What’s on in Ireland this autumn-winter for older audiences
The Dublin Theatre Festival brings some of the world’s most exciting theatre experiences to the capital from Thursday, September 24th to Sunday, October 11th.
Summer’s bright days may be behind us but the longer evenings ahead offer the perfect excuse to discover a great new book, enjoy a memorable performance or plan a cultural escape. Particularly for recent retirees, filling your diary with enjoyable events to look forward to will make the dark winter evenings so much brighter. From opera and jazz to literary gatherings, Ireland’s cultural calendar is packed with highlights from now until the new year. Here is just some of what’s on offer.
Autumn gets off to a fine start with the Dublin Theatre Festival (Thursday, September 24th to Sunday, October 11th), bringing some of the world’s most exciting theatre experiences to the capital. One must-see is the world premiere of Radio Bette from The Goat Exchange. Inspired by a rare rehearsal recording of a 1951 radio broadcast by Hollywood star Bette Davis, the production takes a unique look at identity, celebrity and performance. dublintheatrefestival.ie
Music takes centre stage in early October. On Saturday, October 3rd, Sharon Shannon brings her acclaimed live show to Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney, Co Dublin. The renowned musician recently teamed up with Specsavers to champion hearing health, an ideal partnership for someone who has created so many unforgettable music moments. Tickets are available via universe.com.
On Monday, October 5th, the National Concert Hall plays host to a one-off live performance. Slí na Samhlaíochta/The Way of Imagination brings together spoken word, music, and visual art through the work of the much-missed author, broadcaster and champion of Irish culture, Manchán Magan. A stellar line up of Irish talent including Liam Ó Maonlaí, Colm Mac Con Iomaire and Méabh McKenna will also feature in what promises to be a special evening. nch.ie
Or for something completely different, escape into the glittering world of High Society, which comes to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre following a sold-out season in London’s West End. Running from Tuesday, October 20th to Saturday, October 24th, it stars Helen George as the glamorous Tracy Lord, whose plans for the society wedding of the year descend into chaos. With a stellar cast and classic tunes from Cole Porter, it’s the perfect way to brighten up a dark autumn evening. bordgaisenergytheatre.ie
This time of year is not short on festivals, with something to suit all tastes; they are a great excuse to get away for a night or two and experience something new.
Those of a literary mind won’t want to miss Kavanagh Weekend in Inniskeen, Co Monaghan (Friday, September 25th to Sunday, September 27th). This annual festival celebrates the legacy of poet Patrick Kavanagh. With performances, live conversations, readings and music events, this year’s line-up includes American poet Anne Waldman, comedian and broadcaster Tommy Tiernan and novelist and playwright Liz Nugent. patrickkavanaghcentre.com
Moving into October, opera fans will need no reminding that October is Wexford Festival Opera month. Running from Thursday, October 15th to Saturday, October 31st, this much-loved festival is celebrating its 75th anniversary and a highlight is sure to be Croí na Féile on Saturday, October 17th. This one-night-only concert brings together opera stars Ermonela Jaho, Joseph Calleja, Daniela Barcellona, and Giorgi Manoshvili, who will perform arias from Tosca, Carmen, Don Carlos, La Traviata and more. wexfordopera.com
For a change of tempo, head south for the October bank holiday weekend, when Cork city becomes the unofficial home of jazz courtesy of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Taking place from Thursday, October 22nd to Monday, October 26th the city will play host to hundreds of musicians and thousands of visitors, there to enjoy the incredible music and Cork’s finest hospitality. See guinnesscorkjazz.com for the full line-up.
The last literary festival of the year takes place in the scenic surrounds of the Dingle peninsula. Although the weather may not be inviting, Dingle Lit has quickly garnered a reputation as one of the warmest and friendliest festivals, with plenty of cosy pubs in which to shelter from the wintry weather. Book in for a writing workshop now – they sell out fast – or enjoy hearing some of Ireland’s finest writers, with the full programme of speakers announced on September 9th. dinglelit.ie
Finally, as we look towards the festive season, The Gate Theatre is set to play host to a true Christmas classic. It’s a Wonderful Life, adapted by Mary Elliott Nelson and directed by Claire O’Reilly, makes the leap from the screen to the stage and runs from Saturday, November 21st until January 2027. It tells the story of family man George Bailey who faces despair on a snowy Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls before Clarence the angel helps him see the value of his life. gatetheatre.ie
And, although the indomitable Shane MacGowan may no longer be with us, the remaining members of The Pogues will be playing their greatest hits across Ireland this December, with gigs in the 3Arena Dublin on Wednesday, December 9th, the SSE Arena Belfast on Thursday, December 10th and Gleneagle Arena Killarney on Saturday December 12th. They’ll be joined by The Wran and Maicín, with further special guests soon to be announced – a singalong to Fairytale of New York is virtually guaranteed. mcd.ie
If the slower pace of getting lost in a good book is more your speed, you’ll be spoilt for choice this autumn as some of the country’s top writers are releasing new work. Colm Tóibín’s The Bridge (Picador), the sequel to A Long Winter, lands on Thursday, September 3rd, as does the much-anticipated The Newer World (Faber & Faber) by Sebastian Barry.
Another highlight is Carlo Gébler’s poignant memoir, No One Tells You – The Last Years of Edna O’Brien (New Island Books), which arrives on bookshelves on Friday, September 11th. It is both a study of grief and a love letter to his late mother, Edna O’Brien, one of Ireland’s most renowned writers.
Later in the month, Trespasses author Louise Kennedy returns with her eagerly anticipated new novel Stations (Bloomsbury Circus). This devastating story of love and friendship is published on Thursday, September 24th.
Finally, crime and thriller fans will be kept busy with a trio of heavy hitters releasing new work before the end of the year. John Grisham publishes his latest thriller, The French Illusion (Hodder & Stoughton) on Tuesday, September 29th, while Ian Rankin’s The Heights (Orion) arrives on Thursday, October 8th. Then Michael Connelly’s The Hollow (Orion) reunites readers with detective Harry Bosch from Tuesday, October 27th.
