10 live events for March: Raye in Dublin, Cardinals in Savoy, Rosie O'Donnell in Cork

Plenty of music and comedy for the month ahead

Tom Dunne, Rosie O'Donnell, and Raye are among those performing this month

Raye, 3Arena, Dublin, March 4-5

Where is my Husband! has been inescapable over the past six months, helping Raye reach ever-new heights — which is saying something considering she won six Brit Awards in 2024. She’s played Electric Picnic and Royal Hospital Kilmainham over the last two summers, but with second studio album This Music May Contain Hope due for release on March 27, demand is sky-high for Rachel Keen.

Ye Vagabonds, Cork Opera House, March 5

Brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn aka Ye Vagabonds are fresh off a US tour in support of fourth album All Tied Together. The album by the multi-award-winning folk duo, renowned for their harmonious vocals and deep sense of community, comprises all original songs. They tour Ireland in March.

Cardinals, Savoy, Cork, March 6

Kinsale’s Cardinals are one of the most exciting new Irish rock acts to burst onto the scene.

Kinsale five-piece Cardinals make their return to Cork at the newly reopened Savoy, with acclaimed debut album Masquerade — hailed by NME as Ireland’s “latest great bright hope” — under their arm. Blending forward-thinking indie with Pogues and Cure echoes, they’re joined by rising local shoegaze act Pebbledash.

Gemma Hayes, Lisa Hannigan, Tessa Perry & Liz Clark, De Barra’s, Clonakilty, March 8

West Cork super group comprising Gemma Hayes, Lisa Hannigan, Tessa Perry, and Liz Clark (The Kates) celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, with a special show ‘in the round’ at De Barra’s.

David Byrne, 3Arena, Dublin, March 13

The former Talking Heads frontman releases Who Is the Sky?, his first new album since 2018’s American Utopia, on September 5. The touring band for the new live show will comprise 13 musicians, singers, and dancers, including members of the American Utopia band, all of whom will be mobile throughout the set.

Kyla Cobbler, Cork Opera House, March 17-20

The Ballincollig comedian returns for four sold-out shows at Cork Opera House over St Patrick’s week. It’s part of her Not My Lemons national tour. This all-new hour of stand-up comedy explores fresh territory — from finding love to the complexities of family life — delivered with Kyla's trademark honesty and unapologetic wit.

An evening with Tom Dunne, Fiachna Ó Braonáin, and Alan O’Connor, Connolly’s of Leap, March 21

Tom Dunne.

Irish Examiner columnist Tom Dunne (Something Happens) and Fiachna Ó Braonáin (Hothouse Flowers) team up with multi-instrumentalist Alan Connor (Late Late Show House Band, Sharon Shannon) for an evening of songs and stories. Old classics and favourites are promised alongside three-part harmonies, road tales, humour, and emotion — and you'll be home by 11pm.

Danny Brown, 3Olympia, Dublin, March 26

One of the most consistent rappers over the past decade, Danny Brown headed in a dance direction on last year’s concept album Stardust, released on Warp Records and his first LP since he went fully sober. He brings the live show to Dublin as part of a 15-date European tour.

Rosie O’Donnell, Cork Opera House, March 29

Rosie O’Donnell makes her long-awaited return to the stage with Common Knowledge, her first stand-up show in nearly a decade. Now living in her newly adopted hometown of Dublin, Rosie reflects on the move, the culture shift, family life, and the humbling and hilarious realisation that maybe you don’t have it all figured out.

How to Gael, Cork Opera House, March 28

Doireann Ní Ghlacáin and Louise Cantillon plus special guest (third member Siomha Ni Ruairc is on maternity leave) bring How to Gael to the Opera House as part of Cork Podcast Festival, which runs in venues across the city on March 20-29. The bilingual show promises plenty of craic, whether you’re a fluent speaker or simply Gaeilge-curious.