Don't let the weather get you down... We've got a quartet of suggested cultural happenings nationwide, for your delectation.
WICKLOW: Ladies In The Blues, Mermaid Arts Centre, 3-4 March
This popular show returns for two nights at The Mermaid, with a quartet of killer Irish vocalists - Flo McSweeney, Clara Rose, Emma Nicolai & Jhil Quinn - resurrecting seminal blues classics from pioneers like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. The roof will be raised.
DUBLIN: Sean Lynch, Douglas Hyde Gallery, Trinity College, Dublin, until April 5
Irish artist Sean Lynch (he represented Ireland at the 2015 Venice Biennale) presents two new works at Trinity College's Douglas Hyde Gallery. The first, A Walk Through Time is a series of photographs built chronologically to illustrate the evolution of a landscape through time; the second, entitled What Is An Apparatus? Is a video work realized by the artist whilst travelling in North America and Europe last year. Each video episode is a 'complete apparatus' comprised of anecdotes - what Lynch calls ‘fables’ - as each takes place in completely different locations, from Yale University to a nuclear submarine.
CORK: Lisa McHugh, Briery Gap Cultural, Cork, March 5
Country star Lisa brings her popular live show to the rebel county! Originally from Glasgow, now based in Fermanagh, she's been a popular live turn on the local country circuit for the past few years, and has even hosted her own TV series, On The Road With Lisa, for Irish TV - her album #Country made the Irish Top Ten, and punters can expect all the hits and more. There will be dancing.
ARMAGH/DOWN: Home of St Patrick Festival 2017, March 3-19
It's almost Saint Patrick’s time! This year, some rather unique events will take place around Counties Armagh and Down during the inaugural Home of St Patrick bash, as a host of international artists gather to celebrate Ireland’s spiritual Father, not to mention the man who got rid of all those pesky snakes. We're talking a whopping 17 days of festivities, including concerts, processions, ancient games, talks, films and much more - the centrepiece being a Paddy’s Day parade to remember on March 17th. There will be green. Possibly 40 shades, or thereabouts.
