7 Things to do this week...
1 WEXFORD V KILKENNY, WALSH CUP SEMI-FINAL: The heat of championship hurling in mid-summer will seem like a world away, but for the hurlers of Wexford, this Sunday marks the start of their 2019 journey under manager Davy Fitzgerald as they aim to build on the progress of the last two seasons. Old rivals Kilkenny will be the opposition in Bellefield GAA grounds in Enniscorthy and while hurling in January is never a free-flowing affair, the encounter will be an early indication as to how this year is likely to shape up. Both James Breen and Ian Byrne have returned to the squad having missed out on last season, while Eanna Martin takes Mark Fanning’s place in goal, as Fanning is ruled out of Sunday’s game owing to a hamstring injury. Fitzgerald said they have a number of injury concerns going into the game. ‘While Mark is out, Rory O’Connor (knee), Damien Reck (jaw) and Paul Morris (knee) are also out of contention, with Lee Chin only 50-50 owing to a hamstring problem,’ according to the manager. The game was originally earmarked for Innovate Wexford Park but a late venue change means the game is now taking place in Bellefield, with a 2.00pm throw-in.
2 PANTO TIME IN NORTH WEXFORD: The ‘oh no you didn’t’ season is truly upon us and North Wexford has two great shows to offer panto lovers. Gorey Little Theatre present ‘Aladdin’ on Friday, January
11, until Saturday, January 19, at 8 p.m., except Saturday and Sunday, January 12 and 13 where two matinees will take place at 3 p.m. No performance on Sunday night because of bingo. Tickets are available at www.goreytheatre. ie Over in Kilmuckridge, the Panto Society are gearing up for their production of ‘Old King Cole’ which will take place on Thursday, January 10, until Sunday, January 13, at 7.30 p.m. Tickets available on the door.
3 PETER PAN PANTO: The magic of Peter Pan is being brought to life on St Michael’s Theatre stage in New Ross for the first time as New Ross Pantomime Society mark a century of entertaining in the town with a hilarious take on the J.M. Barrie story. With 11 shows, beginning this Saturday with the matinee performance, the pantomime fun continues until Saturday, January 19. Tickets cost €15/€12 (matinees/midweek).
4 ART EXHIBITION: Other Places, an exhibition of new work by the Five Towers Art Group, will be officially launched on Wednesday, January 9, at 2 p.m., in Gorey Library. This is a new exhibition based around ‘places’ – the places we go to in our imagination, the places we are taken to through the process of creativity, places that are far away, places that we once travelled to. It features works in painting, ceramic and textile. The exhibition will run for the month of January.
5 The Presentation Centre will host a screening of ‘Two Days, One Night’ in conjunction with the Irish Film Institute and the First Fortnight charity which challenges mental health prejudice through arts and cultural action. The Dardenne brothers film focuses on Sandra (Marion Cotillard) who returns to work after suffering from depression to learn that things have changed considerably, and at the expense of her job. She has one weekend to reverse what has happened. Tickets are €7 and the film is suitable for age 15 up.
6 SEAN KEANE - CHRISTMAS BY THE HEARTH: Sean Keane takes his Christmas by the Hearth show to Coast Rosslare Strand on Saturday night, with the Galway singer lending his unique voice to a selection of festive favourites and traditional Irish, folk and even country and blues songs. Described by The London Independent as ‘the greatest musical find of the 90s’, Keane grew up in a family of singers and musicians (including his well-known sister Dolores) and learned the sean-nós style of singing from his mother and his aunts. For tickets contact 053 91 32010.
7 LEGENDARY illusionist, TV hypnotist and brain hacker Keith Barry will be bringing his brand new show, ‘Deception’, to Wexford Opera House on Friday, January 11, at 8 p.m. The current show will be his biggest and most spectacular to-date and in it he will examine different facets of the mind including mind control, brainwashing, subliminal messaging, cults and other forms of deception. Renowned as one of the world’s greatest mind-control entertainers he has performed all over the globe. His Wexford show is sure to be one of the most talked about events of the year. Tickets, priced €32, are now available from the National Opera House box-office on 053-9122144.
Have you an event for our What’s On pages? email the details (with a picture, if possible) to: whatson@peoplenews.ie