7 Things to t do this wweek...
1 MEN SHOULD WEEP: The award winning Bridge Drama crew return to the Opera House this Wednesday night as they bring their latest production to the stage - ‘Men Should Weep’ by Ena Lamont Stewart. A powerful portrayal of life in 1930s Glasgow, its a show that’s full of energy and humour. It focuses on the Morrison family, a family of great strength, struggling to make ends meet. At the centre is Maggie, holding the family together with determination and resilience. The show runs at 8 p.m. nightly from Wednesday to Friday, while it will return to the National Opera House once again for shows in February on the 20, 21, 22 and 26th. Featuring a stellar cast and crew, this is one you won’t want to miss. Acknowledged as one of Scottish drama’s most loved plays, ‘Men Should Weep’ is political and popular in equal measure. Tickets are priced at €15 and are available by calling the box office on 053 912 2400 or online at www. nationaloperahouse.ie. For further details about the production and cast, follow Bridge Drama on social media. 2 FIRE GODDESS FESTIVAL: Hook Lighthouse is celebrating Ireland’s `Fire Goddess’ with an Imbolc traditional festival marking the beginning of spring this weekend which is also the feast of St Bridget. In ancient Irish mythology, Bridget was a fire goddess who was also the patron saint of boatmen, sailors and mariners. Celebrated annually by the ancient Celts, Imbolc was one of the four important festivals in the Celtic calendar. A sunrise tour of the lighthouse, fun and games with Pirate Pat, art workshops, St Bridget Cross making, a talk on the meaning of Imbolc with storyteller Baya, an Eco Sheriff talk and the Imbolc Wishing Tree are all available to enjoy. 3 CLONROCHE AGM: The Annual General Meeting of Clonroche Development Association will take place in the local community centre at 8 p.m. on Monday, February 3. The group is now in its 21st year and in addition to maintaining the village the members are also involved in organising events in the village. The organisers are encouraging as many people as possible to attend especially those interested in joining. 4 YEAR OF HIKER PLAY: Camross Drama Group are performing the full length play `The Year of the Hiker’ by John B Keane ahead of performing in Camross Hall on Friday and in St Mary’s Hall in Fethard-on-Sea on Sunday. `The Year of the Hiker’ is the group’s entry for the DLI festival this spring. The play concerns Hiker Lacey, who has left the family home to take to the roads some years back, returns on a special day in the life of the family he abandoned. 5 TOMMY FLEMING: Tommy Fleming returns to The National Opera House on Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m. For almost 30 years, Tommy Fleming has been honing his craft and entertaining the masses with his extraordinary talent. His worldwide success has made him a household name in many homes across the globe and his fanbase is growing year on year. It’s not hard to see why; music is a universal language and one Tommy is undoubtedly fluent in. Tommy is famous for his own arrangement of Danny Boy, Isle of Innisfree and Hard Times. 6 CONSTELLATIONS: All are invited to a number of small cultural events taking place in Gorey across the weekend in line with the International Herstory Light festival. A group exhibition will take place on Friday, January 31 at Gorey’s Market House opening at 7 p.m. On Saturday, February 1, Gorey band The Mistakes will entertain a crowd at Katie Daly’s bar and restaurant in line with the festival from 9 p.m. and finally on Sunday, February 2, a panel will discuss education from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gorey’s Market House. Search ‘Mary Fitzgerald Award’ on Facebook for details. 7 AUSTRALIAN BUSH FIRE GIG: A charity event to raise funds for those affected by the fires in Australia will take place in the Wexford Arts Centre on January 31 at 8 p.m. Featuring performances from The Remedy Club, The Man Whom, Beki Hemingway, The Sweet Sorrows, Cursed Murphy Versus The Resistance, Frankenstein Bolts, and Ten Ounce Mouse, all profits raised will go to the Australian Bushfire Appeal. Since September 2019, 27 people have perished, at least 1 billion animals have died, and over 2,000 homes and nearly 11 million hectares have been incinerated. That’s nearly twice the size of Ireland. There will also be a raffle on the night. Tickets €10. Contact 053 912 3764 for details.