February Event Guide: Gigs, exhibitions, and Saint Brigid celebrations happening this month
Dublin Film Festival, Lunar New Year and Saint Brigid celebrations, live podcast shows and much, much more — here are just some of the best events taking place across Ireland throughout February.
Brigid 1500
Throughout February, various locations
Celebrating and commemorating the life and legacy of Saint Brigid, this programme of events creates a meaningful cultural and societal legacy that resonates with a diverse, contemporary audience. Events include concerts, talks, workshops and more.
In Conversation with Louise McSharry
1 February, The Everyman Theatre, Cork
In Conversation will see Louise McSharry bring her warm, frank and open interview style to the live stage as she chats with a special guest about their career, beliefs and opinions on anything that might pop up.
Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women
1-5 February, across Dublin city
Brigit 2024 celebrates the spirit and legacy of the Celtic goddess Brigit and welcomes the first signs of Spring. There’ll be everything from walking tours to fairs, performances and workshops, as they amplify the voices of all who embody the spirit of Brigit.
February First Fridays at MoLI
2 February, The Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin
The museum will be open late, until 9pm, with free admission and a talk from artist Claire Prouvost and a reading by writer Rosemary Hennigan. It is also a great opportunity to check out their new exhibition, Ink & Imagination, or to catch Claire-Louise Bennett’s audiovisual installation Nightflowers, which closes on 18 February.
Fáilte: A group exhibition by Studio 8
2-4 February, Áras na nGael, Galway
An exhibition from Galway’s newest art collective, Studio 8, Fáilte will see works by Cadhla Forde, Eoghan O’Kelly, Grace Wallis and Johnny McMahon adorn the walls of Áras na nGael for one weekend only. Opening night kicks off at 7pm on Friday, and the exhibition will be open from 12-5pm across the weekend.
Music for Galway’s Piano Gourmand
3 February, The Hardiman Ballroom, Galway
Two most promising rising stars of the piano world are aligning for the Music for Galway Piano Gourmand concert. Japanese Yukine Kuroki and Canadian Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, winners of the 2022 editions of the Dublin and Santander International Piano Competitions respectively, will come to the Ballroom of the Hardiman Hotel to give us a taste of their mesmerising art.
Dublin Lunar New Year
3-11 February, Dublin city
Founded in 2008, Dublin Lunar New Year celebrates, promotes and deepens the understanding of the Asian-Irish relationship by presenting an annual festival of arts, culture and exchange that brings traditional and contemporary ideas together in an innovative and exciting way. The programme includes concerts, workshops, talks, and more.
Siúcra and The Kettle Boilers at the Róisín
4 February, Róisín Dubh, Galway
Two iconic Galway bands, Kettle Boilers and Siúcra will be taking the Róisín by storm this bank holiday Sunday with setlists of rocking tunes, touches of bluesy, folk goodness and a healthy dollop of trad.
Dublin Bowie Festival
7-11 February, Dublin city
A celebration of a true music legend, Dublin Bowie Festival spans five days and encompasses live music sessions, question and answer sessions, movie screenings, concerts, documentaries and quizzes. There will also be merchandise and memorabilia.
Dublin’s Spike Cello Festival
9-11 February, Dublin
Spike, Dublin’s adventurous, intimate, alternative cello festival is back, bringing audiences and world-class musicians from home and abroad together for a weekend that consistently charms, delights, surprises and inspires both new audiences and experienced musicians of all tastes.
Gaillimh le Gaza
12 February, Town Hall Theatre, Galway
Some of Ireland’s most prestigious music acts — including Róisín El Cherif, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Noel Hill, Ruth Smith, Fergal Scahill, and Eoghan Ó’Ceannabháin — will play Galway’s Town Hall Theatre to raise much needed funds for the people of Gaza. Rania Muhareb and Amanie Issa will be present as guest speakers on the night.
Sister Act at the Bord Gáis
13-24 February, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
A brand new production of the Broadway and UK award winning musical Sister Act direct from London, Ruth Jones (star of Gavin and Stacey) will join the Sisterhood as Mother Superior alongside West End star Landi Oshinowo, as diva-in-disguise Deloris van Cartier.
Borderline Festival
15&16 February, Workman’s, Dublin
Showcasing the finest in forward-facing music from Ireland and abroad across two nights in the heart of Dublin, Borderline is a celebration of creativity. Acts set to perform include Cardinals, Enola Gay, Miso Extra and more.
The Gallery Café artistic season launch
From 18 February, The Gallery Café, Gort, Galway
To launch the 2024 artistic season The Gallery Café, Gort will host their first exhibition by artists Leonie King and Sioban Piercy. The two Galway artists have lectured in the Art and Design Department at ATU, and exhibited together as members of the AKIN Artist Collective.
Dublin International Film Festival
22 February – 2 March
Providing an elevated cinema experience and creating unique and unforgettable memories for film fans, filmmakers, and everyone in between, Dublin International Film Festival’s 2024 programme includes world-premiers, special screenings, Irish and International features, shorts, industry events, documentaries, Q&As, celebrations, and the highly anticipated DIFF Award ceremony. There’ll also be a Seanchoíche event centring around the theme of childhood.
Blindboy Live Podcast
22 February, Town Hall Theatre, Galway
The Blindboy podcast is a storytelling podcast in the Irish tradition of the Seanchaí. Seamlessly intertwining history, fiction, cultural critique and politics, expect a surprise guest on the night for a roving discussion that could go anywhere.
Featured image via Brigid 1500
Also Read
