Music

Finbar Furey

23 January: One of Ireland's defining voices, Finbar Furey plays in Dolans Warehouse, Limerick, this Saturday night. A career which began in the 1960s, The Furey’s front man has gained a worldwide reputation for his work. With classics such as Green Fields of France and When You were Sweet Sixteen, an enjoyable night is inevitable. For more details and online bookings, visit www.ticketmaster.ie

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Jimmy Buckley and

Gerry Guthrie

23 January: Jimmy Buckley and Gerry Guthrie come to the McWilliam Park Hotel this Saturday night. Both men have been top of the country and western entertainment list for the past few years, delivering some great live performances in the process. Jimmy Buckley rose to prominence with his massive hit Your Wedding Day back in 2007 and similarly Guthrie’s Shut up Heart gained massive airplay. There is sure to be a great night in store for all. Visit www.mcwilliampark.ie for more details and online bookings.

Kris Kristofferson

25 January: The American singer/songwriter comes to the Olympia Theatre on Monday night. He is known for writing and recording such hits as Me and Bobby McGee, For the Good Times and Sunday Mornin' Comin Down. In a career that has spanned nearly half a century, Kristofferson’s career has endured the test of time. Tickets from €44. Visit www.olympia.ie for more details and online booking.

Festivals

Galway Midwinter Festival

22-24 January: Music for Galway’s Midwinter Festival returns to the Town Hall Theatre with support from the Insight Centre for Data Analytics at NUI Galway. Following last year’s highly successful Soundtracks for Superpowers festival, this year’s intriguing title is CAPTIVE – Music from the Abyss. The festival focuses on an exploration of captivity through the lens of music, film, literature and human rights. Visit www.musicforgalway.ie for more details.

Theatre

The Aran Islands

Ends 23 January: A JM Synge production, starring Brendan Conroy and directed by Joe O’Byrne of Co-Motion Productions, it plays until this Saturday in the Irish Theatre Institute. Brendan Conroy will relive Synge’s time on the Aran islands, when he immersed himself in the life of the islanders, absorbing their culture, and in particular their story telling, folklore, music and customs. Certainly worth a watch before it ends. Tickets are from €12, or visit www.irishtheatre.ie

Journey to X

23 January: Directed by Ronan Phelan, Journey to X shows for one night only in the Abbey Theatre. First commissioned by National Theatre Connections in 2012, the production tells the story of a 14-year-old girl, who is in trouble and needs to get to the UK. What better excuse than The X Factor auditions? She and her friends are going to make it, even if they have to beg, borrow and steal to get there. Journey to X is a story of fame, adventure – and a problem that can’t be solved at home.

Film

The Big Short

22 January: Starring Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale and Steve Carell, this comedy drama has grossed over €50 million in the US so far. It tells the story of four outsiders who saw what the big banks, media and government refused to: the global collapse of the economy. Their bold investment leads them into the dark underbelly of modern banking, where they must question everyone and everything. In cinemas nationwide.

Dancing diary

CONNACHT

Mayo: Claremorris, McWilliam Park, Fri 22nd - Sun 24th Jan, Jimmy Buckley Weekend

Galway: Ballinasloe, Shearwater Hotel, Sun 24th Jan, Dominic Kirwan

LEINSTER

Dublin: Red Cow, Thurs 21st Jan, Michael English Louth, Ardee, The Lisdoo, Sat 23rd Jan, Declan Nerney

Kilkenny: Pilltown GAA, Sun 24th Jan, Glenn Flynn

Kilkenny: Rhu Glenn, Sat 23rd Jan, Martin Carney & Art Supple

Westmeath: Moate, The Well, Sat 23rd Jan, Mick Flavin

MUNSTER

Cork: Mallow, The Hazel Tree, Fri 22nd Jan, Gerry Guthrie

Cork: Glanmire, Vienna Woods, Wed 27th Jan, Finbar Dennehy

Clare: Ennis, West County, Sun 24th Jan, Johnny Brady

Limerick: Adare, Woodlands Hotel, Sun 24th Jan, Declan Nerney

Limerick: Grange, Sheehans Cross, The Hunting Lodge, Sat 30th Jan, John Hogan

Tipperary: Newport, Aherns, Sat 23rd Jan, Country Roads

Tipperary: Roundhill, Ballina, Sat 23rd Jan, Seamus Sheehy, Sun 24th Jan, John Boyle

Tipperary: Templemore, Clonmore, Fitzpatrick's Country Club, Sun 24th Jan, Catherine & Images

Tipperary: Times Hotel, Sun 31st Jan, Michael English, Sun 7th Feb, Jimmy Buckley

Tipperary: Thurles, The Premier Ballroom, Sun 24th Jan, Dermot Lyons

ULSTER

Antrim: Ballymena, Tullyglass Hotel, Sat 23rd Jan, Robert Mizzell

Derry: Coleraine, The Bushtown Hotel, Mon 25th Jan, Ritchie Remo

Donegal: Letterkenny, Josies, Fri 22nd Jan, Jim Devine

Donegal: Bundoran, Allingham Arms, Sat 23rd Jan, Derek Ryan

Monaghan: Castleblayney, Glencarn Hotel, Fri 22nd Jan, Dominic Kirwan

Monaghan: Four Seasons Hotel, Sun 24th Jan, Derek Ryan

Tyrone: Omagh, Mellon Country Inn, Fri 22nd Jan, Derek Ryan

Down: Newry, Mourne Country, Sat 23rd Jan, Michael English

Tyrone: Moy, Ryandale Hotel, Sat 23rd Jan, Jim Devine