Theatre

Drama at Inish – until 24 January: Drama at Inish was first performed at the Abbey Theatre in 1933 and has now returned to the Abbey Theatre, Dublin until 24 January. It is a favourite from the Irish canon. The latest production takes this play by Lennox Robinson into 1960s Ireland. Inish is a small seaside town in Ireland that has never been on the map. Lately though, it has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Any chance that the performances of the newly arrived De la Mare Repertory Theatre Company could be the cause of the town’s strange behaviour? Prices range from €13 to €45. For more information see www.abbeytheatre.ie.

Blackwater Babble – 20 to 23 January: This show stars two of Cork’s best-loved actors, Gary Murphy alongside John McCarthy. The show brings the audience along the river with scribbler and his younger self while they make their way through the songs, fights, memories and obsessions that shaped his life. It’s an exploration of regret and memory, masculinity and purpose, set against the backdrop of the changing facade of the Irish pub. Blackwater Babble will be performed in The Everyman Theatre in Cork. Tickets range form €9 to €20. For more information see www.everymancork.com.

Music

Cherish the Ladies 35th Anniversary Concert – 17 January: The Grammy-nominated Irish-American super group Cherish The Ladies are marking 35 years since their debut on a New York stage by performing in the Hawks Well Theatre, Sligo. They are led by All-Ireland flute and whistle champion Joanie Madden, the band also features New York native Mary Coogan on guitar, All-Ireland accordion champion Mirella Murray from Connemara, Glasgow-born Kathleen Boyle on piano and west Cork’s Nollaig Casey on fiddle. Their lively blend of music, song and dance makes for a live experience not to be missed. For more information www.hawkswell.com.

Don Baker – 18 January: Don Baker first learned to play the harmonica while recovering from TB when he was young in hospital. Don immersed himself in “the blues”, listening to the recordings of Sonny Boy Williamson and Howlin’ Wolf. Fifty years on Don is still performing the songs of blues legends and adding to the genre with his own compositions. His new album, Don Baker The Blues Man, which covers 40 years of his recording career was released in July 2019. He will play the Visual in Carlow at 8pm. Tickets range from €22 to €25. For more information see www.visualcarlow.ie.

Film

Waves – out 17 January: This film follows the journey of a suburban family in south Florida as they find their way through love, forgiveness and come together in the aftermath of loss. The family is led by a well-intentioned but domineering father. Tyler Williams, high school senior, suffers an injury which ends his wrestling career, his girlfriend reveals her period is late and he has to battle jealousy and rage through the film. Directed and written by Trey Edward Shults, the emotional rollercoaster of a film stars Taylor Russell, Kelvin Harrison Jr and Alexa Demie. This film is rated 15A.

Dancing diary

Connacht

Galway: Ballinasloe, Shearwater Hotel, 19th January, Michael English

Mayo: Claremorris, McWilliam Park,

Big Band Dancing: 18th January, Robert Mizzell

Leinster

Dublin: Red Cow, 16th January, Eamonn Mc Cann

Kildare: Celbridge, Celbridge Manor Hotel, 17th January, Robert Mizzell

Kilkenny: Slieverue, The Rhu Glenn, 18th January, Derek Ryan

Kilkenny: Pilltown, Pilltown GAA complex, 19th January, Glen Flynn

Meath: Navan, Ardboyne Hotel, 20th January, Gerry Guthrie

Westmeath: Moate, The Well, 16th January, Brendan Magee and Eugene Cunningham, 18th January, Declan Nerney, 19th January, Bernie & Boz