Money may be too tight to mention, but there are deals to be had if you know where to look for them. SIMON TIERNEYfinds ways to live well with less cash
COMEDY
When I was researching this article I came across a number of websites which I thought were comedy clubs. I was wrong. They were, in fact, companies that run laughing classes. Apparently laughing doesn’t have to be triggered by anything. It has aerobic benefits because it is like “internal jogging”.
So, being the open-minded and unobstructed man that I am, I decided to go for an “internal jog” in my bedroom last week. It was all going swimmingly, as I worked myself up into a frenzy of mirth, writhing around on the floor and slapping my thighs, until I turned around to see my neighbour peering through my window. The TV was off.
I was alone. I told her it wasn’t what it seemed, that in fact I was jogging. I invited her to join me. She backed away from the window and has since left my apartment building and relocated to Mongolia. She doesn’t keep in touch.
On the plus side, I have now returned to the real world and found probably some of the best deals the Empty Wallet has offered to date. Times are tough and money is tight, but we have to laugh.
Gigs
Dolans (3/4 Dock Rd, Limerick, Tel: 061-314483) is offering four free pairs of tickets to PJ Gallagher on April 26th at 7.30pm to the first people to email info@dolans.ie, quoting “Dolan’s DotComedy offer”.
The Laughter Lounge (8 Eden Quay, O’Connell Bridge, Dublin 1, Tel: 01-8783003) is offering two free pairs of tickets to Jim McCue and Fred Cooke on April 14th at 8.30pm. The first two people to email amy@laughterlounge.com and quote “Laughter Lounge offer” will get the tickets.
The Bad Ass Comedy Cafe (The Bad Ass Cafe, 11 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Tel: 01-6753005) is giving away three pairs of tickets to one of its Friday night gigs to the first people to email badasscomedycafe@gmail.com and quote "comedy offer" and the date of your choice. Check out badassdublin.com/eventsfor upcoming gigs.
The City Limits Comedy Club (Coburg St, Cork, Tel: 021-4501206) is giving away four free pairs of tickets to see Omid Djalili on April 20th and 21st at 9pm. Email brian@thecomedyclub.ie and quote “City Limits offer”.
Accents Lounge (23 Stephen St Lr, Dublin 2, Tel: 01-4160040) is one of Dublin’s very few late-evening, alcohol-free lounges. They have a comedy club on the first Monday of every month. Three free pairs of tickets are up for grabs on May 14th at 7pm (second Monday, due to bank holiday). Email info@accents-lounge.com and quote “Accents Comedy offer” to avail.
Ongoing free comedy nights
The Comedy Crunch is a free event at the Stags Head (1 Dame Court, Dublin 2, Tel: 01-6793687) on Sunday and Monday nights at 9pm. Inn Jokes is a free comedy club, running on the third Wednesday of every month in the Patriots Inn (760 South Circular Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, Tel: 01-6799595).
Last but not least...
An exciting opportunity for your kids over the Easter holidays: First Cut Youth Film Festival Project ( firstcutfilmfestival.com) is running free courses in Cobh (April 10th-11th) and Youghal (April 12th-13th). Bookings are on a first come, first served basis, with just 12 places on each course. Email firstcutfilm@gmail.com to book
If you have details of free services/activities/ products, email emptywallet@ irishtimes.com. Upcoming topics include wellbeing
