7 Things to do this week...
1HERMITAGE GREEN: Hermitage Green come to the National Opera House for one night only on Friday, January 17 at 8 p.m. The popular Limerick acoustic folk rock band have made a large impact in a short period of time receiving both critical and commercial acclaim and acquiring a dedicated and devoted fanbase. After releasing their first full-length album in 2016 and watching it climb the charts with tracks like Quicksand, Not Your Lover, and Save Your Soul, the band has been touring internationally to sold-out rooms across Ireland, the UK, Middle East, Australia and the US. In advance of this tour, Hermitage Green released the single ‘All In All’ in October of last year ahead of their new album which is set to be released in 2020. ‘All in All’ was the band’s second single of 2019 after ‘Heaven’ came out earlier in the year. Hermitage Green will be supported on the night by local band Corner Boy, a group of multi-instrumentalist songwriters from the South East who combine contemporary and traditional music to form a distinct altfolk sound. Their debut album is expected to be released this year. Tickets for the gig are €25.
2FIONA GARTLAND IN GOREY LIBRARY: Irish Times Journalist and author Fiona Gartland visits Gorey Library on Thursday, January 16 from 7 p.m. for a talk and reading from her latest novel Now That You’ve Gone which was published in October of last year. Fiona will speak to the audience about the writing process, getting published and will answer questions from the crowd. Fiona has been a journalist with the Irish Times for 14 years and has covered many trials at the criminal courts of justice and at family court. She was shortlisted for the Francis McManus short story competition on many occasions, and her first novel In the Court’s Hands was published in 2018.
3SALMON WAR HISTORY TALK: ‘Salmon Weir Wars on the Barrow and Suir’ is the title of a talk being organised by New Ross Historical Society on Sunday in the Horse & Hound Hotel, Ballinaboola, at 1.30 p.m. Historian Andrew Doherty will discuss the topic at the society’s annual lecture and lunch. Members and friends of the society should book by texting or ringing 0868338989 or email francesfottrell@ gmail.com.
4POINT TO POINT: Ballycrystal point to point in Kiltealy takes place on Sunday, January 19, with the first race at 12.30 p.m., offering people a chance to see horse racing in its purist form. A perfect day out in the countryside for all the family and a chance to see future stars of racing in action. The venue offers great viewing facilities for race-goers, allowing spectators to get up close to the horses and watch them being saddled before being paraded in the ring.
5DIRTBIRDS: The Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy will be the venue for a riproaring comedy show on Thursday, January 16, when it plays host to Dirtbirds. Performed by Sue Collins and Sinead Culbert, who are both very well known comedians in their own right, the Dirtbirds show has received rave reviews all over the country. It provides a hilarious insight into the lives of women from all nationalities and all backgrounds. This show is billed as the ‘Self Help tour’ and laughs-a-plenty are guaranteed. Tickets, priced €24, are available from the hotel reception.
6THE GLASS ASYLUM: Following on from sold out shows in Bunclody and at Wexford Arts Centre, Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group bring their original play ‘The Glass Asylum’ to The Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy on Friday night. Written by local Niall Ó’Muirí, the play is set in a psychiatric hospital outside Dublin in the 80s. It centres on the struggles of Rayo Hickey as he comes to terms with his illness and his relationship with staff. Having gained rave reviews, this is one not to be missed. Tickets are priced at €12 and are available from The Presentation Centre or www.wexfordartscentre.ie.
7THE HIGH KINGS: The High Kings play in The National Opera House on Saturday, January 18 at 8 p.m. Comprising of Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy and Paul O’Brien, The High Kings continue to set the bar extremely high for Irish Folk bands across the world and are widely regarded to be at the forefront of the genre. In 2019, after a 12-year journey, they continue to perform in sell out venues across the globe to their ever-growing army of loyal fans that span generations. In 2012 they performed for President Obama in Moneygall, this led to a personal invitation from the President to perform at the 2012 White House St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Tickets €32.