri 16+Sat17 March: (Fri 09:30-16:45, Sat 14:30-18:00) – National Library, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. – “This exhibition brings you a taste of the magic and power of Irish design. Set in a Room of Visual Curiosities and Books, you will see examples of Irish design’s unique voice and character. The purpose of PIVOT Dublin is to explain and celebrate design’s positive impact. Born out of Dublin’s bid to be designated World Design Capital in 2014, PIVOT Dublin continues as a platform from which we can appreciate and apply design in how we think, plan and act to make our world more humane, attractive and competitive.” www.pivotdublin.com/
www.nli.ie/en/list/current-events.aspx?article=2a0f1e80-ae19-4ac4-9407-581fc0f8d1e5

THE DUBLINER’S – BALLA BAN GALLERY
08-31 March: Balla Bán Art Gallery, Westbury Mall, Dublin 2
The Dubliner’s 50th Anniversary Art Exhibition is taking place at Balla Bán Art Gallery. Ireland’s famous ballad group “The Dubliners” are immortalised by a number of Dublin artists in a new exhibition to mark their 50th Anniversary this year. Artist’s Niall O’Loughlin, Pervaneh Matthews and Ray Sherlock along with artists Mark Baker, Roy Wallace, Frank O’Dea and Tom Byrne will be showcasing paintings of the famous musicians. Drop in to have a look, the gallery is open from Tues-Sat from 11:00-17:30. www.ballaban.net

SHANE MORRISSY – LITTLE GREEN STREET GALLERY
22 – Sun 25 March: Little Green Street Gallery, 12a Little Green Street, Dublin 7
The Little Green Street Gallery will show an exhibition by Shane Morrissy. It is dominated by ethical monsters, hypocrites and fallen heroes known to us through media exposure. These iconic figures have lasting connotations with the public; Morrissy intends to strip these ideas away. He combines the Icons with boring, absurd everyday imagery in order to distract from the ideas the viewer usually would associate with these characters. By taking the characters out of their historical and mythological context he redefines them. The Exhibition Opening begins at 19:00 and goes on until 23:00. Admission is free. www.facebook.com/pages/Little-green-street-gallery/205343356172814

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______Friday___________________

ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
(see Saturday for details)

FEROCIOUS MINGLE MARKET
Fri 11:00-18:00 – 72 Thomas Street (between the Vicar St venue & Cafe Notto)
The Ferocious Mingle Market, a permanent indoor flea market takes place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is also a Café, the Oscar Verne Café, open for business at the market. www.facebook.com/mingle.mkt

IRISH CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL – GEORGE’S DOCK
Thurs 15 – Mon 19 March: 12:00-19:00 – George’s Dock platform, next to the CHQ Building, IFSC, Dublin 1. – The Irish Craft Beer Festival where over 25 of the top craft beers from around the country will be on tap will be part of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival 2012. The event will celebrate and showcase the best of Irish brewing and provide the true taste of Irish Craft Beer. In addition to the beer, there will be artisan food and entertainment for the whole family. I expected that the event would definitely charge for admission and was surprised to find out that on Thursday and Friday, you can get in for free. On Saturday and Sunday, the admission charge is EUR 10, but on Thurs 15 and Fri 16 March, admission is free from 12:00-19:00. The website still partially flouts the rules of the Company Registration Office and no information about the organiser of the event is available, but there are some details about the entertainment added now. It is strange though, that reserving a table costs you EUR 250 and is only possible on the days when admission is free (Thurs+Fri). So, EUR 25 per person and you only get one lousy pint per person for your money? That doesn’t sound right at all! What do you pay the money for?? I think we send this festival back with a “Must do better!” www.irishcraftbeerfestival.com

NATIONAL MUSEUM EVENT
The Curator’s Talk “Napoleon’s Wild Geese and the Irishman who saved an Imperial Eagle” will take place on Fri 16 March from 12:30 in Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History) and is aimed at adults. “Join Siobhan Pierce to discover more about objects connected to the Irish Wild Geese, the history of one special sword and how Lieutenant Terence O’Reilly saved a regimental standard (gallery). Booking is required. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=2724

NATIONAL MUSEUM EVENT
Fri 16 Mar: 13:00 + 15:00 – National Museum, Kildare St., Dublin 2
“Give It A Bang” is the title of the performance and workshop in rhythm led by Brian Fleming, Solomon Ijigade and Andrew MacCarthy. Solomon is a friend of mine and he is an amazing musician and without a doubt, the other two are very good as well, so you are in for a treat if you go to this event.
This family event will begin with a performance by the trio, after which everyone will get involved in learning a song, some Irish dancing and participating in a bodhrán performance. The event will finish with a grand finale performance with the audience singing, dancing and drumming together. Admission is free, but booking is required.
www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/give_it_a_bang

PAUL PERRY – READING – IRISH WRITERS’ CENTRE
Fri 16 March: 13:05 – Irish Writers’ Centre, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
A lunch time reading with Paul Perry will take place. The Lunchtime Readings will run on Fridays throughout February and March in the Irish Writers’ Centre and are organised in association with Poetry Ireland. The readings will be alternating between prose and poetry, offering audiences the chance to experience a wide-range of literary talent. www.writerscentre.ie/html/events/atthecentre.html

BAND PERFORMANCE – ST STEPHEN’S GREEN BANDSTAND
Fri 16 March: 15:00-16:30 – St. Stephen’s Green Bandstand
A band performance on the bandstand in St. Stephen’s Green Park will take place on Friday. The performers are
15:00-15:30 Mariachi San Patricio
15:30-16:00 Two for the Road
16:00-16:30 Dexi Choir

CEILI – ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL – STEPHEN’S GREEN
Fri 16 Mar: 16:30-19:30 – St. Stephen’s Green
Put on your dancing shoes and start the St. Patrick’s Festival weekend celebrations by joining this year’s Festival Céilí. In starts too early for many who work normal hours, but because it will continue until 19:30 this year, you can catch the St. Patrick’s Festival Céilí on your way home and have a bit of fun dancing or watching others dancing jigs and reels on Dublin’s Streets. The official programme only specifies “St. Stephen’s Green” as the location, but it is not IN the park, instead it was last year near the junction of St. Stephen’s Green with Dawson Street. For years it took place on the day of the parade in the afternoon and it was a great opportunity to have some fun after the parade. I still think it would be better on the parade day, but the festival committee doesn’t seem to agree with me. They put it on a work day instead. :-O Admission is free. www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/festival_ceili

SUGAR RAY LEONARD – BOOK SIGNING – EASON O’CONNELL STREET
Fri 16 March: 17:00 – Eason’s, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
This is a must go event for every boxing fan: Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the greatest legends in boxing will be in Eason’s in O’Connell Street to sign his autobiography “The Big Fight”. www.easons.com/events_display.asp?K=e2012022714314982

BAND & STREET PERFORMANCE – ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
Fri 16 Mar: 18:00-20:00 – City Centre
Open-air performances of bands and street performers will keep the city centre busy on Friday and Saturday in Coppinger Row, South King St. and Dame Court. The line up is
+ Dame Court
18:00-18:30 Mariachi San Patricio
18:40-19:10 North Strand Kontra Band
19:20-20:00 Tupelo
+ South King Street
18:00-18:30 Blanchardstown Brass Band
18:30-19:00 Berkner High School
19:00-19:30 Romford Marching Band
19:30-20:00 Blanchardstown Brass Band
+ Coppinger Row
18:15-18:45 Two for the Road
18:45-19:15 Dexi Choir
19:15-19:45 Mariachi San Patricio
The Street Performances are
+ Opposite Stephens Green Luas station
18:00-18:30 Johnny Phelan The Journey Man Show
18:30-19:00 Tura
19:00-19:30 Johnny Phelan The Journey Man Show
On Saturday the Band & Street Performances will continue from 15:30-18:00, so there are some activities this year after the parade, which is a great thing. www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/band_and_street_performance1

CREATIVE QUARTER – LATE NIGHT OPENING
Fri 16 Mar: 18:00 – South William Street, Dublin 2
Take a stroll through Dublin’s Creative Quarter and whet your appetite for Irish design. You can watch Irish designers at work and experience their craftsmanship first hand. Experience a collection of Irish design and innovation, taking place in 23 venues, from fashion boutiques to coffee shops, in one city centre location. See craft in action in Project51, listen to a history of the Creative Quarter in Om Diva and Blind Tiger Collective will be launching a new range of t-shirts ‘Project A Apparel’.
www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/creative_quarter

PIPEWORKS – NATIONAL CONCERT HALL
Fri 16 March: 18:15 – National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
David Adams (organ) will perform Jean Langlais: La cinquieme trompette, from Cinq Méditations sur l’Apocalypse and Max Reger: Second Sonata, Op. 60. Pipeworks presents the terrifying trumpet calls of the angelic avatar from the Book of Revelation, followed by Reger’s monumental work. Admission is free, but I expect booking is required, so you better check (and book) on www.pipeworksfestival.com or www.nch.ie/

ART OF MUSIC – NATIONAL GALLERY
Fri 16 Mar: 19:30 – National Gallery, Clare Street, Dublin 2
Presented by Donal Dineen, pioneering photographer and film-maker, The Art of Music is an illustrated guide to the sounds that have inspired painters, photographers and film-makers. This event will feature film & photography from Donal Dineen, live painting by Guillermo Carrion and live musical accompaniment from renowned traditional Irish fiddle player Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh and the uillean pipes player Maitiú O’Casaide. Admission is free but booking is required. www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/the_art_of_music

DUBLIN LAPTOP ORCHESTRA & VIOLINIST KATIE HOUSE
Fri 16 Mar: 19:30-20:30 – Royal Hibernian Academy, Ely Place, Dublin 2
“The Dublin Laptop Orchestra, set up in 2011, aim to bring some theatricality and physical presence in to electronic music. Making music with lots of laptops, hands, golf controllers and lots of other things, they certainly do just that. With a particular interest in collaborating with traditional musicians, for this special show they will join forces with American violinist Katie House, who while in Ireland is a member of the chamber group, Ensemble Maynooth.” Admission is free, but booking is required. www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/dublin_laptop_orchestra_with_violinist_katie_house

SPOKE – OPEN MIC – IRISH WRITERS’ CENTRE
Fro 16 March: 19:30 – Irish Writers’ Centre, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
Spoke is the a new open mic night at the Irish Writers Centre, taking place on the third Friday of every month. Writers, spoken word artists and musicians are all welcome to perform. Doors open at 19:30 and if you would like to perform, please be prompt. People will be signed up from when the doors open. Every Spoke will feature a guest performer and on 16 March it is poet Máighréad Medbh.
writerscentre.ie/spoke/

PURE IRISH – NATIONAL CONCERT HALL
Fri 16 Mar: 20:30-22:00 – National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
“Curated by musician Peter Browne, this will be a night of traditional Irish music and dance at its very best. Performers include Peter Browne on accordian, Paul Browne on guitar and Irish dancers Tom Conroy and Sue Devine. Peter has performed with many musicians and bands over the years, including Kila, Emer Mayock and Slide. Paul will join him with his unique rhythmic style of guitar accompaniment for traditional music. Tom and Sue, who have performed all over the world, will add to this lively scene with magnificent traditional Irish dance pieces.” Admission is free, but booking is required. www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/pure_irish

RADISSON HOTEL GOLDEN LANE – JAZZ NIGHT
Fridays 18:30-21:00 – Radisson, Golden Lane, Dublin 2.
On 16 March the Radisson Hotel in Golden Lane’s new weekly Jazz Evening will feature Emilie Conway. 23 Mar: Michael MacLennan, 30 Mar: Dorota Konczewska, 06 Apr: Closed, 13 Apr: Johnny Taylor, 20 Apr: Michael MacLennan, 27 Apr: Cary Posavitz, 04 May: Shabela Rabaza, 11 May: Kristina G, 18 May: Stella Bass

SACRED HARP SINGING – EXCHANGE DUBLIN
Fri 16 Mar: 19:00-21:00 – Exchange Dublin, Upper Exchange Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. – Three weeks ago I informed you about a taster workshop in Sacred Harp Singing and it seems that this workshop was so successful that a group has formed in Dublin who will from now on meet every Friday evening in the Exchange Dublin. Find out more details here corksacredharp.com/post/17337848698/dublinsing

LIVE MUSIC – CORNUCOPIA RESTAURANT
Cornucopia Café & Restaurant (19/20 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2) host live music three evenings a week (Thurs, Fri and Sat). The restaurant is a Wholefood & Vegetarian Restaurant and is open until 22:15.
+ Every second Thursday N.C Lawlor, a songwriter, session player and troubadour plays a mix of country, bluegrass & blues from 19:30-21:30.
+ Every Friday (19:30-21:30) Junshi Murakami plays Irish Harp.
+ Every Saturday (19:30-21:30) Nollaig Mann plays a collection of popular and jazz classics that often have customers singing along and requesting their favourites.
www.cornucopia.ie

JAZZ MUSIC – BIANCONI’S BISTRO & RESTAURANT
Fri 16 Mar: 19:00-21:00 – Bianconi’s Bistro, 232 Merrion Rd, Dublin 4
Bianconi’s Bistro & Restaurant in Dublin 4 is providing Jazz every Friday night from this week until the end of January. Bianconi’s is an Italian restaurant with delicious food and, while a little outside the City Centre, it is worth the trip into Merrion Road. There is no cover charge. www.bianconisbistro.ie www.facebook.com/pages/Bianconis-Bistro/271041702925005?sk=wall

PARISIAN SWING + JAZZ – ORMOND WINE BAR
Fri: 20:30 – Ormond Wine, Restaurant & Cafe Bar, 6 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7. Swing from Paris in the Thirties performed by a duo of Guitar and Vocal will entertain you every Friday in the Ormond Wine Bar. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ormond-Wine-Bar/181985853298

LIVE MUSIC – STILLORGAN ORCHARD
The Stillorgan Orchard at The Hill in Stillorgan, Co. Dublin has a full programme of live music. The upcoming gigs are:
Fri 16 March: Bree Harris Band
Sat 17 March: from 13:30 Celtic Dance Fusion, Murphys Law, Face painting
Sat 17 March: 22:30 Full Circle
Sun 18 March The Hustlers
Admission is free and the gigs start at 21:00 unless otherwise stated. www.stillorganorchard.com/live_music.html
www.facebook.com/thestillorganorchard?sk=wall

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.
*Graeme McKenna is playing an acoustic gig (Trad to contemporary) every Friday in the Maldron Hotel, Kingswood near CityWest from 19:00.
* Need to wind down after a tiring week? Free Sahaja Yoga Meditation (not physical yoga, but “yoga meditation”!) classes every Friday at 19:30 at 4/5 Eustace Street, Temple Bar (next to IFI, ring bell no. 3) and every Monday from 19:00 in Blakestown Community Resource Center, Blakestown Way, Dublin 15 (next to Lidl). These are drop in classes, newcomers are welcome. For more information check www.coolspirit.info or www.sahajayoga.ie.
* Ruairi Maguires Bar & Organic Kitchen, Pembroke District, Dundrum Town Centre, Dundrum has every weekend live music from Friday until Sunday at 21:30. Sometimes the line-up is listed here www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000462805646&sk=wall often not.
* 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.
* Songs of Praise, a Rock Karaoke is taking place every Friday from 23:00 in the Mercantile, Dame Street, Dublin 2. www.getpraise.com

______________________________
______Saturday_________________

ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
The St. Patrick’s Festival will take place from Friday until Monday and is full of free events. In addition to the Festival there is a series of “I Love my City” events. The two event schedules are here: www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events
www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/love-my-city
I have tried to list all free events in this “Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)” and you will see that there is lots happening. In addition to the individual events there will three Fun Fairs at Merrion Square West, Custom House Quay and Wolftone Square (Jervis Street). All details about the Fun Fair are here www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/city_at_play_funfairs7
Most shops and shopping centres will not close on any of the days over this weekend.

CAR BOOT SALES – TALLAGHT STADIUM
Sat 24 Mar: 09:00-13:00 – Tallaght Stadium, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Co. Dublin
Due to the holiday weekend, the Car Boot Sale will take a break on 17 March and will be back the week later.
A weekly car boot sale, one of less than a handful that is still reliably taking place, gets up to 200 cars to sell goods from. The stadium is just a few minutes walk from the Red LUAS line terminal and numerous bus stops. For traders the Car Boot Sale opens at 07:00 for buyers from 09:00. If you are interested in selling, check the details and register on www.irishcarboot.ie

MUSIC, CD & RECORD FAIR – FILMBASE
Sat 17 + Sun 18 Mar: 11:00-18:00 – Filmbase, Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
A Music, CD & Record Fair runs at Filmbase on Curved Street in Temple Bar on Sat (11:00-18:00) and Sunday (10:30-18:00). It is the lagest record fair in Ireland and Brian from www.irishrecordfairs.com told me about it. You will find a vast selection of vinyl and cds, as well as lots of memorabilia and there will also be computer games & retro consoles. All types of music are catered for, from punk & indie to dance & metal to country & jazz, from rare items worth a LOT to thousands of records for EUR 1. Normally all Irish Record Fairs events are free, but this one in Filmbase is not. There is a EUR 2 charge, but you can avoid that: You can get free entry by going to the website www.irishrecordfairs.com and clicking on the special offer page and printing the voucher. www.facebook.com/irishrecordfairs

MOTHER REDCAP’S INDOOR MARKET – COOLOCK
Thurs-Sun (Thurs-Sat 10:00-17:30, Sun 12:00-17:30) – Unit 95, Malahide Road Industrial Park, Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17. – A new-ish indoor market is open in Coolock. Over 40 traders offer a wide range of goods and a café is on site as well. www.facebook.com/MotherRedcaps.Market

HA’PENNY FLEA INDOOR MARKET – GRAND SOCIAL
Sat 24 Mar: 11:00-17:00 – Grand Social, Lower Liffey Street (near Ha’Penny Bridge), Dublin 1. Despite the subsequent Mother’s Day, the Ha’penny Flea Market is on a week’s holiday. The next one will take place on 24 March.
The weekly Ha’penny Flea Indoor Market takes place on Saturdays and stalls offer Vintage Men and Women’s Clothes, Contemporary Crafts, Books, Vinyl Records, Vintage and Handmade Jewellery, Vintage Hair Styles, Art, Photography and lots more. For more details, check www.thegrandsocial.ie/event/hapenny-flea-indoor-market

FEROCIOUS MINGLE MARKET
Sat 17 Mar: 11:00-18:00 – 72 Thomas Street (between the Vicar St venue & Cafe Notto) – The Ferocious Mingle Market, a permanent indoor flea market, takes place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Oscar Verne Café and live music at the weekends are further attractions. www.facebook.com/mingle.mkt

ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Sat 17 Mar: 12:00-15:00 – City Centre, starting at Parnell Square, Dublin 1
HOW? WHAT? WHY? is the theme for the 2012 St. Patrick’s Festival Parade which will explore the wonder and curiosity of science. A selection of science related questions that children may ask have been explored by Ireland’s leading pageant companies who each will present their imaginative, colourful and thought provoking creations.
Twelve Marching bands from around the globe will provide the musical entertainment for the festival parade. Bands from Ireland, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and Russia will join U.S. bands from California, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas and Washington to march through the streets of Dublin.
The Parade begins on Parnell Square and continues on to O’Connell Street and over O’Connell Bridge to Westmoreland Street. It then follows Dame Street and Lord Edward Street passes by Christchurch Cathedral and along Patrick Street where it finishes just past St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
If you want to have the best Parade viewing point, stay at home and watch it on TV! If on the other hand, you want to see the parade live in the streets of Dublin, make sure that you come really early because once you are 5 or 6 rows behind the front row, you will not see any of the marching bands or walking performers. The route is much too short for everyone to see it and there are no really good viewing points. But the atmosphere in the streets is typically very good and if the weather is nice, I am sure it will be a great day again. Just don’t believe the number of viewers that newspapers and TV AND the festival organisers will claim. They are total lies (Check the “This is Odd!” section for more about this!)
www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/st._patricks_festival_parade1

RUGBY – ON TV
Sat 17 Mar: 12:30+14:45+17:00: Pubs of Dublin
Directly competing with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade are a number of Rugby games of the 6 Nations Cup on Sunday. At 12:30 Italy vs Scotland will start the day. Then at 14:45 Wales will play against France and the final game of the day is at 17:00 the headliner for Irish fans: England vs Ireland.

THE GUIDE – PERFORMANCE – NATIONAL GALLERY
Sat 17 Mar: 13:00/13:30/14:00/14:30/16:00/16:30 – National Gallery, Clare Street, Dublin 2. – Making its debut in Ireland, ‘The Guide – La Reial’ will bring audiences on a narrative journey in The National Gallery. Using headphones for this audio tour, the guide’s narration takes on unexpected dimensions and the museum environment becomes part of the story. A theatre performance brought to you by La Reial Companyia de Teatre de Catalunya. (Each performance is 30 minutes) Audio available in English, Irish, Italian and Spanish. Admission is free, but booking is required. www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/la_reial

CREATIVE WRITING HOUR – IRISH WRITERS’ CENTRE
Sat 17 Mar: 13:30 – Irish Writers’ Centre, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
The Ink Slingers Creative Writing Hour now takes place every Saturday at the Irish Writers’ Centre. It is a free creative writing session that is organised and led by the Centre’s voluntary arts administrators. The hour includes writing exercises and prompts to get ideas flowing. It is open to everyone and is suitable for all levels of experience. www.writerscentre.ie/html/events/atthecentre.html

NATIONAL MUSEUM EVENT
+ The event “Inspectorium: Natural Hisssss-tory!!” will take place in the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology in Kildare Street on Sat 17 Mar from 14:00. “Although St. Patrick is reputed to have driven snakes out of Ireland, the Natural History Museum has an interesting reptile collection of its own. Drop into the Learning Resource Room to find out more. Admission is free and no booking required. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=2725
+ The performance “The Harp – Old and New” will take place in National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Kildare Street on Sat 17 Mar from 15:00-16:00. “Join internationally-renowned harpist, Anne-Marie O’Farrell for a performance on the Irish national instrument, the harp. She will be joined by the Kylemore Harp Ensemble in a recital featuring works by Handel, Bach, Carolan, Irish traditional dance music and airs, together with more recent works by T.C. Kelly and Rachel Holstead. No booking required. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=2728
+ The National Museum tour “St. Patrick in the National Museum” in the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Kildare Street will take place on Sat 17 Mar from 14:30. “Join historian Cillian de Gras as he leads you around a selection of exciting objects linked to St. Patrick in the National Museum including the Shrine of St. Patrick’s Bell and the Shrine of St. Patrick’s Tooth! Places limited to 20. First come basis. No booking required.” www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=2727

NATIONAL GALLERY – FAMILY PROGRAMME
Sat 17 Mar: 15:00-16:00 – National Gallery, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
The Family Programme on Sat is entitled “It’s a Green Day!” with Susam Farrelly. Admission is free, no booking required. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

IRISH IDENTITY IN CRISIS – ROYAL HIBERNIAN ACADEMY
Sat 17 Mar: 15:00 – Royal Hibernian Academy, Ely Place, Dublin 2
Let me quote the event organisers:
“Leviathan presents “CultureShock: Irish Identity in Crisis?” Ireland is emerging from one of the most challenging economic crises in its existence but how has it affected our culture? Some suggest we have rediscovered a creative side that was suppressed by the economic boom; others that creativity inevitably flourishes in recession. As we approach the centenary of the 1916 Rising, is this a rare and remarkable moment in time at which we can really shape what Ireland’s culture will become and how it will be perceived for this and future generations?”
The reason why I quote them is because I would not at all write the first sentence like they do. I don’t think that the current economic crisis is the most challenging in Ireland’s history. Ireland was economically closer to a developing country until about 30 years ago and the economic challenges must have been MUCH bigger than today. The second point I disagree is that Ireland is currently emerging from the economic crisis. Are we really emerging?
The panel for this event includes Eugene Downes (Chief Executive, Culture Ireland); Dylan Haskins (broadcaster, political and cultural activist); Sinead Gleeson (arts and culture journalist); Rowena Neville (Director of Marketing and PR, Business to Arts). Hosted by Naoise Nunn of Leviathan political cabaret and MindField Festival. Admission is free, but booking is required. www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/leviathan_presents_cultureshock_irish_identity_in_crisis

ST PATRICK’S CONFESSIO – BOOK LAUNCH – ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL
Sat 17 Mar: 15:00 – St Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8
“My Name is Patrick: St Patrick’s Confessio – Hear St Patrick in his own words” at this book launch with readings in the St. Patrick’s Cathedral. There will also be music from the medieval liturgy of St Patrick by Trinity College choir members and a brief discussion by the books translator Pádraig McCarthy. Admission is free but booking is essential. The event is organised by the Royal Irish Academy. www.ria.ie/Events/Events-Listing/Book-Launch.aspx

BAND & STREET PERFORMANCE – ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
Sat17 Mar: 15:30-18:40 – City Centre
Open-air performances of bands and street performers will keep the city centre busy on Friday and Saturday in Coppinger Row, South King St. and Dame Court. It is great that this year there are some activities in the City Centre after the Patrick’s Day Parade. The line up is
+ Dame Court
15:30-15:40 Enda Reilly
15:45-16:00 Peadar O Goill
16:05-16:20 The Dirty 9s
16:30-17:00 North Strand Kontra Band
17:10-17:40 Daithi O Dronai
17:50-18:40 Electric Ceili
+ Coppinger Row
15:30-16:00 Mick Donegan w/ Emer Mayock & Donal Siggins
16:00-16:30 Tommy & Joey Doyle
16:30-17:00 Two for the Road
17:00-17:30 Tura
17:30-18:00 Mick Donegan w/ Emer Mayock & Donal Siggins
18:00-18:30 Tommy & Joey Doyle
+ South King Street
15:30-16:00 Talent Show
16:00-16:30 Macnas Cockroach Show
16:30-17:00 Mariachi San Patricio
17:00-17:30 Talent Show
17:30-18:00 Macnas Cockroach Show
18:00-18:30 Mariachi San Patricio
The Street Performances are
+ Opposite Stephens Green Luas station
15:30-15:45 + 16:45-17:00 + 18:00-18:15 Jon Hicks
15:45-16:15 + 17:00-17:30 Johnny Phelan The Journey Man Show
16:15-16:45 + 17:30-18:00 Professor Plunger
www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/band_and_street_performance1

REGGAE, SKA & MORE – DARK HORSE INN
Sat 17 March: 15:30-01:30 – Dark Horse Inn, George’s Quay, next to Tara Station, Dublin 2. – The “Paddy’s Day Reggae Bashment” will take place in the Dark Horse Inn Dublin. It will be a full day of Reggae, Ska, Rocksteady, Dancehall and Dub. Admission is free and the line-up is:
Antrophe (Punky Reggae Party), Tygaburn (Westway Flyover / Junior Spesh), Carax (Punky Reggae Party), Reggae Richie (Near Fm), Paul V (Punky Reggae Party), KarloCof (Poster Fish). www.facebook.com/events/301472856574886/

RTE COR NA NOG – UNITARIAN CHURCH
Sat 17 March: 16:00 – Dublin Unitarian Church, 112 St. Stephen’s Green West, Dublin 2. – RTE Performing Groups present “RTE Cór na nOg” with Mary Amond O’Brien (director), Alison Thomas (piano), Devon MacGilivray (violin). Join in with the choir as they sing a selection of traditional Irish favourites as well as music from around the world, to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Admission is free. More information about the performing group is here www.rte.ie/performinggroups/cornanog and about the event here www.dublinunitarianchurch.org/events/

ROZANNE STEVENS – BOOK LAUNCH & COOKERY DEMO – HUGHES&HUGHES
Sat 17 Mar: 16:00 – Hughes&Hughes Dundrum, Dundrum Shopping Centre, Dundrum, Co Dublin. – Chef Rozanne Stevens will officially launch her new recipe book, titled ‘Delish’ and dedicated to her mother Monica, with a cookery demonstration and signing at Hughes & Hughes Dundrum. This is a free event and all are welcome in Cafe Libro, H&H Dundrum, on the day. www.hughesandhughes.ie/content/delish-day-dundrum

PIPE DREAMS – UILLEANN PIPES – NATIONAL LIBRARY
Sat 17 Mar: 16:30-17:30 – National Library, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
This is a unique opportunity to attend a special music event in the Reading Room at The National Library of Ireland. Featuring Donal Dineen, pioneering dj and film-maker, in conversation with one of Ireland’s most brilliant young uilleann pipe players, Maitiú O’Casaide. Together they will explore the magical sounds of the uilleann pipes. Admission is free, but booking is required. www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/pipe_dreams

TRAD STAGE – MEETING HOUSE SQUARE
Sat 17 Mar: 17:00-18:30 (?) – Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Conflicting information is available about this event. On the St Patrick’s Festival website the time is specified as 17:00-18:30. But the PR Agency for the festival has posted an event on dublinevents.com with a time of 18:30-20:30. I am not sure which is right and which is wrong, but I would expect that 17:00-18:30 is probably the correct time. The Trad Stage will present the best of contemporary Irish Culture and Music. “Included in the afternoon’s fare are The Dublin City Workingman’s Band, who will be playing the songs you know and love with passion, energy and pace, Enda Reilly & Stephen James Smith’s soulful ‘spoken word, sung verse’, a sample of traditional Irish ‘sean nós’ dancing and Dublin’s favourite tradsters, the world renowned Kíla.” www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/trad_stage

TALLAGHT ST PATRICKS FESTIVAL
Sat 17 Mar: 18:00-19:00 – Tallaght Stadium, Tallaght
The St Patrick’s Day Celebration in Tallaght will take place in Tallaght Stadium on Saturday. It will include a parade, fireworks display and other entertainment. Admission is free, but tickets are required and these tickets are only available until 17:00 on Fri (16 Mar). Check out the instructions here: www.stpatricksdaycelebrations.ie/

SWING AND BOSSANOVA – ORMOND WINE BAR
Sat: 19:30 – Ormond Wine, Restaurant & Cafe Bar, 6 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7. Saturday nights “Wax Lyrical” is a lively Swing and Bossanova performance of a guitar, trombone and vocal trio. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ormond-Wine-Bar/181985853298

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE – JAZZ – KC PEACHES
Sat 24 Mar: 20:00-22:30 – KC Peaches (Wine Cave), 28/29 Nassau St., Dublin 2
This event will NOT take place on 17 March, but will continue on 24 March.
This is a new weekly Saturday night residency of a Jazz Quartet, featuring Michael Nielsen (guitar), Sam Comerford (sax), Cormac O Brien (bass), James Mackin (drums) in the basement Wine Cave of KC Peaches wholefood restaurant/café. Food will be served until 22:00 and wine, minerals & music will be available until later. Admission is free and a donation into a hat at the end of the evening is appreciated. www.facebook.com/KCPeaches

URBAN MOJO BLUES BAND – OIL CAN HARRY’S
Saturdays: 22:00-00:00 – Oil Can Harry’s, 31 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2
“The Urban Mojo Blues Band, a Dublin based five piece band drawing influences from electric Chicago blues and rock to produce a lively uptempo grooving blues will be performing every Saturday.” www.facebook.com/pages/The-Urban-Mojo-Blues-Band/87569518524 www.urbanmojobluesband.com

REGULAR SATURDAY EVENTS
* Don’t forget that the Temple Bar Markets (Food Market on Meeting House Square, Book Market on Temple Bar Square and the Designer Mart near Cow’s Lane) are taking place every Saturday from 10:00-16:30.
* The 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
* Dublin Food Co-op is open every Saturday (09:30-16:30) at Newmarket, Dublin 8 for organic wholefoods and sustainable household products, plus over a dozen producer stalls offering organic fruit and veg., baked goods, dairy produce, wines, hot and cold food, etc. Additional Co-op opening Thursdays 12:00-20:00. www.dublinfood.coop
* The weekly Honest2goodness food market with fresh meat, vegetables, fish, baked goods, wines in Glasnevin is open from 09:30-16:00. It is behind Lidl in the Industrial Estate just after the Glasnevin Cemetary coming from the City Centre. (www.honest2goodness.ie)
* At the Blackrock Market in the centre of Blackrock, you find 50 stalls selling collectibles, antiques, handmade goods, books, food + there’s free popcorn and ballons&facepainting for the kids. www.blackrockmarket.com/ Opening: Sat+Bank Holidays: 11:00-17:30, Sun: 12:00-17:30
* 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
* Nearly every day and especially at the weekend, the Porterhouse in Temple Bar is hosting live bands that are always worth a visit. www.porterhousebrewco.com/livetemplebar.html
* Trad Session – Schoolhouse Pub in 2-8 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge. Every Saturday from 22:00 singers, guitar, fiddle, banjo, accordion, whistle, pipers, bodhran etc are all welcome to join in. www.schoolhousehotel.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 latin DJs. Food is available until 00:30 and usually there is plenty of room to get dancing and you are invited to add your own percussion. www.facebook.com/pages/Havana-Tapas-Bar/10503361821

______________________________
______Sunday __________________

ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
(see Saturday for details)

MOTHER’S DAY
Did you think of your mother today? Maybe you can ring her or even buy her something? If you are not Irish, then the likelihood is big that today is not Mother’s Day in the country you come from. Nevertheless, you could tell your mother that you were thinking of her. Just ring her on TWO Mother’s Days.

MUSIC, CD & RECORD FAIR – FILMBASE
(see Saturday for details)

FEROCIOUS MINGLE MARKET
Sun 11:00-18:00 – 72 Thomas Street (between the Vicar St venue & Cafe Notto)
The Ferocious Mingle Market, a permanent indoor flea market, takes place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Oscar Verne Café and live music at the weekends are further attractions. On Sundays the Ferocious Mingle MARKET is a fancy dress market: In addition to stalls/tables for sellers, there are some “chalets” in the venue where regular sellers have set up. www.facebook.com/mingle.mkt

BROCANTE FURNITURE MARKET – DUBLIN FOOD CO-OP
Sun 18 March: 11:00-17:00 – Dublin Food Coop, Newmarket Square, Dublin 8
The Brocante Furniture Market will take place on Sun it is a collection of antiques, furniture, collectables and curiosities from the past and present, second-hand, refurbished, antique and hand-crafted stuff for your house and garden. This is the only market of its kind in Dublin, giving the opportunity for everyday people as well as collectors and new enterprises an affordable outlet in an up and coming business. If you are an interior designer or just have and eye for style and are looking for a special piece or maybe a bargain then this is the market for you. The market is held every 3rd Sunday of the month. www.facebook.com/thebrocantemarket

BIG DAY OUT – ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
Sun 18 Mar: 12:00-18:00 – Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The St. Patrick’s Festival Big Day Out is for me one of the best St. Patrick’s Day events (as long as the weather is ok for it). It is really a family fun day around Merrion Square, where the streets are closed. Street Performances, theatrics, Irish language events, workshops, fun zones, music, open air shows and more will take place. It is a big street carnival and there is something for every age.
MuMusic Circus will perform an amusing, fresh, and exciting show from Spain, that combines acrobatics, incredible handstands and live music. Jon Hicks the International Man of Artistry will be creating portraits of famous icons and entertaining audiences with his clowning around. The awe inspiring aerialists Sorcaluba will guarantee a circus spectacle that won’t be easily forgotten and for some hilarious family fun come and see the interactive comedy circus act by the Fanzini Brothers. Admission is free. www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/big_day_out1

SUNDAY AT NOON – HUGH LANE GALLERY
Sun 18 Mar: 12:00-13:00 – Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
The Sundays at Noon Concert Series takes place in the beautiful Sculpture Gallery at the Hugh Lane Gallery. Now in its 36th year, this series of free (mainly classical) concerts continues to present the best of Irish and International music and musicians. Concerts run from September to June. The next concert will feature “Duos for Mandolin & Guitar” with Roberto Bascià & Giovanni. www.hughlane.ie/past-sunday-concerts/537-duos-for-mandolin-a-guitar

5 KM RACE – ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL – CITY CENTRE
Sun 18 Mar: 12:00 – Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
This is not a free event if you want to participate (EUR 30 for late registration), but to watch and cheer the runners on, there is no charge. This is the 7th year of the St Patrick’s Road Race. It is open to families and fun runners as well as dedicated athletes. An entertainment programme that features a live band, jugglers, clowns, face painters, balloon artists, stilt walkers, fire eaters and a parade of motorbikes will accompany the race. The race will begin at 12:00 from the Mansion House on Dawson Street, from runners will follow a route through Georgian Dublin before returning again to the finish line at the Mansion House. www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/st._patricks_5km_festival_road_race

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE TALK – EXCHANGE DUBLIN
Sun 18 Mar: 13:00 – Exchange Dublin, Upper Exchange Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Knowledge is an open collective group that aims to bring education and learning to everyone. Knowledge runs series of free public lectures. These short courses will be presented by volunteers with a background in and a passion for the given area. There are no barriers to taking part and the lectures will be free form, shaped as much by those who come as by those giving them. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. The next series continues on Sunday and the topic is “Probability: Presumptions, Pitfalls and Paradoxes”. knowledge.exchangedublin.ie/ www.facebook.com/KnowledgeExchange

DUBLIN SKETCHERS – SUNDAY MEET-UP
The Dublin Sketchers Group is an informal group of typically hobby artists who go somewhere different in Dublin every Sunday (e.g. Collins Barracks, Farmleigh, Botanic Gardens, Dublin Castle), sketch for an hour or so, and then meet up for coffee afterwards and discuss their sketches. www.dublinsketchers.blogspot.com/ Find out on their website where they will meet and join them if you do some sketching/drawing yourself. Meeting time is usually around 14:00.

NATIONAL MUSEUM EVENT
+ The My Museum event “St Patrick’s Day Badges” will take place on Sun 18 March from 15:00-16:00. It is a Family event for families witch children over 5 years and will take place in Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History) (Decorative Arts & History). “Explore the Museum for symbols of Ireland, find out more about St Patrick and make your own St Patrick’s Day badge. Places limited and allocated on a first-come basis one hour before event starts. www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=2731

NATIONAL GALLERY LECTURE
Sun 18 Mar: 15:00-15:45 – National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The talk “Images of St Patrick” with Dr Peter Harbison, Royal Irish Academy will take place and admission is free. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

SUNDAY SKETCHING – HUGH LANE GALLERY
Sun 18 Mar: 15:00-16:00 – Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
The next Sunday Sketching for 7+ Year olds has the title “Shades of Green”. No booking necessary. Admission is free and early arrival is recommended. www.hughlane.ie/childrens-workshops/forthcoming

ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL TALKS
Sun 18 Mar: 17:00 – St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8
A new programme announced by St. Patrick’s Cathedral lists a whole range of interesting talks and lectures between now and mid-July. All talks are free and no booking is necessary. The full list is here, but I will list the different talks as well on the day they happen:
St Patrick’s Festival Talks:
+ Sun 18 Mar (17:00): “Who was St Patrick” with Prof. Howard B Clarke
Monthly Talks:
+ Fri 20 Apr: Dr Michael O’Neill: “Gothic Architecture and St Patrick’s Cathedral”
+ Thurs 10 May: Dr Paula Murphy: “St Patrick’s Cathedral, 19th Century Sculpture”
+ Fri 08 Jun: Dr Adrian Empey: “Random reflections: the shaping of the Church of Ireland, 1536-1660”
+ Fri 13 July: Dr Rachel Moss: “Images of St Patrick in Art”

Home

SAUCY SUNDAYS – THE GRAND SOCIAL
Sun 18 Mar: 17:00-23:00 – Grand Social (former Pravda), Liffey Street, Dublin 1 (near Ha’Penny Bridge). Saucy Sundays is a weekly live music afternoon and evening in the Grand Social. This week’s line up is Fitzafrenic, Elk, Garr Yeahman, Derek Ellard, Tongue Bundle, Tremoya, Grand Canal Docks and links to the bands are at
www.facebook.com/events/367082809979602/
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001494016795&v=wall

SUNDAY ROAST – MERCANTILE
Sun 18 Mar: 20:00 – The Mercantile, Dame Street, Dublin 2
The weekly Sunday Roast is an event in the Mercantile where live music is combined with free roast potatoes. The next Sunday Roast line up is Consumer Love Affair, Louisiana Six, DC Tempest, The Amazing Few, The Koubas. This is the 8th birthday (!!) of the Sunday Roast, so join them in their celebration. www.facebook.com/events/196421490465726/ www.facebook.com/thesundayroast

COMEDY CRUNCH – STAG’S HEAD
Sun 18 Mar: 21:00-00:00 – Stag’s Head, Dame Lane, Dublin 2
The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy downstairs in Stag’s Head, Dame Lane from 21:00 every week on Sun+Mon. Every week different comedians entertain and on top of that there is some free ice cream. This Sunday’s line up is Paul Currie, George Quinn, Ruadhairir Ward, Loran McGrane and MC Danny O’Brien. www.facebook.com/events/339233419456406/
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Comedy-Crunch/83791357330

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

MOB FANDANGO – THE MEZZ
Sun 18 Mar: 22:30-01:00 – The Mezz, 23/24 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
The great Soul / Funk / Rock/ Reggae band “Mob Fandango” is every Sunday in the Mezz for a late night gig. www.facebook.com/mobfandango

REGULAR SUNDAY EVENTS
* The Temple Bar Book Market is taking place every Sat+Sun on Temple Bar Square from 11:00-18:00.
* Jamestown Flea Market + Car Boot Sale. Every Sunday from 10:00-17:00 the Jamestown 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. www.jamestownmarket.com
* Afternoon Jazz in Café en Seine. The Sweet & Lowdown Jazz Trio play every Sunday from 14:00-16:00 in Café en Seine in Dawson Street. Admission is free. www.stellabass.com and a video is here gush.ie/clients/sweetlow/video/
* Sunday Roast is a weekly event in the Mercantile in 28 Dame Street from 21:00-01:00. Provided are free live music, games & roast potatoes. www.facebook.com/thesundayroast
* “Loose Change” play in Gibneys Pub, New St., Malahide every Sunday from 18:00-20:00.
* 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
* Every Sunday “The Latin Beat” will take place in 4 Dame Lane in Dame Lane from 20:00-02:00. A band will play from 21:00-22:30, a Latin Beat Club, Brazilian DJs and Salsa Classes (from 18:00) will be additional features. Admission is free. www.facebook.com/events/225904860831469/
* Comedy Crunch – The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy downstairs in Stag’s Head, Dame Lane from 21:00 every week on Sun+Mon. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Comedy-Crunch/83791357330
* 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
* The Gardiner Street Gospel Mass invites to a 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

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————————–

ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL
(see Saturday for details)

BANK HOLIDAY
Because the St Patrick’s Day fell on a Saturday, the bank holiday is moved to the following Monday. St Patrick’s Day is a Public Holiday, but the Monday is NOT a Public Holiday, which means that you don’t have an automatic right to a day off. If you are not sure what the situation is check it out on www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/public_holidays_in_ireland.html Look out for the section ” Public holidays falling on a weekend”.

GANNON CUP – BOAT RACES – LIFFEY
Mon 19 Mar: 08:30 + 10:00 – Liffey (between O’Connell Bridge + St. James Gate Brewery). The Dublin University Boat Races will take place early morning on Monday. It is sooo early, that I will definitely give it a miss, but if you are up early on the bank holiday, have a look. The Dublin University Boat Races between Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin is an annual contest between these two local rivals. It takes place on the Liffey from O’Connell Bridge to St James’ Gate Brewery. The novice races will start at 08:30 + 09:00 and the senior races will be at 09:30 the Corcoran Cup, which is the Senior Women’s race and then the senior men’s race, the Gannon Cup, will begin at 10:00. For more information visit www.gannoncup.com www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/dublin_university_boat_races

TREASURE HUNT – ST PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL
Mon 19 Mar: Registration 10:00-13:00 – City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2
The Discovering Science Treasure Hunt will take place on Monday. The Treasure Hunt is an extremely popular regular event at the St Patrick’s Festival. I never managed to take part but I have heard friends raving about it, so maybe I will make it this year.
It is a free fun filled novel trail through a collection of Dublin city’s landmark buildings and venues each with their own unique science-related connection. Plot your route, solve the clues and chase back to base at Dublin’s City Hall to finish and record your adventure. A fun event for all ages and a great way to discover the city or to see it through different eyes. 2500 participants are expected! Registration starts at 10:00 and continues until 13:00. You enter in teams of four and you have until 17:00 to finish the Treasure Hunt. More information is here and you can register on that website as well: www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/discovering_science_treasure_hunt

HAND-CRAFTED MUSIC – ARK FAMILY PROGRAMME
Mon 19 Mar: 12:00+12:30+13:00 – The Ark Centre, 11A Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. – The Ark celebrates St Patrick’s Festival with a series of events suitable for all the family, including a vibrant Celtic concert of Irish and Scottish song, a magical session of live music and weaving and a singing workshop in age-old traditional songs. One of the three events is free, the other two are EUR 10 per person.
The free event is “Hand-Crafted Music” and is suitable for all the family. “If you could see music take shape, what would it look like? Immerse yourself in the dreamy live music of outstanding fiddle player Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh and be enchanted as gifted artist Jean Conroy brings his beautiful music to life with her hands. Watch as she creates exquisite willow, textile and yarn sculptures inspired by what she hears right before your eyes. Each Hand-Crafted Music session will last approximately 20 mins.” Admission is free and is on a first come first served basis (no advance booking available). All children must be accompanied by an adult. ark.ie/events/view/st-patricks-day-festival-2012 www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/events/event/st._patricks_festival_at_the_ark

TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC – RATHMINES LIBRARY
Mon 12+26 Mar: 13:00 – Rathmines Library, Rathmines Road, Rathmines
A weekly Traditional Irish Music concert will take place in March. Admission is free and while it says booking is essential, I would even risk it if I was near and had unexpectedly time. Rathmines Library host Dublin Institute of Technology’s Traditional Irish Music Ensemble’s series of lunchtime concerts in the Exhibition Room. To book contact Rathmines Library at 01-4973539 or rathmineslibrary@dublincity.ie www.dublincity.ie/RecreationandCulture/libraries/Events/Pages/rathmines_traditional_music.aspx

ARCHIVE AT LUNCHTIME – FILM SCREENING – IFI
Mon, Wed, Sat in March: 13:10 – Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 – The IFI continues with its free Archive at Lunchtime screenings. A number of free programmes will be shown at lunchtime on Mondays, Wednesday and Saturdays. The details and the relevant dates when the programme will be screened are:
5, 14, 19, 28 March: www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-1-20/
7, 12, 21, 26 March: www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-programme-2-kieron-j-walsh/
A double-bill of both Programme 1 and Programme 2 will be screened on the Saturdays: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 March February: www.ifi.ie/film/archive-at-lunchtime-double-bill-orla-walsh-kieron-j-walsh/
Admission is free, just collect your ticket at the ticket desk.

COMEDY CRUNCH – STAG’S HEAD
Mon 19 Mar: 21:00-23:00 – Stag’s Head (downstairs), Dame Lane, Dublin 2
The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy event every Sunday and Monday. Every week different comedians entertain and on top of good comedy you will get free ice cream. Admission is free. This Monday’s line up is Trevor Browne & Kieran Lawless with support from Ronan Grace, Adwait Mehta & Colm McGlinchey (MC). www.facebook.com/events/268163179929484/
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Comedy-Crunch/83791357330

ROCK & REGGAE NIGHT – HANGOVER CLUB – FIBBER MAGEE’S
Mondays 21:45-02:30 – Fibber Magee’s, Parnell Street, Dublin 1
Every Monday, a mix of musicians from bands like The Seven Deadly Skins / Animal Cracker / Upbeat Generation / Crete Boom & more come together to play a free night of Rock & Reggae. www.facebook.com/TheHangoverClub

REGULAR MONDAY EVENTS
* Solar Trio Gig in Anseo (Camden Street, D2) on the first three Mondays of every month. Jazz standards along with totally improvised on the spot jams.
* Comedy Crunch – The Comedy Crunch is a free Stand Up comedy in the Stag’s Head, Dame Lane from 21:00 every week on Sun+Mon. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Comedy-Crunch/83791357330
* Upbeat Generation is playing Soul/Funk/Rock Covers in The Mezz, 24/25 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 from 23:30. Admission is free.

———Tuesday————————

NATIONAL GALLERY LECTURE
Tues 20 Mar: 10:30-11:15 – National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The talk “An iconic image of St. Patrick dated 1603” with Anne Hodge, National Gallery of Ireland will take place and admission is free. www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

GET STARTED – START-UP CONFERENCE – DCU
Tues 20 Mar: 14:00-18:00 – Helix, Dublin City University, Dublin City University
The DCU Business School invites Irish entrepreneurs, SME’s and Start-Ups to the 3rd “Get Started” mini-conference on 20 March. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain advice, knowledge and experience from a range of successful Irish entrepreneurs including; Gavin Duffy (Dragons Den) and Caroline Casey (Social Entrepreneur).
A “Dotcom Survivors Panel” will feature Charlie Ardagh, CEO, Trackalyse, Antoin O’Lachtnain, Managing Director, Digital Messenger and John Dennehy, CEO, Zartis. Aiming to inspire and encourage attendees, the panellists will discuss the challenges of establishing and sustaining a business in the rapidly changing digital environment.
Get Started is free of charge and open to the public. Places are limited and you have to register on www.Techspectations.org techspectations.org/conferences/get-started-march-20th-2pm/

FILM SCREENING – INSTITUTO CERVANTES
Tues 20 Mar: 18:00 – Instituto Cervantes, Lincoln House, Lincoln Place (near National Gallery), Dublin 2. – “La colmena” (1982) by director Mario Camus is the next film in the “One book, One film” film series. in the Instituto Cervantes. The film will be in Spanish with English subtitles and will be followed by a Chilean wine reception. Admission is free. dublin.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha80116_16_2.htm

TITAN – MOON OR PLANET? – RDS PHYSICS LECTURE
Tues 20 Mar: 18:00-19:30 – RDS (Minerva Suite), Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. – “Titan – The Moon that thinks it’s a Planet” by Prof. John Zarnecki. This lecture is part of the UCD Physics – RDS Distinguished Speaker Series 2012. In celebration of Physics and Dublin’s status as European City of Science 2012, UCD School of Physics has teamed up with the Royal Dublin Society to bring some of the world’s leading physicists to speak in Dublin about the latest developments in their fields of research. The topics include the exotic physics of cloaking devices, the role of physics in biology, the use of lasers in medicine and a profile of mysterious Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. The lectures are free and suitable for a general audience. Come along and be surprised! To register, go to ssmr.ucd.ie/speakerseries2012/speaker_series2012.html
www.rds.ie/cat_event_detail.jsp?itemID=1099546

RELATIONAL NATURE OF THE GOOD – LECTURE – UCD
Tue 20 Mar: 18:00 – Newman Theatre 1 (lower ground floor), Newman Bldg, UCD Belfield Campus, Dublin 4. – The Agnes Cuming Lectures are the highlight of the UCD School of Philosophy calendar. This year, Professor Christine M Korsgaard, Arthur Kingsley Porter Professor of Philosophy, Harvard University, will give two lectures, on the topic: ‘Good and Good-For-Someone.’ Lecture on 20 March 2012: ‘The Relational Nature of the Good’. The second lecture “On Having a Good” will take place on 21 Mar at 18:00 in the same venue. http://www.ucd.ie/philosophy/newsevents/agnescumingspeaker2012/
www.ucd.ie/events/calendar?lang=en&dt=d.en.117632&f=week&d=23/03/2012&sd=Tuesday,20March2012

NEUTRINOS – ALCHEMIST CAFÉ
Tues 20 March: 19:30 – Mercantile, Dame Street, Dublin 2
The topic for the March Alchemist Café is “Big Questions, Little Neutrinos”. They may travel faster than light and, it is thought, they hold the secret to the creation of the Universe. Whatever Neutrinos are hiding in the next few years they will begin to tell all. Dr Ben Still, from Queen Mary, University of London and the T2K experiment, will talk about what the heck a neutrino is and how we plan to prise the secrets from these most elusive building blocks of Nature. The Alchemist Café is a forum for the discussion of important and interesting scientific issues that is much more informal and accessible than a public lecture. Admission is free and everybody is welcome.
Complimentary finger food will be provided. www.alchemistcafedublin.com/?page_id=8

PEREGRINE READINGS – IRISH WRITERS’ CENTRE
Tues 20 Mar: 19:30 – Irish Writers’ Centre, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
At this Peregrine Readings event Ita Daly, Frank Ronan, Peter Cunningham will read at the Irish Writers’ Centre, as part of a series of prose readings, Peregrine Readings. www.writerscentre.ie/html/events/atthecentre.html

REGULAR TUESDAY EVENTS
* Open Mic Night with The Last Tycoons in O’Donoghue’s on Suffolk Street every Tues 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
* Live Jazz and Blues from 21:00 every Tuesday in the International Bar on 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2.
* 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———————-

ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY – LUNCHTIME LECTURE
Wed 21 Mar: 13:00 – Academy House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
The Library Lunchtime Lecture Series of the Royal Irish Academy continues. The lectures are in conjunction with the Libraries’ current exhibition ‘From Cromwell to Cholera: A history of Ireland from the Pamphlet Collection of Charles Haliday’. Come along and learn more about this collection and the role of pamphlets in Irish history. This week’s lecture is entitled “Troubling times – pamphlets of the ‘Troubles’ at the Linen Hall Library, Belfast” with John Killen, Librarian, Linen Hall, Belfast. Admission is free and booking is not required. www.ria.ie/Events/Events-Listing/Library-Lunchtime-Lecture-Series-%285%29.aspx

SCIENCE OF PLANTS – LECTURE – BOTANIC GARDEN
Wed 21 Mar: 15:00 – National Botanic Gardens, Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
In the lecture series “Science of Plants” the next lecture is “Jumping the Garden Fence – Globalisation in the plant world” with Noeleen Smyth. Noeleen Smyth will talk about the global problem of invasive plant species. A number of these plants such as Carpobrotus on Howth Head and Gunnera on Achill Island have escaped into the wild, and we have been working to both identify and resolve the threats they pose. The work of the Gardens both here and across the world will be discussed.
www.botanicgardens.ie/news/events.htm

ORAL HISTORY SEMINAR – ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY
Wed 21 Mar: 18:00 – Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
“The Oral History Network of Ireland is conscious that there are ethical and legal considerations in the collection, preservation and use of recorded memories of the past which ought to be deliberated in a public forum by people who have relevant professional expertise. The network is bringing together a panel of experts to lead a discussion of the ethics of oral history, intellectual copyright, freedom of expression and the legal ramifications of the collection, storage and dissemination of oral narratives. This event is free but booking is essential. Please contact the Oral History Network of Ireland to register a place on mmuldwny@oralhistorynetworkireland.ie or milnei@oralhistorynetworkireland.ie
The event programme can be downloaded on www.ria.ie/Events/Events-Listing/Oral-History-Event.aspx

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE – TALK – NATIONAL LIBRARY
Wed 21 March: 19:00 – National Library, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
The next talk in the “Particles of the Past Lecture Series” is entitled “Science for everyman (and woman): the Royal College of Science for Ireland and its students, 1867-1926” by Dr Clara Cullen of UCD. Admission is free and no booking is required. www.nli.ie/en/list/current-events.aspx?article=93d3a0e1-4a95-4642-85a6-68d82b16a515

LECTURES ON DANTE – TCD
Wed 21 Mar: 19:15 – Arts Building, Swift Theatre, TCD, Dublin 2
The lecture “Il mio e il nostro Dante: un dialogo immaginario tra Roberto Benigni e Franco Musarra” in Italian will take place. Admission is free. www.iicdublino.esteri.it/IIC_Dublino/webform/SchedaEvento.aspx?id=408&citta=Dublino

BAD BOY JAKE – MOTHER REILLY’S, RATHMINES
Wednesdays: Mother Reillys, 26/28 Upper Rathmines Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6
Bad Boy Jake, a band from Dublin that draws influences from all over the music spectrum including Rory Gallagher, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top, Deep Purple, blues rock and classic rock, is playing every Wednesday in Mother Reilly’s.
www.myspace.com/patcannonnmusic

INN JOKES – KILMAINHAM
Wed 21 March: 21:00 – Patriot’s Inn, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
John Colleary (The Savage Eye), Abie Philbin Bowman (Edinburgh Festival) and Sean Flanagan (Foil Arms and Hog) will be at the Comedy Night “Inn Jokes” which is organised and run by MC Colm O’Regan. innjokes.com/

JAZZ – O’REILLY’S PUB – SANDYMOUNT
Every Wed from 21:00-23:00, The Swing Factory (Paul Sweeney – trumpet, Neil McMahon sax, Bob Whelan vocals/keys Dave Fleming bass, Ian Hyland – drums) will be playing Jazz in O’Reilly’s Pub in Sandymount, D4. Admission is free.

REGULAR WEDNESDAY EVENTS
* The “Havana International Language Exchange” is taking place every Wed from 16:00-19:00 in Havana Tapas Bar in George’s Street. There are many Spanish speakers and English-speakers are explicitly invited, but everyone else is certainly very welcome too, to meet for a chat to improve your Spanish or English. www.havana.ie/opening%202009.htm www.facebook.com/pages/Havana-Tapas-Bar/10503361821
* “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 every Wednesday. www.hamletsweeney.com/events/
* 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————————

LECTURES ON DANTE
Thurs 22 Mar: 10:00 – Arts Building, Room 3020, TCD, Dublin 2
The lecture “Tra il due e il tre: l’immagine della donna terrena e celeste nel V canto dell’Inferno e nel XXXIII del Paradiso” in Italian will take place and admission is free. www.iicdublino.esteri.it/IIC_Dublino/webform/SchedaEvento.aspx?id=408&citta=Dublino

FEROCIOUS MINGLE MARKET – THOMAS STREET
Thurs 11:00-18:00 – 72 Thomas Street (between the Vicar St venue & Cafe Notto)
The Ferocious Mingle Market is a flea-market type permanent market with stalls and “chalets” for traders. The Oscar Verne Café and (at least at the weekends) live music adds even more character. www.facebook.com/mingle.mkt

IRISH ECONOMY – TALKS – CENTRAL LIBRARY
Thurs 1+8+15+22+29 March: 13:00 – Central Library, Ilac Centre, Henry Street, Dublin 1. – “The Irish Economy. What happened? What next?” is a series of lunchtime talks taking place each Thursday in March. The series addresses questions around the Irish Economy. How we have reached the point we are now at, what the policy of successive governments has been and what effect these policies have had. Contributors include economists, journalists and historians.
The talks are
22 March: ‘The Irish banks and Eurozone stability: Learning from the past, looking to the future’ with Gregory Connor
29 March: “Anglo Irish Bank and the part it played in Ireland’s economic collapse” with Simon Carswell
Admission is free, but booking is required via 01-873 4333 or centrallibrary@dublincity.ie www.dublincity.ie/RecreationandCulture/libraries/Events/Pages/the_irish_economy.aspx

SPANISH SONG WORKSHOP – INSTITUTO CERVANTES
Thurs 08/15/22/29 March: 15:30-17:30 – Instituto Cervantes, Lincoln House, Lincoln Place (near National Gallery), Dublin 2. – Would you like to practise your Spanish through songs? This interactive workshop will enable you to improve your Spanish through music. The sessions will offer you the opportunity to work with Spanish songs, listen to the music and explore the author and his/her style in context. You will work on translation and lyrics comprehension, discussion, exploration of sayings and phrases and song interpretation! Learn and practise your Spanish in a relaxed and fun environment. Designed for students of any level who want to have fun while learning, participating and, of course, ‘singing’. The workshop is free, but there is a very limited number of spaces, so you need to register as soon as possible via reservas.dublin@cervantes.es or 01 63115 33. dublin.cervantes.es/FichasCultura/Ficha79956_16_2.htm

LOUIS XIV A VERSAILLES / RÉCITAL LULLY – LECTURE – TCD
Thurs 22 Mar: 17:30-19:00 – Long Room Hub, Trinity College, Dublin 2
The lecture “Louis XIV à Versailles, la création d’un lieu de pouvoir” by Gérard Mabille, General Curator for Heritage at the Musée National du Château de Versailles will be part of the series of events in context with the exhibition “Troubled magnificence – France under Louis XIV” which is on display in the Old Library, TCD until April 2012. The lecture will be in French. Q&A in French and English.
The lecture will be followed by an a cappella performance by the Alliance Française and Lycée Français Choirs conducted by French soloist and vocal teacher Laura Zimmermann. They will perform two choruses from Lully’s operas: Alceste (La Fête Infernale) and Cadmus & Hermione (Vivez heureux) as well as a short Folia composed by the young Irish musician Sam Kavanagh in the spirit of Lully and with the words of Molière. Admission is free. alliance-francaise.ie/culture/

SOHEIL NASSERI – COMPOSITION CENTRE
Thurs 22 March: 19:00-21:00 – Brennan Hall, Royal Irish Academy of Music, 38 Westland Row, Dublin 2. The Music Composition Centre at Trinity College will host a free recital by pianist Soheil Nasseri, accompanied by a talk by composer Hormoz Farhat. The concert will open with a talk by Farhat, relating to his piece on the programme. The event is free, but tickets must be reserved by emailing Claire Hefferon at compcent@tcd.ie. www.tcd.ie/music-composition

PREDICTING WEATHER – LECTURE – CUSTOMS HOUSE
Thurs 22 March: 18:30 – Custom House Dublin
“The Challenges in Predicting the Weather and Climate” by Professor Paul Hardaker, Chief Executive Royal Meteorological Society is the Irish Met Society’s lecture to commemorate World Met Day 2012. More details are at www.irishmetsociety.org/march-2012-lecture Admission is free, but booking is required on the website. There will be with light refreshments from 17:45.

CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP – CENTRAL LIBRARY
Thurs 22 Mar: 18:30 – Central Library, Ilac Shopping Centre, Henry Street, Dublin 1
The Library will host a Career planning workshop with career mentor Aaron Downes as part of the 2012 Career Direction and Development Programme. He will present key insights on WORKSEARCH and career planning in a fun, interactive workshop and introduce attendees to the three crucial components of Worksearch: Purpose and Meaning, Project Managing You, Connectivity. Admission is free, but booking is required on 01-873 3996 or businesslibrary@dublincity.ie
Also on 22 March, Jobcare will be in the library with a helpdesk from 17:00-18:30 to promote Jobnet, a free programme for unemployed professional, graduates and fast-track jobseekers. www.dublincitypubliclibraries.ie

CITY INTERSECTIONS – DUBLINTELLECTUAL – SMOCK ALLEY THEATRE
Thurs 22 Mar: 19:00 – Smock Alley Theatre, Exchange St. Lower, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. – A new series of talks will be launched by Dublintellectual. It is called “City Intersections” and will bring together people who work on urban themes in Dublin from all different kinds of backgrounds. The speakers at the launch event are Andrew Montague (currently Lord Mayor of Dublin), Maeve Higgins, Claire Kilroy, Una Mullally, Madeleine Lyes and will talk about “What does it mean to be urban in Dublin?” City Intersections will examine the many different ways Dubliners think about being urban, looking at the ideas we associate with city life in Ireland and the things we may be missing. Admission is free and a wine reception will follow. You need to book your place via cities@dublintellectual.ie www.dublintellectual.ie

MOO! – WHELAN’S
Thur 22 March: 19:00-22:00 – Whelan’s (Front Bar), 25 Wexford St, Dublin 2
The Western, Rockabilly, Rock n’ Roll band “Moo!” will perform in Whelan’s and admission is free. www.mooband.com www.whelanslive.com/index.php/archives/8397

DUBLIN WRITERS’ FORUM
Thurs 22 March: 19:30 – Twisted Pepper Café (Loft Bookstore), 54, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1. – The Dublin Writers’ Forum welcomes writers of all genres, of all ages and all levels of experience. Founded and facilitated by writers Liz McSkeane and Anne Tannam, DWF is an open group of writers who share a common passion for all things literary. It is a safe ‘working space’ where on a weekly basis writers can bring their work to be critiqued by other writers. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/DublinWritersForum

IRISH LITERATURE IN RUSSIAN TRANSLATION
Thurs 22 March: 19:30 – Irish Writers’ Centre, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
This event is probably for a VERY small niche group: Irish Literature in Russian Translation. A new journal will be launched, which is a dual-language publication. It is a collaborative initiative between the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, Trinity College Dublin, and the Gorky Literary Institute, Moscow, with support from Ireland Literature Exchange. It will be published every two years, both online and in print. Readers on the evening will include Gerald Dawe, Nell Regan, Peter Sirr, Aifric Mac Aodha, and Caitríona Ní Chléirchín. To attend this free event you need to book via info@irlandskayaliteratura.org More information is here www.irlandskayaliteratura.org/ and here www.writerscentre.ie/html/events/atthecentre.html

OUTER SOLAR SYSTEM – MONHTLY IAS MEETING
Thurs 22 Mar: 20:00 – Gonzaga College, Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
The Monthly meeting of the Irish Astronomical Society will take place in Gonzaga college. The speaker will be John Flannery and he will be talking on “The Outer Limits: Cataloguing the Outer Solar System”. Admission is free and all are welcome. www.irishastrosoc.org/wordpress/

PLANTING FOR ILLUSION – NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN
Thurs 22 Mar: 20:00 – National Botanic Gardens, Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
The lecture “Planting for Illusion – Developing a planting palette to showcase Dublin Zoos wildlife” with Stephen Butler will take place. Modern zoos have a varied planting to give visitors a feeling of immersion in the animals natural habitat. Over the past 10 years Dublin Zoo has developed 3 major themed habitats; the Asian Rainforest, the African Savannah and the African Rainforest. This talk will look at how Dublin Zoo’s horticultural team create these habitats. www.botanicgardens.ie/news/events.htm

4 DAME LANE MOVIE CLUB
Thurs: 20:00 – 4 Dame Lane Pub, 4 Dame Lane, Dublin 2
The 4 Dame Lane Movie Club will feature a movie every Thursday from 20:00. The upcoming movies are: 22 Mar: Raging Bull, 29 Mar: Seksy Beast (/replace the “ks” with a “x” to get the proper spelling). Admission is free. www.facebook.com/4damelane/

KEKKO FORNARELLI – NATIONAL CONCERT HALL
Thurs 22 Mar: 20:30 – National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
“Monologue” is the new project for Piano Solo by Kekko Fornarelli.
Continuing his research about electronics, and possible developments of classical piano sound, Fornarelli breaks a new barrier avoiding rhythm section, double-bass and drums and pouring all the intensity, virtuosity and nuance by the sound of his Piano. www.iicdublino.esteri.it/IIC_Dublino/webform/SchedaEvento.aspx?id=399&citta=Dublino

RAILWAY SESSIONS – OPEN MIC – O’REILLY’S ROCK BAR
Thurs: 20:30 – O’Reilly’s Rock Bar, underneath Tara Street DART Station, Dublin 2
If you are a Singer, Songwriter, play an Instrument or just want to jam then come to the Railway Sessions in O’Reilly’s every Thurs at 20:00 and showcase maybe a new song or a cover. All performing musicians will receive a complimentary drink. The event starts at 20:30. To contact the organisers: info@dublinsocialtv.ie An Indie-Rock Club starts immediately afterwards at 23:00. Admission free.
entertainment.ie/event/gigs/O%27Reilly%27s-Rock-Bar/Railway-Sessions/2575255.htm

BANDA BAQUE SOUL BAND – SIN E
Thursdays: 21:00 – Sin É, Ormond Quay, Dublin 1
Sin È are running regular live music events and one regular event is with the Brazilian Soul + Funk Band “Banda Baque Soul” on Thursdays. www.facebook.com/sin.e.dublin?sk=wall

LEFT RIGHT & CENTRE – FRANK RYAN’S BAR
Thursdays: 21:30 – Frank Ryan’s Bar, Queen Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7
Every Thursday “Left Right & Centre” plays a mix of blues & soul with a bit of rock&roll. www.frankryans.com/2011/10/10/left-right-centre-the-homecoming/

REGULAR THURSDAY EVENTS
* Lunchtime Market at Christ Church Cathedral from 12:00-15:00. www.irishvillagemarkets.ie/christchurch.php
* 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.
* Dimestore Recordings run a weekly event in Sweeney Mongrel’s, Dame Street (formerly Le Cirk) with a variety of bands and performers. It starts at 20:00 and the line up is here: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000163463304&sk=wall
* Songs from a Café is a Dublin singer-songwriter showcase session, dedicated to the art of contemporary songwriting. 20:00-22:00 at Brick Alley Cafe. www.facebook.com/songsfromacafe
* The Max Zaska group and the Patrick Groenland group will perform on alternating Thursdays from 21:00 in the International Bar on 23 Wicklow Street.
* “Thirsty Thursday” Open Mic Night from 21:00 in the Bridge Inn in Chapelizod Village. www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bridge-Inn-Chapelizod/350005960758
* The Bionic Rats play live Reggae and Ska every Thursday in Turk’s Head from 22:00. Admission is free. www.facebook.com/TURKSHEADDUBLIN

———Friday————————

ANTIQUES ROCK SHOW – HARD ROCK CAFÉ
Fri 23 Mar: 11:00-15:00 – Hard Rock Café, 12 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
The Hard Rock Cafe Dublin brings to you the first ever “Antiques Rock Show”. On Friday Bonhams Auction House will be valuing genuine musical memorabilia for free as part of the Antiques Rock Show. If you like the price valued you have the option to sell through the entertainment memorabilia auction. Interesting event and you might see lots of music art and memorabilia from other people. www.hardrock.com/locations/cafes3/events.aspx?LocationID=392&MIBenumID=3

IRANIAN MUSIC – CHESTER BEATTY LIBRARY
Fri 23 March: 13:00-14:15 – Chester Beatty Library, Garden of Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. The Chester Beatty Library and the Embassy of Iran present a traditional Iranian music performance celebrating the Iranian New Year Norouz. The traditional band of Bamdad will perform a number of traditional pieces of music played in the ney, tambour, tar, setar and oud to name but a few.
The representative band of five members from a larger group of fifteen, have studied music at the Iranian Music Conservatory and Art University of Iran. Admission is free and no booking is required. www.cbl.ie/Programme—Events/Events-Schedule.aspx

MARY COSTELLO – READING – IRISH WRITERS’ CENTRE
Fri 23 March: 13:05 – Irish Writers’ Centre, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
A lunch time reading with Mary Costello will take place. The Lunchtime Readings will run on Fridays throughout February and March in the Irish Writers’ Centre and are organised in association with Poetry Ireland. The readings will be alternating between prose and poetry, offering audiences the chance to experience a wide-range of literary talent. www.writerscentre.ie/html/events/atthecentre.html

PINT & PICTURE SHOW – EXCHANGE DUBLIN
Fri 23 March: 15:00 – Exchange Dublin, Exchange Street Upper, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. – Howard Linnane is running this film screening and he will screen a number of recent (Irish) short films and an (Irish) feature film. The film titles will soon be available on the facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/CINE-CAFEPintPicPintaPictureShowPictureShow/145568615502560

———Pre-Announcements————————

This section contains events that will 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:

SQL SATURDAY – HILTON HOTEL
Sat 24 Mar: 09:00-18:00 – Hilton Hotel, Charlemont Place, Dublin2
SQL Saturday #105 is a one day free training event for SQL Server professionals and those wanting to learn about SQL Server. High profile local and international speakers will give their time and expertise to make sure that this is a high value event. Numbers are capped at 240, so register soon. sqlsaturday.com/105/eventhome.aspx

IRELAND’S GEOHERITAGE – NATIONAL MUSEUM
Sat 24 Mar: 10:00-16:00 – Collins Barracks
The seminar “The Secrets of Stone – Ireland’s Geoheritage” will take place. It is a public seminar on Irish geology and landscapes as part of Dublin City of Science 2012. It is a Natural History Museum event, but will take place in Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History) and booking is required. Contact the Education Department at 01 6486316 or educationnh@museum.ie. Full programme on www.museum.ie www.museum.ie/en/list/calendar-of-events.aspx?eventID=2732

IRELAND’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY – RDS LECTURE
Thurs 29 Mar: 18:00-19:00 – RDS (Minerva Suite), Merrion Road, Dublin 2
“Irelands Economic Recovery in a European Context” with Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton is the next RDS lecture. Admission to this lecture is free but booking is required via industry@rds.ie More details are at www.rds.ie/cat_event_detail.jsp?itemID=1099572

______________________________
______This is odd!!______________

Please note: This section contains observations taken from the world I live in that strike me as odd. I express my personal opinion and you might not share it. If you are easily offended by opinions that are not identical with your own, please don’t read this
section. ;-)

ST. PATRICK PARADE – LIES AND STATISTICS
Every year the media feeds us a whole pack of incorrect information (you could call it “lies”) about the St. Patrick’s Festival and especially about the St. Patrick’s Parade. Let me start by telling you that I think the parade is in recent years HUGELY successful and the whole St. Patrick’s Festival is a lot of fun, a great attraction for Dublin and the whole team working on it do a really good job. But I have to admit as well that I dislike dishonesty and especially if it is on a ridiculous level. I might be a little (!?) more analytical than most, but have a look at this story:
The St. Patrick’s Festival organisation claims that more than 500,000 people will watch the parade on the streets of Dublin and their website says “550,000 people from all nationalities line the streets & cheer on the performers” on www.stpatricksfestival.ie/index.php/bands And I would expect that after the parade this year, the new claim will be even higher. Watch out for it!
Can that number be correct? Absolutely not! There will be a good few numbers in the next section, but bear with it:
The parade route is 2.7km, which is 2700 metres. If we assume (and it is not totally correct, but let’s be generous), that along the complete route people can stand on both sides of the street, then we have 5400 metres along which people can line the streets. With 550,000 people, this means that per metre, there have to be approx. 100 people! Crowd planning experts say that the absolute maximum of people to squeeze into one square metre is SEVEN. So with 100 people per metre, this means that 100/7=14.29 square metres are required to accommodate the 100 people. As a result at every single point of the parade the massive crowd has to reach from the edge of the parade route to the back of the crowd for more than 14 metres – on EACH side! (That’s about 40 people deep!.) So, 28 metres are needed to accommodate the people! Add a minimum of 4-6 metres of parade route. We now need 32-34 metre wide streets! O’Connell Street is theoretically wide enough for that- Theoretically! But that is only half the route. Dame Street’s width is a fraction.
Now, let’s look at the realistic numbers. 7 per square metres is worse than a London Tube, so 5 is more likely. That means that 20 metres on each side are needed!
Oh and there is another problem! I was in Dame Street for the last few years and have photographic evidence that the crowd was just about metres deep or even less…and Dame Street is less than 20 metres wide in TOTAL. So there was a QUARTER of people of what is needed to reach 550,000!
After all this, what is the more realistic number? If we are GENEROUS, then the max number of people is probably close to 300,000. Still a really good turnout, but FAR from 550,000. Pure lies about the alleged number of attendees!
One last thing: If you are further than 5 or 6 deep from the edge of the route, you will miss half the parade because you can only see the high floats, not the bands or walking performers.

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Have a great St. Patrick’s Day weekend! Give some of the events around this weekend’s festival a chance, try them out and have fun. And let’s hope that the weather is better than the current forecast.

Take care,

–Joerg

dublineventguide@gmail.com
www.dublineventguide.com
www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide

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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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Copyright 2012 by Joerg Steegmueller.
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