DECEMBER Roundup: Best of Irish 2020
Welcome to the December edition of The Best of Irish with St. Patrick’s Festival.
Here, we curate a collection of happenings and wonderful content for the month ahead, bringing you the ‘Best of Irish’ from Ireland and worldwide. Join us in celebrating what the Irish do best, from music, dance, theatre and storytelling, to community fundraising, tutorials, interviews and other interesting things to do and enjoy. We hope you find something that interests you in our 'Best of Irish' things to do in Ireland this December roundup below.
The Pumphouse Presents
A Winter Festival of Plays presented by Dublin Port Company featuring work from axis Ballymun, ANU productions and Fishamble New Play Company.
Five plays were filmed in the beautiful Pumphouse Building in Dublin Port during the Summer of 2020. They will now be premiered online over five Friday Nights culminating in a week-long festival of theatre in December 2020.
These shows will be available free of charge as a gift from Dublin Port in these strange times. But donations will be accepted towards a new artist development fund to be managed by axis Ballymun.
Play Dates:
- 8pm Friday November 20th
Charlie’s a Clepto by Clare Monnelly presented by axis Ballymun - 8pm Friday November 27th
Leper + Chip by Lee Coffey presented by axis Ballymun - 8pm Friday December 4th
Slice, The Thief by Lee Coffey presented by axis Ballymun - 8pm Friday December 11th
Embargo by Deirdre Kinahan presented by Fishamble: The New Play Company 8pm Friday - 8pm Friday December 18th
Canaries created by ANU productions
From December 19th – 23rd all plays will be available to view as part of an online Festival.
The Pumphouse Presents comprises five theatre pieces, new and previously staged, all recorded in the Victorian era Pumphouse which serviced the old graving dock.
It is presented over five weeks as the days darken and as the country continues to endure a pandemic. The five pieces are offered as a reminder of some of what we have temporarily had to forego and what we hope to be able to enjoy again once the days begin to lengthen. The pieces are also a statement of our intent to programme events in the new heritage zone based on Dublin and its port’s rich heritage. The Pumphouse Presents is a continuation of Dublin Port Company’s commitment to integrating Dublin Port with Dublin City in a manner that will transform all of our experiences of the eastern end of our capital city. We hope you enjoy it.
All premieres will be able to be booked through
https://axisballymun.ticketsolve.com/shows
All shows during Festival week to be booked through
https://axisballymun.ticketsolve.com/products/
Donations will also be able to be made when booking a ticket. Shows will premiere at 8pm on the night and be able to be viewed for 48 hours but must be booked before the 8pm premiere, they will then be unable to be viewed before the Festival in December
Together In Electric Streams
In a year where musicians and arts workers have been to the brink and back, Together in Electric Streams gives you the power to support your local artists, promoters and venues - all while enjoying the highest quality livestream shows, featuring your favourite artists performing in a unique studio setting at one of Dublin’s most beautiful and highly-spec'd music venues, Lost Lane.
Together in Electric Streams has brought together a melting pot of all of the crucial components that go into producing broadcast-level streams to create a business model that supports Irish sole traders and businesses. From production, to venue, to ticketing - and, of course, the artists - we have come together to create an intimate live-stream experience for you to enjoy at home without compromising on quality.
The Together in Electric Streams line-up is an exciting, genre-spanning programme of events featuring interactive live shows that viewers at home can interact with through chat, sending messages directly to the artists on stage, all while enjoying the highest quality in sound, lights and production.
Our ticketing system was also conceived with supporting independent artists, promoters and venues in mind. You can support your favourite artist as well as local venues and promoters even further by purchasing your Together in Electric Streams ticket from them - using their unique ticket link and guaranteeing them a percentage of sales.
Performance Dates:
- Wednesday December 2nd
Watson Ace - Saturday December 5th
Sharing Songs and Stories with Emma Langford + Mike Hanrahan (Stockton’s Wing) + Sive - Sunday December 7th
Thumper + RSAG (Album Launch) - Sunday December 27th
Zen Arcade + Bitch Falcon (Album Launch) - Monday December 28th
David Kitt – 20 Year Anniversary Show - Tuesday December 29th
Scullion + Special Guests TBA
… and a very special, yet to be announced New Year’s Eve show.
View upcoming shows and Purchase tickets here.
Winter Adventures Across Ireland
Exploring the many beautiful walks and hikes through the trails of Ireland has become one of the most popular activities of 2020. There is no end to the treasures the Irish landscape has to offer. We've listed a few of our favourite spots across the Island of Ireland.
The Giant's Causeway, Antrim
High cliffs, secluded beaches, picturesque harbours and numerous landmarks, including the famous Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and dramatic Dunluce Castle just some of the treats on offer.
The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, Fermanagh
A little taster of what you can expect on the epic Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail in #Fermanagh! Smiling face with heart-shaped eyesHiking boot #FillYourHeartWithIreland @yogilateral @floadventures pic.twitter.com/rtmiBNnO4H
— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) November 30, 2020
The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail also nicknamed the Stairway to Heaven Walk is located in Co. Fermanagh. The route meanders through one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Northern Ireland, traversing over tracks, boardwalk and staircase. A steep climb is required to reach the viewing platform on Cuilcagh Mountain which provides breath taking views of the surrounding low lands.
Glendalough, Wicklow
The Spinc ridge overlooks the spectacular Glendalough Valley. A tough climb is rewarded with breathtaking views not just of the Valley but as you climb high the vista over the Wicklow Uplands opens out around you.
The Famine Walk, Connemara
Killary Fjord is a must-do hike if you want to go on a long, easy walk with incredible views. The trail will take you along the edge of the fjord and end with a view of the ocean. You’ll see a spectacular view of the fjord, lots of sheep, goat, rams, birds, fishing boats, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a few dolphin.
Torc Mountain & Waterfall
Torc Mountain and the waterfall of the same name are synonymous with Killarney. The easily recognisable form of Torc is visible from most parts of the town and the surrounding National Park. Rising up from the shores of Muckross Lake, it looms over many of the most famed beauty spots of the Killarney area.
Bring It All Back Home 2-6 of December
Other Voices returns 2 - 6 December with Bringing It All Back Home; a five-day digital festival which will beam 20 beautifully realised live streams into your homes.
After a year like no other, we are over the moon to announce that Other Voices will return this Winter as a five day digital festival for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home.
On the 2 - 6 December, Other Voices: Bringing It All Back Home will beam inspiring performances by over 20 brilliant artists live to your homes this December. You'll have the best seat in the house, no matter where you are in the world.
The line up of brilliant Irish based acts include: legendary Irish musician Damien Dempsey, singer-songwriter Aoife Nessa Frances, indie-pop musician Ailbhe Reddy, contemporary folk artist Brigid Mae Power, Cinder Well the project of musician Amelia Baker, newcomer Conchúr White, hip-hop duo Tebi Rex, Mick Flannery approved artist Susan O'Neill (SON), experimental five-piece Sun Collective, Limerick based rock band Fox Jaw, alt-country musician CMAT and renowned musical artist Mark Lanegan.
Previously announced acts include: For Those I Love - the project of multi-instrumentalist and producer David Balfe, singer-songwriter Niamh Regan, up and coming alt pop singer Luz, rapper Nealo, grammy nominated folk artist Rhiannon Giddens and musical partner Francesco Turrisi, American composer and musician Peter Broderick and indie rock four piece Pillow Queens.
They have put together some limited supporter tickets for those who wish to support both us as an organisation and those we work with during this unprecedented crisis within the arts industry.
There are some incredible perks and prizes on offer, including golden tickets to the Church of St James for Other Voices 2021, your name in the credits of all live streams, Other Voices merch and loads more.
Check out full line-up and more here
400+ Irish Retailers for all your online Christmas shopping
The Irish Times has compiled a list of over 400 Irish retailers to shop with this Christmas. 2020 has been a difficult year for Irish retailers, with many stores still on affected by the lockdown. There are still many ways to show your support this Christmas. We've included some of our favourites below:
- nimblefingers.ie
A Dublin toyshop that has been making children and their parents happy for generations. Nimble Fingers has grown a substantial online presence in recent years. - woodenheart.ie
A gorgeous little shop on Quay Street in Galway that was always worth a browse in pre-Covid times. While the shop is on the small side, there are no space issues on the Wooden Heart website. Plenty of wooden and traditional toys - smokehouse.ie
“Finest traditionally-smoked wild Atlantic seafood” is the boast of Connemara Smokehouse. - chezemily.ie
Chez Emily, a chocolate factory based in Dublin, supplies the entire country. We have tried the chocolate, and it’s excellent. - designist.ie
Pricewatch has long been a fan of this Dublin shop when in need of a fun and funky last-minute stocking filler. The Designist website is also fantastic. - mymilis.com
Milis, a Waterford business that was born only in March, sells soy candles that are made using sustainable and natural ingredients right at the owner’s kitchen table.
Click Here to check out the full list!
Know about something happening in January that deserves to be on our Best of Irish list? Submit your event/ content that will be available offline and/ or online in January by filling out the Best of Irish Event Submission form here.