7 things to do this week
TODAY A series of five historical walking tours of Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin begins today, exploring everything in the area from ecology to mythology, Beckett to Bloomsday. Today's "Eye Opener" tour covers the early origins of the area, the building of the harbour and the literary associations in the town. Register online at www.dlrevents.ie. Walks start from the People's Park at 11am. 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm, with each tour lasting an hour and a half.
TOMORROW One of the longest-running bands in pop history team up with comedian Sean Connors tonight to raise money for Shelbourne FC. The Drifters, of Saturday Night At the Movies and Up On The Roof fame, were formed in New York in 1953 and are still bringing their classy, if a little weary by now, brand of soul to audiences around the world. Tickets for the fund-raiser at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin are €30/€20. Call 01-6771717 for more details.
MONDAY Organised by an enterprising committee of students, the first Trinity Arts Festival heralds a diverse week of exhibitions, workshops, gigs and public discussion. One highlight is Campus Canvas, a stretched canvas which when customised by students will form the centrepiece of a unique art installation. The Bulraga Choir will perform on the dining hall steps in the front square at 1pm today and there is traditional music in Doyle's pub on College Green at 9.30pm. For more information visit www.trinityartsfestival.com.
TUESDAY A new exhibition by the respected Pallas Studios in the Dublin Docklands looks worth a visit. It brings together a group of 20 artists bound together by "one important and crucial element; the desire in each participants to make a work of art". Entitled By Diverse Means We Arrive At The Same End, the exhibition also provides a chance to get a look inside the impressive CHQ building beside George's Dock. Visit www.pallasstudios.org for more details of this alternative Valentine's excursion. Runs until March 26th.
WEDNESDAY Knitting is fashionable again, so why not flower arranging? The Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland is holding a Floral Art demonstration with Diane Gallagher, so we can all discover our inner Hyacinth Bucket. Wesley House, Leeson Park, Dublin 6. 8pm. Non-members €7.
THURSDAY Take a trip to the Dingle Peninsula during this mid-term break, for one of a range of musical events under the banner Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh, in Ballyferriter, Co Kerry. There are classes on west Kerry music from 10am-1pm at Scoil an Fheirearaigh, where you can learn about bodhrán, flute, sean nos singing and even the banjo. Tonight, Maura O'Keefe gives an account of the history of the accordion. For more information call Niamh Ní Bhaoill on 066-9156402. Runs until Saturday.
FRIDAY Café Boheme, starring Derby Browne, is "a love story wrapped up in a coffee-scented ribbon of French and Italian Café Music, set in a little café in Soho, London." Dripping with romance, this could be just the ticket if your Valentine's Day efforts weren't appreciated. Bewley's Café Theatre, Grafton St, Dublin. Tickets €15/€12. Doors 8.30pm. Book on 086-8784001. Róisín Ingle