Our National Games, by Gerard Humphreys, Directed by Ray Yeates Posted: May 18, 2008 Happening: Dublin and Armagh, Through June 7th Full story: Available here Web site:

Our National Games explores the concept of political and military leadership, loyalty to past principles and the survival of the State as the key players, Minister Charles Haughey and Captain James Kelly, were put on trial.

Cork Midsummer Festival Posted: May 14, 2008 Happening: 15th June – 5th July 2008 Full story: Available here Web site:

The 2008 Cork Midsummer Festival is an arts festival for the 21st century, featuring gigs and performances for everyone over an action-packed 21 days in summer. A 'Festival of the Senses', Cork Midsummer Festival will bring the city and county to life with visual treats like site-specific theatre from Corcadorca and Compagnie Dakar; aural sensations with music ranging from Camille to legendary band The Fall; tempting touch with the human powered funfair Sensazione and sumptuous tastes and smells with the inaugural Taste of Cork weekend that will take place as part of the festival. Including events such as the Spencer Tunick installation, the Abbey production of The Seafarer and The Irish Examiner Spiegeltent, there is something to tickle everyone’s senses!

The Pictures Screening 'Little Miss Sunshine' at axis Posted: May 10, 2008 Happening: axis Ballymun, Monday 26th May, 2.30pm Full story: Available here Web site:

The Pictures’ summer season will this month begin with a screening of the Oscar winning family comedy Little Miss Sunshine (Monday 26th May, 2.30pm). The monthly film club for over 55’s was launched in January 2008 by axis Ballymun and Dublin City Council’s Arts Office, in association with The Irish Film Institute and access Cinema. Since January, axis Ballymun have screened one film per month of all genres and this summer they will show a comedy, romance, thriller and even a surprise film.

Eva Green Stars in Drama 'Cracks' Posted: May 7, 2008 Happening: Filming in Ireland Full story: Available here Web site:

Principal photography begins in Ireland on Jordan Scott’s debut feature Cracks from May 19th, for 7 weeks. It stars Eva Green (Casino Royale, The Golden Compass), Juno Temple (Atonement), Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later) and Maria Valverde (La Flaqueza del bolchevique).

Piano Recital by Ivan Ilic Posted: May 4, 2008 Happening: National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, 6th June, 1.05 PM Full story: Available here Web site:

Following his successful John Field Room debut in 2007, Ivan Ilic returns to Dublin with a virtuoso programme including new Irish work, Liszt and impressionist masterpieces by Debussy as featured in his recent recording of the complete Préludes. His performance of Ribadoo by Simon Mawhinney will be its world premiere.

An Audience Without Dermot Morgan Posted: May 2, 2008 Happening: Vicar Street, Dublin on Monday, 9th June at 8 pm Full story: Available here Web site:

‘An Audience Without Dermot Morgan’, a fundraising event to provide an annual bursary to emerging Irish comedy writers, will be hosted by the Dermot Morgan Foundation at Vicar Street, Dublin on Monday, 9th June at 8 pm. The evening will mark the official launch of the Foundation which has been established in recognition of Dermot Morgan’s legacy to Irish comedy.

Spencer Tunick in Ireland Posted: April 24, 2008 Happening: Cork and Dublin, June 2008 Full story: Available here Web site: Available here

Internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Spencer Tunick will be offering the chance of a lifetime to become part of his first back to back city art project in both Cork and Dublin this June. Multiple groups of nude participants will be photographed outdoors by Tunick as part of his series of installations that have previously taken place in cities around the world including New York, Amsterdam and Mexico City. Dublin Docklands Development Authority and Cork Midsummer Festival are delighted to present the first Irish installation by this celebrated artist.

New Chairman of Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig Announced Posted: April 23, 2008 Happening:   Full story: Available here Web site:

The Board of the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig Co. Monaghan is delighted to announce the appointment of Brian Garrett as Chairman of the Board to succeed Barbara Sweetman FitzGerald. Speaking of his appointment, Brian Garrett says, “I’m very conscious of the important role that the Centre plays in the artistic life of Ireland, and I am pleased to be part of that and in the development of the Centre’s future.”

Walworth Creates Major Buzz in New York Posted: April 21, 2008 Happening: St. Ann’s Warehouse, Brooklyn, New York; April 15th through May 4th Full story: Available here Web site: Available here

The Walworth Farce recently made its American premiere when it opened at St. Ann’s Warehouse - New York’s go-to space for cutting-edge theatrical offerings - and is creating a major buzz Stateside with a glowing review by Ben Brantley in the New York Times. Following the critically acclaimed performances at Traverse at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2007 where the production won the prestigious Fringe First award, Druid now plays St. Ann’s Warehouse with a stunning play by one of Ireland’s finest young playwrights before it heads to London’s National Theatre in September.

axis Presents Karl Spain at the House of Fun Comedy Club Posted: April 12, 2008 Happening: Tuesday 6th May, 8.30pm at axis, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9 Full story: Available here Web site: Available here

Karl Spain spent most of 2005 looking for a woman, now he's looking for an audience. Having quickly established himself as one of Ireland’s top Comedians, Spain has gone from strength to strength and is currently performing live around Ireland to packed out audiences. Having burst onto the scene in 2000 as winner of the R.T.E. NEW COMEDIAN AWARD - he has now established a reputation as a top headline act and excellent MC.

IIB Bank Music In Great Irish Houses Festival Posted: April 8, 2008 Happening: 6th - 14th June, Kildare, Wicklow, Drogheda, Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Clare Full story: Available here Web site: Available here

This summer, Ireland’s great historical homes will resonate with the captivating and magical sounds of the 38th IIB Bank Music in Great Irish Houses Festival. This world-class music festival will appeal to a broad range of music lovers. Artistic Director, Ciara Higgins, has created a vibrant and imaginative programme for her second season. Building on the success of 2007, which attracted record audiences over the course of the event, Music in Great Irish Houses continues to grow in popularity and affection with every festival.

Druid Announces Plans for 2008 Posted: April 2, 2008 Happening: Throughout 2008 Full story: Available here Web site: Available here

Druid sets out to consolidate and expand its reputation as a major force in theatre nationally and internationally in 2008. Highlight events on its programme this year include the company’s US premiere of THE WALWORTH FARCE; the English language premiere of THE NEW ELECTRIC BALLROOM for Galway Arts Festival which will tour to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe; an Irish and UK tour of THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, and a North American tour of THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD and THE SHADOW OF THE GLEN.

Bealtaine 2008 Posted: February 28, 2008 Happening: Celebrating Creativity in Older Age in Venues across Ireland 1st - 31st May Full story: Available here Web site: Available here

This Bealtaine 2008 theme is taken from Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Station Island’:
"You’ve listened long enough. Now strike your note."
It’s proving an inspiration for arts events all over Ireland celebrating the diverse voices and rich experiences of older people. This year Bealtaine explores the many ways there are to grow older and delights in the fact that you’re never too old to try something new!

Teatr Polski Wroclaw and axis, Ballymun present "Smycz" by Bartosz Porczyky Wednesday April 23rd – Saturday April 26th @ axis, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9 Read the full press release.

Following a hugely successful run at the 2007 Dublin Fringe Festival, the critically acclaimed Smycz makes a welcome return to axis theatre, Ballymun. With choreographic and choral genius (and a band in clerical garb!) Bartosz Porczyk, winner of the Best Actor Award at the 2007 Dublin Fringe Festival, performs Smycz.

Launch of Dublin Dance Festival 2008 17th April - 3rd May 2008 in venues across Dublin Read the full press release.

The 2008 Dublin Dance Festival was launched on Tuesday, 4th March at Ely CHQ by Artistic Programme Director Laurie Uprichard and Board Chair Dermot McLaughlin. The Dublin Dance Festival (DDF), from this year an annual event, will be offering audiences 51 performances by 24 artists/companies from 14 countries over 10 venues from 17th April – 3rd May.

Ted Fest II “Draws” to a Close March 2nd, 2008 Read the full press release.

Ted Fest Inis Mor came at the end of a week that commenced with the inaugural Ted Fest Kilfenora, whose highlights included an evening with writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews. The week continued with the launch of the Dermot Morgan Foundation in Galway, before festivities moved to Inis Mor. The weekend also marked the culmination of the herculean milkfloat push around Ireland, to raise money for Downs Syndrome Ireland, in an event sponsored by Paddy Power.

Taiseiyo Taiko Ireland in association with axis presents Taiko Ballymun March 1st, 2008 Read the full press release.

Art Lee, winner of the prestigious 2005 Tokyo International Wadaiko Competition’s Solo Odaiko Section, gives his first ever performance in Ireland amidst a series of events in Ballymun that celebrate Japanese culture. Known for his electrifying speed and power, Art Lee is the first non-Japanese ever to obtain a visa to lead the life of a professional Taiko artist in Japan. He balances modern interpretations with a deep respect for Taiko’s traditional roots, and he has collaborated internationally with Indian, Korean, African and Western musicians and dancers.

Druid and Theatre Forum Presents Belarus Free Theatre 21st February 2008 Read the full press release.

As Ireland approaches the centenary of the 1916 Rising, Druid, in common with many other cultural organisations will be seeking to reflect upon and interrogate the events leading to the foundation of the state. As an early part of this process, the company is developing a programme of events with writers and theatre companies working in places of revolution around the globe today. One such theatre company is Belarus Free Theatre. Based in Minsk, Belarus Free Theatre creates performances that are acclaimed internationally yet continuously face suppression on its home ground. Druid in association with Theatre Forum has arranged for a public interview with Belarus Free Theatre to take place at Project, Dublin, at 3pm, 21 February 2008.

Ted Fest II: Events in Clare Kilfenora 25th - 27th February Read the full press release.

The kettle has almost come to the boil as organisers gear up for Ted Fest II, which after the mammoth success of Ted Fest I is going to be a week long celebration, with events taking place country-wide, and two Ted Fests on the go. And what better place to start the week long festivities than in the very heart of ‘Ted Country’, with Ted Fest Kilfenora.

axis:arts presents: Dublin Valentines 12th February 2008 @ 8.00pm; axis:arts, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9 Read the full press release.

Dublin Valentines is a talk chaired by one of Ireland’s leading novelists and playwrights Dermot Bolger, along with a panel that includes Deirdre Purcell, Peter Sheridan and Senator David Norris. The four Dubliners discuss their relationship with their native city and the changing nature of Dublin today. Stories will be shared about the city they know and love so well and will include plenty of audience interaction and participation on the night.

Galaxy of International Talent Due For 6th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival Dublin, February 15th - 24th Read the full press release.

Led by stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Writer/Director Martin McDonagh for the Opening Gala: In Bruges, the 6th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival is a delight from start to finish. The Opening will be swiftly followed by the Gala Screening of the much-lauded There Will be Blood with its Oscar Nominated and Golden Globe Winning lead, Daniel Day–Lewis and Writer/Director Paul Thomas Anderson in attendance. With no let – up the festival continues with the cream of international talent with the Midweek Gala screening of U23D which Director Catherine Owens will attend. The acclaimed directors Mike Leigh and John Sayles round out the festival culminating in the World Premiere of Declan Recks Eden, which will be attended by Recks and principal cast members Eileen Walsh and Aidan Kelly.

My Brilliant Divorce Irish Spring Tour 2008 Read the full press release.

Following the hugely successful and critically-acclaimed sell out tour of My Brilliant Divorce starring Deirdre O’Kane in the Autumn of 2007 – the hilarious but poignant story returns for a Spring Tour in 2008. Angela who has recently been deserted by her accountant husband for a younger model finds herself adrift in a sea of weird sexual encounters, sneaky solicitors, phone-in counselors, a bad case of hypochondria and the spectre of poverty! Should she fight to keep her husband? Or should she sign the final papers and move on?

Line To Surface: Urban Void / Extended City Exhibition Throughout Ireland, through March 2008 Read the full press release.

The potential of Dublin’s urban void is being explored in a new exhibition ‘Line to Surface: Urban Void / Extended City’, which will be opened on January 22nd at 7.30pm in the atrium of the Office of Public Works by Mr. John Tierney, Dublin City manager. The exhibition will run until February 6th and will subsequently be on display at the University of Limerick (February 14th-28th) and Ballymun Civic Centre (March 6th-28th). The exhibition is sponsored by the Arts Council and is part of the Councils touring experiment.

axis:arts presents: THE PICTURES, aNew Monthly Film Club for Over 55’s axis:arts, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 9 Read the full press release.

axis Ballymun and Dublin City Council’s Arts Office, in association with The Irish Film Institute and access Cinema are launching a new monthly Film Club for over 55’s. The Pictures commences this month with the classic comedy Some Like It Hot and will show one screening per month of all genres of films in axis arts and community resource centre, Ballymun.

Ted Fest Events in Dublin Sunday, February 10th, Sugar Club, Dublin Read the full press release.

Friends of Ted will be presenting a very special night of fun, frolics, fashion and style at The Sugar Club, Dublin on Sunday February 10th. This will be the third of the four heats taking place island-wide in the search for those deserving to win the 2008 Toilet D**k Award for New Irish Comedy and the “Lovely Girl 2008” competition. Heats have already taken place in Galway and Belfast and following Dublin the final heat will take place in Cork.

Rex Levitates Dance Company: I CAN'T MAKE IT ALONE January – February 2008 in Tralee, Roscommon, Longford, Limerick, Bray & Thurles Read the full press release.

Rex Levitates will present their new work “I Can’t Make It Alone” by artistic director and award-winning choreographer Liz Roche in venues across Ireland during January and February 2008. The tour will include performances in Tralee, Roscommon, Longford, Limerick, Bray and Thurles.

Dublin Dance Festival 2008 17th April - 3rd May 2008 in venues across Dublin Read the full press release.

International Dance Festival Ireland is delighted to confirm that they will be offering audiences at Dublin Dance Festival 2008 a spectacular range of work from around the globe, including several pieces from Ireland. The festival has been programmed by new Artistic Programme Director Laurie Uprichard to display contemporary dance as a vital art form that uses a range of approaches to explore current issues and both personal and global concerns.

Bealtaine 2008 Celebrating Creativity in Older Age in Venues across Ireland 1st-31st May Read the full press release.

Age & Opportunity is delighted to confirm that in 2008 the Bealtaine festival will be offering audiences a world-class programme by international artists, and collaborating with organisations throughout the country to make the festival as far-ranging and wide-reaching as possible. The theme of this year’s festival is taken from Seamus Heaney’s poem ‘Station Island’.

Ted Fest II Kilfenora 25th–27th February 2008 Inis Mor 29th February–2nd March 2008 Read the full press release.

It’s time to honour Dermot Morgan whose 10th anniversary falls on February 28th. And, as it’s also 10 years since Father Ted was filmed in Co Clare, writers Graham and Arthur will be guests for an evening of conversation and memories as part of Ted Fest Kilfenora in the heart of Ted country, to be held in The Community Hall (an actual location from the series).