This is a subscriber-only article
ENJOY the music, sport, food and craic at Monaghan town’s Big Weekend Festival. This is a three-day event starting on 22 February. The event kicks off with an amazing Garth Brooks tribute in the marquee. On Saturday night experience a party atmosphere as the current world number-one darts champion Michael Van Gerwen takes on five-times world champion Raymond Van Barneveld. The weekend finishes off with a live ‘Match of the Day Show’ and is capped off with a tribute to Oasis. For tickets check out www.diamondspromotions.com.
CELEBRATE Valentine’s weekend with a beautiful lunchtime concert at the National Concert Hall on 15 February. Featuring a host of musical guilty pleasures and unashamedly romantic poetry from two of Ireland’s best loved singers – soprano Sandra Oman and bass John Molloy – and one of Ireland’s finest and best-loved actresses of stage and television, Mary McEvoy. Containing French Café music, Argentine tango, Irish and English love songs and a range of movie classics, this concert is not to be missed. For bookings visit www.nch.ie.
CHALLENGE yourself at the Slaney Valley Adventure Race in Wexford which takes place this Saturday, 16 February. Competitors start and finish in Bree village, cycling and kayaking their way through the rolling Wexford countryside, the picturesque Slaney Valley and down along the Slaney River. The home stretch cycle takes in the breathtaking views of the Slaney Valley below, before running the renowned downhill mountain bike track back to the finish area in Bree village.
EXPLORE the changes in Ireland’s political landscape following the struggle for independence in The Road to War, a series of talks held in the National Museum of Ireland Castlebar on 17 February. On the agenda are events following the December 1918 general election and the rise of Sinn Féin as the dominant political party as well as an investigation into the journey towards the War of Independence and its impact on the west of Ireland. Featuring guest speakers Dr Martin O’Donoghue, professional historian and lecturer in UL’s history department and Dr Richard McElligott, lecturer in modern Irish history at UCD. Booking is required so visit www.museum.ie for more.
DISCOVER both the rich history and current talent of Irish writers at the Limerick Literary Festival. Celebrating its 35th annual celebration, this event, formerly known as the Kate O’Brien Weekend, shines a light on the life and works of famed Limerick author Kate O’Brien. Starting off in the Hunt Museum on 22 February the festival is jam packed with two days of readings, talks and lectures from some of the finest novelists, essayists, poets and playwrights from both Ireland and abroad. Further details including a full list of participants as well as ticket prices can be found at www.limerickliteraryfestival.com.
SHARING OPTIONS: