ENJOY the sweet music of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland (NYOI) and Symphonic Waves in Bailey Allen Hall, NUI Galway on 4 January. This will be a new year celebration conducted by Gearoid Grant and James Cavanagh. The NYOI works with the future generation of musicians, who are aged 12 to 18 years. They work on a full symphonic programme, which includes works by Beethoven and Schubert. The NYOI is funded by the Arts Council. Tickets range from €10 to €20 and will be available for purchase at the door. For more information see www.nyoi.ie.

CELEBRATE the legendary singer, David Bowie, as the annual Dublin Bowie Festival returns for its fifth edition on 8 to 12 January. The festival will take place in various locations around Dublin with entrance fees ranging from free to €45. There will be a fine art exhibition held in Rathfarnham Castle, inspired by Bowie’s fascination with the pre-Raphaelite movement. There will also be an audience with Tony Visconti and Woody Woodmansey in the Royal College of Surgeons on the closing day of the festival. For more information see www.dublinbowiefestival.ie.

WANDER around Waterford city on a Guided Art Trail by Waterford Walls. You will go on a two-hour walking tour of Ireland’s oldest and most colourful street art city. The tours not only show you artwork by top street artists, but also give you a different view of the city. You’ll go off the beaten track to see another side to Waterford and what it has to offer. Tours are all year round and are suitable for all ages. Tours cost €6 for under 16s and €10 per adult. For more information see www.waterfordwalls.ie.

IMMERSE yourself in the Kilkenny Famine Experience in the Kilkenny Union Workhouse. Take a free audio-visual self-guided tour. Hear the human stories that were recorded in local newspaper articles and minute books from the Board of Guardians and learn what it was like for the workhouse inmates and staff. Learn about the research carried out as the result of the discovery of over 970 human remains. These remains have offered insights into the influencing factors that determined life and death in 1840s Ireland. Visit the final resting place of these victims in the Famine Memorial Garden. For more information see www.kilkennyfamineexperience.com.

REACH new heights at a trial session with Galway Climbing Co-op on 7 January. There is no minimum age limit but minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must also book a session. You will benefit from the members helping you. These trials are to see if climbing and the club are for you. You can have three trail sessions before you have to join, with each session costing €5. Wear loose or gym-type clothing; climbing shoes can be provided but runners are suitable too. Tickets for sessions are available on Eventbrite and for more information see www.galwayclimbing.org.

Read more

Living Life: this week's Going out Guide