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ART

Art listings: Aidan Dunne

adunne@irishtimes.com

ARMAGH

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Template 2.0 – An Exhibition of Digital Art New works by international digital artists in a show curated by Joe Gilmore and Chris Murphy. Until Sep 24. Plus: Microcosmos. New ceramic works by Francis Lambe. Until Sep 26 Millennium Court Arts Centre, William St, Portadown 048-38394415

BELFAST

Red Light A sound and light installation based on 12 previously unpublished photographs from Belfast Exposed’s Archive. Belfast Exposed, 23 Donegall St Tues-Sun 11am-4pm Until

Sep 25

CORK

John Brennan Recent paintings. Mill Cover Gallery and Sculpture Gardens, Mill Cove House, Castletownbere Daily 11am-6pm Ends Sep 6 027-70393

Fledglings Work by recent graduates of the Crawford. The Lavit Gallery, 5 Fr Mathew St Mon-Sat 10.30am-6pm Until Sep 12 021-4277749

A Fool’s Dance Large-scale drawings and a sculptural installation by Pauline Goggin. Cork Vision Centre @ St Peter’s, North Main St Until Sep 28 021-4279925

Laughter and Tears Beautifully made, highly imaginative prints, sculpture and artists’ books by Sue Cunliffe. Doswell Gallery, West Square, Rosscarbery Tues-Sat 11am-6pm Sep 5-30 023-8848137

nobody photographs me anymore . . . Kate Byrne’s work in video, photographs and drawings explores attitudes towards older age and the ageing process. See panel. West Cork Arts Centre, North St, Skibbereen Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Until Oct 3 028-23237

Post A visual dialogue between Berlin-based Declan Rooney and Cork-based Stuard Coughlan. Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh Wed-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun 2-5pm Until Sep 27 021-4813790

Then + Now: Evolving Art Practices A dialogue between older and newer works from the University College Cork Art Collection, featuring some of the top names in contemporary Irish art. Lewis Glucksman Gallery, University College Cork Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-8pm, Sun Noon-5pm Until Oct 25 021-4901844

DONEGAL

Earagail Arts Festival Exhibitions Modernism, Activism, Bauhaus: Constructive Tendencies in Hungary 1910-1930. Featuring leading avant-garde artists of the period. Plus in Workshop 1: Laszlo Moholy-Nagy - A Lightplay Black White Gray. Plus in Foyer Gallery: Paul Rooney’s Reflections in 4 Lights, charting changes in Donegal’s social fabric. Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny Tues-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 1-5pm Until Sep 26 074-9129186. The Abstract Eye: Abstract works by Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone. Plus photographs by Gyorgy Kepes (1906-2002). Glebe Gallery, Church Hill Daily 11am-6.30pm Until Sep 26 074-9137071

David Jenkins and Ben Jenkins. Works by a father and son. The Dunfanaghy Workhouse, Figart, Dunfanaghy Mon-Sat 11am-4pm Until Sep 30 074-9136540

DOWN

William Scott in Ireland Scott’s Irish works. FE McWilliam Gallery Studio, 200 Newry Rd, Banbridge Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 1-6pm Until Sep 20 048-40623322

DUBLIN

Absolut Fringe Visual Arts Apocalypse When?: A spectacular installation by Adeen Darcy and Veronica Forsgren in Cow’s Lane; Bedrock’s Garage: The Performance Collective make a living installation in Arnott’s window in Liffey St Sat Sep 5, 3pm-5pm; By Your Side: an intimate performance by mouth to mouth. Smock 4 Nightly at 15-minute intervals from 8.15-10.45pm Sep 9-11, 5; Eupraxia: Sculptural assemblage by Sam Keogh and Joseph Noonan Ganley. Joy Gallery Sep 5, 7pm-9pm, Sep 6 10am-5pm; Journey to the End of the Night: Outdoor cinematic work by Dylan Tighe. Denzille Lane Cinema, 8pm and 10pm, Sep 7-13 12, 10, 8; Synth Eastwood Has You Surrounded: A musical-visual art night. Spiegeltent 9.30pm Sep 10 15; The Enemies: Inspired by a Borges story. The Joinery 7pm, 7.50pm, 8.40pm Sep 9-11, 8; The Value of Art?: Barry’s Tea Present. Metro Bosco Theatre Sep 9, 7pm, 10; Wake up! You’re in a Meadow: Jago – ni Mhurchu try to persuade us. Barnardo Sq, 1-6pm Sep 6. Details at fringefest.com

All Cognition is Recollection Eoin McHugh’s work explores the psychology of images and perception. Kerlin Gallery, Anne’s Lane, South Anne St Ends Sep 5 01-6709093

Background Noise Works by Ronnie Hughes related to the scientific work of Goethe and more recent cosmological and chaos theory. The Return, Goethe-Institut Irland, 37 Merrion Sq Tues-Thurs 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-1.30pm Until Oct 17 01-6611155

BUBBLE An exploration of the physics of foams and bubbles, developed in collaboration with physicists Denis Weaire and Stefan Hutzler. The Science Gallery, Trinity College Until Sep 25 01-8964091

Childhood Space New paintings inspired by the moon landings, by Gib. Art at the Ivy House, 114 Upper Drumcondra Rd Until Nov 2 01-8375385

Harry Clarke Illustrations for Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales. Print Gallery Until Sep 20. From Raphael to Rossetti: Highlights from the drawing collection including Boucher’s pastel of Miss O’Murphy. Print Gallery Until Sep 20. National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Sq West and Clare St Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Thurs 9.30am-8.30pm, Sun 12noon-5.30pm 01-6615133

Common Place Eoin O Conaill’s photographs explore the Ireland of the recent past, during a period of cultural and economic change. Gallery of Photography, Meeting House Sq Tues-Fri 1-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 1-6pm Until Oct 4 01-6714654

Compendium Narrative in contemporary art, explored in the work of Colin Crotty, Dan Hayes, Anne Kelly, Dennis McNulty, Padraic E Moore, The Otolith Group and Peter Saville. Temple Bar Gallery, 5-9 Temple Bar Until Sep 12 01-6710073

Curiosity Cabinet Third level student competition in print, with winners Clare Breen, Thomas Lawton and Lynda Reynolds showing sequentially. Curiosity Cabinet, 4 Temple

Bar

Corrib Gas Project Arts Centre Seamus Nolan’s filmed restaging of a public hearing in Belmullet exploring the “community, corporate and judicial” issues at the heart of the dispute over the recovery of the gas deposits of the Corrib gas field via a high pressure pipeline. Project Arts Centre, 39 East Essex St, Temple Bar Mon-Sat 11am-8pm Until Oct 10 01-8819613

Paul Doran Recent paintings. Green on Red Gallery, 26-28 Lombard St East Until Oct 3 01-6713414

Experience Strength and Hope An exhibition stemming from Brian Maguire and Michael McLoughlin’s weekly workshops with 30 residents of Ashleight House, a residential centre for women in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Ground First Floor Galleries, Draíocht, Blanchardstown Centre Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Until Oct 3 01-8852622

Flying Crooked Deft, inventive solo show by Mark Swords, one of the exhibitors in Futures at the RHA. Kevin Kavanagh, Chancery Lane Tues-Fri 10.30am-5.30pm, Sat 11am-5pm Until Sep 24 01-4759514

Force Majeure Works by Aideen Barry, Lynda Devenney, Benjamin Gaulon, Vera Klute, Bea McMahon and The Grafting Parlour (curated by Sheena Barrett and Saoirse Higgins). The LAB, Dublin City Arts Office, Foley St Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Until Oct 24 01-227850

Futures Patrick T Murphy and Ruth Carroll curate a show featuring rising artists Aideen Barry, Kevin Cosgrove, Maria McKinney, Sinead Ni Mhaonaigh, Seamus Nolan, John O’Connell and Mark Swords, all of whom share “a fascination with making”. Galleries I, II and III. Until Sep 27. Thomas Ryan Solo show by highly regarded PPRHA, plus a substantial new book, Thomas Ryan: Oil Paintings. Until

Sep 27 Ashford Gallery.

John Kindness. A showing of Kindness’s huge 1987 depiction of a front door assassination in Belfast. Until Dec 20. Atrium. Mary Kelly New photographic work considering the father

and child relationship. Foyer space. Until Dec 20. RHA Gallagher Gallery, 15 Ely

Place Wed-Sat 11am-7pm,

Sun 2-5pm (Cafe, Foyer and bookshop open seven days a week) 01-6612558

Inert Paintings by Colin Crotty. Paul Kane Gallery, 6 Merrion Sq Tues-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat Noon-5pm Until Sep 12

More Than One Way Out Recent work by Maud Cotter. Rubicon Gallery, 10 St Stephen’s Green Tues-Sat Noon-6pm Until Oct 3 01-6708055

Anthony Murphy Paintings by an artist based in France and born in Argentina, with Irish connections. Jorgensen Fine Art, 16 Herbert St Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm From Sep 7 01-6619758

New Scenes Andrew Vickery’s paintings, though always uninhabited, are like theatrical settings with their characters momentarily out of sight. Peppercanister Gallery, 3 Herbert St Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 10am-1pm Until Sep 12 01-6611279

New York Contemporary Four major New York artists: Donald Baechler, Ross Bleckner, Julian Schnabel and Jeff Schneider. Hillsboro Fine Art, 49 Parnell Sq West Until Oct 10 01-8788242

A Passion for Freedom An installation by Eve Parnell. The Pearse Museum, St Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham Daily 9.30am-5.30pm Until Oct 4

Planned Palimpsests New works by Brian Henderson. Taylor Galleries, 16 Kildare St Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 11am-3pm Until Sep 19 01-6766055

The Quick and the Dead Michael Dempsey curates a show featuring four leading Irish painters who emerged in the 1980s, Patrick Graham, Patrick Hall, Timothy Hawkesworth and Brian Maguire. Until Oct 4. Step

inside now step inside: Brian Duggan’s Golden Bough project. Until Sep 13. The Collection Revealed: Cubism Highlighting work by Mainie Jellett, Evie Hone and May Guinness. Until Sep 20. Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane, Charlemont House, Parnell Sq North Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm 01-2225550

The RDS 2009 Student Art Awards Exhibition A wide range of outstanding student work. Rua Red, Tallaght (next to Luas stop) Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Until Sep 26 01-4525860

The Red Thread Recent work by Paki Smith. Plus, in Gallery 2: Drawings from India. Douglas Hyde Gallery, Trinity College Until Sep 30 01-8961116

Sculpture in Context 2009 Annual group show with a wide range of artists. National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin Daily 9am-6pm Oct 16 01-8570909

Signal to Noise First large-scale show in Ireland by renowned American painter Terry Winters. Until Sep 27 Alan Phelan: Fragile Absolutes. Some 16 works inspired by Phelan’s engagement with political and cultural history and theory, pop culture, masculinity and modified cars. Until Nov 1. Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham Tues-Sat 10am-5.30pm, (Wed 10.30am-5.30pm), Sun Noon-5.30pm 01-6129900

FERMANAGH

Where You Want to Be Work by NYC-based Anjali Deshmukh. The Higher Bridges Gallery, Clinton Centre, Queen Elizabeth Rd, Enniskillen Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm Until Sep 21 048-66325050

GALWAY

Here’s nothing . . . hold it tight Dee McDonnell’s inventive work employs domestic objects in playfully subversive ways. Song to the Siren: Breda Lynch’s mixed-media pieces explore gender identity in Gothic style and culture. Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick St Until Oct 3

Susanne Keane Landscape-based paintings. MISE Art Space and Design Boutique, Barna

Mythologies Work by seven emerging San Francisco Bay area artists. 126, Artist-run gallery, Queen St Wed-Sat 1-6pm Until Sep 19

091-569871

KILDARE

Experiments in the Persistence of Vision Oonagh O’Brien’s first solo show uses photography, projection and digital video to focus on the moments when still images become moving images. Riverbank Arts Centre, Main St, Newbridge Until Sep 30 045-448309

KILKENNY

The end of the beginning of the beginning of the end A survey, from 1999 to the present day, of the multi-layered, allusive and often iconoclastic and humorous graphic works

and paintings of David

Godbold. The Butler Gallery, The Castle, Kilkenny Daily 10am-5.30pm Until Oct 4 056-7761106

Visions in Glass Traditional and contemporary pieces by Irelands leading and emerging glass-makers, celebrating 30 years of Jerpoint Glass. Jerpoint Glass Studio Glass Attic Gallery, Stoneyford Ends Sep 6

LEITRIM

John Walker Substantial solo show of mostly landscape-

based work. The Dock, St George’s Terrace, Carrick-on-Shannon Tues-Sat 10am-6pm Until Sep 12 071-9650828

LIMERICK

Sean Keating In Focus Intriguing survey including rarely seen works by the celebrated Irish painter. The Hunt Museum, The Custom House, Rutland St Ends Sep 6 061-312833

LOUTH

Shuffle New works by Richard Gorman. Highlanes Gallery, Laurence St, Drogheda Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm, Sun Noon-5pm Until Sep 22 041-9803311

MAYO

Altered Images New ways of seeing for abled and disabled people alike, with work by Amanda Coogan, Daphne Wright, Thomas Brezing, David Creedon, Alice Maher, Caroline McCarthy and Abigail O’Brien, some drawn from public collections in Mayo, Tipperary and at IMMA. Ballina Arts Centre, Barrett St, Ballina Until Sep 30 096-73593

SLIGO

Maureen Meehan, Tina Meehan and Anna Spearman Diverse work by three young artists. Sligo Art Gallery, Yeats Memorial Building, Hyde Bridge Until Oct 3 071-9145847

WATERFORD

New Realism Group show. Fairbrook House Museum of Contemporary Figurative Art, Kilmeaden Wed-Sun Until Sep 15

United Technologies Ambitious show exploring links between art, design, technology and nature, with works by Rita McBride, Corey McCorkle, Jason Rhoades and Ai Weiwei. Lismore Castle Arts, Lismore Castle Daily Until Sep 30 058-54061

WESTMEATH

Group Exhibition Formidable national and international line-up. The Market House Gallery, Market Sq, Mount St, Mullingar Tues-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 10am-6pm Until Sep 12 044-9335993

WEXFORD

Gearoid Hayes Paintings. Greenacres, Selskar, Wexford Until Sep 18 053-9122975

RIAI Annual Architectural Awards Exhibition Featuring winners and highly commended entries. The Wexford Opera House, High St, Wexford Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Until Sep 19

WICKLOW

Glendarragh 10 Years On Work by the artists of Glendarragh Studios near Newtownmountkennedy since its inception in 1999. Mermaid Arts Centre, Main St, Bray Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Until Sep 12 01-27724302

children

Children’s listings:

Sylvia Thompson

sthompson@irishtimes.com

DUBLIN

Drama Workshop at the National Museum Explore Celtic myths and legends in this drama workshop for 13- to 18- year-olds. National Museum, Kildare St Sat 10.30am-4.45pm Adm free, booking required 01-6486332

Cabinet of Curiosities at National Museum Study some of the strange objects that were once part of people’s private collections. National Museum, Kildare St Sun 3pm Adm free 01-6486332

Family Programme at the National Gallery The autumn schedule returns with creative activities for young folk. National Gallery, Merrion Sq West Sat 3pm Adm free 01-6615133

Hands on History at the National Museum Fun family learning with the museum’s collection of objects. National Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks Sat 2pm Adm free 01-6486453

Art Workshops Create your own landscapes in this art workshop for 3- to 6-year-olds; sketching workshop on landscape for 7+. Dublin City Gallery, Hugh Lane, Parnell Sq North, Sat 3pm 5, Sun 3pm Adm free 01-2225550

Family Days at Airfield

A chance to explore this urban farm with various nature talks, trails and art-making activities Airfield, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum Sun 12.30-4pm 6 adult, 3 children 01-2984301

comedy

Comedy listings: Brian Boyd

bboyd@irishtimes.com

BELFAST

The Laughter Lounge With international guests. Odyssey Pavilion, Queens Quay, Fri/Sat 8pm £12 028-90450450

DUBLIN

The Laughter Lounge With Paul B Edwards and guests. The Laughter Lounge, Eden Quay Fri/Sat 8.30pm 25 1800-266339

Improv and Comedy @The Bankers With the Craic pack. The Bankers, Trinity Street Fri/Sat 9pm 10 01-6763697

Comedy Night. With the best of local talent. International Comedy Club, International Bar, Wicklow St Fri/Sat/Sun/

Thurs 9pm 8 01-6779250

Bulmers Comedy Festival The month-long extravaganza kicks off with the very fast-rising comic Michael McIntyre. Not many tickets left for this. See panel. Olympia Theatre, Sun/Mon 8pm 33 0818-719330

Capital Comedy Club Comedy, sketches and improv from established acts and newcomers alike. Ha’Penny Bridge Inn, Temple Bar Sun/Wed 9pm 7 01-6770616

The Dublin Comedy Improv Top notch night of improv. The International Bar, Wicklow St, Mon 9pm 01-6779250

The Battle Of The Axe Two nights of comedy and music. Ha’Penny Bridge Inn, Temple Bar Tues/Thurs 9pm 7 01-6770616

ComedyDublin Presenting a night of improv and stand-up Sheehans, Chatham St, Tues 8.30pm 8 01-6771914

Andrew Stanley’s Comedy Mish Mash With sketches, mime and improv The International Bar, Wicklow St, Tues 9pm 5 01-6779250

Dylan Moran Beginning a big run of shows in Vicar Street. Book early. Vicar Street, Weds/Thurs (show runs almost nightly until Sep 26th) 8pm 28 0818-719390

The Comedy Cellar The venerable Cellar is still one of the top gigs. The Comedy Cellar, International Bar, Wicklow St Wed 9pm 8 01-6779250

Laugh Out Loud at Anseo With Aidan Killian and guests Anseo, Camden Street, Wed 8.30pm 7

The Laughter Lounge With Stuart Goldsmith and guests. The Laughter Lounge, Eden Quay Thurs 8.30pm 25 1800-266339

Comedy Improv Comedy improv with the Ha’penny Laugh crew. Ha’Penny Bridge Inn, Temple Bar Thur 9pm 7 01-6770616

GALWAY

The Gerry Mallon Club With surprise guests. Cuba, Eyre Square Fri 8.30pm 10 091-565991

The Laughter Lounge Galway With international acts. The Roisin Dubh, Dominick St, Wed 9pm 12.50 091-568340

LEITRIM

Comedy At The Dock With sketch group Dead Cat Bounce The Dock, St George’s Terrace, Carrick-on-Shannon, Thurs 8.30pm 15 071-9650828

Dance

Dance listings:

Seona Mac Réamoinn

smacreamoinn@irishtimes.com

CORK

Blank Canvas Legitimate Bodies and Shakram Dance Companies present glimpses of work in progress from their residencies. Firkin Crane: Fri, 1pm Adm Free

DUBLIN

Act Without Words II – Sarah Jane Scaife Company Scaife has successfully toured her take on Beckett’s mime play internationally and now gives it new resonance at the Absolut Fringe, teaming up with Raymond Keane and Bryan Burroughs. Barnardo Sq at City Hall ( Meeting Point) Wed, Thurs, 8.45/9.45pm, 10/8 1850 374645

Dance Club: David Bolger

If you ever fancied releasing some hidden dance-making urges then sign up for this Innovation 5 workshop club concept of the Fringe which also includes ticket to a dance show! The Lab Sat 4pm; Thurs 7pm 30 1850-374645

One Penny Operas: Myriad Dance With the added edge of creating a different performance each day, Wolfgang Hoffman and his longtime collaborator Daniel Weaver present this lively humorous work in progress. DanceHouse, Foley St Mon- Thurs 2pm 5 1850-374645

12 Minute Dances: Rex Levitates A dozen dance vignettes of movement, colour rhythm and feeling from the choreographic hand of Liz Roche and company stalwarts. Smock Alley Theatre, Sat- Thurs (not Mon) Preview Fri 6pm 19/16 1850-374645

Where did it All Go Right: Ponydance A city centre bar is the intriguing setting for a piece that promises comedy, garish music, nervous tension and lots of dancing. Pantibar, Capel St Mon-Thurs 6pm 12/10 1850-374645

KERRY

San Am Fadó: Siamsa Tíre The work cycle of life on the land in times past through melding dance, mime and live music. National Folk Theatre, Tralee, Fri-Thurs , 8.30pm,25 066-7123055

readings

Readings listings:

Cathy Dillon

cdillon@irishtimes.com

CORK

Ó Bhéal This week ’s guests are Keith Armstrong, a well-known poet, librarian, publisher and community development worker from Newcastle-upon-

Tyne, and. Dutch poet Rense Sinkgraven, whose latest collection is Sloop de stad met tedere woorden (Demolish the Town with Tender Words, 2009). Hayloft, upstairs at The Long Valley, Winthrop St Mon 9pm Adm free 085-7126299 obheal.ie/blog/

DUBLIN

IMRAM The Irish-language literature festival runs for 19 days and boasts a wide range

of events, including readings, music, film, debates, workshops, events for schools, book launches and award ceremonies. Highlights include a special night in homage to poet Máire Mhac an tSaoi; the Russian poets of the Silver Age translated into Irish and English; and the Dylan Project, with Bob Dylan’s songs translated by leading poets and performed by musicians, including Liam Ó Maonlaí and Steve Cooney. A voyage of discovery indeed. Various venues, times, prices Sep 10-29 01-8944922/087-2912797 poetryireland.ie/whats-on/imram.html

Mountains to Sea Dún Laoghaire’s literary associations are many and varied – throw a stone in any direction from the top of the East Pier and you’re likely to hit a highly regarded novelist – and it already boasts a top-notch poetry festival in Poetry Now!. So it’s hardly surprising the first Mountains

to Sea festival has the kind of line-up of writers that turns other festivals green. Paul Auster (who will give the keynote address on Beckett), Sebastian Faulks, Sadie

Jones, Declan Kiberd, John Carey, Douglas Kennedy, Siri Hustvedt, Patrick Gale, Anne Enright, Hugo Hamilton, Diarmaid Ferriter, Julie Parsons, Ross O’Carroll Kelly, John Boyne and Maeve Binchy will all be there. Special theatre productions will celebrate the area’s close association with Samuel Beckett, James Joyce and Flann O’Brien. Other events include a political cabaret, a grand literary tour, panel discussions and children’s events. Various venues, Dún Laoghaire Sep 9-13 www.mountainstosea.ie

GALWAY

North Beach Poetry Nights It’s September, so the North Beachers are back with a slam and a guest poet: Martina Evans from Cork via London. Crane Bar, Sea Rd Mon 9pm 091-593290

overtheedgeliterary events.blogspot.com

LIMERICK

White House Poets With guest, plus an open mic. The White House, 52 O’Connell St Wed 9pm 087-2996409

LOUTH

Stand-up for Poetry Comedian Joe Rooney (Killinaskully/ Father Ted) is the MC for this event, a fusion of stand-up and poetry. Boyne Books, 56-57 West St, Drogheda Thurs 8pm 8 041-9873835

TYRONE

Benedict Kiely Literary Weekend The annual weekend celebration of the life and work of the writer. Among those making the trip to Omagh this year are Peter Costello, Dublin- born author, historian and biographer; David Park, author of a collection of short stories and six novels; Susan McKay, director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland

and award-winning writer and journalist; Peter Fallon, inaugural Heimbold Professor of Irish Studies at Villanova University; Jennifer Johnston, novelist; and Ivan McMichael, one of Benedict Kiely’s lifelong friends. Strule Arts Centre, Townhall Sq, Omagh Sep 10-13 Weekend pass 80, various adm 048-82247831 www.strulearts centre.co.uk

BULMERS COMEDY FESTIVAL Venues around Dublin Sep 6-27 bulmerscomedy.ie

Beginning this Sunday and running until September 27th, this year’s Bulmers Comedy Festival is a mixed bag of the very well known and the yet to be discovered. Comedy’s latest star-in-waiting Michael McIntyre (pictured), who sold more copies of his DVD than Peter Kay did of his, kicks off proceedings on Sunday night at the Olympia Theatre (with an extra show on the Monday also) and over the course of month there will also be appearances by Paul Merton (with his improv comedy group), Jimmy Carr and Kevin McAleer.

The names you mightn’t have heard of but will be well worth seeing are the Americans Stephen Lynch (Olympia Theatre, 9th and 10th) and Janeane Garofalo with Al Madrigal (Olympia Theatre, September 23rd).

With a huge number of different venues being used, you can also check out acts such as the very funny Dan Antopolski, Eleanor Tiernan, Phil Kay and Rich Hall.

If you want one recommendation, though, don’t miss Pink Floyd’s bass player Guy Pratt’s show about the history and meaning of the bass guitar – it’s at the Academy on September 12th.

Brian Boyd

Brian Boyd

Brian Boyd, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes mainly about music and entertainment