No! Not February!?

Tradfest, Le Zeitgeist Flea Market, Brigid Day, 160 years National Gallery

Last week, the following wonderful people donated to help the Dublin Event Guide: Orla, Vladimir, Irene . Thank you so much!! Your help and support is much appreciated by me and (hopefully) by all other readers of the Dublin Event Guide, because without you, the Dublin Event Guide couldn’t continue!

With the above counter you know at all times where we stand and when donating is needed. Donations keep the Dublin Event Guide alive and all donors will also get some additional bonuses.

Here are some more details about donations:
Any amount is appreciated, but if you are looking for a recommendation, then I suggest a donation of 12 Euro per year. – That’s just one Euro per month and you get FOUR Dublin Event Guides for that Euro! If your funds are limited, but you still want to help, you can buy a virtual coffee for just EUR 4. All donations will be used in full for the Dublin Event Guide.

To donate, use the Dublin Event Guide Donation Page here: gturl.eu/DEGdonate. It is really easy to use and uses Stripe’s trustworthy payment processing. You can even sign up for a yearly subscription on the donation page! Yearly subscriptions will give some important financial stability and reliability to the Dublin Event Guide and are therefore very much appreciated! (Look for the RED subscription buttons at the bottom of the Donation Page.)

In case the donation page doesn’t work for you, the old links are here: You can donate via www.paypal.me/DublinEventGuide or for Revolut users among you, just use @joergbrb or now also revolut.me/joergbrb
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Thank you!!

The EPIC Zone

“EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum” (www.epicchq.com) are supporting the Dublin Event Guide and this section of the weekly newsletter will contain relevant information about events in general or about EPIC-related news and happenings.

Free events in Dublin this weekend…

Saturday 27 January

+ National Gallery Events: www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ National Museum Events: www.museum.ie/en-IE/EventCalendar

+ Airfield Estate Farmers’ Market 09:00-14:30 Airfield Estate, Overend Ave, Dundrum, Dublin 14 www.airfield.ie/farmers-market-at-airfield-estate
+ Supernatural Food Market – Food & Farmer’s Market 09:00-15:00 St Andrew’s Resource Centre, 114-116 Pearse St., Dublin 2 www.facebook.com/thesupernaturalfoodmarket

+ Honest2Goodness Market – Food & Farmers’ Market – 09:30-15:00 – 136a Slaney Close, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11 www.facebook.com/GlasnevinMarket/

+ St. Anne’s City Farm – Visit this community farm, run by volunteers 10:00-15:00 St. Anne’s Park, Raheny, Dublin 5 www.facebook.com/Stannescityfarm/

+ Chester Beatty Museum Tour 11:00 Chester Beatty Museum, Gardens of Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2 chesterbeatty.ie/whats-on/free-public-tours/

+ Temple Bar Food Market 11:00-16:00 Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 www.templebarmarkets.com/foodmarket

+ Blackrock Market 11:00-17:30 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin www.facebook.com/BlackrockMarket/

+ The Rainbow Umbrella Market – jewellery, vintage clothing, homeware 12:00-17:00 Street 66, 33-34 Parliament Street, Dublin 2 www.eventbrite.ie/e/809035997447 (No booking required)

+ Music Makers Tour – Tradfest 2024 at the National Museum – Decorative Arts & History 13:00/14:00/15:00 National Museum, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2024/012024/TRADFEST-2024-at-the-National-Museum-Decorative-Ar
++ Tradfest 2024 – Smithwicks Sessions – 67 free gigs between Wed and Sun in a variety of pubs 18:00 Various Locations tradfest.com/smithwicks-sessions/
+ Tradfest Fingal Fringe Events 19:30 various locations in Fingal tradfest.com/fingal-trail/
+ TOG’s Dublin Hackerspace 15th Birthday and Open Social 19:00 Unit 1B Motor City, 3 Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 www.facebook.com/events/751818719790408

+ Metal 2 The Masses – Showcase – 5 Bands – Gigs 20:00 Fibber Magees, 79 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 www.facebook.com/events/6928267853924272/

+ Latin Fever – Dublin’s Latin Club with reggaeton, merengue, funk, electrolatino, pachangueo, dembow & more 21:00-02:30 River Bar, 1 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 (Adm free before midnight) www.facebook.com/LatinFeverDublin 

+ Sharp Shooter – Gig 22:30 Tolka House Pub, 9a Glasnevin Hill, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 www.facebook.com/TolkaHousePubOfficial

+ National Gallery Events: www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ National Museum Events: www.museum.ie/en-IE/EventCalendar

+ St. Anne’s City Farm – Visit this community farm, run by volunteers 10:00-15:00 St. Anne’s Park, Raheny, Dublin 5 www.facebook.com/Stannescityfarm/

+ Run Talk Run – Phoenix Park Run of Mental Health Peer Support Group for adults 10:50 Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 bit.ly/RTRDublin (Booking required)

++ Le Zeitgeist Flea Market – Currently Dublin’s best Flea Market – next to the Bohemian Pub 11:00-17:00 Kelly’s Yard, 354 North Circular Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 7 www.facebook.com/lezeitgeistfleamarket/

+ St. Patrick’s Park Market – Books, gifts and crafts 11:00-17:30 St. Patrick’s Park, next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin 8 www.facebook.com/stpatricksparkmarket/

+ Blackrock Market 11:00-17:30 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin www.facebook.com/BlackrockMarket/
+ Sunday Family Drop-in – National Gallery – Workshop for families with children of all ages 11:30-13:30 National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2 www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on
+ Vinyl, CD & Tape Market in Brewdog 12:00-17:00 Brewdog Dublin Outpost, Three Locks Square, 4 Grand Canal Dock Dublin 2 www.facebook.com/events/1485038972352990

+ Music Makers Tour – Tradfest 2024 at the National Museum – Decorative Arts & History 13:00/14:00/15:00 National Museum, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2024/012024/TRADFEST-2024-at-the-National-Museum-Decorative-Ar

+ Hugh Lane Gallery Public Tour 14:15 Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 hughlane.ie/explore_learn/sunday-public-tours-2/ (No booking required, but limited places)

+ The Armagh Rhymers Family Performance – music, storytelling and drama 15:00-16:00 National Museum, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Decorative-Arts-History/Events/2024/012024/TRADFEST-2024-at-the-National-Museum-Decorative-Ar

+ Chester Beatty Museum Tour 15:00 Chester Beatty Museum, Gardens of Dublin Castle, Dame Street, Dublin 2 chesterbeatty.ie/whats-on/free-public-tours/

+ Sunday Sketching – Family Workshop (Age 6-12) – Hugh Lane Gallery 15:00-16:00 Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 hughlane.ie/explore_learn/sunday-sketching/

+ Brazilian Zouk Taster Class – Zouk Ireland 16:30-17:30 Mind The Step Cafe, 24 Strand Street Great, Dublin 1 www.facebook.com/events/1531048781025481
++ Tradfest 2024 – Smithwicks Sessions – 67 free gigs between Wed and Sun in a variety of pubs 18:00 Various Locations tradfest.com/smithwicks-sessions/
+ Gardiner Street Gospel Choir Mass 19:30 St. Francis Xavier Church, Gardiner Street Upper, Dublin 1 www.facebook.com/events/1120041782260982
+ Tradfest Fingal Fringe Events 19:30 various locations in Fingal tradfest.com/fingal-trail/
+ Comedy Court Presents Game Show 19:30-22:00 International Bar, 23 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2 www.eventbrite.ie/e/807897441997 (Booking required)
+ Traditional Irish Music Slow Session 20:00 Online and at Seamus Ennis Art Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin www.tseac.ie/slowsessions (Booking required)
+ The Comedy Crunch – Comedy 21:00-22:45 Stag’s Head, 1 Dame Court, Dublin 2 www.facebook.com/thecomedycrunch

And the free events for next week….

Monday 29 January

Tuesday 30 January

Wednesday 31 January

Dublin Event Guide (for Free Events)

Thursday 01 February

+ Sing For Fun – Weekly Choir Workshop 11:00 Richmond Barracks, off Bulfin Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8 richmondbarracks.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173633651
+ Felt Dancing – dance & textile art workshops (until 01 Feb) 11:00 Richmond Barracks, off Bulfin Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8 richmondbarracks.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173652144 (Booking required)
+ Brigit 2024: Dublin City Celebrating Women in Business – Local Enterprise Office Dublin City Women in Business Networking Event 12:00-14:00 Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 www.localenterprise.ie/DublinCity/Start-or-Grow-your-Business/Networking/Women-in-Business/Network-Events/1st-February-2024-Brigit-2024-Dublin-City-Celebrating-Women-in-Business.html (Booking required)
+ The Saints and Scholars of Ireland: Guided Tours – St. Brigid’s Day 14:30 National Museum, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Archaeology/Events/2024/January-March/Guided-Tour-The-Saints-and-Scholars-of-Ireland-Tou
+ Brigid with The Liberties Weavers – Exhibition Opening Night 17:00-20:00 Pallas Projects, 115-117 The Coombe, Dublin 8 www.thelibertiesweavers.ie/
+ St Brigid’s Day: Sarah Durcan: “The Invisibles” – Film Screening, Artist Talk, Exhibition Opening 18:00-20:00 Goethe-Institut, 37 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 www.goethe.de/ins/ie/en/ver.cfm?event_id=25274672
+ Unification is not in the best interests of the people of the 26 counties – Irish Times Debating Competition – Semi-Final 17:30 Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 events.irishtimes.com/events/63980 (Booking required)
+ Bríd – an Naomh agus an Bhean – folklore, customs and traditions associated with the festival – in Irish 18:15 Rathmines Library www.dublincity.ie/events/brid-naomh-agus-bhean (Booking required)
+ St Brigit 1500 – Who was she? – Talk/Discussion .  National Library – History Ireland Hedge School 19:00-20:00 National Library, 7 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 www.nli.ie/exhibitions-events/st-brigit-1500-who-was-she (Booking required)
+ Embodying Brigit Through Poetry – Drama Class 19:00-20:00 Gaiety School of Acting, Essex Street West, Temple Bar, Dublin 8 gaietyschool.com/whatson-event/embodying-brigit-through-poetry/ (Booking required)
+ Festival Launch with Tornaido Fire Performance and Dramatization of the story of Brigid – Féile Bríde Festival 20:00 Brú Chrónáin Visitor Centre, Round Tower Garden, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 dublin.ie/whats-on/listings/feile-bride-festival-clondalkin/
+ Dolcain’s Cellar Open Mic Night – Brigid Theme – Féile Bríde Festival 20:30 Monk’s Kitchen, Brú Chrónáin Visitor Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 dublin.ie/whats-on/listings/feile-bride-festival-clondalkin/

+ Ma Thursdays Open Mic – Mother Reilly’s Bar 21:00-23:30 Mother Reilly’s Bar & Restaurant, 26 Upper Rathmines Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6 www.facebook.com/events/762459318527294 

Friday 02 February

+ Brigit 2024 – Techstars Startup Weekend Women Dublin – Talks 12:30-14:00 Huckletree Dublin, The Academy, 42 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 lu.ma/y9nccr6i (Booking required)
+ Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women – Tour 14:30 National Gallery, Merrion Square, Dublin 2 www.nationalgallery.ie/whats-on/public-tour-brigit-dublin-city-celebrating-women
+ The Saints and Scholars of Ireland: Guided Tours – St. Brigid’s Day 15:30 National Museum, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Archaeology/Events/2024/January-March/Guided-Tour-The-Saints-and-Scholars-of-Ireland-Tou
+ Community is dead – Irish Times Debating Competition – Semi Final 18:30 Rathgar Methodist Church, 6 Brighton Rd, Terenure, Dublin 6 events.irishtimes.com/events/63980 (Booking required)
+ Living But A Day: Anamcara – performance-led workshop 19:30 Fumbally Lane, Liberties, Dublin 8 dublin.ie/brigit (no information about booking requirement, also no certainty about the time!)

And there is more…

+++ St. Brigid or Brigid – Truth or Myth?
This gets very messy, but read this:
On Thursday 01 Feb is Brigid’s Day. Brigit or Brid was possibly a celtic goddess. Also possibly, she was a woman that lived from 451-525 and who founded a monastery in Kildare. And also possibly the whole thing is complete invention. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid_of_Kildare
St. Brigid is one of three national saints of Ireland (St. Patrick, St Brigid and St Columba/Columcille), but she was never canonised (made a Saint by the Catholic Church), but instead was a “popular Saint” and allegedly in 1969 her name was removed from the list of saints (mylesdungan.com/2019/02/01/fake-histories5-was-saint-brigid-a-canonised-saint-of-the-roman-catholic-church/. This seems to be confirmed by archive.org/details/CalendariumRomanum1969/page/n85/mode/2up)
Her Feast Day is the 1st of February, but as a non-Saint she can’t really have a feast day. St. Bridget of Sweden who still is a Saint has her feast day on 23 July or 08 October, not on 01 Feb (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_of_Sweden).
Somehow St. Bridget got linked to Imbolc (probably through her Celtic goddess connection), which is the celtic festival of the start of the brighter half of the year, which is NOT the same as the start of Spring.
So on 01 Feb is the feast day of a woman/god that probably never existed, who is not a saint and therefore can’t be a national saint of Ireland. And spring starts on 01 March as Met Eireann keeps confirming, not on 01 Feb. Yes, Imbolc is on 01 Feb, but Imbolc is not the start of Spring. Uff!
Confused? No need to be! Many “truths” in life are inventions of our imagination (or someone’s story telling).
The only slightly annoying thing is that because of this flawed story, a bank holiday that should be in warmer September was put in the first week of cold February. ;-) But at least it’s another bank holiday!

+++ LEARN A NEW SKILL WITH ONLINE COURSES
Is there ever a wrong time for learning a new skill or enhancing what you are already interested in? Maybe it is a language or an instrument or some technical skills? Or something completely different? Nearly every subject is there! Check out Udemy via the link below, they have thousands of courses and there is good chance that what you are looking for is available. Nearly all the courses are REALLY affordable!
The lowest price most of the time is EUR 12.99. Sometimes it even goes down further to EUR 9.99 and when that happens (about once or twice a year), I will tell you. But even 12.99 is definitely a good price for what you get! – Check out the website at www.getthislink.com/Udemy22 And if you buy through that link, you also help the Dublin Event Guide! :-)

+++ IKEA Crafting / Music / Cooking Workshops
Ikea in Ballymun runs a variety of crafting, music and cooking workshops and there are still some places available. The workshops are free and go for 45 minutes and are for children. Check them out on www.ikea.com/ie/en/stores/events/ikea-ballymun/

+++ Some more events:
Find Library events here www.dublincity.ie/events
and Trinity College Events here www.tcd.ie/news_events/events/?day=13&month=11&year=2023&search=week

+++ Storytelling and Toddler Groups at Dublin City Libraries
The Dublin City Libraries have published a list of Storytelling and Toddler groups for age 0-4 across the Dublin City Libraries. You can find it here www.dublincity.ie/library/blog/storytelling-and-toddler-groups-dublin-city-libraries

And this is it for another week! Have a great weekend and good new week.

Take care,

–Joerg (dublineventguide@gmail.com)