Heidi Talbot, Glory Days & Bloody Stream Turns 30

Greetings from The Fingal Scoop

It's that time of year when Fingal remembers it's actually one of the most event-rich places in Ireland. Between the Paddy's Day parades rolling through eight different communities, live folk at the Séamus Ennis, theatre at Draíocht, and a Howth pub celebrating thirty years with 1996 drink prices, this week asks you to make some choices. Good problem to have, really.

Here's what's in store this week:

⚫️ Live folk, trad sessions & Springsteen tribute across the county

⚫️ Theatre, comedy, Paddy's Day parades & a very special pub birthday

⚫️ Castles, breweries, observatories & the great outdoors

Let's dive in 👇

Heidi Talbot Friday, 13 March 20:00 The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul

One of the finest voices in contemporary Celtic and Americana music, Heidi Talbot plays the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre for what's sure to be an intimate and beautiful evening. Her songwriting sits in that rare place where folk, country and Celtic tradition feel entirely natural together - and the Naul is exactly the right venue for it. Book tickets

The Bloody Stream: 30th Birthday Shenanigans Sunday, 15 March 17:00 The Bloody Stream, Howth

Thirty years. Thirty years of The Bloody Stream being one of Howth's most beloved institutions - and they're celebrating in style with live music, DJs, and (the detail that's going to get everyone through the door) 1996 drink prices. This one's going to be a night to remember. Details

St Patrick's Day in Fingal Tuesday, 17 March Across Fingal - eight community parades

Fingal County Council has expanded the St Patrick's Day programme this year with eight local, family-friendly parades bringing colour, music and movement to communities across the county. Whether you're in Balbriggan, Swords, Malahide or beyond, there's a parade near you. Explore Fingal

Seachtain na Gaeilge Concert Wednesday, 11 March County Hall

Paudie O'Connor - currently Director of The Patrick O'Keeffe Traditional Music Festival - headlines this Seachtain na Gaeilge concert at County Hall. Traditional music from one of its finest ambassadors, in a setting that suits the occasion perfectly. More info.

Southern Legacy Thursday, 12 March 20:00 The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul

An evening of bluegrass at the Séamus Ennis - Southern Legacy bring their brand of rootsy Americana to Naul for what should be a foot-stomping Thursday night. TSEAC

St Patrick's Day Sessions Tuesday, 17 March The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul

Traditional music sessions at the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre to mark Paddy's Day - the right venue, the right music, the right day. TSEAC

St Patrick's Day Shenanigans Friday, 13 March (running five days through Paddy's week) 15:00 The Bloody Stream, Howth

Five days of St Patrick's celebrations at The Bloody Stream in Howth - live music, DJs, and the kind of atmosphere you'd expect from one of the north Dublin coast's favourite pubs. Free entry. Eventbrite

Glory Days: The Spirit of Springsteen Saturday, 14 March 20:00 Main Auditorium, Draíocht

A tribute concert celebrating the music of Bruce Springsteen - if you've ever wanted to be in a room full of people who know every word to Born to Run, this is your Saturday sorted. Draíocht

The Magic of Linda Ronstadt and Carole King Thursday, 19 March 20:00 Main Auditorium, Draíocht

Leslie Dowdall and Flo McSweeney bring the music of two legends to Draíocht's stage - a pairing of voices and songbooks that's genuinely hard to resist. Draíocht

TSEAC Singing Session Thursday, 19 March The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul

A communal singing session at the Séamus Ennis - bring songs, share songs, enjoy songs. One of those nights that's as much about the people in the room as the music itself. TSEAC

Piatti Quartet Friday, 13 March 20:00 The Lark, Balbriggan

An evening of classical music with the Piatti Quartet at The Lark in Balbriggan - intimate chamber music in a setting that makes it all feel very immediate. What's On Tonight

Grease: The Musical Tuesday, 10 March 20:00 Draíocht, Blanchardstown

Hartstown Community School bring their production of Grease to Draíocht - youth musical theatre at its most exuberant, and always more entertaining than you expect. Great value too. Draíocht

Pop Up Gaeltacht Thursday, 19 March The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul

A Pop Up Gaeltacht at TSEAC - practice your Irish in a friendly, welcoming environment as Seachtain na Gaeilge draws to a close. TSEAC

Céilí Beag Friday, 13 March The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul

A small céilí at the Séamus Ennis - traditional Irish dancing for families and friends, in the best possible setting for it. All levels welcome. TSEAC

You Cry Weird - Tony Cantwell Friday, 13 March 20:00 Draíocht, Blanchardstown

Tony Cantwell's comedy show arrives at Draíocht - dry, inventive stand-up from one of the most distinctive voices in Irish comedy right now. Draíocht

Artist Open Day with Cormac Dennis Saturday, 14 March The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul

Meet artist Cormac Dennis and explore his work during this open studio day at the Séamus Ennis - a lovely opportunity for art lovers to engage directly with a working artist. TSEAC

Hamnet Wednesday, 18 March 19:30 Draíocht, Blanchardstown

Draíocht presents Hamnet - an adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed novel about Shakespeare's son and the grief that shadows even the most celebrated lives. Thoughtful, moving, and a highlight of Draíocht's programme this spring. Draíocht

The Drowsy Chaperone Thursday, 19 March 20:00 Millbank Theatre, Rush

A meta-musical that lovingly parodies the Jazz Age Broadway musical - The Drowsy Chaperone is warm, clever and very funny. Great night out at the Millbank. Millbank Theatre

Fingal Arts Office: Artist Residency Opportunity Ongoing Graphic Studio Dublin / Fingal Arts Office

Fingal Arts Office, in partnership with Graphic Studio Dublin, is offering two places for professional artists of any discipline interested in printmaking. Worth looking into if you're an artist based in Fingal. Instagram

Four Old Broads - Balbriggan Dramatic Society Tuesday, 17 March 20:00 The Drawing Room, Ardgillan Castle

A comedic play from the Balbriggan Dramatic Society performed in the Drawing Room of Ardgillan Castle - the venue alone makes this worth the trip, but by all accounts the play is a good laugh too. Ardgillan Castle

Tour and Whiskey Tasting at Malahide Castle Tuesday, 10 March 14:00 Malahide Castle and Gardens

A guided tour of Malahide Castle followed by a whiskey tasting - history, heritage, and a dram to finish. Malahide Castle

Hope Beer Brewery Tour Thursday, 12 March 17:00 Hope Beer, Fingal

A guided tour of one of Fingal's own craft breweries - Hope Beer run weekly tours and this is a genuinely enjoyable way to spend a Thursday evening. Limited spots, so worth booking ahead. More info.

Restorative Yoga and Wine Tasting Sunday, 15 March 10:00 Hidden Acres - Malahide Escapes, Malahide

Gentle yoga, meditation, and a tasting of five wines with light nibbles - an unusual and rather appealing Sunday morning combination. Eventbrite

Ardgillan 5k Parkrun Saturday, 12 March (weekly, every Saturday) 09:30 Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan

The weekly Ardgillan parkrun on the castle grounds - 5k through genuinely beautiful surroundings on the north Dublin coast. Free to participate, register at parkrun.ie.

Skerries Mills Guided Tour Tuesday, 10 March (daily) 10:00 Skerries Mills, Skerries

Daily guided tours at Skerries Mills offer a genuine window into Ireland's milling heritage - windmills, watermills, and a slice of rural history that most people drive past without stopping for. Worth the detour. More info.

Shamanic Healing Drumming Circle Wednesday, 11 March 20:00 Applewood Community Centre, Swords

Ages 15 and over; bring your own drum or borrow one. A communal drumming circle with a focus on healing and connection - exactly the kind of event that Swords keeps quietly producing. Eventbrite

Soap Making Workshop Saturday, 14 March 12:00 The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul

A hands-on cold-process soap making workshop at the Séamus Ennis for adults 18 and over - learn the craft, make something you'll actually use, take it home. TSEAC

Mobile Sauna - Balbriggan Ongoing Balbriggan

Did you know Balbriggan has a mobile sauna? Book a session for some sea-adjacent relaxation and recovery - a bit of a hidden gem along the north Fingal coast. Instagram

Seisiún Óige: A Slow Session for Young Musicians Sunday, 15 March 15:00 The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul

A free, relaxed Irish music session specifically designed for younger musicians - with a guest ensemble and light refreshments. The Séamus Ennis is one of the best places in Ireland to introduce children to traditional music, and this is a lovely way to do it. TSEAC

Grease: The Musical Tuesday, 10 March 20:00 Draíocht, Blanchardstown

Family-friendly musical theatre from Hartstown Community School - a great night out for families with older kids who love a sing-along. Draíocht

St Patrick's Day Parades across Fingal Tuesday, 17 March Across Fingal - eight community locations

Eight local, family-friendly parades across Fingal for Paddy's Day - find the one closest to you and get the kids into their green. Explore Fingal

Rockshinny! Thursday, 12 March 20:00 Millbank Theatre, Rush

A school rock band show at the Millbank - genuinely one of the most entertaining things you can do on a Thursday evening, especially if there's a small person in your life who thinks guitars are cool. Millbank Theatre

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