Brian Friel

The National Museum of Ireland

If you’re visiting Ireland to find out more about the history of the country then your first port of call should be the National Museum of Ireland. With three locations in Dublin and one in Mayo, covering Archaeology, Decorative Arts and History, Country Life and Natural History, all housed in beautiful historical buildings, the National Museum should be on everybody’s travel itinerary, especially considering the fact that admission to all of the museums is absolutely free.

Dublin

Burlesque Festival

The Matchmaker

Two of Ireland’s best loved actors bring one of Ireland’s best loved writers to the Gaiety Theatre this November. Jon Kenny and Mary McEvoy star in John B Keane’s The Matchmaker, which runs for six nights from 9 November.

Yarn Storytelling Festival

Presented by the Mermaid Arts Centre, Yarn Storytelling Festival brings together the community of Bray and beyond to hear stories in schools, hotels, beside the fire, in the woods and in Mermaid Arts Centre itself from 14 to 22 November.

Cork Opera House

A Cork cultural institution celebrates 160 years in existence. Located in the heart of Cork city, the Cork Opera House has undergone some changes over the years but has always remained a significant cultural outlet throughout its history and continues to attract star names and productions.

Cork Film Festival

The Cork Film Festival turns 60 this year and in spite of this diamond anniversary, this year promises to be a festival of firsts. It will be the first time that the RTÉ Concert Orchestra perform the score to Brief Encounter on the Cork Opera House Stage, it will be the first time that the Everyman Theatre, St Luke’s Church, the Pavilion and the Ballymaloe Grainstore host events at the festival and it will give Irish audiences the first chance to see the hotly anticipated Steve Jobs biopic, which stars our own Michael Fassbender in the title role.

Wretched Little Brat

Presented in a special winter programme by the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, Wretched Little Brat runs in the Seán O’Casey Theatre from 16 to 21 November. This brand new play from Brian Merriman is a documentary drama about the lovers of Oscar Wilde and is based on historical testimony from the time.

Patrick Donald

Patrick Donald introduced his exciting new exhibition on the Wild Atlantic Way at this year’s Photo Ireland Festival.

Belfast

Beer & cider festival