7 Things to do this week...
1 SAME OLD MOON: Following their successful staging at Our Lady’s Island Community Centre on Friday night, The Ballycogley Players take their latest production ‘Same Old Moon’ to The National Opera House for three nights this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Written by Geraldine Anon and directed by Breda Hayes, the play creates scenes from the life of aspiring writer Brenda Barnes. It follows the protagonist from the age of nine up to her mid-forties, taking us from her early days in Galway through to her return to her adopted home in London. Her life story, as seen through her eyes, portrays her eccentric and sometimes fiery Irish family. Hilarious scrapes erupt when Brenda’s imagination and intelligence bump against the restrictions of Irish and English customs and society, and through her journey, she learns about attitudes to race, sex and love - sometimes the hard way. It’s a play combining comedy and poignancy throughout and promises to entertain. Tickets are €15 from www.nationaloperahouse.ie or by calling the box office on 053 9122144. 2 FAMILY FUN AT WELLS: Fun for all the family this bank holiday weekend at Wells House alongside the Easter Bunny himself, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Starting on Easter Sunday, April 21, there will be live music and a barbecue on the terrace for all to enjoy while the kids take to the Easter egg hunt course, with their map in hand. Tickets for the egg hunt are €5 per child, which includes a chocolate surprise and entry to the course. On Easter Monday, electric zoo will take place as well as a kids disco on the terrace. Electric zoo costs €2 per child and an entry fee on arrival for cars apply on both days. For more information on these events, email info@wellshouse.ie. 3 EASTER PARADE, NEW ROSS: The annual Easter Rising anniversary parade and ceremony takes place on Easter Sunday in New Ross. The parade leaves the Cross, Irishtown, at around 1.15 p.m. on the day. Commemorative proceedings take place in St Stephen’s Cemetery, with the saying of a decade of the rosary, a reading of the 1916 Proclamation, a laying of a wreath, a minute’s silence and music. 4 COLLIDES: Rock band Collides will launch their new single, ‘S.U.I.T.’ in the Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy on Friday, April 19, at 6.30 p.m. The four-piece will be joined by Gorey rockers, Tuesday At Six, and Enniscorthy metallers, Death Can Wait. Cork outfit, Red Sun Alert, will also be on the bill for what promises to be one of the rock gigs of the year. Tickets, priced €10, are now available from the venue and will also be sold at the door. 5 ANDY IRVINE: Having travelled the world with renowned acts such as Planxty, Sweeney’s Men, Patrick Street, and more recently Mozaik, the legendary Andy Irvine returns to Wexford for a special show at Wexford Arts Centre this Saturday night. Bringing with him an impressive repertoire of Irish traditional songs and dexterous Balkan dance tunes, Andy creates an exciting fusion of Irish and world music that you won’t want to miss. A wonderful live performer, this looks set to be a great show. Tickets are €20 from www.wexfordartscentre.ie. 6 COOKERY DEMO: Celebrity chef Kevin Dundon is hosting an Easter cookery demonstration at Dunbrody Country House Hotel for St Louis Daycare Centre in Ramsgrange. The Charity Cookery Demonstration is on Thursday at 8 p.m. The theme is the perfect Easter feast and tickets costing €15 are on sale from both Dunbrody House (051 389600) and also the St Louis Daycare Centre. (051 389509). Tickets for the grand raffle will be on sale on the night and there is an Easter Market and lots of family fun, including an Easter egg hunt, at the hotel this Easter weekend. 7 PADDY KEENAN, FRANKIE GAVIN AND DERMOT BYRNE: Three of the finest musicians on the traditional Irish scene are due to take to the stage together for a special show at The National Opera House on Sunday night. Paddy Keenan, Frankie Gavin and Dermot Byrne are to merge their musical talents for a series of performances. The trio are synonymous with Irish music both in their own individual right and as members of some of this country’s most famous traditional bands, dating from the early 1970s to the present day. All are multiple award winners who have made outstanding contributions to traditional Irish music. Tickets are €25 from www.nationaloperahouse.ie.