7 things to do this week
TODAY Get on the high heels and strut your stuff at Trinity College in Dublin, where there is a seminar devoted to women and wealth, based on a book by Anna Ross and Bernie Purcell. Learn how to "grow your money" from 10am to 1pm. An investment at €45. Don't blow it all later on the Grand National, at Aintree at 4.15pm.
TOMORROW It's Palm Sunday, and Dublin Bach Singers will perform Bach's St John Passion in aid of Trócaire's Lenten campaign to end child labour in Nicaragua. In the original German at the Pro-Cathedral, on Marlborough Street, at 3.30pm. Tickets €25; credit card bookings on 01-6396024. Later in the day, the US Masters comes to an end in Augusta, so many will go tellyside.
MONDAY Try not to miss the brilliant new paintings by Cian McLoughlin of actors portraying Beckett characters: Barry McGovern as Vladimir, Johnny Murphy as Estragon, John Hurt as Krapp, Liz Smith as Nell and Michael Gambon as Hamm, among others. A good excuse to admire the lobby of the Office of Public Works, on St Stephen's Green in Dublin, if you haven't done so before. Until May 1st during office hours. Call 01-6476000.
TUESDAY A series of visual-arts workshops for three- to 14-year-olds gets under way at the Ark, in Temple Bar. In The Silkworm Travels, a collaboration with the Chester Beatty Library, kids can make painted mandalas, block-printed patterns, manuscripts, clay and miniature sculptures. From today until Thursday, it's for seven- to 10-year-olds, and it costs €8.50. You can book online at www.ark.ie or by phone on 01-6707788.
WEDNESDAY A chance to see Mullingar's finest quintet: The Blizzards play Whelan's, on Wexford Street in Dublin, at 8pm. Recently signed to Universal, their new single, Trouble, is already in the charts, complete with its more philosophical B-side, Why Do You Fancy Scumbags? They'll appear at the Trinity Ball on May 12th, as well. Call 01-4780766; see www.whelanslive.com.
THURSDAY Wall to wall Beckett today, the alleged centenary of his birth. His three novels Molloy, Malone Dies and The Unnamable will be read by Barry McGovern on RTÉ Radio 1 from beginning to end, from 5.30am. Meanwhile, Tony Soprano's endgame begins on Network 2 at 9.30pm. In Cork, Bell X1 and Declan O'Rourke provide the music for Wishes and Waves, a fusion of classical and contemporary dance from Chysalis Dance Company, at Cork Opera House at 8pm. Tickets €20, 021-4270022, www.corkoperahouse.ie.
FRIDAY Pubs closed; fish on the menu. Good Friday's a fine day to climb a mountain. A more severe penance could be served at the Point at 7.30pm, when Westlife have a second coming.