The Addams Family – From 25 October: This is an animated version of American cartoonist Charles Addams’ series of cartoons about a peculiar and ghoulish family. Directed by Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon and starring the voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Mortez and Finn Wolfhard, this family movie is rated PG. The story follows the Addams family as their lives begin to unravel when they move to New Jersey where they have to face the 21st century and a crafty reality TV host, while also preparing for their extended family to arrive for a major celebration.
Shackleton – 26 and 27 October: Ernest Shackleton was born in 1874 in south Kildare and is renowned for his contribution to exploration and geographical discovery. The play tells the story of the sinking ship Endurance on the Antarctic’s icy Weddell Sea in 1916 and follows the 18-month journey Shackleton and his crew made to the South Atlantic Island of South Georgia. Using original footage and scaled puppetry, the acclaimed Blue Raincoat ensemble will retell one of the greatest survival tales in the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge. Tickets start at €18. To book tickets or for more information see www.riverbank.ie.
The Hits from the Musicals – 28-31 October: The Wexford Light Opera Society will be returning to the stage in Clayton Whites Hotel Wexford to perform their annual Hits from the Musicals Production. The playlist has a mix of both the new and the old of musical theatre sung by the award winning chorus of the Wexford Light Opera Society under the direction of Fintan Cleary and Eithne Corrigan. Tickets cost €22.50 each and the show will start each night at 8pm. For more information or to book your tickets see www.nationaloperahouse.ie.
Bram Stoker Festival – 25-28 October: Bram Stoker Festival takes place in Dublin city. The gothically inspired programme of events includes spectacles on water, panel discussions, dress-up screenings, walking tours and more. The festival celebrates one of Ireland’s most treasured authors and the programme caters for family, mates, dates and everything in between. Free events for children include night watch – an outdoor spectacle by internationally renowned Lantern Company and Stokerland in St Patrick’s Park which is two days of Victorian fun and frolics. There are a variety of events suitable for all ages. Check out www.bramstokerfestival.com for more information.
Connacht
Galway: Ballinasloe, Shearwater Hotel, 1st-3rd November Michael Collins Social Dancing Weekend
Mayo: Claremorris, McWilliam Park,
Social Dancing: 27th October, Brendan Magee
Big Band: 27th October, Derek Ryan
Leinster
Dublin: Dublin, Red Cow, 24th October, Gerry Guthrie
Kildare: Celbridge, Celbridge Manor Hotel, October, 27th October, Dominic & Barry Kirwan
Kilkenny: Slieverue, The Rhu Glenn, 26th October, Delta Dawn, 27th October, John Glenn & The Mainliners
Kilkenny: Pilltown, GAA Complex, 27th October, Peter Burke
Meath; Navan, Ardboyne Hotel, 28th October, Declan Nerney
Westmeath: Moate, The Well, 24th October, Checkers, 26th October, Michael English, 27th October, (afternoon) Stuart Moyles, (night) Patrick Feeney
Munster
Clare: Ennis, West County Hotel, 27th October, Jimmy Buckley
Cork: Mallow, The Hazel Tree, 25th October, Jimmy Buckley
Cork: Ballyvourney, Abbey Hotel, 27th October, Mike Condon
Cork: Glanmire, Vienna Woods, 30th October, Gerry Guthrie
Cork: Charleville, Charleville Park Hotel, 18th November, Dermot Lyons Band
Kerry: Tralee, Keirns O’ Rahillys club, 30th October, PJ Murrihy
Kerry: Scartaglen, Heritage Centre, 27th October, Nellie O’Connor Band
Limerick: Adare, Woodlands Hotel, 28th October, Michael Collins
Limerick: Kilmallock, Bulgaden Castle, 30th October, Finbar Dennehy
Limerick: Newcastle West, Longcourt Hotel, 24th October, Michael Collins Band, 31st October, Dermot Lyons
Tipperary: Newport, Aherns, 26th October, Michael Cahill
Tipperary: Roscrea, Racket Hall, 27th October, Gerry Guthrie
Tipperary: Cahir, Kilcoran, Kilcoran Lodge, 28th October (afternoon 3.30pm) Michael Collins
Ulster
Cavan: Stradnone, Stradnone C.C, 27th October, Larry & Co
Cavan: Cavan, Hotel Kilmore, 2nd November, John Glenn & The Mainliners
Derry: Coleraine, Bushtown House, 27th October, Tony Kerr, Barry Doyle & Patricia Maguire, 28th October, Jim Devine
Donegal: Bundoran, Allingham Arms, 25th October, Gerry Guthrie & Ciaran Rosney, 26th October, Declan Nerney, Mick Flavin & Olivia Douglas, 27th October, (afternoon) Cliona Hagan, (night) Mike Denver,
Down: Newry, Mourne Country, 26th October, The Davitts
Down, Banbridge, Banville House, 25th October, Dominic & Barry Kirwan
Tyrone: Moy, The Ryandale, 26th October, Gerry Guthrie
Tyrone: Omagh, The Silverbirch, 26th October, Michael English