Dublin Event Guide

Hi all!

Thanks very much for the many nice mails from you, wishing me a Happy Christmas! I appreciate it! I hope you all had a nice Christmas too, did “taste” the Christmas markets and are looking forward to all the festivals and events the new year will bring.

I don’t know about you, but I always find New Year’s Eve a little strange in Ireland. You would expect a big party, similar to the outdoor activities in many other European (Edinburgh, Paris, Berlin, …) and American (New York) cities, but instead it is a surprisingly quiet affair. A bit of an anti-climax, it seems. Another characteristic, but not THAT surprising, is the amazingly expensive entrance fees even in places that are normally free. Cafe en Seine, for example, charges a whopping EUR 15 to get in. Every other day of the year it is free! Opportunistic robbery, in my opinion. Luckily there are a few pubs that don’t rip you off. And the other alternative, the one that is becoming more and more popular it seems, is to have a party at home. Let me know if you are celebrating at home, I don’t have any plans yet. ;-)
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But before I come to New Year’s eve, first a few weekend events. You probably can imagine that this weekend not many events take place. It is a weekend where a lot of people have left Dublin to go home either to other countries or to places outside of Dublin, so events in the City Centre are more or less limited to exhibitions and the regular pub events.

This week is the last opportunity to see “Ceramics and Glass from Ancient Cyprus” in the Museum of Archeology and History in Kildare Street (part of the National Museum). The exhibition closes on the 31st of December. www.museum.ie/archaeology

In the same museum is an Adult Tour on the 29th of Dec (Sat) at 14:00- 15:00 with the title “Ancient Civilisations”, that covers Roman and Egyptian culture and looks at the Cypriotic culture as well. And the Family Program for parents and kids of 7+ years (30 Dec at 15:00-16:00) covers the topic “Do you dig?” and explains children how archaeologists discover information through excavations.

The National Gallery is running a “Christmas Family Art Holiday” event from Thurs 27th until Sat 29th. You can find out more here www.nationalgallery.ie/html/programevents2.html#1 In addition there are gallery tours on Sunday and special tours covering the current exhibition of Polish Art (Symbolism to Modern Art) (Sun 15:00) with a Polish language tour on Sunday at 16:00.
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I came across an interesting art exhibition and I just have to tell you about it:
Cornucopia, the Vegetarian Restaurant in 19 Wicklow Street (www.cornucopia.ie), is showing a unique art exhibition by artists, non-artists, customers, staff and passers-by at the moment and you still have a chance to catch it. I am quoting the official description:
“In September Cornucopia put a call out to artists, aspiring artists and anyone who’s ever wanted to see their work hanging in a public space. Their mission was to submit a piece of art on a square piece of box canvas. The artists were allowed to express themselves in any way they chose from paint to collage to photography to sculpture to stuck-on glass baubels, as long as it was presented on a square, chunky canvas. The submissions were to be part of a unique exhibition to take place from 3rd of Dec to the 1st of Feb.
The response was staggering. Hundreds of canvases came flooding in from all over Ireland – and beyond. All the artwork is for sale and with prices ranging from €8 to €500 (as fixed by the artists themselves) ANYONE can take home a memento of this very special display.
So check out this very exciting and unique exhibition yourself (and enjoy some yummy grub while you’re at it), as the walls of Cornucopia Restaurant spend two months teeming with hundreds of squares of colour, texture and images created by people just like us, for people just like us!”
I will definitely have a look at it over the next few days while I am doing some sales shopping in the city centre.
Opening times: Mon-Fr 08:30-21:00, Sat 08:30-20:00, Sun 12:00-19:00
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Now to New Year’s Eve:

Bars and pubs owned by Capitalbars (Howl at the Moon, Zanzibar, Cafe en Seine, Break for the Border, Dandelion) are charging expensive admission between 10 and 20 Euro on New Years Eve and it wouldn’t surprise me if the other Capitalbars-owned establishments (The George, The Dragon) had similar charges. Since they don’t offer any thing else then during the rest of the year (apart from the highest drink prices in Dublin anyway!), I will definitely not be seen there on New Year’s Eve. Even Fitzsimons in Temple Bar, which is normally free and packed with tourists, wants EUR 15, so watch out for different admission conditions than usually.

A shining light in the dark is one of the Thomas Read Bars:
Pravda, in Lower Liffey Street, has a free New Year’s Eve party from 21:00-02:30 with DJ Derek F.E.A.R.
Check some of the others as well (Thomas Read in Parliament Street and at Smithfield Plaza, The Harbourmaster, Ron Blacks) there are some indications that they don’t charge on the night either. Show your appreciation for this fair approach by visiting the free pubs.
I would expect as well that the Porterhouse Pubs don’t charge either, but I have no confirmation for that, so maybe check before you go, if you prefer a ZERO admission charge.

A regular and recently quite popular New Year’s Eve event is the Bell Ringing at Christ Church at midnight:
“The Christ Church Bells ring in the New Year and mark another Year for Dublin City. The event has become increasingly popular, drawing large crowds so arrive early to claim a good spot outside and wrap up warm as places are difficult to get inside the cathedral and a near-impossible privilege to be in the bell tower!”
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Permanent Free Event:
After introducing a number of permanent free events in previous weeks (Temple Bar Market, Government Buildings, National Gallery, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Aras an Uachtarian), this week I would like to “present” the National Library (www.nli.ie) to you. ;-)
Looking at old books? ..you might wonder. Well, if you think that the National Library is just a “container” of old books, then you should definitely go there for a visit. The National Library has three buildings, the main building is the National Library itself in Kildare Street next to Leinster House (left hand side), the second building is in 2/3 Kildare Street and the third building is the home of the National Photographic Archive and is in Temple Bar on the Meeting House Square. In the three buildings different exhibitions and events are on offer and admission is free.
“Strangers to Citizens: the Irish in Europe, 1600-1800″ is the current exhibition in 2/3 Kildare Street. It only opened on the 12th of Dec and will run until the end of 2008. It tells the story of the Irish that emigrated to continental European countries after 1600 and how they formed community and eventually fully integrated into their host countries. Guided tours of the exhibition will take place on Mondays at 14:30.
The exhibition “Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats” is taking place in the main building next to Leinster House. And in the Photographic Archive in Temple Bar you can see “In Search of Ireland, 1913″ an interesting exhibition which contains the first ever colour pictures taken in Ireland.
In addition to the exhibitions there are events and educational programs for all age groups and for families.
The website is well structured and provides all information about the events and exhibitions and the opening hours. In addition you can see some Online Tours of the Library.
If you are interested in finding out more about your ancestors, the NLI is a big help as well: A “Genealogy Advisory Service” offers free advise to visitors to the National Library.

In the context of Family History Research I came across a free service that I want to mention here as well: The National Archives is offering a service that is streets ahead of its international counterparts. From this month, much of the 1911 census has been online and can easily be accessed for free! Try it, it will send you on a fantastic detective trail: www.census.nationalarchives.ie
A fascinating resource of information! One amazing fact that I found there is that in 1911 there were 330 trams in Dublin that connected the suburbs to the City Centre over 60 miles of tram tracks!!!! …and then they ripped all out to make room for cars! Incredible!
When you have a look at the website, you should look at “What was Dublin like in 1911?” and especially at the picture gallery for the different topics. I have spent ages looking at the pictures from 1900-1911. So interesting!
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The Grove Reunion Party was this evening (Thursday) and I hope many of you did go. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it myself (maybe next time), but I did get quite a number of mails and SMS last week for the ticket competition. In the end it had to come to a draw to determine the winner of the pair of tickets and I am pleased to announce that Orla McHenry was the lucky winner. Congratulations! :-) For all of you who weren’t as fortunate as Orla, I can promise more ticket competitions in the coming week. Keep entering and you will hopefully win next time.

Have a nice weekend and have a brilliant start of the new year!

HAPPY 2008!!!!

–Joerg

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Disclaimer: This Event Guide (the “Dublin Event Guide”) with a difference is sent to friends, colleagues and whoever else is interested to let you know about (mostly free) events in the Greater Dublin Area! Ticketed events usually make enough money to do their own advertisement, they don’t need extra help.
I started this because some friends asked me to share my weekend plans with them as I went to all types of festivals and searched for more. ;-) If you don’t want to receive this mail, just let me know. If you have feedback, good or bad, PLEASE tell me. 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.
BTW: I have no affiliation with any of the organisers and don’t get any “reward” from them for advertising their events.
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Hi all!

Less than a handful of days until Christmas, the city centre is mad busy and the queues in the shops are getting longer by the minute. Since Christmas is a family affair, the list of events is not the longest around Christmas. But with the 25th on a Tuesday, we have a full weekend ahead of us, which is nicely filled with Christmas-related events. :-)

Oh, and before I forget: If you have some really good friends and you don’t know yet what to get them in addition or in place of all the other presents that you are already PLANNING to buy on Monday ;-), you can always get them a 1-year subscription to this Dublin Event Guide (Mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com). :-P :-P It is the BEST present you can get for your friends. ;-) Highly valuable but totally free!

And, before I get back to the normal business, in case there is a bunch of people (or one wealthy person) out there that wants to buy ME a great present, then I am happy to help you. You COULD get me this: www.segway.ie/solutions/recreational :-) I tried it at a recent exhibition in RDS and it is so much fun! Unfortunately it ain’t FREE! :-)
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But now back to business:

COMPETITION!!!!!
I know the man in the red coat is meant to do all the work around Christmas when it comes to presents, but it seems he is spreading himself to thin by sitting in every shopping centre and charging stressed parents large amounts of money for a poxy present for the pestering child. He needs help: We have a pair of tickets to give away to a reader of the Dublin Event Guide. Keep reading to find out about this nice Christmas present!

Did you grow up on Dublin’s Northside? Or where you a keen music fan when you were young(er)? Do you maybe remember “The Grove”!?!?!
For 30 years, from 1967 to 1997, Dublin’s longest running teenage disco, The Grove (Social Club), attracted teens from near and far to its northside location and many of you might have grown up with it or at least have heard of it. A number of times every year there are Grove Reunions and one regular reunion event is at Christmas. This year is a special year as it is now 10 years since The Grove played its last tune, Andy Colbert is organising the reunion event in the Button Factory (former Temple Bar Music Centre). The gig is not free, but Andy is making a pair of tickets available to the readers of the Dublin Event Guide and for that reason I mention his event.
So, if you are curious to get a taste of what you missed out on all those years ago, or if you are in the mood for a little nostalgia this Christmas or even if eight hours of the best music ever written is your idea of a great night out, well then make your way to The Button Factory, Temple Bar on December 27th at 20:00. Come on time so that you can see the movie “The Grove Documentary” at 20:15.
Tickets for EUR 18 each are available from www.tickets.ie and Austin’s News-stand (the corner of O’Connell St./Abbey St). For more info visit www.TheGroveSocialClub.com or contact Andy Colbert phutloose@hotmail.com or 087 9022659.

Now, to get the pair of tickets, all you have to do is to send the word “Grove” in an SMS to 087 2931571 (with your full name) or in an e-mail to dublineventguide@gmail.com (please include your mobile phone number) before 17:00 on Monday 24th of Dec. If there is more than one submission, we will draw the name of the winner from a hat. The winner will be contacted directly and will be announced in next weeks Event Guide.
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I did mention last week that I will not repeat all the detailed information about the Christmas markets, but since the program changes every week on some of them, I will have to provide some detail.

The Christmas Markets I recommend are:
- Dublin Docklands “12 Days of Christmas”
- Temple Bar “Cow’s Lane Fashion and Christmas Market”
- Farmleigh House Christmas Market
- Red Stables Christmas Market
and here is some further information for each of them:

– Dublin Docklands “12 Days of Christmas”:
The market is in George’s Dock and contains the typical Gluehwein (mulled wine) and Bratwurst (German sausage) stalls that you might know from German and other continental Christmas markets. In addition there are less-Christmas-spirited stalls that sell toys, creams, and lots of other things. Sunday is the last day of the market and until then, it runs everyday from 10:00 – 20:00. If you go there, don’t forget to visit the “12 trees of Christmas” in the chq building next to George’s Dock. The trees were designer decorated and trees and the newly opened chq building are worth a visit.
Back out on the Christmas Market there is a nice programme of activities and special events:

Blanchardstown Brass Band: 22 Dec: 14:00-16:00
Carollers: Saturday & Sundays during the festival
Santa’s Post Office: 21 Dec: 12:00-19:00, 22 Dec: 10:00-19:00, 23 Dec: 10:00-16:00
Face Painter: 21 Dec: 17:00-19:00, 22 & 23 Dec: 13:00-16:00
Balloon Maker: 21 Dec: 17:00-19:00, 22 & 23: 13:00-16:00

When you pass by the Face Painter and the Balloon Maker, say “Hi” to Maria (faces) and Ann (balloons) they are absolutely brilliant and if you are looking for a face painter or a balloon maker for a birthday party (both, for adults and children) or other festivities, let me know and I will get you a good price. ;-) Since there might be more face painters than just Maria, make sure you check her name before you say “Hi”. LOL

– Temple Bar “Cow’s Lane Fashion and Christmas Market”:
The market takes place in the new extension of Temple Bar (between Turks’s Head and Dublin City Offices). It will run on Sat and Sun from 09:30-16:30.

In addition to the Christmas Market this week there is some additional programme on the food market on Temple Bar Meeting House Square. This Saturday (22nd) the traders at the Temple Bar Food Market are having a little party to celebrate the Winter Solstice and Christmas festive season and to thank their loyal customers.
The afternoon of free entertainment will begin at 12:00 and the official line is this:
“For those of you who want to meet Santa Claus there will be a unique interactive performance by master puppeteer Conor Lambert at midday. After that why not let the dulcet tones of the Raphaella String Trio relieve some of that Christmas tension from 14:00.
The fun doesn’t stop there though with mulled wine and mince pies on offer throughout the day for those intrepid souls willing to brave the elements. This is day for everyone so be sure to come and visit this foodie paradise on your last busy shopping weekend this Christmas. You won’t get freshness, quality or service just like it anywhere else!”

– Farmleigh House Christmas Market
Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park has been bought by the state a few years ago and after extensive and expensive renovations is now a very posh B&B for state visitors (e.g. presidents and head of states). The building is managed and maintained by the Office of Public Works (OPW) who have and had the wisdom to offer many interesting free events in their buildings and parks.

Sat 22 Dec:
10:00am Christmas Food Market
10:00am Live Crib and Childrens Christmas room
12:00pm Storytelling for Children with Billy Teare
2:45pm Storytelling for Children with Billy Teare
4:45pm Storytelling for Children with Billy Teare
1:30pm Christmas Magic Show with Paul Redmond
3:30pm Christmas Magic Show with Paul Redmond
1:30pm Carol Singing with Ulysses
2:00pm Barbershop Harmonies with Blue Heaven

Sun 23 Dec
10:00am Christmas Food Market
10:00am Live Crib and Childrens Christmas room
12:00pm Storytelling for Children with Billy Teare
1:00pm Horse and Carriage Rides
2:45pm Storytelling for Children with Billy Teare
4:45pm Storytelling for Children with Billy Teare
1:30pm Christmas Magic Show with Paul Redmond
3:30pm Christmas Magic Show with Paul Redmond
1:30pm Carol singing with Capella
12:00pm Barbershop Harmonies with Blue Heaven

The programme with further detail can be found here: www.farmleigh.ie/xmas_brochure_farmleigh2007.pdf, and all events are free of charge.

– Red Stables Christmas Market
In addition to the weekly Saturday Food market and the Art & Craft market, Red Stables is adding a Christmas market:
“Festive Christmas fare, arts, crafts and gifts as well as fresh produce such as cheese, organic fruit & vegetables, meats, crepes, pies, ice cream, freshly baked breads and cakes will be on sale.
The market is a perfect day out for families, Christmas shoppers and food lovers alike and is located in the courtyard of the Red Stables at the Mount Prospect entrance to St Anne’s Park in Clontarf.”
Saturday 22nd December, 10:00-16:00 www.redstables.com
Now if you are confused about the day and time, then you know how I feel! Initially Red Stables announced that this fair was on SUNDAYS in addition to the Saturday market, but now their website seems to say that the market is ONLY on Saturdays. A little strange! Did they maybe not get the visitor numbers they were hoping for???

Oops, the Christmas market section got even longer. Ah well, it is the last time I can mention Christmas markets for this year, so I have to make the most of it. ;-)
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The “Live Animal Crib” is still open to the public outside Mansion House in Dawson Street. It will be there until Monday 24th is open daily from 09:00-18:00. Admission is free, but donations to the Lord Mayor’s Fund for charitable projects are welcome.

Dreaming of a Green Christmas!? The Repak Green Christmas Puppet Show is taking place this week (22nd and 23rd) in the Kidzone in Dundrum Town Centre (i.e. Dundrum Shopping Centre). Admission is free, the show lasts only 15 minutes and it runs from 12:00 until 16:00 every hour. I think it is a great idea to do something like that and the organisers describe it so:
“It’s that time of year again, time to watch the piles of paper, cardboard, bottles and cans spring up around the house like never before! On the plus side, it’s also a great time to teach kids about the virtues of recycling? And this year, Repak and Dundrum Town Centre have come up with a fantastically fun and festive way to help children learn the importance of recycling and taking care of the environment – and get into the Christmas spirit at the same time!”
I got some requests for listing Parents and Babies events next year if I come across them. Roisin, is this one a little early? ;-)

The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir, with which I am involved, has a busy weekend as well: On Saturday (21st) the choir will sing from 14:00-16:00 in Powerscourt TownCentre, on Sun (22nd) at 19:30 we will have the normal regular Sunday evening Gospel Mass in Gardiner Street Church (the temple-like church near the junction with Dorset Street) and on Monday the choir will sing at the Christmas Eve Mass at 19:00 in Gardiner Street Church. Please come VERY early for the Christmas Eve Mass, the church will be absolutely packed and in previous years we even ran out of standing room! If you want to experience a special Christmas Eve Mass or Sunday evening mass, come to Gardiner Street Church!

The Thomas Read Pub in Parliament Street invites to the Sunday Roast Xmas Party on Sun 23rd Dec from 20:00-01:00. Admission is free. And the line up includes Red Kid, James Guilmartin and Las Guanches (6 piece Cuban band from Santiago De Cuba).

And this concludes this week Dublin Event Guide.

In addition to wishing you a nice weekend, this week, I will wish you

Merry Christmas!
Frohe Weihnachten!
Feliz Navidad! Bon Nadal!
Buon Natale!
Sretan Bozic!
Joyeux Noel!
Nollaig Shona Dhuit!
Boze Narodzenie!

Have a good time with your family or with friends over the holidays,

–Joerg

**********************************************
Disclaimer: This Event Guide (the “Dublin Event Guide”) with a
difference is sent to friends, colleagues and whoever else is
interested to let you know about (mostly free) events in the Greater
Dublin Area! Ticketed events usually make enough money to do their own
advertisement, they don’t need extra help.
I started this because some friends asked me to share my weekend plans
with them as I went to all types of festivals and searched for more.
;-) If you don’t want to receive this mail, just let me know. If you
have feedback, good or bad, PLEASE tell me. 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.
BTW: I have no affiliation with any of the organisers and don’t get
any “reward” from them for advertising their events.
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