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DYLAN AND ABLE
BOB DYLAN
In what’s set to be one of the most unmissable gigs of the year, iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will cap off the European leg of his world tour at Dublin’s 3Arena on November 7. You can look forward to some of the Nobel Prize winner’s latest material from his lauded 2020 album, Rough and Rowdy Ways, as well as selections from across his remarkable discography. Like Dylan’s other shows on the tour, the Dublin gig will be phone-free – meaning concertgoers will be popping their devices in special locked pouches, to ensure a completely immersive musical experience.
SCRUMMING ATTRACTION
Munster v Leinster Thomond Park, Limerick, December 26 In what's become a festive tradition, the great Irish rugby rivals take each other on in the United Rugby Championship. Four-in-a-row champions from 2018 to 2021, Leinster have been making the running again this season and occupying their familiar place atop the table. But there is always an electric atmosphere in Thomond for this derby encounter, and Graham Rowntree's charges will be going all out to secure the bragging rights in front of their passionate home support.
AUTUMN'S UP
There’s some major events on the way for Irish rugby fans – as Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series matches find Andy Farrell’s team taking on South Africa (November 5), Fiji (November 12) and Australia (November 19) at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. It will be the first time the Springboks – who are the current World champions – have played in Dublin in five years, so you can expect the first match in the series to be a particular nail-biter.
FINAL DESTINATION
Last year’s runners-up Shelbourne FC are all set to take on Athlone FC for the FAI Women’s Cup Final 2022 – kicking off on November 6 at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin. Last year’s final saw Wexford Youths ultimately lift the trophy, but the team’s attempts to defend the cup in 2022 were squashed back in September by Athlone, who earned their place in the final with a 3-0 win. Shelbourne, meanwhile, who previously won the cup in 2016, reached their second consecutive final after a 1-0 win over Bohemians WFC. As Shelbourne and Athlone go head to head in November, you can expect an electric atmosphere at Tallaght Stadium.
DERRY GO ROUND
Celebrating Derry’s rich culture and history, get ready to immerse yourself in folklore, feasting and festivities, for Derry Halloween! The spirits are invited to party with the living within the Walled City, as locals and visitors alike ring in this traditional Samhain gathering. Taking place from October 28-31, some of the highlights of the programme include the Haunted Harvest Market, Samhain Bandstand, Mayor’s Creepy Céilí, and ghostly gigs from The Alabama 3, Hudson Taylor and more.
SAVOUR THE DATE
One of Ireland’s favourite food festivals, Savour Kilkenny, returns to the medieval city from October 28-31 – celebrating the best of Kilkenny and the surrounding pasturelands’ produce, food and culture. The event will be packed with culinary ideas, as Irish products, and a cast of top chefs and experts, take centre stage. You can look forward to demonstrations, talks and workshops featuring Kwanghi Chan (above), Derry Clarke, Kevin Dundon, Daniel Lambert, ClareAnne O’Keefe and more. NEED TO KNOW WHEN: OCTOBER 28–31 WHERE: KILKENNY
BEAST FROM THE EAST
Celebrating Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween, Púca Festival returns to Co. Meath this Halloween – bringing spectacle, storytelling, music, mischief, comedy, feasting and much more to Trim and Athboy, from October 28-31. Working in partnership with Irish artists, seanchaí storytellers and the local community, Púca will feature a dazzling selection of experiences and performances over three days and four nights in Ireland’s Ancient East.
PADDY CASEY
WINNING ARTS AND MINDS
Returning for its 20th edition in 2022, TULCA Festival of Visual Arts will be running across multiple venues in Galway city and county, from November 4-20. Curated by Clare Gormley, this new edition of the festival, titled The World Was All Before Them, explores “the notion of futurity” in this moment of great global change. Taking place across a range of art and non-art venues, you can expect the full programme for this unique festival to be unveiled online closer to the time.
TENT TO BE
Having first launched in 2012, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Wexford Spiegeltent Festival. As such you can expect an extra special edition of the iconic multi-genre festival, running in the iconic setting of the Paradiso Spiegeltent from October 22 to November 6. Over the course of the series of shows, you can expect performances from Gavin James, The Academic, Joanne McNally, LYRA, Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan, Hudson Taylor and many more.
TRAD TO THE BONE
Dublin’s annual celebration of Irish music makes its eagerly anticipated return in 2023, as TradFest Temple Bar gets set to host over 50 live performances in some of the area’s most beloved pubs, venues and historical landmarks. Running from January 25-29, the festival has already confirmed sets from Matt Molloy & Seán Keane, Dani Larkin, Eimear Quinn, Lisa Lambe, Judy Collins, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Moxie, Dervish, Kíla and more.
ALL THAT JAZZ
Returning for its 44th year, Cork Jazz Festival is set to take over the city by the Lee from October 28-31, with a host of new acts, venues and experiences, including some of the biggest names in jazz. Over 32 years after they performed one of Cork’s most memorable gigs at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, The New Power Generation will be returning to celebrate their mentor, Prince, as part of the festival. Other highlights include Denise Chaila, Seun Kuti and Fela’s Egypt 80, Jazzanova, GoGo Penguin, Hermeto Pascoal & Grupo, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton and more.
SPIN CYCLE
Some of the top names in international cyclo-cross are set to descend upon Dublin this winter, as the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown plays host to a key round of the 2022-2023 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup on December 11. The first event of its kind to be hosted in Ireland, it’s likely to be a major draw for cycling enthusiasts – with cyclo-cross, which takes place over rough terrain, considered one of the most fast-paced and thrilling forms of bicycle racing.
TRUE TIDES
LET IT LEE
In the run-up to Christmas, Cork’s Fitzgerald’s Park is playing host to a special series of live outdoor music and comedy shows, as part of Magic Nights By The Lee. From December 21-23, you can look forward to appearances from some of Cork’s most acclaimed performers, including True Tides, Fish Go Deep, Code of Behaviour, Candy Warhol & The Haus Of Mockie Ah, Clare Sands, Stevie G & Minnie Marley, and more.
MEGA BYTE
The event formerly known as Comic Con Ireland is back – with MegaCon Live Dublin coming to the RDS from January 21-22. For 2023, you can expect a Cosplay Masquerade, a Steampunk Emporium, a Yu-Gi-Oh tournament, a gaming area, the Kidtropolis Mega Zone, guest panels, and more. The special guests include Sam J. Jones of Flash Gordon fame, as well as Derry Girls’ Dylan Llewellyn and Ian McElhinney.
SEIZE THE DEISE
Ireland’s largest Christmas festival, Winterval, is celebrating its 10th year with what promises to be its biggest and most festive programme yet. Waterford will be transformed into a winter wonderland from November 18 until December 23, complete with attractions like Winterval on Ice, the Waterford Eye, the Carousel, the Circus, and Magic at the Apple Markets – plus an immersive multi-dimensional light show, food and crafts markets and a packed programme of live music and performances.
THE MOORE THE MERRIER
Following the release of his acclaimed 2021 album, Flying Into Mystery, legendary singer-songwriter Christy Moore is gearing up for 13 special nights at Vicar Street in Dublin – taking place on November 23 & 29; December 5, 7, 12, 14 & 18; and January 2, 4, 9, 11, 15 & 17. A phenomenal solo performer – who has also revolutionised Irish music through his work with Planxty and Moving Hearts – you can expect connection and emotion by the bucketload when Christy kicks off his run of gigs.
NEED TO KNOW WHEN: NOVEMBER, DECEMBER & JANUARY DATES WHERE: VICAR STREET DUBLIN BORN TO PERFORM
The fastest growing performing arts festival in Europe, Perform, is running at The RDS in Dublin from November 25-27 – featuring over 2,000 performers, spanning the worlds of dance, gymnastics, musical theatre, and more, on the Main Stage. The festival offers performance opportunities, meet and greets, an exhibition zone, and hundreds of workshops from both local and international talent in all genres. For those who love the spotlight, spectacle, and most importantly, performing, this is the place to be in November!
DEC PIERCE
PLACE OF ORIGINZ
For one night only, on December 10, the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney, Co. Kerry is set to play host to Originz Music Festival. An unmissable event for fans of club classics and live DJ sets, the night will feature Dec Pierce’s Block Rockin’ Beats, the 25-piece Symphonic Ibiza Orchestra with special guest ‘Everyone’s Free’ vocalist Rozalla, and iconic English DJ Seb Fontaine.
different name. same people.people.
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THE REEL DEAL
Ireland’s first and largest film festival – and one of Cork’s most important annual cultural events – the Cork International Film Festival returns to cinemas and venues throughout Cork City for its 67th edition, from November 10-20. For 2022, the festival is presenting a curated programme of the latest and finest Irish and world premieres, as well as other special events. Their ‘Wild Child Retrospective’ will include screenings of War of the Buttons, The Childhood of a Leader, Raise Ravens, The Butcher Boy and more.
LEAP OFF THE PAGE
With a brand new hub at Dublin Castle, this year’s annual Dublin Book Festival will return from November 8-13, with six days of in-conversation events, walking tours, exhibitions, activities and more, celebrating Irish writers, publishers and Ireland’s renowned literary scene. The festival hub will be a hive of activity for book fans of all ages, with the Winter Garden in Dublin Castle also serving as the perfect refuge from the cold. Louise O’Neill, Bill Whelan, Paul Brady, Sophie White, Michael O’Brien, Jane Clarke, David Heffernan and many more will all be featuring across the programme.
The Johnstown Estate is a gorgeously luxurious 4-star hotel, in Enfield, Co. Meath. It is located just five minutes by taxi from Enfield Railway Station – and only 35 minutes from Dublin, off the M4, making it wonderfully accessible for locals and visitors alike.
Which is why a personalised gift voucher from The Johnstown Estate is the perfect present to give to someone special this Christmas. And you can pick your own pricepoint. From a decadent Afternoon Tea with a pampering Spa treatment to a delicious culinary journey with a magical overnight stay, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Visitors can combine an overnight stay with a four-course dining experience at the hotel's signature restaurant Fire & Salt – a food lover's dream come true. For dinner in a more relaxed, traditional setting, a voucher for dinner at The Coach House Brasserie is an ideal treat for a work colleague or client. The truth is that all of our senses can be indulged at The Johnstown Estate. A visit to the luxurious Elemis & Gharieni Spa with a Luxury Day Spa voucher or an overnight stay with the Signature Spa Indulgence voucher is a wonderful pampering gift. Access to the Thermal Suite and Rooftop Experience is included, where you can enjoy an extensive range of hydrotherapy and thermal amenities.
For the ultimate afternoon treat for two, the Traditional Afternoon Tea voucher offers three tiers of indulgence with a selection of seasonally inspired sweets and savouries and the option to add a glass of Prosecco. So, whatever experience you choose, it promises to be an unforgettable one that will create memories that will last a lifetime for the recipient (even if it is you!).
Gift vouchers can be purchased online at thejohnstownestate.com or directly from the hotel.
The Johnstown Estate A Gift Voucher Is an Invitation to Blissful Indulgence
