We’re heading full tilt towards the 2019 National St. Patrick’s Festival, running across Dublin from March 14 to 18. The theme this year is Storytelling and events range from spoken word, music, visual art and literature, to film, theatre, street performance and circus.
Head into town early on Sunday, March 17th and join half a million revellers at the Festival Parade, the annual pilgrimage for fans of marching bands, spectacular pageants and street performers. New to the 2019 line-up is a three-day Festival Village at Merrion Square, featuring music, village talks, circus acts, workshops, a Céilí Mór, science experiments, readings, a delicious World Food Market and heaps more.
The full programme of events has just been announced at www.stpatricksfestival.ie and to help plan your Festival shenanigans, we’ve chosen seven of the best happenings coming your way.
Eamonn Doyle – Irish Contemporary Photography
March 14 – April 22 / RHA, Ely Place / Free Entry
Go see a major exhibition of work by world-acclaimed Irish photographer Eamonn Doyle. The exhibition runs from March 14 to April 22, and is the world premiere of Doyle’s exhibition, featuring a staggering 146 images, 103 of which will be up to 2.5metres in size. For a limited run, from March 14 – 24, Doyle will also present Made in Dublin, a dynamic multi-media immersive installation designed by Niall Sweeney and featuring music by David Donohoe, words by Kevin Barry and a nine-screen cinematic surround-sound panoramic work of 10,000 images.
D1 Recordings 25th Anniversary Party
March 17/ Yamamori Tengu / 9pm – 3am / €20 at www.stpatricksfestival.ie
Celebrating the world-class, cutting-edge Dublin dance scene, St. Patrick’s Festival have teamed up with Hidden Agenda for the ultimate techno and electro session. D1 Recordings 25th Anniversary Party will feature sets from Dechord [Americhord+Decoy/Decal], Mark Broom, Rob Rowland, TIME [Somadrone), Who’s The Technician?, Derek Carr, Lerosa, Sunken Foal, Eamonn Doyle and many more.
This Land
March 15 / Civic Theatre Tallaght / 7.30pm / €12 at www.civictheatre.ie
March 16 / National Concert Hall / 8.30pm / €12 at www.nch.ie
Our oldest myths tell of people who came to Ireland from afar. This Land will feature actor Raymond Keane, singer Farah Elle, Candlelit Theatre and a group of artists recently arrived in Ireland. An immersive theatrical experience expressed through storytelling, song, spoken word, music and movement.
Terra Firmish
March 15 / Smock Alley / 7.30pm / €16.50 at www.stpatricksfestival.ie
A new contemporary music and dance performance written by Seán Mac Erlaine. Terra Firmish is the true story of a sinking church on Inish Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands.
Cormac Begley & Friends
March 14 / Pepper Canister Church / 8pm / €17 at www.stpatricksfestival.ie
A rousing evening of musical stories and magical tunes with superb multi-instrumentalist Cormac Begley and his mates including Liam Ó Maonlaí, Libby Cronin, Stephen James Smith, host Donal Dineen and many more. Part of Ireland’s Finest – A Celebration of Irish Culture, supported by Tesco Ireland.
Standing. Sitting. Lying Down.
March 14 & 15 / City Assembly House / 7pm & 9pm / €12 at www.stpatricksfestival.ie
A unique, immersive electronic audio-visual performance from Simon Cullen, (Ships, Music for 18 Machines), Glenn P Keating (The Bons Ensemble, The Redneck Manifesto, Jape), Michael Gallen (Ana Gog, Sudden Wells) and Jennifer Moore (Dream Cycles). The composers will perform over a multi speaker sound system and the audience can choose to experience the event sitting, standing, or lying down.
The Muskerry Queen of Song – An Evening of Musical Stories inspired by Elizabeth Cronin
March 16 / City Assembly House / 2pm / €12 at www.stpatricksfestival.ie
Elizabeth (Bess) Cronin is one of the most important historical figures in Irish traditional music. Her songs and style of singing have had a profound influence on generations of Irish singers. Donal Dineen will explore her life and legacy in the company of her granddaughter and renowned singer Eilish Ní Thuama, plus special guest sean–nós singer Eithne Ní Chatháin.
