‘You become more human through failure’

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

Michael Harding is one of our best-known writers; author of 15 plays, three novels, and a regular column for The Irish Times. He has won a number of awards for his work, both as a writer and as an actor. His most recent book is Staring at Lakes, an unflinchingly candid account of a prolonged period of debilitating physical illness and depression which afflicted him in the winter of 2010 and well into the following year. But the book is not just a memoir of this illness; Harding writes with humour and honesty of his entire life’s path; his time as a priest, his marriage to sculptor Cathy Carman, remarkable encounters with Buddhist monks and ordinary Irish country-people, his inner restlessness, and his eventual finding of peace through acceptance of love and the importance of now.

Beyond Therapy with Orion’s Belt

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

Kinvara-based Orion’s Belt Theatre Company visit the Town Hall Studio next week with Christopher Durang’s terrific madcap comedy, Beyond Therapy. It is the second time the company have presented a Durang play, having staged the same author’s Baby With The Bathwater last year.

The Underground Sound @ Monroe’s Live

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

This evening, Monroe’s Live goes underground as it presents some of the best up-and-coming indie bands in the country with The Underground Sound.

Eclipsed (Mephisto Theatre Company)

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

It has been 21 years since its premiere but Patricia Burke Brogan’s Eclipsed has lost none of its power, as the fine new production from Mephisto Theatre Company, currently running at the Town Hall, amply demonstrates. It is also fitting that the play should be getting a major new production in the same year that the Magdalenes have finally got official State recognition via the McAleese Report and the Government decision to grant them compensation. In ways the play’s journey has paralleled that of the Magdalenes; Eclipsed was one of the very first works to alert the world to their story and its periodic revivals in the intervening years, both here and abroad, helped keep that story in the public eye.

Lick My Stereo @ Halo

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

An exciting, lively, and energetic four piece band all the way from Roscommon, Galway regulars Lick My Stereo land on the Halo stage again tomorrow night.

Piercing music at Monroe’s Live

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

Foot-stomping Australian folksters The Pierce Brothers come to Monroe’s Live this Saturday.

The duo made their name busking on the streets of Melbourne and, following a sold-out Australian tour, they garnered airplay on BBC radio and have decided to bring their wares to the northern hemisphere.

Rab Fulton on The Ballad of Reading Gaol

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

This year marks the birth of a new festival on Galway’s already bustling calendar; the Oscar Wilde Festival. The two day event is both a celebration of the famed writer’s life and works as well as a reminder of Wilde’s strong links to this city and the west of Ireland.

The country goes mad for A Bit On The Side

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

Top Irish stand-up comedian Conal Gallen brings his first ever comedy play, A Bit On The Side, to theatres across Ireland.

Pearl Jam tribute for Monroe’s Live

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

On Friday, the top all-Irish tribute to possibly the greatest grunge band of all time, Pearl Jam, comes to Monroe’s Live in Galway.

Tradiohead @ Kelly’s

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

Tradiohead play Kelly's this Friday night. Tradiohead take the songs of Radiohead and re-imagine them using instruments more often associated with Irish traditional music.

The quartet play songs from classic albums such as The Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A, as well as more recent Radiohead records like ‘Hail To The Thief’ and ‘In Rainbows’.

Pat Shortt’s I Am The Band begins Irish and UK tour

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

Fresh from his recent success starring alongside Daniel Radcliffe as Jonnypateenmike in Martin McDonagh’s The Cripple of Inishmaan, Pat wowed audiences in London’s West End and was critically acclaimed.

The Staves @ Róisín Dubh

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

The rise of sibling trio The Staves over the past 18 months has been nothing short of meteoric. The band arrive at the Róisín Dubh on September 9 from 8pm.

Castero @ The Cellar

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

Hexen Haus Promotions and Desert Rock Ireland are bringing the ‘Fuzzed Out Sessions’ night back to The Cellar Bar downstairs tomorrow night, with the almighty heavy rockers Castero presenting songs from their new album Revolutions.

Lisanne Jacob to launch her debut album

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

Lisanne Jacob will be releasing her debut album 'Wanderlust' upstairs in Kelly's tonight.

Lisanne has been working hard with Pete Duffy at The Dreams Loft over the past six months and is pledging 10 per cent of album sales to Breast Cancer Awareness.

Disoconauts @ Róisín Dubh

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

The Disconauts return to the Róisín Dubh tomorrow night for round two of their monthly late night “dex and percussion” party.

Alongside a fun-filled full house earlier this year, The Disconauts’ live show has graced Ireland’s biggest clubs and festivals down the years and their mix of the DJ craftsmanship and terrifyingly funky percussion gets the party started every time.

Oliver Callan @ Róisín Dubh

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

Comedy satirist and mimic Oliver Callan is coming to Róisín Dubh this Saturday at 8pm.

Death Drive exhibition at the Galway Arts Centre

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

Death Drive is a group exhibition by four artists; Vanessa Donoso Lopez, Stine Marie Jacobsen, Maximilian Le Cain, and Siobhán McGibbon.

The exhibition, curated by Maeve Mulrennan, takes place at the Galway Arts Centre from September 7 to October 5 with an opening reception on Friday September 6 at 6pm.

RSAG @ Róisín Dubh

Thu, Aug 29, 2013

RSAG. (aka Rarely Seen Above Ground, aka Jeremy Hickey) is an Irish multi-instrumentalist hailing from the Kilkenny who has been making waves since 2008. Although rarely seen, Hickey will play the Róisín Dubh on September 12 at 9pm.

Galway to host its first festival dedicated to Oscar Wilde

Thu, Aug 22, 2013

Galway will for the first time host a festival dedicated to Oscar Wilde. The festival, taking place in September, will celebrate the life and work of the writer and highlight his strong links with the west of Ireland.

The Last Chieftain-telling the story of O’Sullivan Beara

Thu, Aug 22, 2013

One of the most remarkable figures from Irish history is brought compellingly to life in a one-man show by Aidan Dooley which is coming shortly to the Town Hall. The Last Chieftain - O’Sullivan Beara conjures up the epic struggles of one of Ireland’s most celebrated leaders.

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