SIMON TIERNEYlooks at after-work fun on a budget
DO YOU EVER get the feeling at the end of your day at work that you just want to be taken away somewhere? You want to be transported but the car or the bus won’t take you far enough? How about taking a look at a Caravaggio and having a chat?
The National Gallery (Clare St, Dublin 2, tel: 01-6615133) is just one of a number of organisations that are involved in the First Thursdays Dublin. On the first Thursday of every month, participating venues stay open until 8pm, which means these are ideal after-work activities. See templebar.iefor a full listing.
Guerilla Days in Ireland, a play by Neil Pearson, is running at the Garter Lane Arts Centre (O’Connell St, Waterford, tel: 051- 855038) from October 11th-13th. There are six free pairs of tickets (normally €40) available to the first readers to email ticket@garterlane.ie.
I love the concept of Mary Jennings' Forget the Gym ( forgetthegym.ie), which aims to get busy women of all fitness levels exercising outdoors.
There are 10 complimentary passes available for one Beach Fit class (normally €13) in Sandymount, Dublin 4, to the first readers to email mary@forgetthegym.ie. Classes take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
Evensong takes place at ChristChurch Cathedral (Christchurch place, Dublin 8, tel: 01-6778099) at 6pm every Thursday.
The ritual dates from 1493 and the cathedral has one of the most celebrated choirs in the country. This weekly recital is free for believers and non-believers alike.
Meditation can act as a useful post work "de-stresser". Cavan Wellness Centre (rear ground floor unit, 89-90 Main St, Cavan, cavanwellnesscentre.ie) is running free meditation classes every Tuesday at 8.45pm.
There’s nothing better than sitting down with a few co-workers for a glass of wine and a chew of the cud, come six o’clock. Fallon Byrne (11-17 Exchequer St, Dublin 2, tel: 01-4721012) is offering a free artisan cheese board in their wine cellar to the first 10 readers to email ask@fallonandbyrne.com.
Last but not least
Hop on your bicycle and head down to Foodgame (10 South Lotts Rd, Ringsend, Dublin 4, tel: 01-2815002), which is offering a free coffee or freshly squeezed juice to anyone who arrives by bicycle for the month of October.
Offer limited to one beverage per person per week, Monday to Friday only.
