Film

Thor: Ragnarok

27 October: Set seven years after the events of Thor: The Dark World and two years after Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor is being held captive without his hammer. He must win a gladiator duel against the Hulk in order to return to Asgard and save the day. The third installment in the Thor series, this American superhero film is produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Directed by Taika Waititi and starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Cate Blanchett, this flick is sure to have Marvel fans flocking to cinemas.

Theatre

Charolais

26 October: Running at the Dolman Theatre, Dublin, until 28 October, Charolais, written and performed by Noni Stapleton, tells the age-old tale of female rivalry, but with a new twist: the other woman is cow, literally a purebred Charolais heifer. Siobhan’s boyfriend is a farmer and devotes considerable attention to his prize heifer at the expense of his very pregnant girlfriend. Siobhan has developed a jealousy of this Charolais cow and is feeling equally murderous towards her snobbish soon-to-be mother-in-law. Admission is €12. For booking, see www.dolmintheatre.com.

Festivals

Halloween at Bunratty Castle

30 October: There will be plenty of scary goings on for all the family at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park this bank holiday Monday, from 12pm to 5pm. To get into the Halloween spirit, new elements have been added this year to create an extra-spooky atmosphere, including a chilling séance, terrifying creatures and a new children’s stage show with stories, sing-a-longs and face painting. Back by popular demand are the Halloween Spook Train Ride and Hallow Scare Haunted House, where ghosts and goblins will appear when you least expect them. Tickets are available on the day and at www.shannonheritage.com.

Halloween at Wicklow Gaol

27-31 October: A spooky venue at the best of times, given its dark history, the haunting feeling at Wicklow Gaol is sure to be exacerbated at this Halloween festival. The ghostly tour of what life was like in the gaol in the 1700s will have you trembling with fear, as you listen to scary stories while wandering throughout the site at night. Get dressed up for the occasion and bring the kids along for some themed games or a special screening of one of the best loved Halloween films of all time: Hocus Pocus. Tickets cost €5 and can be purchased from www.wicklowhistoricgaol.com.

Cork Jazz Festival

27-30 October: Ireland’s flagship international jazz festival, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, is set to see the best of Irish and overseas musicians presented in an eclectic programme of jazz and jazz-related music at over 70 venues across Cork city. Expecting to attract an attendance of 45,000 fans, 90% of the music is free of charge and the four-day event is set to include street bands, workshops, masterclasses and the jazz parade. Having hosted many jazz legends over its 37-year history, the Cork Jazz is one of Europe’s top jazz festivals and continues to go from strength to strength. For a full line-up of events, see www.guinnessjazzfestival.com.

dancning diary

Connacht

Mayo: Crossmolina, Hineys Upperdeck, 28th October, Gerry Guthrie

Mayo: Claremorris, McWilliam Park,

Big Band Dancing: 29th October, Derek Ryan. 30th October, Mike Denver

Social Dancing: 29th October, (5-8pm) Tommy O’Flaherty

Leinster

Kilkenny: Slievrue, Rhu Glenn, 28th October, Michael English

Kilkenny: Piltown, Piltown GAA, 29th October, Brian McDermott

Meath: Navan, Ardboyne Hotel, 30th October, Gerry Guthrie

Westmeath: Moate, The Well, 26th October, Showbud, 28th October, Jim Devine, 29th October, Johnny Brady, 30th October, Michael English

Munster:

Cork: Mallow, The Hazel Tree, 27th October, Michael English, 29th October, Gerry Guthrie

Cork: Glanmire, The Vienna Woods, 1st November, Patrick O’Sullivan

Cork: Macroom, Riverside Hotel, 6th November, Liam Mannering & Maria

Clare: Ennis, West County, 29th October, Paddy O’Brien

Tipperary: Newport, Ballymackeogh, Aherns, 28th October, Danny Hunt

Tipperary: Thurles, The Premier Ballroom, 29th October, Declan Aungier

Ulster

Derry: Coleraine, Bushtown House, 29th October, Cliona Hagan, 30th October, Mick Flavin

Donegal: Bundoran, Allingham Arms, 27th October, Jimmy Buckley, 28th October, Lisa McHugh, 29th October (afternoon) Robert Mizzell, 29th October (night), Mike Denver

Donegal: Letterkenny, Josies Country Tavern, 27th October, Robert Mizzell

Down: Newry, Mourne Country, 28th October, Jimmy Buckley

Monaghan: Monaghan, Hillgrove Hotel, 29th October, Jimmy Buckley

Tyrone: Moy, The Ryandale, 28th October, Cliona Hagan

Tyrone: Omagh, Silverbirch Hotel, 27th October, Lisa Mc Hugh