7 Things to do this week...
1
FROCKTAIL AND COCKTAIL: Frocktail and Cocktail gala ball will be held on Saturday, February 3, in the Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey at 7 p.m. The ball is in aid of Hope Cancer Support Centre in Enniscorthy. The ticket will include two free cocktails on arrival from professional mixologists at the Cocktail and Gin Bar, a four-course meal, entertainment from Wedding Band of the Year Blue Moose and also a very special guest. Tickets are €50 and are available from Catherine Murphy at the Ashdown Hotel. There will be some great prizes on the night to be won for best dressed lady and gentleman, spot prizes and a raffle. Some of the prizes include a weekend away to Kilronan Castle and a flat-screen television, all kindly sponsored by local businesses.
2
DARA Ó BRIAIN: Comedian Dara Ó Briain will perform at the National Opera House this Saturday, February 3, at 8 p.m. Dara’s will perform his new show Voice of Reason on his inaugural visit to the Opera House. Dara is the biggest Irish comic to have hit the UK in recent years and is also a huge star in Ireland having produced and presented the hit television comedy review show The Panel. Dara has moved on from being a sold out festival favourite in Edinburgh to selling out theatres across the UK an Ireland as well as mainstream television success presenting Mock the Week, Star Gazing Live, Go 8 Bit and Dara andd Ed’s Road to Mandalay. Tickets are €30.
3
IMBOLC CELTIC FESTIVAL: The first Celtic Imbolc Festival is about to be celebrated at Hook Lighthouse this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Friday evening, singer and songwriter Brian Kennedy will host a unique concert in the ancient lighthouse tower. On Saturday, activities include a sunrise tour of the lighthouse, free story telling sessions for children telling ancient Celtic tales from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and at 5 p.m., ‘A Fire in the Head’ spoken word event by candlelight.
On Sunday, a Celtic Goddess Ceremony on the theme of ‘quickening’ is set to take place, along with a Celtic Goddess Ceremony and from midday till 4 p.m. there is children’s entertainment. See hookheritage.ie.
4
COOKERY DEMONSTRATION: As part of the Healthy Ireland initiative, Finn’s World cookery demonstration will be held at Gorey Library on Thursday, February 1, at 7 p.m. Booking is essential. Finn Ní Fhaoláin is a cookbook author, private chef and marine scientist. She lives on the west coast of Ireland. Drawing on her personal experience of being coeliac, her mission is to ensure that gluten free and healthy does not mean you’re compromising on taste.
5
THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE: Enniscorthy Drama Group are delighted to take this Martin McDonagh classic to the stage of the National Opera House this Saturday night at 8 p.m. Set in the mountains of Connemara, it tells the story of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely woman in her early 40s, and Mag, her manipulative, aging mother. Mag’s interference in Maureen’s first and potentially last romantic relationship sets in motion a chain of events that are as tragically funny as they are horrific. Starring Anne-Marie Whelan, Michele Whelan, Brendan Robinson and Fintan Kelly. Tickets from nationaloperahouse.ie.
6
TOMMY FLEMING:. Singer Tommy Fleming will perform at the National Opera House this Friday, February 1 at 8 p.m. Described by many as the ‘Voice of Ireland’ Tommy is one of Ireland’s top entertainers with over five million YouTube hits and over three million album sales worldwide. He is regarded as one of the finest singers worldwide and has a hugely successful career across the globe. In 2016 Tommy celebrated 25 years as a solo performer and his album ‘Stories’ is a collection of his favourite songs including some newly recorded special songs and the stories behind them.
7
BRIGHTON PLAY: Raven Theatre returns to the Arts Centre stage with their production of Waterford playwright Jim Nolan’s critically acclaimed 2010 play ‘Brighton’ from February 1 to February 3. Set in the Sisters of Calvary Nursing Home in London, ‘Brighton’ follows elderly Irishwoman, Fulham FC supporter and ‘Terror of the Third Floor’ Lily Thompson on her last great adventure. Directed by Áine Gannon, in her directorial debut, the play stars: Brigid Scully, Michael Conway and Ben Mac Caoilte. Tickets at €14, concessions at €12, on 053 9123764 or email boxoffice@wexfordartscentre.ie.