Film

Lady Bird

16 February: With an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe under her belt for Lady Bird, Saoirse Ronan’s success highlights the quality of this motion picture, which is directed and written by Greta Gerwig. The Irish actress plays 17-year-old Lady Bird McPherson, who struggles on a regular basis with being a teenager, dealing with her mother and the uncertainties of her life, while venturing towards graduation. The storyline could be described as being about nothing – when in fact it is about everything that we tend to overlook in our daily lives. With rave reviews, Lady Bird is a must-see.

Comedy

Pat Shortt – How’s Tings

17 February: Ireland’s most popular comedian is back with a bang with his hilarious new show How’s Tings, in what will be a night of comedy gold. Pat will be doing what he does best at the University of Limerick as he dives head first into all sorts of “tings” and will have you laughing out loud the whole night through. Pat will showcase his comic look at Irish characters who we all know and love, and he will also introduce you to a variety of new characters in this high-energy performance. Tickets are €28. For more details visit www.uch.ie.

Theatre

The Seafarer

19 February: Kilmuckridge Drama Group pays its first visit to the Jerome Hynes Theatre in Wexford. Having won the All-Ireland Drama Final in 2014 with Conor McPherson’s The Weir, the group returns to the stage with another of his award-winning plays, The Seafarer, directed by Michael Johnston. Set on Christmas Eve in the Harking household, Sharky has returned home for the festive celebrations, allowing a series of events to unravel that will have you on the edge of your seat up until the very end. Tickets are €15. See www.nationaloperahouse.ie for more information.

Music

Friends In Low Places

17 February: Europe’s No 1 Garth Brooks show is coming to the Millennium Forum Derry. Featuring Trevor Smith and his Friends In Low Places band, the group has toured Europe for the past five years. This successful show pays tribute to the biggest-selling solo artist of the 1990s and country music legend, Garth Brooks. Trevor and his eight-piece band will belt out Garth’s renowned hits such as The Dance, Standing outside the Fire and If Tomorrow Never Comes. This performance is the next-best thing to the man himself. Tickets are priced between £15 and £20. See www.millenniumforum.co.uk for further details.

Ryan Sheridan

17 February: From humble beginnings, busking on the streets, to becoming a centre-stage headline act in less than a year, Ryan Sheridan will be performing at The Lounge in McGettigan’s Galway, alongside Ronan Nolan. The Monaghan native is a gifted and creative guitarist, combining his six-string skills in an alluring fashion that has seen his loyal fans pack venues across the globe. His sincere storytelling abilities combined with his passionate singing voice will leave you hanging on to his every word, as his ability to connect with audiences is uncanny. Tickets are priced between €10 and €15. Visit www.thisisgalway.ie for further information.

Dancing Diary

Connacht

Leitrim: Carrick on Shannon, Landmark Hotel, 17 February, Cliona Hagan.

Mayo: Claremorris, McWilliam Park. Big Band Dancing: 16 February, Richie Remo and Shane Owens; 17 February, Mike Denver; 18 February, John McNicholl. Social Dancing:18 February, Matt Dillon.

Leinster

Dublin: Dublin, Red Cow Hotel, 15 February, Robert Mizzell.

Kilkenny: Pilltown, Pilltown GAA, 18 February, Michael Sexton.

Kilkenny: Slievrue, Rhu Glenn, 17 February, Liam Mannering and Maria.

Louth: Dundalk, The Lisdoo, 17 February, Gerry Guthrie.

Meath: Navan, The Arboyne, 19 February, Robert Mizzell.

Westmeath: Moate, The Well, 15 February, Showbud; 17 February, Eamonn McCann; 18 February, Paul Leavy.

Munster

Cork: Mallow, The Hazel Tree, 16 February, Shaun Loughrey.

Cork: Glanmire, Vienna Woods, 18 February, Mike Denver; 21 February, Patrick O’Sullivan.

Cork: Macroom, Riverside Park Hotel, 26 February, Finbar Dennehy.

Cork: Mitchelstown, Firgrove Hotel, 18 February, The Indians; 4 March, Michael English.