MUSIC

The Lord Mayor’s Christmas Concert: 1 December: The Lord Mayor’s 58th Christmas Concert will be held in Cork’s City Hall this Saturday evening. Each year the concert has ensured local Cork charities are in a position to provide assistance to those who need it most. In 2018 the festive concert will be with the presence of the Cork Concert Orchestra, conducted by Conor Palliser. Starring sopranos Majella Cullagh, Cara O’Sullivan and Mary Hegarty, along with Ryan Morgan as tenor and singer-song writer Jack O’Rourke, this charity concert is not to be missed. See www.everymancork.com for tickets and more.

The Waterboys: 1 December: Leisureland, Galway, welcomes the legendary Waterboys this Saturday night. The Irish-Scottish folk rock band has survived through past and present with its frequently covered hits. Ever since Mike Scott first brought The Waterboys to public attention, their career has been marked by storied departures. Staking out bold, new territory with fresh approaches and inspirational collaborators has paid off. Take a trip down memory lane with hits such as How Long Will I Love You and The Whole Of The Moon at this exclusive Galway gig. See www.roisindubh.net for tickets.

COMEDY

Tommy Tiernan: 30 November: Tommy Tiernan is in the Gleneagle, Killarney, this weekend with his Paddy Crazy Horse tour. The comedian, who hosts his own improvised chat show on RTÉ, will bring you plenty of laughs with his ranting, raving, dancing and acting. Paddy Crazy Horse will showcase Tiernan’s grá for having the chats and the poetry of everyday speech through the wild, the wrong and the wonderful. Like all his work, it is to be a strong mix of clever and stupid. Tickets are available online at www.gleneaglehotel.com

THEATRE

Robin Hood: 30 November-15 December: The Moat Theatre in Naas welcomes Robin Hood, the pantomime, for two weeks this festive season. King Richard is absent and the realm is in the evil grips of the Sherriff of Nottingham. The boom is most certainly back in Nottingham, as charges on everything are up. If villagers wish to even walk through the town beside each other they must pay a special charge. Written by Gerard O’Shea and directed by Lianne O’Shea, this is sure to be a sell-out show. From the moment you arrive you will be immersed in medieval madness – creating the magical atmosphere that kicks off Christmas in Naas. See www.moattheatre.com for tickets.

FILM

Second Act: 30 November: A box store worker reinvents her life and shows Madison Avenue what street smarts can do, that book smarts can’t. Starring Jennifer Lopez, Milo Ventimiglia and Vanessa Hudgens, this hilarious and eventful screenplay with an added touch of romance is sure to draw in a wide audience. With its ‘never forget who you are’ narrative, this Peter Segal production is set to be the perfect Christmas cracker. See www.entertainment.ie for more reviews and news.

DANCING DIARY

Connacht

Leitrim: Carrick on Shannon, Landmark Hotel, 1 December, Johnny Brady

Mayo: Claremorris, McWilliam Park. Social Dancing: 2 December, Liam Mannering. Big Band Dancing: 1 December, Lisa McHugh

Leinster

Dublin: Dublin, Red Cow, 29 November, Matthew O’Donnell

Kilkenny: Slievrue, Rhu Glenn, 1 December, Mike Denver

Westmeath: Moate, The Well, 2 December (3-5pm) Robert Mizzell, (9.30pm) Brass Roots

Munster

Cork: Mallow, The Hazel Tree, 30 November, Michael English

Cork: Glanmire, Vienna Woods, 5 December, Mike Denver

Cork: Macroom, Riverside Park Hotel, 3 December, Mike Condon

Kerry: Tralee, Kerin’s O’Rahillys Clubhouse, 5 December, Dermot Lyons

Limerick: Adare, Woodlands Hotel, 2 December, Ciaran Rosney

Tipperary: Newport, Ballymackeogh, Aherns, 1 December, Peter Bourke

Ulster

Cavan: Cavan, Hotel Kilmore, 8 December, Mike Denver

Donegal: Bundoran, Allingham Arms, 1 December, Michael English

Down: Newry, The Mourne Country, 1 December, Derek Ryan

Derry: Coleraine, Bushtown House, 3 December, Robert Mizzell

Monaghan: Monaghan, Hillgrove Hotel, 2 December, Jimmy Buckley

Monaghan: Castleblayney, The Glencarn, 30 November, Johnny Brady

Tyrone: Moy, The Ryandale, 1 December, Jimmy Buckley

Tyrone: Omagh, Silverbirch Hotel, 30 November, Derek Ryan