Dublin Event Guide 497: Merry Christmas!! – Father Ted Day, New Year Festival

December 24th, 2016
DEG Dublin Event Guide (for free events)

No. 497 | 23 December 2016

Subscribers: 24,150

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MERRY CHRISTMAS to each and everyone of you and to your families & friends!!!

Have a great Christmas, hopefully with a roof over your head, a warm home and warm clothes, some good food, nice friends and a stress-free time. – Last week I was talking to a guy who lives in a tent in Naas at the moment and has no money to buy food. And also to a family who are stressed because because their parents on both sides expect them to have two Christmas Dinners in two places nearly at the same time. VERY different challenges, but both are challenges! I hope you will have a challenge free Christmas! :-)

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The next two Dublin Event Guides will be unusual: There will be a lot less events, which is not THAT surprising. But there will be some events at least., I also won’t be able to tell for certain in all cases which “Regular Events” continue and which won’t. “Normality” returns at the end of the first week in January.

I hope you got some nice Christmas presents for all your loved ones! And maybe the Dublin Event Guide is also a “loved one” (just a slightly more distant loved one, maybe :-) )?? If you have a present for the Dublin Event Guide, it will be warmly received and very much appreciated! In 2017, I need approx. EUR 500 on top of the normal monthly bills to fix the online Dublin Event Guide versions!

The outstanding amount for December has been reduced to just EUR 20 thanks to some very helpful Dublin Event Guide supporters. Thanks a lot! If you can help in any way, your help will be VERY much appreciated!! Make a difference here!

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And here is my weekly appeal: The Dublin Event Guide needs your continued help in two areas: Your donations help paying the bills for sending the Dublin Event Guide every week. Just 1 Euro per month (12 Euro per year) would be great, more would be even better. Unfortunately not many subscribers are prepared or able to help, so please don’t rely on others! Your money will be used to pay the monthly EUR 190 bill for sending the newsletter using MailChimp, for webhosting and domain names. I am happy to work 35 hours on the Dublin Event Guide every week without making anything from it, but for the bills I need your help. You can make your donation at www.perfectresults.info/donate.htm using Paypal or CreditCard or send me a mail at dublineventguide@gmail.com if you prefer to pay by bank transfer. Corporate or enterprise sponsors are very welcome too and will get a bundle of benefits as a thank you for their donation, contact me on sponsorship@dublineventguide.com to discuss the details.

And here is the second area where you can help: Without you spreading the word we would have never reached 24,000 subscribers and 65,000 Facebook Likes. Send your friends to www.dublineventguide.com where they can subscribe as well.

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More than 24,000 people receive the Dublin Event Guide every week and we are more than 65,000 people at the Dublin Event Guide Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide Check it out and click on LIKE when you are there.

And this is a great opportunity to help the Dublin Event Guide for absolutely no cost to you:

Without putting your hand in your pocket at all you can help the Dublin Event Guide! Just use the ad links in the Dublin News Section and the banner ads in other sections as often as possible when you buy/order goods. If you buy goods immediately (in the same session) after clicking on a link/ad that you find in this publication (for example for Groupon, LivingSocial, Amazon, Book Depository, LastMinute etc), then you help the Dublin Event Guide everytime.
This is how it works: The company you buy from will give a small commission (5-8%) to the Dublin Event Guide as a thanks for pointing you in their direction. This might only be 30 cent a go, but if many of you did it every time you buy something online, then it could make a big dent into the EUR 190 needed. Importantly, you do not pay more, but the merchant accepts a slightly smaller profit. So clicking on these ads is helping everybody! Thanks!

Have an event-full weekend and week,

–Joerg

Find the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) online presence here:

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We are more than 65,000 people on the Dublin Event Guide – Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/DublinEventGuide and are growing every week. 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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Feel good slot

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-mail magazine? If your week was great, you might not need it, but most of us had some challenging moments in the last week and there could be more in the coming week and this section is for the people that want to overcome the hurdles, achieve more and remember that despite all, life is great!

Today’s Feel Good Slot obviously has to feature some Christmas related Feel Good content. Flash Mobs are always great and this one is a perfect performance of the Christmas carol “Deck The Halls”. The Carlson School of Management at the Iniversity of Minnesota is both inistgator and location for this Flash Mob: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH8FvERQHtM

And since Christmas is the time for giving gifts, I have a second Feel Good gift for you. It is also a song, this time by the a capella group Pentatonix and they are performing a wonderful version of “Mary Did You Know?”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

Merry Christmas!!

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Support

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

To cover the cost for the Dublin Event Guide I need your help and every week generous and nice Dublin Event Guide readers help with a donation.

Last week Tim O’N, Isidro G, Laura B, Shane M and Brian McG were the wonderful people who helped the Dublin Event Guide with a donation! Thanks soooo much! I really appreciate your help and donations will ensure that the Dublin Event Guide will continue arriving in your Inbox every week and every donation will benefit EVERY Dublin Event Guide reader!

The cost for sending the weekly newsletter is approx. EUR 190 per month and a donation from you of just EUR 12 per year will ensure that I will be able to pay the bills.
Has the Dublin Event Guide helped you to find events that you otherwise wouldn’t have known about, or have you saved money by finding great free events? Then please go to here and give something back if you can!

I appreciate ANY help: EUR 12 would be great (that’s just 25 cent per week!), but even if it is just the price of 2 pints it will help.

You can donate online by following this link to the PayPal&CreditCard donation page. 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:
Nicole W, Dara MacD, Leslie C, Tania Z, James B, Siobhan M, Barbara Q-B, Eric C, Sueanne O’H, Patrick H, Kay G, Danny C, Clodagh O’C, Elizabeth M, Eibhin C, Sara B, Juliana AY, Pauline R, Eva M, Laura S, Sophie P-L, Seamus C, Christiane B, Aine G, Donna M, Siobhan P, Susan B, Sharon K, Michele McN, Elena W, Melissa C, Michael D, Tony B, Sandra Sch, Bill G, Catherine OS, Tim O’N, Geralidne G, Therese O’R, Pascale N, Louise F, Brendan M, Gareth G, Martina B, Deirdre C, Gennadii N, Rachael McC, Fiona D, Caroline M, Mark G, Colette T, Kathrin L, Ornaigh G, Krisztian V-D, Stephen L, Eamon S, Tom McI, Marsha S, Aishling B, Ana R T, Ciara M, John L, Nicola R, Mary O’N, Brendan O’B, Bruce F, Martin C, Roisin R, Olga F, Caoimhe NiM, Jessica G, David S, Debbie L, Lica B-B, Aodhagan D, Niamh S, Malachy B, Lorraine C, Stuart N, BCS, Filippo G, Kiera M, Lorna O’C, Elizabeth B, Patryk R, Rolando C, Aidan C, Ann M, Anita W, Ryan M, Clodagh O’C, Michele McN, Adam J, Marie C S, Colm D, Niamh D, Sean E, Belinda B, Cristina B, Pat M, Matija H, Rita B, JB M, Maria F, Endija S, Catriona D, Ailish B, Leigh P, George K, Miriam L, Mona O’R, Helen B, Justin M, Susan F, Deirdre G, John F, Melanie B, Mark G, Martin O’Malley, Andrew G, Ornaigh G, Noel N, Serena F, Eamonn U, Gerard Ph, Fiona F, Gabriel K, Aislinn T, Barry M, Trudi C, Eugene G, Marc F, Susan H, Grainne O’S, Edita M, Joan S, Daire OC, David P, Anne H, Irene C, Comet Records, John F, Daniel E, Olivia C, Nora O’K, Joan S, David O’K, Tara R, Keith Y, Valentina S, Clodagh O’C, Philip W, Nina J, Michael McS, Trevor J, Edmund G, Ann McP, Noelle H, Adrienne L, Michelle M, Stephen S, Darren McG, Jutta B-S, Geraldine R, Ciara L, Melanie B, Finbarr McG, Catherine E, Paula Ralph, Orla C, Amanda O, Catherine G, Arthur D, Moira dF, Juliana AY, Elaine K, Ann M, Mark G, Julie Anne O’B, Bridget W, Sean S, Karen A, Melanie M, Zelie McG, Lisa H, Tim O’N, Isidro G, Laura B, Shane M, Brian McG and Travel Agency “Project Travel” (www.project-travel.ie Ireland’s only Norway and Northern Lights Travel Experts), Arthur’s Pub (www.arthurspub.ie A classic Dublin old-style pub in 28 Thomas Street with a new and buzzing music venue that runs lots of events), the Speedfriending Ireland Meet-up Group (www.meetup.com/Events-Drinks-Talks-Dublin/) (Where you can meet lots of new people and make friends), the Birdcage Bakery & Cafe (www.facebook.com/BirdcageBakery An independent cafe and bakery in 23 Harcourt Road, Dublin 2), Cycling Campaign (www.dublincycling.ie), www.FlamencoIndalo.com (A group that supports and promotes the art of Flamenco in Ireland), www.oliviercornetgallery.com (An Art Gallery in 5 Cavendish Row), www.thepaulkanegallery.com (A great Art Gallery, on the search for a new venue), www.cfcp.ie (The Centre for Creative Practices is the the only arts centre in Ireland dedicated to connecting, integrating and promoting immigrant, experimental and emerging artists among the local arts scene and audiences) and www.KravMagaIreland.com, the self-defence training centre for everyone, which provides regular 12-week or 2-day self-defence training courses for beginners.

EventbriteThe main sponsor is Eventbrite and their support is hugely appreciated! Eventbrite enables people all over the world to plan, promote, and sell out any event, and has sold over 200 million tickets and registrations worldwide, totalling more than $3 billion in gross ticket sales. Eventbrite is free for free events. The online event registration service makes it easy for everyone to discover events, and to share the events they are attending with the people they know. In this way, Eventbrite brings communities together by encouraging people to connect through live experiences.

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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Joergs 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.

There is a LOT less to choose from! From 203 events we have dropped to just about 70 this week. But with Christmas around, you might even find 70 too many. My choice for Christmas Eve is the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir, on Christmas Day it is a family day and on St. Stephen’s Day it is a Friends Day. But of the events I would choose the one and only Father Ted day. Luckily because there is not much else happening. ;-)

Have a great Christmas!

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Competitions

More competitions to come soon! Watch this space!!

If you want to promote an event or a product in this section of the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events), contact me via dublineventguide@gmail.com

Promote your product or event through a competition!

If you want to reach more than 24,000 people with a product promotion or an event promotion for a non-free event, contact me on dublineventguide@gmail.com and we can discuss the options. You provide the prize for the competition and the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) runs the competition for you. It couldn’t be simpler.

And if you want me to use/test a product you are selling and then share my assessment here in the Dublin Event Guide, we can talk about that too. I like testing gear. ;-)

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Help the Dublin Event Guide! It won’t cost you a cent!

Do you enjoy free events? Does it help you to find out about all these free events simply in one e-mail magazine or on one website? Does the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) deliver all this for you and maybe even more? In that case, you probably also would want it to continue forever, right?

To achieve that some money is needed. Donations are a great help, but not everyone feels they can donate at the moment. So here is the solution: If you could help with a donation without having to pay a cent from your own money wouldn’t that be cool? You can!!

When you buy books online, buy them from Book Depository or from Amazon and use these links to go to the website:

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And when you buy from Living Social or Groupon use these links:

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When you buy holidays (from Lastminute.com, Expedia or Hotels.com) or other products buy them via clicking on the links below:

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When you click on the link and then buy, your books/products/holidays etc cost exactly the same as if you went to the website directly. But if you go via the links above, the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) will get 5-8% of what you spend as a commission. That’s not a lot, but if you and lots of other people used that link every time, it would amount to a fair amount of crucially important money. Use the links often, actually EVERY time you buy from the relevant site, not just once!

Giving money for free! That’s how easy it is. ;-) THANK YOU!!!

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Events over Christmas

Not surprisingly the event world gets very quiet over Christmas. This is family time for organisers, performers and for the audiences so not that much is happening, but for many Christmas is really just a one day thing. On Christmas Eve many pubs are still open until relatively late, then on Christmas Day nearly everything is closed, but on St. Stephen’s Day (26 Dec), the first events are back again. Still, it will be a LOT quieter at least until the first week of January.

So is a Dublin Event Guide really needed in that period? I don’t know about you, but I do know that there are some people among the 24,000 subscribers and 68,000 Facebook Followers that will definitely have the time and interest to go to events between Christmas and the New Year and I also know that some event organisers are hoping that some of you would come to their events. so for that reason, the Dublin Event Guide will NOT take a break, but will be there for you every single week as it has been since June 2007!

Are you visiting Dublin this week?

In addition to the 24,000 subscribers and 68,000 Facebook Followers, there are many Dublin Event Guide users that only come for a holiday to Dublin, so this message is especially for you if you are visiting Dublin over Christmas and/or New Year.

In most European countries, the main Christmas “event” is on Christmas eve (24 Dec), when you get the presents and spend the time in your families. Then on the First Christmas Day (25 Dec), shops are still closed, but restaurants are often open again and are quite busy. Not for the traditional Irish and English Christmas Dinner, but just for dinner and I know many families on the European Continent that go to a restaurant on Christmas Day.

If you are in Dublin on 25 Dec, it will ALL be different! You will probably not find a single restaurant open, because the main Christmas “event” here is on 25 Dec, when everybody stays home. Luckily, however, Ireland is now a multi-cultural society and there are a good few people that are not celebrating Christmas where they come from. Thanks to them, you will find a few corner shops (Spar, Centra etc) open on Christmas Day either for part of the day or for the whole day.

Unfortunately Dublin Tourism doesn’t warn tourism about this. If they were honest, they should say “For your own benefit, do NOT plan your holidays in Ireland over 25 December, as our hospitality will take a break in that day and we will leave you rambling around he streets of Dublin like lost sheep with even difficulties to find a place to eat.” Maybe Dublin Tourism would word it a little different ;-) but you get my drift!

If I were a tourist in Dublin, I would go for a long walk and then read a book or watch TV in my hotel room. With a bit of luck your hotel will be able to provide you with food. But if that is not the case, then check out the Spar and Centra shops. All of them sell cold food and some of them will also have hot food.

Restaurants, tourist sites, cafes and shops will all be closed on that day. But the good news is that life will restart on the next day, on 26 December. Even many shops will be back open and Sales will start already in some places.

New Years Festival

Unlike in previous years, there will be no main event/concert at College Green this year on New Year’s Eve, instead that event has moved to St. Stephen’s Green South. It is not a free event, but tickets are still available (EUR 27.90). Walking on Cars and The Blizzards are the headline performers.

There is no fire works display in Dublin and there is no (free) mass get together anywhere to start the new year. Look at Sydney or London or Berlin or New York to see how New Year’s Eve could (and should) be celebrated.

There are however a whole range of events during the NYF (New Years’s Festival) in Dublin on 30+31 December and 01 January and a number of them are free: www.nyfdublin.com/

Opportunities

The former “Opportunities” section is now Eventbrite’s section to give recommendations, tips & tricks on how to organise and run good events. Eventbrite is the main sponsor of the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) and their support is very much appreciated! All information in this section is supplied by Eventbrite.

== EVENTBRITE HELPS EVENT ORGANISERS ==

7 BADASS VENUE LOGISTICS TIPS
Are you planning events for 2017? Find 7 essential venue logisitics tips in this Eventbrite blog article for your upcoming events. Don’t expect that all will go smooth, but prepare for exceptional circumstances.
Read the full article here.

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If you are regularly or occasionally organising events, keep an eye on the Eventbrite blog. It covers a wide variety of event-related and event-relevant topics that can help you hugely! Read more here.

And if you are looking for free or non-free events, you can find them at www.eventbrite.ie

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 www.visualartists.ie/category/listings/dublin/

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.

Hennessy Portrait Prize 2016 – Exhibition

26 November – 26 March

National Gallery, Clare Street, Dublin 2

Nearly 400 artists took part in the Hennessy Portrait Prize and the 14 finalists will be shown in the National Gallery. Portraits can be paintings or photographs and you will see one among the 14 that will absolutely amaze you (Catherine Creaney’s Oil on Canvas) and one that will shock you (You will find that yourself!).

Admission is free.

www.nationalgallery.ie/en/Exhibitions/Upcoming/Hennessy.aspx
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10157482544205048.1073741860.315939715047

The Wild – Collaborative Group Show

11 Nov – 28 Jan (Mon-Sat 11:00-20:00)

Project Arts Centre, 39 Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

“The Wild is a celebration of the networks and communities, friends and co-conspirators, memories and visions of Project Arts Centre by the creatives and artists at the heart of the organisation. It is a collaborative group show that will change, evolve and develop over time, as practices and art forms collide, collaborate, push and pull together and apart. Experiences and artworks will accumulate, and the show will shape-shift, grow and shrink at will.”

www.projectartscentre.ie/event/wild/

Little Stories, Little Prints – Exhibition

see below

Libraries in Dublin

Fifty Printmakers from eight printmaking studios around Ireland were invited by The Leinster Printmaking Studio, Clane, Co. Kildare to create ‘little prints’ on ‘little known events or incidents’ during or around the time of the 1916 Rising and the exhibition will tour the Dublin Libraries in 2016.

Each library displaying the exhibition will host a workshop in basic printmaking. Participants will be invited to illustrate an incident/artefact of their choice. A small selection of the resulting work may be added to the website and may be included in the display in the library. Please check with the library for date and time of their respective workshop.

The schedule for 2016 is

+ March and April 2016 – Central Library
+ May 2016 – Rathmines Library
+ June 2016 – Walkinstown Library
+ November 2016 – Dublin City Library and Archive
+ December 2016 -Finglas Library

www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-culture-and-amenities-dublin-city-public-libraries-and-archive-events/little

Saturday 24 Dec

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Christmas Eve – What’s going on?

08:45, Sat 24 Dec

Dublin (various locations)

Christmas Eve is an extremely busy day and then an oddly quiet day.

The City Centre and the Shopping Centres will be absolutely packed (and there will be a significantly larger proportion of men than women becoming increasingly irate and buying stuff that should n’t be bought by anyone :-) ) and the hectic increases throughout the day until around 15:00-16:00, when the shops in the City Centre start to close. Some shopping centres are open until 18:00, but that is it then! NO more shopping for Christmas 2016!

An unusual calm starts engulfing the City Centre once the shops are closed and only pubs remain open to take in the shoppers that want to end the day with Christmas Drinks. Then the Christmas Masses start with Children’s Masses around 18:00and then for the grown ups at 20:00, or 22:00 or some eve for a midnight mass at midnight (instead of having a “midnight mass” at 22:00).

Pubs stay open for another bit (until around midnight) but things are a lot quieter than on a normal evening. Maybe things are a little different because Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday, but checking through the list of pub gigs, it seems that this Saturday is NOT a normal Saturday.

….and then Christmas starts!!

Park Runs: Malahide, Cabinteely, Shanganah, Marlay, Raheny

09:30 – 13:00, Sat 24 Dec

Malahide Park, Dublin Road, Malahide, Co. Dublin

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

A whole range of Parkruns take place every week (and if you know some more, please tell me):
+ Malahide Park, Dublin Road, Malahide, Co. Dublin
+ Cabinteely Park, Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin 18
+ Shanganagh Park, Shankill, Co. Dublin
+ Marlay Park, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin, Co. Dublin
+ St. Anne’s Park, Raheny, Dublin 5
+ Father Collins Park, Donaghmeade/Clongriffin, Dublin 13
+ Tymon Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24

www.parkrun.ie/

Belgard Weekend Market

10:00 – 17:00, Sat 24 Dec

Belgard Road, Dublin 24

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

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

www.facebook.com/belgardmarket

Jamestown Market

10:00 – 17:00, Sat 24 Dec

Jamestown Market, 90 Jamestown Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8

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

www.jamestownmarket.com/

Temple Bar Markets

10:00 – 15:00, Sat 24 Dec

Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

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.

It has been confirmed that the Temple Bar Food Market will definitely be open on Christmas Eve.

www.templebar.ie

Blackrock Market

11:00 – 17:30, Sat 24 Dec

Blackrock Market, 19 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

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

Blackrock Market will be open on Christmas Eve.

www.blackrockmarket.com/

Live Animal Crib

11:00 – 13:00, Sat 24 Dec

Mansion House, Dawson St, Dublin 2

The Live Animal Crib at Mansion House is a yearly Christmas feature. It will be open until Christmas Eve and is brought to you in association with the Irish Farmers Association.

And just in case you are worried: The animals in the crib are brought there in the morning and brought back home in the evening, so they are looked after well.

Admission is free, but donations for the charity “Mansion House Fuel Fund” are appreciated.

“My Favourites” – Dublin City Walking Tour

14:00 – 16:00, Sat 24 Dec

Spire, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1

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

The tours are free but donations are welcome and booking is required via myfavouritesdublincitywalktour@gmail.com or 085-2725095

www.dublincitywalkingtours.com/

Gardiner Street Gospel Choir – Christmas Eve Mass

19:30 – 21:00, Sat 24 Dec

St. Francis Xavier Church at the top of Gardiner Street, Dublin 1

The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir sings every Sunday from September to June at their “Gig in God’s Gaff”, a Mass in St. Francis Xavier Church at the top of Gardiner Street near the junction with Dorset Street.

At Christmas they will sing on Christmas Eve and not on the Christmas Day, which falls on a Sunday. Gardiner Street Church is big, but on Christmas Eve it will fill up in no time and will be COMPLETELY packed. Be there early (ideally not later than 19:30) to get a seat. The mass starts at 20:00, but a Carol Singing starts already around 19:30.

The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir, one of the best known gospel choirs in Ireland will give you a chance to experience a mass with a difference. It is uplifting and inspiring and everybody is welcome independent from your level of religiousness or your relationship with the Catholic Church in other contexts.

Disclaimer: I am involved with the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir, so the description above MIGHT not be totally unbiased. But just take it from me, they are brilliant! ;-)

www.gardinerstreetgospelchoir.com

Christmas at The Martello in Bray – Live Gigs

20:00, Sat 24 Dec

The Martello, Strand Road, Bray, Co. Dublin

The Martello in Bray has a great line-up of live gigs for the whole Christmas period, much better than many other bars and pubs, so check it out:

Sat 17 Dec: Fallen Empire
Sun 18 Dec: Tex & Friends
Mon 19 Dec: Acoustic Jukebox
Tues 20 Dec: Paul McGuinness
Wed 21 Dec: The Covers Trio
Thu 22 Dec: Fallen Empire
Fri 23 Dec: Caoimhe Barry Trio
Sat 24 Dec: Ian James White
Sun 24 Dec: CLOSED
Mon 26 Dec: DJ
Tues 27 Dec: Derek Quigley
Wed 28 Dec: Niall Donnelly
Thu 29 Dec: Jonny Ward
Fri 30 Dec: Take 2
Sat 31 Dec: Derek Quigley
Sun 01 Jan: Jamie Duff
Mon 02 Jan: Derek Quigley

Admission seems to be free.

www.facebook.com/themartellobray

Toasted Special – Gig

21:00, Sat 24 Dec

Harbour Bar, 1 Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Toasted Special is the Harbour Bar house band and they will help you through Christmas Eve.

Admission is free.

www.theharbourbar.ie/whats-on/event/toasted-special4

Sunday 25 Dec

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Christmas Day – What’s going on?

08:45, Sun 25 Dec

Dublin (various locations)

Christmas Day is obviously the main day of Christmas in Ireland.

If you have children, the day starts VERY early. The kids will probably be up at around 06:00 to check if Santa brought something for them. So morning time is often present time. (In other families it is just before the Christmas Dinner.)

For others the day starts with a traditional Sea Swim at the Forty Foot in Sandycove, south of Dun Laoghaire or in Skerries. Sounds freezing cold? Well, the water should be around toasty 9 degrees, that is not THAT bad. But you won’t see me in it!! But I have been there a few times watching the lobster red swimmers emerging from the waters.

More sports after that? Then the GOAL runs could be for you. They happen in numerous locations (www.goalglobal.org/events/event/goal-mile) and are an easy on mile run for charity GOAL. One of the biggest ones will be in Phoenix Park from 10:30-12:00. It is not a free event, but a charity event on Christmas Day does make a lot of sense.

What next? Visiting friends and family while the turkey is simmering in the oven and then back home for the Christmas Dinner around 15:00. After that flaking out with a full belly in front of the TV? Or playing some games? Too much food, too much alcohol, but it is all part of Christmas. :-)

If you are a tourist in Dublin, you will NOT like this day! Dublin’s hospitality is on “on ice” for a day. Nobody is properly looking after tourists and I think it is unfair not to warn them. If you are looking for food in town, go to a Spar or Centra because you won’t find a restaurant open. The good news is though, that these extraordinary circumstances only last for a single day. Thinks will improve on 26 December.

Monday 26 Dec

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St. Stephen’s Day – What’s going on?

08:45, Mon 26 Dec

Dublin (various locations)

The second day of Christmas holidays is St. Stephen’s Day on 26 December. In many countries this is a proper holiday, not so in Ireland! Shops in the City Centre and all shopping centres open on St. Stephen’s Day, many for the full day from 09:00-18:00. Smaller shops will often stay closed so don’t expect that ALL shops are open, but many many will be.

By the way, this day is called St. Stephen’s Day and NOT Boxing Day in Ireland!! Don’t get in trouble by giving it the wrong name.

Father Ted Day

18:00, Mon 26 Dec

The Bernard Shaw, 12 Richmond Street South, Dublin 8

Father Ted Day is aas much a tradition in the Bernard Shaw Pub as Christmas is in your life. :-)

There will be a Tunnel of Goats, a Quiz at 19:00 with prizes for the best dressed priest, a Lovely Girls Competition at 20:00 and lots of other Father Ted related fun.

Admission is free.

www.facebook.com/events/1306834976028764/

The Circle Sessions – Open Mic

20:00 – 23:30, Mon 26 Dec

The International Bar, 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2

The Circle Sessions is an “Open Mic” that provides an opportunity for up and coming musicians, spoken word artists, poets and comedians to perform.

Come to this weekly show to perform or to simply watch a great mix of music, poetry, spoken word and comedy.

Admission is free.

www.facebook.com/thecirclesessions/

Mick Pyro Trio – Gig

21:00, Mon 26 Dec

Harbour Bar, 1 Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Blues Rock with the one and only Mick Pyro.

Admission is free.

www.theharbourbar.ie/whats-on/event/mick-pyro-trio

Trad Sessions

21:00 – 23:30, Mon 26 Dec

Mother Reillys, 26/28 Upper Rathmines Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6

An Open Trad Music Session is taking place every Monday in Mother Reilly’s. Admission is free.

dublinsessions.ie/mother-reillys/

Tuesday 27 Dec

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27 December – What’s going on?

08:45, Tue 27 Dec

Dublin (various locations)

Why is this day mentioned especially? Is it not all back to normal? Yes and no! If you want to go shopping, you won’t find much of a difference than on a “normal” day, BUT there is a difference. In Ireland public holidays that are happening on a Saturday or Sunday will be observed on the following Monday. Christmas Day this ear is on a Sunday, so that has to be observed after the Sunday, but on Monday is St. Stephen’s Day, which is already a bank holiday, so therefore the Christmas Day will be observed on Tuesday.

For some odd reason, the banks add ANOTHER bank holiday (but not a public holiday) on Wednesday. So the banks re-open only in Thursday.

Moving Crib in St. Martin Apostolate

11:30 – 18:00, Tue 27 Dec

St. Martin Apostolate, 42 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1

The Moving Crib of the St. Martin Apostolate is a whole basement full of handcrafted figures in front of painted backgrounds of nativity related scenes. There are 14 scenes, beginning with Adam and Eve and finishing with Christmas. Nearly all figures are moving and this historic crib, which was created in 1956, still fascinates children and even adults.

I was there two years ago and it is indeed fascinating. It won’t blow you away, but your kids could be a lot more impressed than you!! ;-)

Admission is free, but for the upkeep of the crib, a donation of EUR 1.50 per person is suggested.

The opening times are 21 Nov-08 January: Mon-Fri 14:00-18:00 and Sat+Sun: 11:30-18:00. (Closed on 24+25+26 Dec and 01 Jan)

www.stmartin.ie/visiting-crib/

Support the Dublin Event Guide – Buy your books here!

13:00, Tue 27 Dec

Dublin (various locations)

Free Delivery on all Books at the Book Depository

If you regularly or occasionally buy books online, you can help the Dublin Event Guide hugely even without having to pay cent directly. In fact you even save money this way:

Buy your books from The Book Depository and get better prices and free (!!) delivery for all orders independent from the volume and when you click on the picture here before you buy, then 5% of what normally The Book Depository would get, they give back to the Dublin Event Guide. Everybody wins!

www.bookdepository.com?a_aid=dubevg

If you prefer Amazon to buy your books (for free postage you need to order a minimum of GBP 25), then use this Amazon link to help the Dublin Event Guide. Thanks!

“My Favourites” – Dublin City Walking Tour

14:00 – 16:00, Tue 27 Dec

Spire, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1

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

The tours are free but donations are welcome and booking is required via myfavouritesdublincitywalktour@gmail.com or 085-2725095

www.dublincitywalkingtours.com/

Tuesday Night Table Tennis

18:00 – 00:00, Tue 27 Dec

Buskers on the Ball, Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

This is a new weekly event in Buskers on the Ball. They have 5 table tennis table and are now running a social league on Tuesdays. Free play at the tables and drinks specials are available.

www.facebook.com/events/1759189697666662/

The Dublin Language Exchange – Meetup

19:00, Tue 27 Dec

Czech Inn, Essex Gate, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

EveryTuesday at 19:00, The Dublin Language Exchange takes place in the Czech Inn. It is the biggest free meeting of people from all around Dublin that are interested in learning languages and communicate with speakers of other languages.

Admission is free and the meetup is completely informal. No booking required.

www.facebook.com/Dublin-Language-Exchange-131803433533696/

Christmas at The Martello in Bray – Live Gigs

20:00, Tue 27 Dec

The Martello, Strand Road, Bray, Co. Dublin

The Martello in Bray has a great line-up of live gigs for the whole Christmas period, much better than many other bars and pubs, so check it out:

Sat 17 Dec: Fallen Empire
Sun 18 Dec: Tex & Friends
Mon 19 Dec: Acoustic Jukebox
Tues 20 Dec: Paul McGuinness
Wed 21 Dec: The Covers Trio
Thu 22 Dec: Fallen Empire
Fri 23 Dec: Caoimhe Barry Trio
Sat 24 Dec: Ian James White
Sun 24 Dec: CLOSED
Mon 26 Dec: DJ
Tues 27 Dec: Derek Quigley
Wed 28 Dec: Niall Donnelly
Thu 29 Dec: Jonny Ward
Fri 30 Dec: Take 2
Sat 31 Dec: Derek Quigley
Sun 01 Jan: Jamie Duff
Mon 02 Jan: Derek Quigley

Admission seems to be free.

www.facebook.com/themartellobray

Dublin Bluegrass Collective – Gig

20:00, Tue 27 Dec

Sin É, 14 Ormond Quay, Dublin 1

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

www.facebook.com/Sin.E.Pub

Roots ‘n’ Blues – Gig

20:00 – 23:00, Tue 27 Dec

Arthur’s Pub, 28 Thomas Street, Dublin 8

This is a weelly acoustic roots and blues session every Tuesday in Arthur’s Pub.

Admision is free.

www.facebook.com/ArthursPub

Ukulele Tuesday – Jam&Gig

20:00 – 22:00, Tue 27 Dec

Stag’s Head, Dame Lane, Dublin 2

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

www.facebook.com/UkuleleTuesday

The Hardchargers – Gig

21:00, Tue 27 Dec

Harbour Bar, 1 Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow

A roots gig with the Hardchargers.

Admission is free.

www.theharbourbar.ie/whats-on/event/the-hardchargers2

The Lounge Quintet – Jazz Gig

21:00, Tue 27 Dec

Leeson Lounge, 148 Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4

The Lounge Quintet plays this gig every Tuesday: Jazz Standards, Latin and Bebop. Often guest musicians and singers join them. Admission is free, donations are welcome.

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Leeson-Lounge/114810058553792

Woolshed Pub Quiz

21:00, Tue 27 Dec

Woolshed Bar & Grill, Parnell Street, Dublin 1

Every Tuesday, a pub quiz is taking place in the Woolshed.

Admission is free. Max team size is 6 people.

www.woolshedbaa.com

International Bar Jazz Night

21:30, Tue 27 Dec

The International Bar, 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2

Every Tuesday and Thursday the International Bar invites to a Jazz night in the Lounge.

Groups led by Cote Calmet, Sean Maynard Smith, Dominic Mullan, Paddy Groenland, Georgia Cusack & Alex Mathias are performing regularly with occasional guest players, but there are also other bands from all over.

Admission is free, with a suggested donation of EUR 5. The website clearly says that there is no entry fee, but – and that makes a lot of sense – that your donations are very much appreciated (Musicians need to pay for rent and food too!) Be generous after the gig if you liked it, but if someone wants to charge an admission charge, please point out that the “rules” as described on their website are like I have explained.

www.international-bar.com/jazz/

Wednesday 28 Dec

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Moving Crib in St. Martin Apostolate

11:30 – 18:00, Wed 28 Dec

St. Martin Apostolate, 42 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1

The Moving Crib of the St. Martin Apostolate is a whole basement full of handcrafted figures in front of painted backgrounds of nativity related scenes. There are 14 scenes, beginning with Adam and Eve and finishing with Christmas. Nearly all figures are moving and this historic crib, which was created in 1956, still fascinates children and even adults.

I was there two years ago and it is indeed fascinating. It won’t blow you away, but your kids could be a lot more impressed than you!! ;-)

Admission is free, but for the upkeep of the crib, a donation of EUR 1.50 per person is suggested.

The opening times are 21 Nov-08 January: Mon-Fri 14:00-18:00 and Sat+Sun: 11:30-18:00. (Closed on 24+25+26 Dec and 01 Jan)

www.stmartin.ie/visiting-crib/

National Gallery Talks

11:30 – 16:50, Wed 28 Dec

National Gallery, Clare Street, Dublin 2

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

nationalgallery.ie/whatson

Decembrrrr Tour – National Museum

14:15 – 16:30, Wed 28 Dec

National Museum, Merrion Street (Natural History), Dublin 2

At the December Tour, you will find out “How do animals survive the cold winter and who can sleep the longest?” And also find out more about Ireland’s unique wildlife on display in the Irish Room.

Admission is free and no booking required but places are limited. Suitable for all ages 8+.

The tour will run at 14:15 and again at 15:30.

www.museum.ie/Visit-Us/Events?id=3084

Family Art Workshop (Age 4-10)

15:00 – 16:00, Wed 28 Dec

National Gallery, Clare Street, Dublin 2

A free Christmas Family Art Workshop is taking place every day from Wednesday until Friday. There are 40 places every day, so arrive early to nab a place.

The themes are:
28 Dec: Space Age Christmas
29 Dec: The Snow Queen
30 Dec: Winter Wonderland

It is suitable for kids aged 4-10 and their parents/guardians. Kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

www.nationalgallery.ie/whatson

Havana International Language Exchange

16:30 – 19:30, Wed 28 Dec

Havana Tapas Bar, Georges St, Dublin 2

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

www.facebook.com/pages/Havana-Tapas-Bar/10503361821

Brand New Switcheroo – Roots Gig

20:00, Wed 28 Dec

Harbour Bar, 1 Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow

The Roots Band “Brand New Switcheroo” will perform in the Harbour Bar. Admission is free.

www.theharbourbar.ie/whats-on/event/

Christmas at The Martello in Bray – Live Gigs

20:00, Wed 28 Dec

The Martello, Strand Road, Bray, Co. Dublin

The Martello in Bray has a great line-up of live gigs for the whole Christmas period, much better than many other bars and pubs, so check it out:

Sat 17 Dec: Fallen Empire
Sun 18 Dec: Tex & Friends
Mon 19 Dec: Acoustic Jukebox
Tues 20 Dec: Paul McGuinness
Wed 21 Dec: The Covers Trio
Thu 22 Dec: Fallen Empire
Fri 23 Dec: Caoimhe Barry Trio
Sat 24 Dec: Ian James White
Sun 24 Dec: CLOSED
Mon 26 Dec: DJ
Tues 27 Dec: Derek Quigley
Wed 28 Dec: Niall Donnelly
Thu 29 Dec: Jonny Ward
Fri 30 Dec: Take 2
Sat 31 Dec: Derek Quigley
Sun 01 Jan: Jamie Duff
Mon 02 Jan: Derek Quigley

Admission seems to be free.

www.facebook.com/themartellobray

The Song Room (open mic)

20:30, Wed 28 Dec

The Globe, 11 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2

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

www.theglobe.ie/events

The Zodiac Sessions – Open Mic/Gig

20:30, Wed 28 Dec

Bruxelles, Harry Street, Dublin 2

“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.facebook.com/zodiacsessions

Bad Boy Jake

21:00, Wed 28 Dec

Gypsy Rose Blues & Rock Bar, 5 Aston Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

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

www.dublinsessions.ie/gypsy.html

East Coast Jazz Band

21:00, Wed 28 Dec

Harbour Bar, 1 Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow

The East Coast Jazz Band will play Dixieland Jazz in Bray.

Admission is free.

www.theharbourbar.ie/whats-on/event/east-coast-jazz-band2

Los Paradiso – Gig

21:00, Wed 28 Dec

Leeson Lounge, 148 Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4

Los Paradiso are playing Rockabilly, Tex Mex, Western Swing, Surf in the Leeson Lounge. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Leeson-Lounge/114810058553792

Trad Session

21:30, Wed 28 Dec

Hedigan’s (The Brian Boru), 4 Prospect Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 11

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).

Thursday 29 Dec

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Moving Crib in St. Martin Apostolate

11:30 – 18:00, Thu 29 Dec

St. Martin Apostolate, 42 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1

The Moving Crib of the St. Martin Apostolate is a whole basement full of handcrafted figures in front of painted backgrounds of nativity related scenes. There are 14 scenes, beginning with Adam and Eve and finishing with Christmas. Nearly all figures are moving and this historic crib, which was created in 1956, still fascinates children and even adults.

I was there two years ago and it is indeed fascinating. It won’t blow you away, but your kids could be a lot more impressed than you!! ;-)

Admission is free, but for the upkeep of the crib, a donation of EUR 1.50 per person is suggested.

The opening times are 21 Nov-08 January: Mon-Fri 14:00-18:00 and Sat+Sun: 11:30-18:00. (Closed on 24+25+26 Dec and 01 Jan)

www.stmartin.ie/visiting-crib/

National Gallery Talks

11:30 – 16:50, Thu 29 Dec

National Gallery, Clare Street, Dublin 2

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

nationalgallery.ie/whatson

Low priced books with free delivery!

13:00, Thu 29 Dec

Dublin (various locations)

Free Delivery on all Books at the Book Depository

If you regularly or occasionally buy books online, you can help the Dublin Event Guide hugely even without having to pay cent directly. In fact you even save money this way:

Buy your books from The Book Depository and get better prices and free (!!) delivery for all orders independent from the volume and when you click on the picture here before you buy, then 5% of what normally The Book Depository would get, they give back to the Dublin Event Guide. Everybody wins!

www.bookdepository.com?a_aid=dubevg

If you prefer Amazon to buy your books (for free postage you need to order a minimum of GBP 25), then use this Amazon link to help the Dublin Event Guide. Thanks!

Hong Ling: A Retrospective – In Focus Tour

13:10, Thu 29 Dec

Chester Beatty Library, Gardens of Dublin Castle, Dublin 2

The In Focus Tour “Hong Ling: A Retrospective” with Dr Mary Redfern, Curator of the East Asian Collections, Chester Beatty Library is taking place on Thursday. Meeting point is in the atrium of the Library.

Admission is free.

www.cbl.ie/Plan-A-Visit/What-s-On.aspx

Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising – Family Tour

15:00, Thu 29 Dec

National Museum, Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History), 7 Benburb Street, Dublin 7

Join this family friendly tour of the “Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising” exhibition, looking at some of the highlights of the Museum’s extensive Easter Week collection.

Admission is free and no booking required. Places will be allocated on a first-come basis 15 minutes before the tour starts. Suitable for Adults & Children 7+

www.museum.ie/Visit-Us/Events?id=3135

Little Museum of Dublin – Free Admission Thursday

18:00 – 20:00, Thu 29 Dec

Little Museum of Dublin, 15 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2

Every Thursday the Little Museum of Dublin waives their admission charges for two guided tours thanks to sponsorship from Guinness. The first tour is at 18:00 and the second tour is at 19:00. Make sure that you are there at least 10 minutes before the start of the tour to get one of the limited places.

The Little Museum of Dublin has a fascinating collection of artefacts from the last 100 years Dublin’s history.

On other days and other times, admission is EUR 7 for adults and admission is by guided tour only.

www.littlemuseum.ie/

“My Favourites” – Dublin City Walking Tour – Night Walk

19:00 – 21:00, Thu 29 Dec

Spire, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1

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

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

www.dublincitywalkingtours.com/

New to Dublin? Dublin Expats Meeting

19:00, Thu 29 Dec

Living Room Pub, Cathal Brugha Street (off O’Connell Street), Dublin 1

An expatriate or expat is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of their citizenship.

And this is a weekly meeting for all Expats in Dublin (new and old!). If you are new to the city, this is an excellent way to meet people.

Admission is free (no booking required!), but you are asked to give the same kind of welcoming to new members as is given to you.

www.eventbrite.com/e/dublin-expats-thursday-7pm-tickets-24745493437?ref=devg

Thursday Night Board Gaming

19:00, Thu 29 Dec

Robert Read Bar, 19 Store Street, Dublin 1

This is a weekly Board Gaming event every Thursday.

Admission is free.

www.facebook.com/IGAGamesNights/

Christmas at The Martello in Bray – Live Gigs

20:00, Thu 29 Dec

The Martello, Strand Road, Bray, Co. Dublin

The Martello in Bray has a great line-up of live gigs for the whole Christmas period, much better than many other bars and pubs, so check it out:

Sat 17 Dec: Fallen Empire
Sun 18 Dec: Tex & Friends
Mon 19 Dec: Acoustic Jukebox
Tues 20 Dec: Paul McGuinness
Wed 21 Dec: The Covers Trio
Thu 22 Dec: Fallen Empire
Fri 23 Dec: Caoimhe Barry Trio
Sat 24 Dec: Ian James White
Sun 24 Dec: CLOSED
Mon 26 Dec: DJ
Tues 27 Dec: Derek Quigley
Wed 28 Dec: Niall Donnelly
Thu 29 Dec: Jonny Ward
Fri 30 Dec: Take 2
Sat 31 Dec: Derek Quigley
Sun 01 Jan: Jamie Duff
Mon 02 Jan: Derek Quigley

Admission seems to be free.

www.facebook.com/themartellobray

Good Name presents Girlfriend

20:00, Thu 29 Dec

The Bernard Shaw, 12 Richmond Street South, Dublin 8

Girlfriend is an all-female band with a mixture of alternative, punk and melodic. They will be followed by DJs

Admission is free.

www.facebook.com/events/142216872924572/

Montauk Hotel – Gig

21:00, Thu 29 Dec

Sin É, 14 Ormond Quay, Dublin 1

80s band Montauk Hotel will perform in Sin E on Thursday and they will be supported by Rosa Nutty.

Admission is free.

www.facebook.com/events/202327406840418/

Singer Songwriter Night – Mother Reilly’s

21:00, Thu 29 Dec

Mother Reillys, 26/28 Upper Rathmines Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6

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

www.facebook.com/motherreillysADMIN

The Bionic Rats – Gig

21:00, Thu 29 Dec

Harbour Bar, 1 Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow

The Bionic Rats will play their Reggae, Ska, Rocksteady in Bray.

Admission is free.

www.theharbourbar.ie/whats-on/event/the-bionic-rats

Brady’s Fun Pub Quiz

21:30, Thu 29 Dec

Brady’s Pub, 5 Terenure Place, Terenure, Dublin 6

A Fun Pub Quiz takes place in Brady’s in Terenure on Thurs. The quiz will be on every Thursday night in the Lounge at Brady’s. Keith McLoughlin is the Quiz Master.

There will be six rounds of the quiz with picture questions, audio questions and general knowledge questions. Admission to the quiz is free and therr will be free drink vouchers for the winning and runner up teams. (No phones to get answers allowed.)

www.facebook.com/pages/Bradys-Pub-Terenure/138965189474826

Cabin Sessions – Dundrum – Gig

21:30, Thu 29 Dec

Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Rosemount, Dundrum Road, Dublin 14

The next Cabin Sessions with the regular Cabin Crew and with special guests Emma Butler (contemporary), Tom Horan (Americana), Neal Ryan (contemporary) will happen in Dundrum. Expect Trad, Roots, and Americana.

Admission is free.

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cabin-Sessions-Acoustic-Music-at-its-Finest/172602396180287

International Bar Jazz Night

21:30, Thu 29 Dec

The International Bar, 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2

Every Tuesday and Thursday the International Bar invites to a Jazz night in the Lounge.

Groups led by Cote Calmet, Sean Maynard Smith, Dominic Mullan, Paddy Groenland, Georgia Cusack & Alex Mathias are performing regularly with occasional guest players, but there are also other bands from all over.

Admission is free, with a suggested donation of EUR 5. The website clearly says that there is no entry fee, but – and that makes a lot of sense – that your donations are very much appreciated (Musicians need to pay for rent and food too!) Be generous after the gig if you liked it, but if someone wants to charge an admission charge, please point out that the “rules” as described on their website are like I have explained.

www.international-bar.com/jazz/

Left, Right & Centre – Blues+Soul

21:30, Thu 29 Dec

Frank Ryan’s Bar, Queen Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7

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

Admission is free.

www.frankryans.com

McLoughlin’s Trad Night

21:30, Thu 29 Dec

McLoughlin’s Bar, 73 Upper George’s Street, Dun Laoghaire

A weekly Trad Music Night is taking place in McLoughlin’s in Dun Laoghaire. It is an acoustic night and all musicians are welcome. Admission is free.

www.mcloughlinsbar.ie

McNeills Trad Music Pub Sessions

21:30, Thu 29 Dec

J. McNeills, 140 Capel Street, Dublin 7

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

www.facebook.com/McNeillsPubSessions

Woolshed Karaoke

21:30, Thu 29 Dec

Woolshed Bar & Grill, Parnell Street, Dublin 1

The Woolshed Karaoke is happening every Thursday from 21:30. Anyone can participate! Admission is free.

www.woolshedbaa.com/dublin/

Friday 30 Dec

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New Year Festival Dublin

09:00, Fri 30 Dec

Dublin (various locations)

The New Year Festival will be again a 3 day event in 2016. It will run from Friday (30 Dec) until Sunday (01 Jan) and will consist of non-free events and a few free events. I will tell you all about the events on Saturday and Sunday in next week’s Dublin Event Guide, and this week the free events that take place on Friday and are not booked out yet are included here as seprate events.

Check out all details at nyfdublin.com/

nyfdublin.com/

Moving Crib in St. Martin Apostolate

11:30 – 18:00, Fri 30 Dec

St. Martin Apostolate, 42 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1

The Moving Crib of the St. Martin Apostolate is a whole basement full of handcrafted figures in front of painted backgrounds of nativity related scenes. There are 14 scenes, beginning with Adam and Eve and finishing with Christmas. Nearly all figures are moving and this historic crib, which was created in 1956, still fascinates children and even adults.

I was there two years ago and it is indeed fascinating. It won’t blow you away, but your kids could be a lot more impressed than you!! ;-)

Admission is free, but for the upkeep of the crib, a donation of EUR 1.50 per person is suggested.

The opening times are 21 Nov-08 January: Mon-Fri 14:00-18:00 and Sat+Sun: 11:30-18:00. (Closed on 24+25+26 Dec and 01 Jan)

www.stmartin.ie/visiting-crib/

National Gallery Talks

11:30 – 16:50, Fri 30 Dec

National Gallery, Clare Street, Dublin 2

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

nationalgallery.ie/whatson

1916 Rebellion Walking Tour – NYF Dublin

12:00 – 14:00, Fri 30 Dec

Molly Malone Statue, Andrew Street, Dublin 2

Lorcan Collins will take you to the relevant sites of the Rebellion in Dublin, Ireland, to give you an understanding of this historic occasion.

Admission is free, but booking is required via the Eventbrite link below.

www.eventbrite.com/e/nyf-dublin-2016-presents-1916-rebellion-walking-tour-tickets-30438058051?ref=devg

A Wish for Dublin – NYF Dublin

12:00 – 17:00, Fri 30 Dec

Dublin (various locations)

A wish for Dublin is an art installation that will take place on O’Connell Street and in other locations across the City Centre. Visual Artist Deirdre Robb will discuss the great things that Dublin has to offer and invite people to make a wish for the future of the city. When the wish is made it will be hung on a tree with other wishes to create a collective voice of how Dublin could be shaped for the future.

Admission is free.

nyfdublin.com/a-wish-for-dublin/

The Counsel of Owls – Aerial Circus – NYF Dublin

14:00 – 15:00, Fri 30 Dec

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8

In St. Patrick’s Park, next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, an aerial and contemporary circus performance will take place. Aerialist Emily Aoibheann will dance, move and glide through the air to the sounds of Mickey Kenney’s “The Counsel of Owls”.

Admission is free.

nyfdublin.com/the-counsel-of-owls/

Written in Stone: Ogham – Drop-in Activitiy

14:00 – 16:00, Fri 30 Dec

National Museum, Kildare Street (Archaeology), Dublin 2

Ogham, the earliest form of writing in Ireland, was often carved onto standing stones. Discover more about this ancient writing and make your own Ogham bookmark to take home.

Admission is free. This is drop-in activitiy so you can come at any time. Suitable for Afes 8+.

www.museum.ie/Visit-Us/Events?id=3075

Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising – Family Tour

15:00, Fri 30 Dec

National Museum, Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History), 7 Benburb Street, Dublin 7

Join this family friendly tour of the “Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising” exhibition, looking at some of the highlights of the Museum’s extensive Easter Week collection.

Admission is free and no booking required. Places will be allocated on a first-come basis 15 minutes before the tour starts. Suitable for Adults & Children 7+

www.museum.ie/Visit-Us/Events?id=3136

Docklands Walking Tour – NYF Dublin

16:30 – 18:00, Fri 30 Dec

CHQ Building, Customs House Quay, Dublin 1

Historian pat Liddy will lead a Dockland’s Walking Tour full of history and many unexpected surprises.

Admission is free, but booking is required via the Eventbrite link below.

www.eventbrite.com/e/nyf-dublin-2016-present-pat-liddys-new-year-docklands-walking-tour-tickets-30467522179?aff=es2

Cornucopia – Live Music

19:30 – 21:30, Fri 30 Dec

Cornucopia Café & Restaurant, 19/20 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2

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

www.cornucopia.ie

Christmas at The Martello in Bray – Live Gigs

20:00, Fri 30 Dec

The Martello, Strand Road, Bray, Co. Dublin

The Martello in Bray has a great line-up of live gigs for the whole Christmas period, much better than many other bars and pubs, so check it out:

Sat 17 Dec: Fallen Empire
Sun 18 Dec: Tex & Friends
Mon 19 Dec: Acoustic Jukebox
Tues 20 Dec: Paul McGuinness
Wed 21 Dec: The Covers Trio
Thu 22 Dec: Fallen Empire
Fri 23 Dec: Caoimhe Barry Trio
Sat 24 Dec: Ian James White
Sun 24 Dec: CLOSED
Mon 26 Dec: DJ
Tues 27 Dec: Derek Quigley
Wed 28 Dec: Niall Donnelly
Thu 29 Dec: Jonny Ward
Fri 30 Dec: Take 2
Sat 31 Dec: Derek Quigley
Sun 01 Jan: Jamie Duff
Mon 02 Jan: Derek Quigley

Admission seems to be free.

www.facebook.com/themartellobray

Isaac Butler – Gig

20:00, Fri 30 Dec

Hard Rock Café, 12 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Singer/Songwriter Isaac Butler, the winner of the Buskers Battle, will be in Hard Rock Cafe for a gig.

Admission is free.

www.hardrock.com/cafes/dublin/event-calendar.aspx

Donal Kirk – Stillorgan Orchard

21:00, Fri 30 Dec

Stillorgan Orchard, The Hill, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin

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

www.stillorganorchard.com/specials/

Ska ‘n’ Reggae with The Bionic Rats

21:00 – 02:30, Fri 30 Dec

Turks Head, 27 Parliament St, Dublin 2

“Ska ‘n’ Reggae” is the theme in the Dive Bar (downstairs in Turks Head) every Friday. The Bionic Rats play live. followed by DJs until late. Admission is free.

www.facebook.com/TURKSHEADDUBLIN

Soul Revival – Gig

21:00, Fri 30 Dec

Harbour Bar, 1 Strand Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow

Soul Revival will play a gig in the Harbour Bar.

Admission is free.

www.theharbourbar.ie/whats-on/event/soul-revival1

The Hardc ore Blues Band – Gig

21:30, Fri 30 Dec

Patriot’s Inn, 760 South Circular Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8

The Hardc ore Blues Band will play a gig in the Patriot’s Inn.

Admission is free.

dublinsessions.ie/the-patriots-inn/

The Guilty Party – Gig

22:00, Fri 30 Dec

Whelan’s, 25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2

Rock ‘n’ Roll band “The Guilty Party” are playing this gig on Friday.

Admission is free before 22:30.

www.whelanslive.com/index.php/live-from-the-window-w-the-guilty-party-2/

Events Coming Up

Temple Bar Tradfest 2017

25-29 January 2017

Temple Bar, Dublin 2

The Temple Bar Tradfest won’t happen until the end of January, so there is still plenty of time to talk about it, right? Well, yes, we can talk about it again in a few weeks, but I want to make sure that the “talking about it” is: “Imagine what great tickets I got”, not “Aww, all booked out, I didn’t get tickets for the gig I wanted to go to.”.

So, the Temple Bar Trad Fest is made up of lots of gigs that are not free, but there are also lots of gigs that are free! Tickets are already available and for the free gigs, you should go here: frontrowsessions.tickets.ie/

The website that contains all non-free gigs but currently doesn’t seem to have a link to the free gigs (!) is here: www.templebartrad.com/

Dublin Mountains Partnership – Guided Walks

10+11+17+18+29 December

Every month the Dublin Mountain Partnership runs free guided walks in the Dublin Mountains often on some Saturdays or Sundays, but also on other days during the month. The walks have varying difficulty and duration and the details can be found on the Dublin Mountain Partnership website: www.dublinmountains.ie/news/upcoming_events/?no_cache=1

The December walks will take place on 10+11+17+18+29 December.

All walks are free, but pre-registration is required (details are on the website).

Not free, but interesting nevertheless:

TBA

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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 and I am VERY serious about that!

Dundrum Town Centre – Daylight Robbery

There are many out-of-town shopping centres around Dublin. There is Liffey Valley, Blanchardstown, a little further away Kildare Village and there is the Dundrum Town Centre.

Dundrum always wanted to be something different, something better. Posher, more expensive, “better” shops. But in the end it is just a shopping centre … and not a lifestyle choice.

The newest idea to be different seems to be to charge outrageous parking charges. Well, that is one day of being different, but definitely not a way to be better.

Currently NONE of the other out of town shopping centres charge a cent for parking, but Dundrum always did. However the charges were moderate-ish. Now Dundrum is owned by new owners because they went through Nama and were sold in the middle of last year and the new owners seemingly want to get their money back through a huge increase in parking charges. No free parking, no discounts for people that shop for longer, nothing. They want a EUR 3 rate per hour.

But customers are slowly getting together to declare their opposition. There is a new Facebook Group now and you can find the “NO to EUR 3” Facebook Page here: goo.gl/eMP1IK (unfortunately you will have to copy the link, I have a bit of a problem making it clickable) . Support the Page if you think EUR 3 is too much and if you don’t want other shopping centres to get crazy ideas!

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Have an event-full weekend and week,

–Joerg

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

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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 them to www.dublineventguide.com, where they can subscribe. If you have feedback – good or bad – PLEASE tell me via dublineventguide@gmail.com.
BTW: I am not paid or otherwise rewarded for compiling and distributing this Event Guide it is purely a hobby so your donations are needed: www.perfectresults.info/donation.htm . Advertisement in or sponsorship of the Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events) is possible and very welcome, please contact me for more information.
Please note: The Dublin Event Guide (for Free Event) is not related or connected to the long gone fortnightly printed publication “the event guide” that you found until December 2008 in pubs and other venues.
Copyright 2016 by Joerg Steegmueller.
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