March Event Guide: Festivals, celebrations, exhibitions and more…

Raquel Welch, One in a Million

Running throughout March, Newbridge Silverware, Kildare, more info here

Raquel Welch, ‘One in A Million’ is a ‘free to enter exhibition’ featuring several garments, gowns, jewellery, and personal items once worn by the famous actress. It is the only European exhibition for the public to view this never before seen collection of the Hollywood superstar’s most famous and iconic costumes, garments, and personal property prior to its auction presented by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles.

Dublin Coffee Festival

1-3 March, The Complex, Dublin, more info here

For the first-time ever, Cup North, the team behind the renowned Manchester Coffee Festival, Birmingham Coffee Festival and Extracted Development, will be bringing a coffee fiesta to Ireland. While the first day is dedicated to industry-only sessions, the rest of the weekend welcomes members of the public that wish to celebrate the wonderful Irish coffee scene in the heart of the city.

Ennis Book Club Festival

1-3 March, Ennis, more info here

Each year, readers both from Ireland and further afield, come to Ennis to share the joy of reading. The audiences include avid readers, those who haven’t had the time to pick up a book in some years, those with a keen interest in current affairs, those who are simply looking to be inspired.

Roscommon Drama Festival

1-9 March, Roscommon Arts Centre, more info here

Bringing a new rendition of different productions from varied drama groups across the county over nine nights at Roscommon Arts Centre, the festival includes theatrical performances of Dancing at Lughnasa, Animal Farm, and Agnes of God, to name but a few.

Imagining Ireland at the National Gallery

3 March, the National Gallery, Dublin, more info here

An evening of 21st century Irish song-writing – folk inspired, electronica-influenced and coming from a city moving forward quickly yet uneasy with itself. The widely acclaimed Sorcha Richardson invites folk stars Ye Vagabonds, the timeless voice Susan O’Neill and the folktronica inspired Rachael Lavelle for one night of beautifully crafted songs.

Where Is The Night? Public talks series

5, 11 & 12 March, venues across Ireland, more info here

The Give Us The Night campaigners are embarking on another tour of the country, to primarily discuss this licensing reform, what challenges still remain and when/how we foresee the laws being enacted. Additionally, what impact is this delayed reform having on the Irish night-time industry, as well as on social and cultural life in general; and what needs to be done? Events are taking place in Sligo, Galway, Limerick and Kerry throughout March.

WAKE by THISISPOPBABY

6-23 March, National Stadium, Dublin, more info here

WAKE, the smash-hit theatrical phenomenon, features wild acrobatics, trad-with-a-twist, searing hot circus and outrageous cabaret. It’s a high-octane, heart-thumping celebration of life, of togetherness, of grabbing the ones you hold dear and screaming, ‘I Love You’ over the music. Described as “the moment we’ve all been waiting for” and “the best show in town”, WAKE is the entertainment event of the decade, and everybody is invited.

Disrupt Disability Arts Festival

7-11 March, Project Arts Centre, Dublin, more info here

Disrupt Disability Arts Festival is a vibrant celebration of disability art, curated by and for the disability community. The line up includes theatre, dance, literature-based performance and visual arts, all delivered through a range of accessible engagement formats in relaxed spaces. This unique festival is designed to deepen understanding and appreciation for the richness of experiences and perspectives that define disability in Ireland, actively dismantling barriers to artistic engagement faced by both artists and audiences with lived experience of disability.

Summertime Sadness Club

7 March, The Workman’s Club, Dublin, more info here

Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard that will take you straight to The Workman’s Club? If you were Born To Die then make sure you head along to the most joyfully miserable Sad Girl club night experience. Summertime Sadness is a new night dedicated to Lana Del Rey and all your favourite Sad Girl anthems that will make you laugh, cry, dance and sing very very loud all night long.

Fingal International Festival of Voices

7-10 March, Dublin, more info here

The seaside town of Balbriggan will come alive for a week with ensembles, performing groups and singers from around the world for a programme of musical events and competitions.This year, the festival is set to be even more exciting with food marquees, local arts and crafts markets, busking competition and live events.

The Girl’s Room IWD

8 March, The Workman’s Cellar, Dublin, more info here

Taking over the Workman’s Cellar in collaboration with Workmná, an initiative empowering and celebrating women across the events and music industry, The Girl’s Room are celebrating International Women’s Day in style. Expect DJs Onai and Big Cheeks B2B, a guest performance from Kayleigh Noble, handpokes from Poke mo Thóin and tooth gems by Thee Icee Fairy.

Young at Art: Belfast’s Children’s Festival

8-16 March, Belfast, more info here

Belfast Children’s Festival is not just for the young, but also the young at heart with local, national and international performances and events to entertain, surprise and delight. Throughout the year, Young at Art continues to provide exceptional arts experiences for children and young people through a variety of engagement projects with key partners and standalone events, including the much-loved Baby Rave.

Curated x Workmná: The Spotlight Sessions IWD

8 March, The Workmans Cellar, Dublin, more info here

The Spotlight Sessions by curated Dublin is back to celebrate IWD in collaboration with Workmná. Inviting live music lovers to join them for a beautiful evening shining a spotlight on women in music, there’ll be performances from Rudy, Melina Malone, and Qbanaa.

Bricktionary: MasterClass Special

11&12 March, Theatre of Light, The Point Square, Dublin, more info here

One of the biggest superstars in LEGO globally, and judge of Channel Four’s LEGO Masters Australia, Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught is set to arrive in Dublin this March, and while he is here, he will be offering LEGO fans the chance to attend one of his renowned masterclasses, which have previously sold-out in other cities around the world.

Bellow at The Everyman

12&13 March, The Everyman, Cork, more info here

In this most unlikely of artistic collaborations, leading experimental theatre company Brokentalkers joins forces with one of Ireland’s foremost traditional Irish musicians, Danny O’Mahony. Bellow is a new theatre performance exploring the weight of tradition, the capriciousness of memory and the artist’s need to express their true self.

Saint Patrick’s Festival

15-18 March, Dublin, more info here

Returning to the National Museum of Ireland for a magical day-to-night urban festival for all, the Saint Patrick’s Festival in Dublin is not to be missed. There’ll be a 3,000 capacity covered Main Stage, performance spaces, relaxation areas, a mini-funfair and the Irish Food and Craft Village. All daytime events will be free of charge, along with the full day and night programme across the weekend. Naturally, there will be a plethora of events running across Ireland, with standouts including parades and festivities in Galway, Cork, and Waterford.

Walking Edges, an exhibition by Donal Kelly

Opening 15 March, Outset Gallery, Galway, more info here

Walking Edges is a photographic exploration of place and belonging drawn from hundreds of walks along Ireland’s Atlantic edgescapes. Accumulated over years, the slow hours spent in quiet spaces and the wait-inducing processes of analogue photography reflects the gradual depositing of geological and historical layers, and the ever shifting boundaries and transitions of restless coasts that refuse to sit still within the confines of a precise map.

Adrift with Els Dietvorst

From 16 March, Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, more info here

West Cork Arts Centre presents the next stage of the tour ADRIFT, with the work of Els Dietvorst. The tour, curated by Catherine Bowe and Karla Sánchez Zepeda, presents a coherent overview of the artist’s extensive and multifaceted oeuvre in addition to new pieces. The opening will take the form of an informal gallery talk between Els Dietvorst and the curators, followed by Laoise Garvey performing the song ‘This is What You Came For’.

Mother presents Cultúr Club

16 March, The National Museum of Ireland, Dublin, more info here

Cultúr Club is back for a very special night of live music, queer performance, and art in celebration of Irish LGBTQ+ club culture and the transformative power of the dancefloor in one of Ireland’s most iconic spaces. Across three stages including a 3500-capacity main stage dance tent, a drag cabaret circus tent and the outdoor arena, Cultúr Club traverses musical styles from electronic and disco to trad, techno and beyond for a massive multi-stage queer dance party.

MotherKraft

20-23 March, Project Arts Centre, Dublin, more info here

MotherKraft is a call to her arms, a gathering, inviting the audience to witness a ritual to reconceive the power of creation. A theatrical performance journey through movement, weaving stories with original music, song and video, MotherKraft celebrates vulnerability, reparenting, acceptance and the hardcore, pandemonium of being simultaneously two bodies and one.

Wander Wild Festival

22-24 March, Killarney, more info here

Described as Ireland’s own ‘great outdoors festival’, Wander Wild is designed to make getting active feel more accessible. They’ve got workshops and excursions for any range of skill levels, from thrilling climbing sessions for the adrenaline fuelled among us, to calming mindfulness sessions to help you heal. Through the three-day programme, you can opt to challenge yourself as much as you’d like, from strenuous hikes and rock climbing to yoga sessions and breathwork classes.

Making A Show of Myself

22&23 March, Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin, more info here

Back by popular demand, following a sellout run last year, an Irish raconteur shares the most ridiculous, embarrassing, hilarious and tragic episodes of her life, showing there’s a story in every stumble – and a little magic in every story. Mary Kate explores how her lifelong fascination with story has shaped and sustained her and makes a compelling case for how stories shape and sustain the human race.

Bring Your Own Art, Art Show

28 March, Hen’s Teeth, Dublin, more info here

Teaming up with the folks at Abhainn Studio for another art show with a difference, Hen’s Teeth are hosting Bring Your Own Art, Art Show at the end of March, and there’s still time to submit. It can be a print, poem, photograph, sculpture, painting — napkin scribbles are art too, yaknow? On the day, 30% of art sold will go to Doctors Without Borders, everything else goes to the artist. It’s a great chance to put yourself out there if you’re an aspiring artist and make solid connections. Plus, it’s a bit of craic.