Theatre

Bat the Father, Rabbit the Son: 5-6 February – Celebrating 30 years since its premiere, Donal O’Kelly is reviving his award-winning Bat the Father, Rabbit the Son for a nationwide tour and will be at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast on 5 and 6 February. Set in Dublin in the 1980s, Rabbit is a self-made haulage magnate. But something’s wrong. He cuts a deal with his underling Keogh to help him find his lost moorings. The quest is hampered by his dead father, Bat, creating a struggle between father and son, past and present, imagination and reality. An explosive exposition of the generation that led us to boom and bust Bat the Father, Rabbit the Son is more relevant than ever. For tickets and further information, visit www.batthefather.com

Music

The Fureys – Legends of Irish Music and Song: 2 Feburary – The Fureys are responsible for some of the most stirring music ever to capture the public imagination. Their folk based music has received standing ovations in some of the biggest concert halls in the world and they credit their musical ability to their parents, Ted and Nora, who were well known musicians themselves. Their emotive songs stir many emotions from tears to laughter and sadness to joy. A Fureys concert is always a night to remember. They play in Clonmel Park Hotel on 2 February and in the Glenroyal Hotel, Kildare on 15 February. For more information and booking visit www.ticketmaster.ie

Film

All Is True: 8 Feburary – The year is 1613, and Shakespeare is acknowledged as the greatest writer of the age. But disaster strikes when his renowned Globe Theatre burns to the ground. Devastated, Shakespeare returns to Stratford, where he must face a troubled past and a neglected family. Haunted by the death of his only son, Hamnet, he struggles to mend the broken relationship with his wife and daughters. In so doing, he is ruthlessly forced to examine his own failings as a husband and father. Starring Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen, All Is True is set to bring to life the largely unknown dramatisation of Shakespeare’s final years.

Comedy

The 2 Johnnies: Get Loose Tour: 1 Feburary – The 2 Johnnies are a hugely popular and hilarious music and comedy duo from Tipperary. Known for their comedy sketches and songs that capture the uniquely funny side of all things Irish, the 2 Johnnies have developed a huge social media following. In Get Loose, Mr Chairman and the self-proclaimed hardest man in hurling Noel try to raise funds for their club, farmers Tom and Gerry try to recruit more farmers as well as a mix of sketches, stand-up comedy and songs. Come get loose with The 2 Johnnies at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo on 1 February. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.ie.

Musical

Motown: 5-23 February – Motown the Musical comes to Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from 5 to 23 February as part of its major UK and Ireland tour. With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue and book, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production features a live orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing in the Street, Stop and I Heard It through the Grapevine whilst telling the story behind the classic hits. For more information, visit www. bordgaisenergytheatre.ie. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.ie

Dancing diary

Connacht

Mayo: Claremorris, McWilliam Park,

Social Dancing: 3rd February, Chris Kerrigan

Big Band Dancing: 16th February, Michael English

Leinster

Dublin: Dublin, Red Cow Inn, 31st January, Gerry Guthrie

Kilkenny: Slievrue, Rhu Glenn, 2nd February, Patrick O’Sullivan

Kilkenny: Piltown, Piltown Gaa Complex, 3rd February, Martin Kearney

Munster

Clare: Ennis, West County Hotel, 10th February, Declan Nerney

Cork: Mallow, The Hazel Tree, 1st February, Matthew O’Donnell

Cork: Glanmire, Vienna Woods, 6th February, Liam Mannering and Maria, 13th February, Gerry Guthrie

Cork: Macroom, Riverside Park Hotel, 4th February, Tim Joe & Ann

Kerry: Tralee, Kerin’s O’Rahillys Clubhouse, 6th February, Mike, Helen & Southern Pride

Limerick: Kilmallock, Bullgaden Castle, 6th February, Declan Aungier

Limerick: Newcastlewest, Longcourt House Hotel, 31st January, Michael Collins, 7th February, Dermot Lyons

Tipperary: Cahir, Cahir House, , (3-6), 3rd February, Teddy & Cathal Barry

Tipperary: Roscrea, Racket Hall, 2nd February, Barry Kirwan

Tipperary: Newport, Ballymackeogh, Aherns, 2nd February, Adrian Ryan

Ulster

Cavan: Cavan, Hotel Kilmore, 2nd February, Michael English

Donegal: Bundoran, Allingham Arms, 2nd February, Robert Mizzell

Monaghan: Monaghan, Hillgrove Hotel, 3rd February, Barry Kirwan

Monaghan: Castleblayney, The Glencarn, 6th February, Pat Costello

Tyrone: Omagh, Silverbirch Hotel, 1st February, Ciaran Rosney

Tyrone: Moy, The Ryandale, 2nd February, Jim Devine

Tyrone: Omagh, Mellon Country Inn, 3rd February, Thomas Maguire & Fhiona Ennis