by Saoirse Anton

I’ve made pumpkin soup, I’m enveloped in a cosy jumper, Dublin Theatre Festival is in full swing, and I’ve unearthed the Halloween decorations. My favourite month of the year is underway! With the evenings getting darker and Halloween on the horizon, October is the perfect time to indulge in some scares and thrills on stage. Read on for my spine-chilling round up of the best spooky delights on our stages, and streets, this month!

Macnas

It wouldn’t be a Halloween theatre recommendations column without a mention of Macnas. An Irish Halloween staple, these masters of street art and spectacle are bringing Halloween parades to several cities around Ireland this month. In Galway on the 25th October, the streets will be alive with the wild energy of Fiáin, before it ventures to Dublin on the 26th October as part of the Bram Stoker Festival (more on that later). And in Kilkenny on Halloween night the story of Petronilla de Meath and Alice Kyteler will be brought to life in Cailleach.

Bram Stoker Festival

I promised more on the Bram Stoker Festival, and there is certainly plenty on offer! A busy four days of shows, talks, screenings, workshops and spectacle, the festival celebrates all things Bram Stoker, and all things spooky. Particular highlights from the programme that caught my eye are Stitch at Smock Alley Theatre, Stoker on the Runway – a talk on the gothic in fashion, an eerie after-hours tour of Marsh’s Library, and Suitcase Stories – Nosferatu by Freda O’Byrne, a family-friendly take on the classic horror film told through puppetry and object theatre.

The Dragon of Shandon

At the other side of the country, Halloween fun is also in plentiful supply with the 20th Anniversary edition of The Dragon of Shandon, Cork’s thrilling grassroots Halloween spectacular. Watch a 36 foot dragon emerge and prowl the streets of Cork guided by a cast of community volunteers. Accompanied by a programme of workshops, this spooky offering from Cork Community Artlink is sure to be a delight for the whole family.

Púca Festival

Yes, there is definitely a theme to this column, and that is Ireland’s wealth of Halloween festivals. Hey, we’re the home of Halloween and we know how to celebrate it properly! Púca Festival in Co. Meath has a jam-packed programme of music, workshops, cabaret, circus, parades and more. I’m particularly excited to see the fire performances from Pyro Collective, and the three circus shows on offer – an adults’ circus, a family-friendly one, and an accessible circus show!

Dracula

Technically it’s running in November, not October, but it’s a Halloween classic and I couldn’t leave it out. Indulge in the haunting story of Dracula at the Gaiety Theatre from the 3rd to the 7th of November in Nick Lane’s adaptation brought to the stage by Blackeyed Theatre and Verdant Productions.

Toil and Trouble Festival

My Halloween will be spent enjoying a birthday treat at Kilkenny’s Toil and Trouble Festival. There is a feast of a programme to delve into, but some highlights include Anakronos’s The Red Book of Ossory contemporary and medieval music performance at St. Canice’s Cathedral, Cures and Curses storytelling performance from Sarah McKenna and Growler Herself, an unforgettable performance described as “part theatre, part portal, with a shamanic vulva at its centre, Growler's Grotto conjures a fictitious 86-year-old vulva from inner-city Dublin activist, abuse survivor, feminist, and unrepentant comic, weaving song, spoken word, and razor-sharp humour into something that's equal parts ritual and riot.”

Derry Halloween

Much like Macnas, I couldn’t finish a Halloween column without including Derry’s legendary Halloween festival. The city comes alive with all things spooky, eerie and thrilling in a weekend of unparalleled activities. I spent Halloween weekend there a few years ago and have been dying to return since! This year is the 40th anniversary, so go check out the programme and dive in to Europe’s largest Halloween festival.

Circus Scares!

I mentioned the circus and cabaret on offer as part of Púca Festival, and it does seem that circus and Halloween are natural bedfellows. An artform that is already full of thrills and tension, a circus show will always have your heart racing and even more so at Halloween! If you want fun for all the family, check out Fossett’s Circus Halloween Spectactular in Limerick. A cornerstone of Irish circus, Fossett’s Circus always delivers a fantastic show. And if you want a grown-ups’ night out, there’s a fun night promised at The Dirty Circus’ Halloween Extravagansa at the Galway Comedy Festival and Devour the Nightmare Circus in Derry. Not for the faint of heart!

Whether you like a cosy ghost story or heart-stopping thrills, you’ll find something to scare and delight you this month, wherever you are in Ireland! Steel your nerves, sort your costume, and delve in to the Halloween delights on offer…just don’t forget to check for monsters under the bed when you get home!

Philo, a comedy written and directed by Peter Sheridan, comes to the Sean O'Casey Theatre, East Wall, Dublin for three nights from Wednesday 31 March to Friday 2 April 2027. Neilí Conroy and Niamh McGrath star, and the production is presented by Peter and Sheila Sheridan Productions. Tickets are €22 on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Show: Philo, a comedy written and directed by Peter Sheridan, presented by Peter and Sheila Sheridan Productions
• Cast: Neilí Conroy and Niamh McGrath
• Venue: Sean O'Casey Theatre, 18-26 St Mary's Road North, East Wall, Dublin 3
• Dates and time: Wednesday 31 March, Thursday 1 April and Friday 2 April 2027 at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)
• Running time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Age guidance: 12+ — contains conversations of a sexual nature and strong language
• Tickets: €22 (plus €1.50 booking fee); unreserved seating
• Booking: online via TakeYourSeats.ie

About the play

Philo is a comedy written and directed by Peter Sheridan and presented by Peter and Sheila Sheridan Productions, starring Neilí Conroy and Niamh McGrath. The Sean O'Casey Theatre run is three nights only, each at 8pm, with a running time of 1 hour 5 minutes. It is recommended for ages 12 and over, as it contains conversations of a sexual nature and strong language.

Frequently asked questions

When is Philo on at the Sean O'Casey Theatre?

Three nights: Wednesday 31 March, Thursday 1 April and Friday 2 April 2027, at 8pm each night. Doors open at 7.30pm.

Who is in the cast?

Neilí Conroy and Niamh McGrath star in Philo, which is written and directed by Peter Sheridan.

How much are tickets?

Tickets are €22, plus a €1.50 booking fee per ticket. Seating is unreserved.

How long is the show?

The running time is 1 hour 5 minutes.

Is it suitable for children?

The age recommendation is 12+, as the play contains conversations of a sexual nature and strong language.

Where can I book?

Book online through TakeYourSeats.ie via the Sean O'Casey Theatre booking page.

Tickets and how to book

Tickets for Philo are €22 (plus €1.50 fee) on each of the three nights, with unreserved seating. Pick your night on the Sean O'Casey Theatre booking page.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• The Frank Stagg Story "We Have Him Back!" at the O'Reilly Theatre – 29 January 2027
• A Christmas Carol at the Viking Theatre – 14 to 23 December 2026
• Joxer Daly Esq: Phelim Drew at the Viking Theatre – 23 November to 5 December 2026

Baz Harnett is back at the Viking Theatre, Clontarf on Sunday 22 November 2026 for an intimate night with Baz & the band, following his sold-out night last year. The show starts at 8pm and all seats are €20 on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Show: Baz Harnett — an intimate night with Baz & the band, presented by the Viking Theatre
• Venue: Viking Theatre, Connolly's The Sheds, Clontarf, Dublin 3
• Date and time: Sunday 22 November 2026 at 8pm (doors open 7.45pm)
• Running time: 80 minutes
• Tickets: all seats €20 (plus €1.50 booking fee)
• Please note: no latecomers admitted
• Booking: online via TakeYourSeats.ie

About the night

The Viking Theatre is delighted to welcome Baz back after his sold-out night last year. It's an intimate night with Baz & the band, running for 80 minutes from 8pm. Doors open at 7.45pm and no latecomers are admitted, so it's worth arriving in good time.

Frequently asked questions

When is Baz Harnett at the Viking Theatre?

Sunday 22 November 2026 at 8pm at the Viking Theatre, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Doors open at 7.45pm.

How much are tickets?

All seats are €20, plus a €1.50 booking fee per ticket.

How long is the show?

The running time is 80 minutes.

Can I arrive late?

No — latecomers are not admitted, so plan to be there before the 8pm start.

Where can I book?

Book online through TakeYourSeats.ie via the Viking Theatre booking page.

Tickets and how to book

All seats for Baz Harnett at the Viking Theatre on 22 November are €20 (plus €1.50 fee), and it's one night only. Book on the Viking Theatre booking page.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• Joxer Daly Esq: Phelim Drew at the Viking Theatre – 23 November to 5 December 2026
• Mary's Hopes and Dreams at the Viking Theatre – 9 to 21 November 2026
• GMT Jazz Club Autumn Nights at Glass Mask Theatre – October to December 2026

GMT Jazz Club

Glass Mask Theatre @ Best Seller Cafe, Dawson Street, Dublin · Thursday 15 October (1 October sold out) · 7pm (doors 6pm) · 2hr 30min

Step into a transformed Glass Mask Theatre for a decadent night of live jazz with a nod to 1970s New York. Seating is unassigned and a table is included with your ticket, with optional pre-show food and drink available. Further dates follow on 5 and 12 November and 10 and 17 December. Tickets from €35.00.

SOME OF OUR CHILDREN by Quintessence Theatre

The New Theatre, Dublin · Thursday 1 & Friday 2 October · 7:30pm (doors 7:15pm) · Recommended for ages 12+

Quintessence Theatre, in association with An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, present a powerful portrayal of a child's life in the Irish foster care system. Inspired by real stories and devised by the company using physical ensemble storytelling, it is a compelling and often comedic drama. Cast: Anthony Kinahan, Leah Rossiter and Ceara Carney; directed by Calvin Magee. Tickets from €22.50.

The Love Hungry Farmer — SOLD OUT

Viking Theatre, Dublin · 1–10 October (no Sunday performance) · 8pm nightly (doors 7:45pm)

City Theatre Dublin presents John B Keane's The Love Hungry Farmer, starring Seamus O'Rourke and directed by Michael Scott — the story of John Bosco McLaine's search for a wife, in an uproarious evening of laughter, love, hope and desire. Every October performance is sold out. No latecomers admitted.

Word on The Street — Temple Bar 35

The New Theatre, Dublin · Thursday 8 October · 7:30pm (doors 7:15pm) · 18+

The Temple Bar Company presents a lively evening of new Irish voices, storytelling and performance exploring contemporary Dublin, identity and culture. MC Matt Lunson introduces Keith-James Walker's comedic Kill, Elvis, the poet and performer FELISPEAKS, and bilingual spoken word poet Cormac Mac Gearailt, the 2024 All-Ireland Slam Champion. Tickets from €5.00.

SAMUEL | Oh Boy | Album Launch

The New Theatre, Dublin · Friday 9 & Saturday 10 October · 7:30pm (doors 7pm) · 45 minutes – interval – 45 minutes

Ada Alma and Frieda Freytag are SAMUEL, a Dublin-based multi-instrumentalist duo whose cinematic music fuses classical-tinged acoustic instrumentation with layers of electronic soundscapes. Joined by Rob Campbell on cello and double bass, they celebrate the release of their first album, Oh Boy. Vinyl and CDs will be on sale, and a complimentary glass of wine or non-alcoholic drink is served at the interval. Tickets from €18.00.

Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble — Limerick

Mount Saint Alphonsus Redemptorist Catholic Church, Limerick · Saturday 10 October · 8:30pm (doors 8pm)

Mystery Ensemble perform magical music from the anime of Oscar-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, including Joe Hisaishi's music for My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Laputa: Castle in the Sky. This is a free-seating event, so early arrival is advised. Presented by Red Events & Distribution Ltd. Tickets from €35.00.

PADDY – The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong — SOLD OUT

Viking Theatre, Dublin · 14–17 & 21–24 October · 8pm (doors 7:45pm)

After three sold-out runs, the multi-award-winning one-man play returns to the Viking. Inspired by Paddy Armstrong's memoir Life After Life, a Guildford Four Memoir, it stars Don Wycherley as Paddy. Written by Mary-Elaine Tynan, Don Wycherley and Niamh Gleeson, directed by Mary-Elaine Tynan and presented by Wooden Bridge Productions. Every October performance is sold out.

Word on The Street

The New Theatre, Dublin · Thursday 15 October · 7:30pm (doors 7:15pm) · 18+

A second evening of new Irish voices from The Temple Bar Company, with three distinctive artists: New Era, New Éire, written by Luke De Brún and performed by Jason Corbett; Lifting the Gate from multidisciplinary artist Ben MacCaoilte; and Healing Through Hip Hop with Thought Brownie. Tickets from €5.00.

REBOOT!

The New Theatre, Dublin · Saturday 17 October · 7:30pm (doors 7pm) · 65 minutes · 12+ (some strong language)

A new satirical comedy sketch show to provoke climate action, written and performed by Anthony Kinahan and Ceara Carney and directed by Chris Moran. Presented by Anthony Kinahan & Castán Productions in association with Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, and brought to you by the Climate Ambassador Programme for Climate Action Week 2026. Tickets from €13.00.

Neil Delamere — Work in Progress — SOLD OUT

Viking Theatre, Dublin · Sunday 18 October · 6pm (doors 5:45pm) · 60 minutes

A chance to see Neil Delamere in creative mode as he refines the next chapter of his stand-up ahead of his brand new show — loose, lively and full of surprises. This show is sold out. No latecomers admitted.

THE WITNESS — SOLD OUT

Glass Mask Theatre @ Best Seller Cafe, Dawson Street, Dublin · 20–24 & 26–31 October (run continues to 1 November) · 7pm (doors 6pm)

A one-man show written, acted and directed by Rex Ryan: the extraordinary story of Joey the Lips O'Callaghan, the youngest person ever to be placed in witness protection in Ireland, bringing Nicola Tallant's best-selling book to vivid life. Every performance is sold out.

Suitcase Stories — Nosferatu by Freda O'Byrne — SOLD OUT

Charleville Mall Library, Dublin · Friday 23 October · 3pm · 45 minutes · 8+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

A free Dublin City Council Bram Stoker Festival event: puppetry, object theatre and storytelling bring the classic tale of Nosferatu to life inside a suitcase, inspired by the 1922 silent horror film and the artistry of German Expressionist filmmaker F. W. Murnau, with an original score by John Moore. Sold out.

In Stoker's Footsteps: A National Library Walking Tour — SOLD OUT

National Library of Ireland Main Building, Dublin · Friday 23 October · 4pm · 75 minutes · 12+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

Bram Stoker Festival: NLI staff lead a walking tour of the streets and buildings connected to Stoker and the Dublin of his time, starting and finishing at the Library's Victorian Main Building. An outdoor event — in poor weather the tour is held within the Library. Sold out.

Bram Stoker's Influences: Jarlath Killeen in Conversation with Jason McElligott — SOLD OUT

Joly Lecture Theatre, National Library of Ireland, Dublin · Friday 23 October · 6pm (doors 5:30pm) · 60 minutes · 12+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

Bram Stoker Festival: Professor Jarlath Killeen of Trinity College Dublin and Dr Jason McElligott, Director of Marsh's Library, delve into the many influences on Stoker's work, from Egyptomania to medical theories. Sold out.

Marsh's by Candlelight — SOLD OUT

Marsh's Library, Dublin · Friday 23 & Saturday 24 October · 6:30pm & 7:30pm · 45 minutes · 12+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

Bram Stoker Festival: an eerie after-hours tour of Ireland's oldest public library, first opened to the public in 1707, with its ghost stories, Gothic connections and the page in the visitors' book where Bram Stoker left his signature. All four tours are sold out.

The Museum of Curiosities presents: Senses — SOLD OUT

Museum of Curiosities, Dublin · Friday 23 – Sunday 25 October · 7pm, 8pm & 9:30pm · 45 minutes · 18+

Bram Stoker Festival: Dublin's strangest museum becomes a bizarre, immersive journey through the five senses across its five rooms, with musicians Frances Wilde and Alannah Thornburgh and cabaret performer Big Chief Random Chaos. All performances are sold out.

Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble — Cork

Holy Trinity Church (Capuchins), Fr. Mathew Quay, Cork · Friday 23 October · 8:30pm (doors 8pm)

The Cork date of Mystery Ensemble's Miyazaki programme: works by Joe Hisaishi from My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Laputa: Castle in the Sky, alongside works by other composers inspired by Miyazaki's art. Free seating — early arrival is advised. Presented by RED EVENTS & Distribution Ltd. Tickets from €35.00.

From The Sack 'Em Ups to the Anatomy Act: Body Snatching in Dublin Graveyards — SOLD OUT

Green Street Courthouse, Dublin · Saturday 24 October · 12pm · 60 minutes · 15+ (under 18s accompanied by an adult)

Bram Stoker Festival: Donal Fallon (Three Castles Burning) interviews historian Warren Farrell, author of Curious Ireland: Forgotten People and Overlooked Places, on the strange history of body snatching in Irish cemeteries. Sold out.

Donal Fallon's Tour of Mount Jerome Cemetery — SOLD OUT

Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin · Sunday 25 October · 10am, 12pm & 2:15pm · 75 minutes · 12+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

Bram Stoker Festival: historian Donal Fallon leads a specially commissioned walking tour through one of Ireland's finest collections of Victorian memorials, tombs, vaults and crypts, with names from the Irish supernatural tradition including William Wilde and Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. All three tours are sold out.

Stoker on Stoker: Unearthing the Secrets of Dracula

Graduates Memorial Building, Trinity College Dublin · Sunday 25 October · 1:30pm · 90 minutes · 12+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

Bram Stoker Festival: Dacre Stoker, Bram Stoker's great-grandnephew and co-author of Dracul, presents his multimedia exploration of Bram's life and the creation of Dracula, drawing on rare photographs, manuscripts, maps and Stoker's own research notes. This event will have ISL interpreters. Tickets from €13.00. Wheelchair accessible seating is available, and the essential access companion ticket is free.

Stoker on the Runway: The Gothic in Contemporary Fashion

Graduates Memorial Building, Trinity College Dublin · Sunday 25 October · 4pm (doors 3:30pm) · 60 minutes · 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

Bram Stoker Festival: historian and fashion expert Laura Fitzachary reveals the dark and surprising connections between Irish fashion, Bram Stoker and contemporary designers from Alexander McQueen to Simone Rocha in an illustrated talk. Tickets from €13.00. Wheelchair accessible seating is available, and the essential access companion ticket is free.

Dublin's Victorian Pubs — A Walking Tour with Donal Fallon — SOLD OUT

The Palace Bar, Dublin · Monday 26 October · 12pm · 120 minutes · 18+

Bram Stoker Festival: Donal Fallon, author of The Dublin Pub, leads a specially commissioned walk through the pubs and personalities of Stoker's Victorian Dublin, passing The Palace, Mulligan's, Davy Byrne's, The Bailey, McDaid's, Toners and Kennedy's. Sold out.

Blood, Guts & Black Pudding

Medley, Dublin · Monday 26 October · 2pm (doors 1:30pm) · 90 minutes · 18+

Bram Stoker Festival: Kate Ryan, author of Blood, Guts & Black Pudding, is in conversation with chef Andrew Rudd about one of Ireland's oldest foods, before a tasting of black pudding from blood pudding makers still going strong in Dublin. Please note the talk includes depictions of animal blood collection. This performance will have ISL interpretation. Tickets from €20.00. Wheelchair accessible seating is available, and the essential access companion ticket is free.

Scanra: The Bonfire — SOLD OUT

Bewley's Café, Dublin · Monday 26 October · 7:30pm (doors 7pm) · 3.5 hours · 18+ (strong language and adult themes)

Bram Stoker Festival: a spellbinding night of music, myth and storytelling unearthing the ancient Irish origins of Samhain, with Branwen Kavanagh, Sarah McKenna Dunne, Foxx and Alannah Thornburgh and performance poet Róisín Nic Ghearailt at the helm. Part of the festival's Night Bites after-dark series. Sold out.

Anne Gildea — Further Adventures in WOMANING

Viking Theatre, Dublin · Monday 26 – Friday 30 October (continues 2–7 November) · 8pm nightly (doors 7:45pm)

Two shows for the price of one: Further Adventures in WOMANING plus a work-in-progress show. After a sell-out run in January, Anne returns to the Viking, weaving a path through a changing half century of “womany stuff” — from 18-hour girdles and Housewives of the Year to ripped influencer grannies pumping iron on Insta. No latecomers admitted. Tickets from €20.00.

Tim Burton's Universe by Mystery Ensemble

O'Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Dublin · Saturday 31 October · 5pm (doors 4:30pm) & 7pm (doors 6:30pm) · 60 minutes · 6+

Celebrate Halloween weekend with music from Tim Burton's films — from Alice in Wonderland, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands to Beetlejuice, Corpse Bride and Netflix's Wednesday — with the music of Danny Elfman, Burton's lifelong collaborator, at its heart, in Mystery Ensemble's own arrangements. Presented by Red Events & Distribution Ltd. Programme subject to change. Reserved seating, tickets from €20.00.

Browse all shows and book at TakeYourSeats.ie

Now one of Dublin’s largest arts festivals, the festival draws on Stoker, his life, his work and the Dublin of his time, and celebrates the Gothic, the supernatural, the after-dark and the Victorian. It is produced by Schweppe Curtis Nunn for Dublin City Council. Fair warning: the intimate events go fast. At the time of writing, eight of the twelve events on sale at TakeYourSeats.ie were already sold out and a ninth was down to its last tickets, so if something below catches your eye, book it. Prices are per ticket; events booked on TakeYourSeats.ie carry a €1 booking fee.

On sale at TakeYourSeats.ie

Suitcase Stories – Nosferatu by Freda O’Byrne — SOLD OUT

Charleville Mall Library, North Strand Road, Dublin 1 · Friday 23 October · 3pm · 45min · Free, ticketed · Ages 8+

Dublin City Libraries present Freda O’Byrne’s tiny-world adventure: the classic tale of Nosferatu, inspired by F. W. Murnau’s 1922 silent film, told through puppetry, object theatre and storytelling — the whole story unfolding inside a single suitcase, with an original score by John Moore. An intimate introduction to puppetry and visual theatre for older children and adults; latecomers cannot be admitted. Free, but ticketed — and already sold out.

In Stoker’s Footsteps: A National Library Walking Tour — SOLD OUT

National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 · Friday 23 October · 4pm (arrive 10 minutes early) · 1hr 15min · Free, ticketed · Ages 12+

Library staff lead a walk beyond the NLI’s Victorian walls to the streets and buildings connected to Stoker and the Dublin of his time, starting and finishing at the Main Building on Kildare Street and uncovering the city’s Gothic past along the way. It’s an outdoor event, so dress for the weather; in poor conditions the tour moves inside the library. Free, but ticketed — sold out.

Bram Stoker’s Influences: Jarlath Killeen in Conversation with Jason McElligott — SOLD OUT

Joly Lecture Theatre, National Library of Ireland, Dublin 2 · Friday 23 October · 6pm (doors 5:30pm) · 1hr · Free, ticketed · Ages 12+

From Egyptomania and medical theories to current affairs and the writings of other authors: Professor Jarlath Killeen of Trinity College Dublin and Dr Jason McElligott of Marsh’s Library join forces to delve into the ideas that shaped one of the world’s most famous Gothic authors, and the Victorian society, religion, personalities and literature behind them. Free, but ticketed — sold out.

Marsh’s by Candlelight — SOLD OUT

Marsh’s Library, St Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8 · Friday 23 & Saturday 24 October · 6:30pm & 7:30pm each evening (arrive 10 minutes early) · 45min · €20 + €1 booking fee · Ages 12+

An eerie after-hours tour of Ireland’s oldest public library, first opened in 1707 and remarkably unchanged since: darkened galleries, ancient books and the original oak bookcases. Hear the strange stories attached to Marsh’s over the centuries — including the ghost said to haunt the second gallery — and the library’s links to Bram Stoker and to some of Ireland’s best-known Gothic writers. Not suitable for wheelchair users (the library is reached by steps and has no lift). All four tours are sold out.

The Museum of Curiosities presents: Senses — LAST TICKETS

Museum of Curiosities, 35 Pembroke Street Lower, Dublin 2 · Friday 23 – Sunday 25 October · 7pm, 8pm & 9:30pm nightly (doors 15 minutes before) · 45min · €20 + €1 booking fee · 18+

Dublin’s newest and strangest museum becomes an immersive journey through the five senses across its five rooms: projection-lit spaces and Victorian stereoscopes and mutoscopes for sight, live musical performances and interactive instruments (theremin included) for sound, a scent-led perfumery in the foyer, a Victorian room of mystery objects for touch, and more. The museum’s exhibits are macabre by nature and not for every audience; the building is not wheelchair accessible. Eight of the nine sessions are sold out — at the time of writing only the Sunday 25 October 9:30pm session had tickets left.

From The Sack ‘Em Ups to the Anatomy Act: Body Snatching in Dublin Graveyards — SOLD OUT

Green Street Courthouse, Green Street, Dublin 7 (enter via Halston Street) · Saturday 24 October · 12pm (doors 11:30am) · 1hr · Free, ticketed · Ages 15+

Donal Fallon of the Three Castles Burning podcast interviews historian Warren Farrell — author of Curious Ireland: Forgotten People and Overlooked Places and a long-time guide at Glasnevin Cemetery — on the strange history of body snatching in Irish cemeteries and how the law finally ended the morbid trade, in the fitting surroundings of Green Street Courthouse with the Courts Service of Ireland. Not wheelchair accessible; latecomers not admitted. Free, but ticketed — sold out.

Donal Fallon’s Tour of Mount Jerome Cemetery — SOLD OUT

Mount Jerome Cemetery, 158 Harold’s Cross Road, Dublin 6W · Sunday 25 October · 10am, 12pm & 2:15pm (arrive 10 minutes early) · 1hr 15min · €15 + €1 booking fee · Ages 12+

If Glasnevin tells the story of Irish independence, Mount Jerome is the cemetery that captures Dublin’s Victorian age. Historian, author and Three Castles Burning host Donal Fallon leads this specially commissioned walk through one of Ireland’s finest collections of Victorian memorials, tombs, vaults and crypts, meeting William Wilde, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu and other names in the Irish supernatural tradition and their connections to Stoker. Outdoors, and the route isn’t suitable for wheelchairs. All three tours are sold out.

Stoker on Stoker: Unearthing the Secrets of Dracula

Graduates Memorial Building, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 · Sunday 25 October · 1:30pm · 1hr 30min · €13 + €1 booking fee · Ages 12+

Dacre Stoker — Bram’s great-grandnephew and the New York Times bestselling co-author of Dracul and The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker — presents his definitive multimedia account of how Dracula came to be: family history, rare photographs, manuscripts, maps and Stoker’s own research notes; the books Bram consulted, Whitby’s crucial role, his Scottish writing retreat, the search for Castle Dracula and how Vlad III became attached to the legend. Unreserved seating in a site-specific venue, so arrive early. ISL interpreted. Tickets €13 plus €1 booking fee — available now.

Stoker on the Runway: The Gothic in Contemporary Fashion

Graduates Memorial Building, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2 · Sunday 25 October · 4pm (doors 3:30pm) · 1hr · €13 + €1 booking fee · Ages 16+

What happens when Gothic literature meets the runway? Historian and historical consultant Laura Fitzachary (@seekthehistoric, co-founder of the Fashion History Society of Ireland) traces the line from Dracula, Gothic fiction and Victorian mourning dress to JW Anderson, Alexander McQueen, Dilara Findikoglu, Rick Owens and Simone Rocha — and Ireland’s overlooked place in that history. May contain some images not suitable for children. ISL interpreted. Tickets €13 plus €1 booking fee — available now.

Dublin’s Victorian Pubs – A Walking Tour with Donal Fallon — SOLD OUT

Meeting at The Palace Bar, 21 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 · Monday 26 October · 12pm (arrive 10 minutes early) · 2hr · €20 + €1 booking fee · 18+

Stoker’s Dublin was a city in transformation, and the humble public house was changing with it. Donal Fallon, author of The Dublin Pub, leads a specially commissioned walk through the Victorian city: the drinking habits and political connections of the age, the pubs frequented by Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and Charles Stewart Parnell, and the literary worlds of Sheridan Le Fanu and Máirtín Ó Cadhain. Outdoors and not wheelchair accessible. Sold out.

Blood, Guts & Black Pudding

Medley, Old Irish Times Building, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 · Monday 26 October · 2pm (doors 1:30pm) · 1hr 30min · €20 + €1 booking fee · 18+

The Irish have dined on blood for centuries — drawn from living animals and caught from dead ones, stuffed into guts and boiled, or stirred into bloody porridges over turf fires — and it’s a food in danger of disappearing. Author Kate Ryan chats with chef Andrew Rudd about the dying art of blood in Irish food, from ancient sustenance to the breakfast fry, presented with flavour.ie. Includes descriptions and images of animal blood collection. ISL interpreted. Tickets €20 plus €1 booking fee — available now.

Scanra: The Bonfire — SOLD OUT

Bewley’s, 78–79 Grafton Street, Dublin 2 · Monday 26 October · 7:30pm (doors 7pm) · 3hr 30min · €15 + €1 booking fee · 18+

Now in its fourth year and sold out at the festival three years running, SCANRA is a spellbinding night of music, myth and storytelling unearthing the ancient Irish origins of Samhain. This year’s most intimate edition gathers around ‘The Bonfire’ at historic Bewley’s Café with musician and performance artist Branwen Kavanagh, storyteller Sarah McKenna Dunne, performance artist Foxx and composer Alannah Thornburgh, with performance poet Róisín Nic Ghearailt at the helm. Part of Night Bites, the festival’s after-dark series presented with the Night-Time Economy Advisor. Strong language and adult themes. Sold out — for the fourth year.

Free events — turn up, or book when tickets are released

Four of the free events above (Suitcase Stories, In Stoker’s Footsteps, Bram Stoker’s Influences and Body Snatching in Dublin Graveyards) were ticketed through TakeYourSeats.ie and have gone. These five are open to everyone, either with no booking at all or with free tickets released closer to the date.

Stokerland

St. Patrick’s Park, Bull Alley Street, Dublin 8 · Saturday 24 – Monday 26 October · from 11am daily · Free, no booking required · Families and under-12s

Roll up, roll up: one of Dublin’s most-loved family events returns to the park beneath St Patrick’s Cathedral, dressed up for a gloriously Gothic weekend — a packed programme in the performance tent, devilishly fun street theatre, storytelling, games and creative play for children and the eternally young. A relaxed session open to all runs 11am–1pm on Monday 26 October, with a Social Story available to download from 7 October. Outdoors, so dress for the weather.

Details at bramstokerfestival.com

On the Hunt in the National Library

National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 · Saturday 24 October · 11am (arrive 10–15 minutes early) · 2hr · Free, ticketed · Ages 16+

Part quiz, part guided research challenge: race against the clock through the NLI’s catalogue and surroundings to find the answers you need before time runs out. No research experience needed — bring curiosity, a keen eye and your own smartphone, tablet or laptop. Tickets are released on 14 October.

Details at bramstokerfestival.com

Making Faces! Family Mask-Making Workshop

Creativity Hub, National Museum of Ireland – Collins Barracks, Dublin 7 · Sunday 25 October · drop in 1:30–2:30pm · 25-minute craft · Free, no booking required · Ages 7–12

Inspired by objects in the Museum, explore colour, texture and technique while making a unique face or character to take home. Drop in any time between 1:30pm and 2:30pm; places are first come, first served, so there may be a short wait to get in.

Details at bramstokerfestival.com

Dracula’s Disco

The Round Room at The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 · Monday 26 October · 12pm & 2pm (doors 11:40am / 1:40pm) · 1hr · Free, ticketed · Ages 4+

The eternally popular afternoon of deadly dancing returns in partnership with The Ark: Count Dracula’s resident DJ spins much-loved hits and Hallowe’en classics for little monsters and grown-ups alike. Come in costume and do your own Dead Dance. Contains flashing lights and haze. Tickets are released on 20 October through The Ark.

Details at bramstokerfestival.com

Macnas Parade: Fiáin

Dublin’s North East Inner City · Monday 26 October · 7pm (gather from 6:45pm, not earlier) · Free, no booking required · All ages

Fiáin (fee-awn) is Macnas’s celebration of the wild — the wild West of Ireland, the wild inspirations behind 40 years of Macnas, and the wild energy of its giant spectacle, performance and music taking over the streets. For the second year the parade comes to the North East Inner City, close to where Stoker once lived: starting halfway up North Great George’s Street, then Great Denmark Street, Gardiner Place, Mountjoy Square, Gardiner Street and Seán McDermott Street. It takes about 20 minutes to pass any one spot; booking for the limited accessible viewing areas opens on 7 October at noon.

Details at bramstokerfestival.com

Also part of the festival — booked through partner venues

The rest of the programme is ticketed directly by the venues and partners presenting it. Prices and booking fees are as published by the festival; the sold-out ones are marked.

Night Bites – Gothic Tales

Art in Layers, 77 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2 · Friday 23 – Monday 26 October · 6pm nightly (doors 5:45pm) · 2hr 30min · €20 · 18+

Moonlit castles, shadows in the windows, bats overhead: cut, layer and build your own Victorian-style paper theatre pop-up scene with Art in Layers. No experience needed, all materials provided, and you leave with a handmade artwork that tells a Gothic tale. Not wheelchair accessible. Booking through Art in Layers.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Night Bites – DIY Bat Wings

Change Clothes, The Digital Depot, Roe Lane, The Liberties, Dublin 8 · Friday 23 October · 6pm (doors 5:45pm) · 2hr · €10 · Ages 16+

Turn old textiles into a dramatic pair of wearable bat wings at the Liberties’ community textile-reuse hub. No sewing experience needed and all materials provided — but bring an old black t-shirt or dress if you have one in need of a second life. Booking through Change Clothes.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Night Bites – Make A Créatúr — SOLD OUT

Throwing Shapes, Unit 2A, Mill Street, Dublin 8 · Friday 23 October · 6pm (doors 5:45pm) · 2hr 30min · €15 · 18+

A playful, beginner-friendly ceramics workshop led by Tatiana Smith-St Kitts: hand-build your own creature inspired by Irish folklore and Samhain, with complimentary drinks from Something & Nothing while you work. Sold out.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Stitch

The Boys’ School, Smock Alley Theatre, 6–7 Exchange Street Lower, Temple Bar, Dublin 8 · Friday 23 – Monday 26 October · 7pm nightly (doors 6:45pm) · 1hr · €20 · Strictly 18+

Sinister, unsettling and unrelentingly atmospheric, Irene Kelleher’s homage to Frankenstein — a critically acclaimed hit at Cork Midsummer Festival 2025, where it won Best Site Specific Experience, Best Company and Best Tech Team at The Arts Review awards — comes to Dublin for the first time, from the team behind Gone Full Havisham and presented by Mighty Oak Productions. Alice, forgotten in a basement for seven months, is reborn on Samhain night. The Saturday 24 October performance is ISL interpreted. Booking through Smock Alley Theatre.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Night Bites – Prints After Dark: A Gothic Lino Printing Workshop — SOLD OUT

Create & Sip, 65 South William Street, Dublin 2 · Friday 23 October · 7pm (doors 6:50pm) · 1hr 45min · €20 · Ages 16+

Learn lino carving with artists Ciara Kavanagh and Billy Fagan, print your design onto paper and a canvas tote bag, and keep the block to print with long after the night is over. Sold out.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Petrified Live

Project Arts Centre, 39 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 · Friday 23 October · 7:30pm (doors 6:45pm) · 1hr 30min · €22 / €20 concession · Ages 16+

‘Ireland’s scariest podcast’ comes to the stage. Celebrating five series of fright, the award-winning horror audio drama presents a brand-new story pulled from beyond the grave — ordinary people meeting the supernatural, and the terrifying fates that await them. Strong horror themes, frightening sound design and strong language. Booking through Project Arts Centre.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Night Bites – DIY Animal Ears

Change Clothes, The Digital Depot, Roe Lane, The Liberties, Dublin 8 · Saturday 24 October · 5pm (doors 4:45pm) · 2hr · €10 · Ages 16+

Cat, fox, wolf or mysterious woodland creature? Raid the fabric scraps and make yourself a pair of wearable ears from reclaimed materials — the start of a low-cost costume without buying anything new. Booking through Change Clothes.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Night Bites – Drink & Draw: Bram Stoker — SOLD OUT

This Must Be The Place, 42 Arran Quay, Dublin 7 · Saturday 24 October · 9pm (doors 8:45pm) · 2hr · €10 · Strictly 18+

Create your own Bram Stoker masterpiece in under two hours at the BYOB art studio in Smithfield, with an artist to guide you, prizes and music. Sold out.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Dracula (1958) 4K Restoration

Light House Cinema, Market Street South, Smithfield, Dublin 7 · Sunday 25 October · 1:30pm (doors 1:15pm) · 97min · €13 / €10.50 concession · Cert 12A

A rare chance to see Hammer’s 1958 classic — Christopher Lee as the Count, Peter Cushing as Van Helsing — in a newly restored director’s cut, with long-lost footage originally cut by the censors as too gruesome, too sexual or simply too much for the era returned to the film for the first time in decades. Booking through Light House Cinema.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Night Bites – DIY Animal Tail

Change Clothes, The Digital Depot, Roe Lane, The Liberties, Dublin 8 · Sunday 25 October · 5pm (doors 4:45pm) · 2hr · €10 · Ages 16+

Complete the transformation with a tail of your own — a classic cat, fox or wolf, or an entirely new creature of your own invention — made from fabric scraps and reclaimed materials. Booking through Change Clothes.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Night Bites – The Gothic Muse: A Victorian Life Drawing Experience

Flux Studios, 4 Chatham Row, Dublin 2 · Sunday 25 October · 5:30pm (ages 12+) & 8pm (18+) · 1hr 30min per session · €15 + €1.25 booking fee

Draw live models in Victorian-inspired costume to a suitably spooky soundtrack, with classic horror projected around the studio. The early, family-friendly session includes complimentary snacks and drinks; the late session takes a more after-hours turn, with complimentary alcoholic drinks. Booking through Flux Studios.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Night Bites – Sip & Sculpt: Hallowe’en Edition

This Must Be The Place, 42 Arran Quay, Dublin 7 · Monday 26 October · 6pm (doors 5:45pm) · 2hr · €10 + €1.70 booking fee · 18+

A creative night of pottery, drinks, music, games and prizes at the BYOB art studio in Smithfield, hosted by Alternative Dublin. No pottery experience needed, and you leave with something you made yourself. Booking through Alternative Dublin.

Details & booking at bramstokerfestival.com

Browse everything on this month and book at TakeYourSeats.ie

Word on The Street, an evening of new Irish voices from The Temple Bar Company, comes to The New Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin on two Thursdays, 8 October and 15 October 2026, both at 7.30pm, with a different line-up each night. Each evening, three artists bring storytelling, spoken word and performance to the stage in pieces about contemporary Dublin, identity, culture and a changing Ireland. Tickets €5 plus booking fee on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Show: Word on The Street — new Irish voices, storytelling and performance, presented by The Temple Bar Company
• Venue: The New Theatre, 43 Essex Street East, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
• Dates and times: Thursday 8 October 2026 (billed as Word on The Street - Temple Bar 35) and Thursday 15 October 2026, both at 7.30pm (doors 7.15pm)
• Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Age: 18+
• Tickets: €5 standard, plus €1.50 booking fee
• Booking: online via TakeYourSeats.ie, with a separate booking page for each evening

About the evenings

A lively evening of new Irish voices, storytelling and performance, exploring contemporary Dublin, identity, culture and the changing Ireland around us. Each night, three distinctive artists bring their own perspectives, experiences and creative worlds to the stage.

Thursday 8 October

MC: Matt Lunson

Kill, Elvis — Keith-James Walker. It's hard being a professional Elvis impersonator, and even harder when being Elvis feels better than being yourself. Kill, Elvis is a comedic exploration of the space in which a dream exists: between delusion and reality, exploration and destruction, heaven or hell.

FELISPEAKS — a Nigerian-Irish visionary artist celebrated for their exploration of identity, social justice and personal growth through poetry, performance and theatre. Their work in WAKE and OCTOPUS CHILDREN earned them a Best Performer award in 2021 and a Best Ensemble award in 2025 at Dublin Fringe Festival. Their poems “For Our Mothers” and “Rainbow Blood” feature on the Irish Leaving Cert curriculum, and they have performed their work across Europe and the United States.

Cormac Mac Gearailt — a bilingual spoken word poet, performer and creative writing facilitator based in Dublin, with deep roots in West Kerry. He was the 2024 All-Ireland Slam Champion and 2024 UNESCO Slamovision Champion, and writes and performs work that is rhythmic, embodied and emotionally resonant.

Thursday 15 October

New Era, New Éire — J.T., a twenty-something layabout, reflects on a night out amid the ever-changing landscape of modern Dublin. Written by Luke De Brún and performed by Jason Corbett.

Lifting the Gate — Ben MacCaoilte is a multidisciplinary artist, writer and performer whose work is rooted in Irish storytelling, folklore and sound. Known for his evocative language and immersive performances, he blends poetry, spoken word and experimental soundscapes to explore identity, landscape, memory and transformation.

Healing Through Hip Hop with Thought Brownie — a writer who sought refuge in hip-hop and turned what life threw at him into something that blooms. For fans of Socrates, Simone Weil, Shakespeare, Hamilton, Hadestown, Ted Lasso and Oxford commas.

Frequently asked questions

When is Word on The Street on at The New Theatre?

On two Thursdays: 8 October 2026, billed as Word on The Street - Temple Bar 35, and 15 October 2026. Both evenings start at 7.30pm, with doors at 7.15pm, and run about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Is it the same line-up both nights?

No, each evening has its own line-up. On 8 October it is Keith-James Walker with Kill, Elvis, FELISPEAKS and Cormac Mac Gearailt, with MC Matt Lunson. On 15 October it is New Era, New Éire, written by Luke De Brún and performed by Jason Corbett; Lifting the Gate by Ben MacCaoilte; and Healing Through Hip Hop with Thought Brownie.

How much are tickets?

Tickets are €5 standard for either evening, plus a €1.50 booking fee per ticket, booked online through TakeYourSeats.ie. Each evening has its own booking page.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. Both evenings are for ages 18 and over.

Where is The New Theatre?

The New Theatre is at 43 Essex Street East, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

Tickets and how to book

Tickets for Word on The Street at The New Theatre on Thursday 8 October and Thursday 15 October 2026 are €5 plus a €1.50 booking fee, on sale now on TakeYourSeats.ie. Each evening has its own booking page.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• SOME OF OUR CHILDREN by Quintessence Theatre at The New Theatre - 1 & 2 October 2026
• SAMUEL | Oh Boy | Album Launch at The New Theatre - 9 and 10 October 2026
• REBOOT! at The New Theatre - 17 October 2026

THE WITNESS, Rex Ryan's one-man show based on Nicola Tallant's best-selling book, comes to 3Olympia Theatre, Dame Street, Dublin on Sunday 14 February 2027. The date was announced after the show's 12-performance run at Glass Mask Theatre (20 October to 1 November 2026) sold out on TakeYourSeats.ie. Tickets for the 3Olympia date are on sale now through the venue's official ticket outlet.

Key facts

• Show: THE WITNESS, a one-man show written, directed and performed by Rex Ryan
• Based on: the best-selling book by Nicola Tallant
• Venue: 3Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street, Dublin 2, D02 K135
• Date: Sunday 14 February 2027, one performance
• Doors: 7pm
• Age guidance: under-14s must be accompanied by an adult; over-18s need ID to use the bars

About the show

THE WITNESS tells the story of Joey "the Lips" O'Callaghan, the youngest person ever placed in witness protection in Ireland. Rex Ryan adapted Nicola Tallant's best-selling book for the stage, directs the production and plays Joey. It's billed as a "high intensity shotgun blast of a show".

Tallant's Crime World podcast has become one of Europe's biggest true-crime podcasts. Ryan's nominations include Best Actor in Ireland from Broadway World (twice) and Best Actor at the Richard Harris Film Festival. He also created The Monk, which sold out the Ambassador Theatre in February 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When is THE WITNESS on at 3Olympia Theatre?

THE WITNESS plays 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin on Sunday 14 February 2027. Doors open at 7pm.

Can I still get tickets for the Glass Mask Theatre run?

No. All 12 performances at Glass Mask Theatre in the Bestseller Café, Dawson Street (20 October to 1 November 2026) are sold out.

Where is 3Olympia Theatre?

3Olympia Theatre is at 72 Dame Street, Dublin 2 (Eircode D02 K135), on the edge of Temple Bar.

Are there age restrictions at 3Olympia Theatre?

Under-14s must be accompanied by an adult. Over-18s need ID to use the bars, where alcohol is served.

Tickets and how to book

Tickets for THE WITNESS at 3Olympia Theatre on Sunday 14 February 2027 are on sale now; use the button below to book.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• THE WITNESS: Rex Ryan at Glass Mask Theatre, Dublin (sold out)
• The Last Pagans: Stephen Jones world premiere at Glass Mask Theatre
• GMT Jazz Club: autumn 2026 sessions at Glass Mask Theatre

The Frank Stagg Story: "We Have Him Back!", Brían MacSuibhne's play about the three funerals of Frank Stagg, comes to the O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin for one night on Friday 29 January 2027, presented by Seanchaí Iorrais – Erris Storytellers. Developed with the blessing and factual input of the Stagg family, it is a historically accurate and deeply human account of a censored moment in modern Irish history. Tickets €30 (concession €23.75) on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Show: The Frank Stagg Story "We have him back!" by Brían MacSuibhne, presented by Seanchaí Iorrais – Erris Storytellers
• Venue: O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin
• Date and time: Friday 29 January 2027 at 8pm (doors open 7.15pm)
• Running time: 2 hours
• Age guidance: not suitable for under 12s — contains a violent force-feeding scene
• Tickets: €30 standard, €23.75 concession for students, OAPs and the unwaged (plus €1.50 booking fee); reserved seating
• Booking: online via TakeYourSeats.ie

About the play

We Have Him Back! is set in 1970s Leigue Cemetery, Ballina, Co. Mayo. It tells the story of a mother watching her son die, a wife confronting official falsehoods, a sister struggling to understand, and a brother whose love and resolve would not allow history to be buried in silence — weaving documented conversations, world and national news, music and life in 1970s rural Ireland to ground the personal tragedy in a wider historical moment.

"It conveys my brother Frank with honesty, dignity and accuracy. It honours not only his sacrifice, but the pain, courage and determination of our family in the face of Frank's treatment even after his death," says George Stagg, who, with five others, moved Frank's body into the republican grave on a cold wet November night 22 months after his death.

"Fifty years ago, the truth was buried in concrete, censorship and lies. This play is about uncovering that truth, about love between brothers, and a family who refused to let their son be erased from history," says writer Brían MacSuibhne. A major heritage and commemorative project, the play explores family, human rights and Section 31 State censorship, and is intended for audiences across generations — those with living memory and those encountering this history for the first time.

Frequently asked questions

When is The Frank Stagg Story on in Dublin?

One night only: Friday 29 January 2027 at 8pm at the O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin. Doors open at 7.15pm.

How much are tickets?

Standard tickets are €30 and concessions (students, OAPs and unwaged) are €23.75, plus a €1.50 booking fee per ticket. Seating is reserved.

How long is the play?

The running time is 2 hours.

Is it suitable for children?

No — it is not suitable for under 12s, as it contains a violent scene of force-feeding. Some scenes are not suitable for children.

Where can I book?

Book online through TakeYourSeats.ie via the O'Reilly Theatre booking page.

Tickets and how to book

Tickets for The Frank Stagg Story are €30 (concession €23.75, plus €1.50 fee) and it plays Dublin for one night only. Choose your seats on the O'Reilly Theatre booking page.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• Lemn Sissay: Let the Light Pour In LIVE at the O'Reilly Theatre – 9 November 2026
• Together Forever: A New Musical at the O'Reilly Theatre – 7 November 2026
• Joxer Daly Esq: Phelim Drew at the Viking Theatre – 23 November to 5 December 2026

SAMUEL, the Dublin-based multi-instrumentalist duo of Ada Alma and Frieda Freytag, launch their debut album Oh Boy at The New Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2026. Expect vocals, piano, cello, clarinet, melodica, double bass and cajon layered with electronic soundscapes, with Rob Campbell joining on cello and double bass. Tickets €21 (concession €18) on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Show: SAMUEL | Oh Boy | Album Launch
• Performers: Ada Alma and Frieda Freytag (SAMUEL), with Rob Campbell on cello and double bass
• Venue: The New Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin
• Dates and time: Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2026 at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm)
• Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes — two 45-minute sets with an interval
• Tickets: €21 standard, €18 concession for students, OAPs and the unwaged (plus €1.50 booking fee)
• Booking: online via TakeYourSeats.ie

About the show

Ada Alma and Frieda Freytag are SAMUEL, a Dublin-based, female, multi-instrumentalist duo. Deeply narrative and cinematic, their evocative music — using vocals, piano, acoustic and electric cello, clarinet, melodica, double bass and cajon — is a striking fusion of classical-tinged acoustic instrumentation and layers of electronic soundscapes.

For these two nights they are joined by Rob Campbell on cello and double bass to celebrate the release of their first album, Oh Boy.

Good to know

Vinyl and CD copies of Oh Boy will be on sale on the night, and a complimentary glass of wine or a non-alcoholic drink is included during the interval.

Frequently asked questions

When is the SAMUEL album launch on?

Two nights: Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2026 at 7.30pm at The New Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin. Doors open at 7pm.

How much are tickets?

Standard tickets are €21 and concessions (students, OAPs and unwaged) are €18, plus a €1.50 booking fee per ticket.

How long is the show?

About 1 hour 30 minutes: two 45-minute sets with an interval.

Where can I book?

Book online through TakeYourSeats.ie via The New Theatre booking page.

Tickets and how to book

Tickets for the Oh Boy album launch are €21 (concession €18, plus €1.50 fee). Pick your night and book on The New Theatre booking page.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• SOME OF OUR CHILDREN by Quintessence Theatre at The New Theatre – 1 and 2 October 2026
• GMT Jazz Club Autumn Nights at Glass Mask Theatre – September to December 2026
• Tim Burton's Universe by Mystery Ensemble at the O'Reilly Theatre – 31 October 2026

Vivaldi's Four Seasons Recomposed by Max Richter comes to Holy Trinity Church (Capuchins), Fr. Mathew Quay, Cork City on Friday 20 November 2026, performed by Mystery Ensemble. It's Antonio Vivaldi's famous cycle in the contemporary composer's unique interpretation. Tickets from €20 on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Concert: Max Richter's Vivaldi Four Seasons Recomposed, performed by Mystery Ensemble
• Venue: Holy Trinity Church (Capuchins), Fr. Mathew Quay, Cork City
• Date and time: Friday 20 November 2026, 8.30pm (doors 8pm)
• Duration: 1 hour
• Tickets: €20, €25 and €30 early-bird tiers, €35 standard (plus €2.50 booking fee)
• Seating: unreserved — early arrival is advised for the best seats
• Presented by: Red Events & Distribution Ltd.
• Booking: Holy Trinity Church booking page

About the concert

Max Richter is the composer of music for dozens of feature films and documentaries — the European Film Academy voted him best film composer in 2008 — and he reinterpreted Antonio Vivaldi's music in the spirit of minimalism and postmodernism. Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons is one of his most famous works; after its release in 2012 the recording topped the iTunes classical charts in over 20 countries.

Richter has recorded 12 solo albums and performed at the London Barbican, the Paris Philharmonic, the Sydney Opera House and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. His music is heard in films including Shutter Island, Last Love on Earth and Waltz with Bashir, for which he received the European Film Academy's Best Composer award.

Good to know

Doors open at least 30 minutes before the performance. Seating is unreserved, so arrive early for the best seat. Out of respect for guests and performers, late entry may not be permitted, and original seats can't be guaranteed after the concert begins.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is Vivaldi's Four Seasons Recomposed in Cork?

Friday 20 November 2026 at 8.30pm (doors 8pm) at Holy Trinity Church (Capuchins), Fr. Mathew Quay, Cork City.

How long is the concert?

About 1 hour.

How much are tickets?

€20, €25 and €30 early-bird tiers and €35 standard, plus a €2.50 booking fee, on the Holy Trinity Church booking page.

What will I hear?

Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons in Max Richter's Recomposed version, performed live by Mystery Ensemble.

Tickets and how to book

Tickets are on sale now from €20 via the Holy Trinity Church booking page on TakeYourSeats.ie. Early-bird tiers are limited, so book early for the lowest price.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble at Holy Trinity Church, Cork — Friday 23 October 2026
• Vivaldi's Four Seasons Recomposed by Max Richter at Monkstown Church — Friday 27 November 2026
• Tim Burton's Universe by Mystery Ensemble at the O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin — Saturday 31 October 2026

Amor, em busca de si mesmo brings the renowned philosopher and professor Clóvis de Barros Filho to the O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin on Sunday 10 January 2027, as part of his 2027 European tour. Performed in Portuguese, the one-man show explores the many faces of love and what they reveal about who we really are. Tickets from €40 on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Show: Amor, em busca de si mesmo (Love, in search of itself), presented by Clóvis de Barros Filho — Turnê Europa 2027
• Venue: O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin
• Date and time: Sunday 10 January 2027 at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm)
• Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Language: the show is performed in Portuguese
• Tickets: Section B €40, Section A €45, VIP €50, Meet and Greet €100 (all plus €2.50 booking fee); reserved seating
• Booking: online via TakeYourSeats.ie

About the show

What can humanity's most complex feeling reveal about who you really are? In Amor, em Busca de Si Mesmo, the philosopher and professor Clóvis de Barros Filho takes the stage to decipher the many faces of love. Far from being simply a bond between two people, he shows that the act of loving is, fundamentally, a mirror of our own identity. Guided by the thinking of history's greatest philosophers, the monologue explains how our choices in love define who we are: through what and whom we choose to love, we reveal our values, the reasons for our existence and our own direction.

With energetic, profound and good-humoured oratory, the show invites the audience on a journey of self-discovery — a chance to understand love, look at yourself with clarity and find the path to a more conscious and happier life. "Diga me o que amas, que eu te direi quem és."

Good to know

The show is performed in Portuguese. Books will be on sale, with a signing, after the performance. Seating is reserved, so you choose your seats when you book. The Meet and Greet ticket includes a meet and greet one hour before the performance.

Frequently asked questions

When is Clóvis de Barros Filho in Dublin?

Sunday 10 January 2027 at 8pm at the O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin. Doors open at 7.30pm.

Is the show in Portuguese?

Yes — Amor, em busca de si mesmo is performed in Portuguese.

How much are tickets?

Section B €40, Section A €45, VIP €50 and Meet and Greet €100, each plus a €2.50 booking fee. Seating is reserved.

How long is the show?

The running time is 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where can I book?

Book online through TakeYourSeats.ie via the O'Reilly Theatre booking page.

Tickets and how to book

Tickets for Amor, em busca de si mesmo start at €40 (plus €2.50 fee), with VIP and Meet and Greet options, and it plays Dublin for one night only. Choose your seats on the O'Reilly Theatre booking page.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• Lemn Sissay: Let the Light Pour In LIVE at the O'Reilly Theatre – 9 November 2026
• Together Forever: A New Musical at the O'Reilly Theatre – 7 November 2026
• A Christmas Carol at the Viking Theatre – 14 to 23 December 2026

REBOOT!, a new satirical comedy sketch show written and performed by Anthony Kinahan and Ceara Carney, plays The New Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 for one night on Saturday 17 October 2026. Directed by Chris Moran and brought to Dublin by the Climate Ambassador Programme for Climate Action Week 2026, it promises to make you laugh yourself sane. Tickets €15 (concession €13) on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Show: REBOOT! — Anthony Kinahan & Castán Productions in association with Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda
• Written and performed by: Anthony Kinahan and Ceara Carney
• Director: Chris Moran
• Venue: The New Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
• Date and time: Saturday 17 October 2026 at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm)
• Running time: about 65 minutes
• Age guidance: recommended 12+; some strong language
• Tickets: €15 regular, €13 concession for students, senior citizens and the unwaged (plus €1.50 booking fee)
• Booking: online via TakeYourSeats.ie

About the show

"Reduce. Rewind. Got it. Reboot!" Anthony Kinahan and Ceara Carney collide in a comedic cabaret of chaos to dismantle the capitalist systems that created the current global mess — then pick up the pieces and play with the world we could have instead. Directed by Chris Moran, REBOOT! is a contemporary and entertaining new work built to provoke climate action.

Produced in partnership with Droichead Arts Centre, REBOOT! is an original development supported by the centre, and comes to The New Theatre through the Climate Ambassador Programme for Climate Action Week 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When is REBOOT! on?

One night only: Saturday 17 October 2026 at 7.30pm at The New Theatre, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Doors open at 7pm.

How much are tickets?

Regular tickets are €15 and concessions (students, senior citizens and unwaged) are €13, plus a €1.50 booking fee per ticket.

How long is the show?

About 65 minutes.

Is it suitable for children?

The recommended age is 12 and over, and the show contains some strong language.

Where can I book?

Book online through TakeYourSeats.ie via The New Theatre booking page.

Tickets and how to book

Tickets for REBOOT! are €15 (concession €13, plus €1.50 fee) and it plays for one night only. Book on The New Theatre booking page.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• SOME OF OUR CHILDREN by Quintessence Theatre at The New Theatre – 1 and 2 October 2026
• Anne Gildea: Further Adventures in WOMANING at the Viking Theatre – 26 October to 7 November 2026
• PADDY: The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong at the Viking Theatre – October 2026

Neil Delamere: Work in Progress at the Viking Theatre, Clontarf on Sunday 18 October 2026 at 6pm is SOLD OUT. Neil is preparing his brand new show, and this one-hour work-in-progress is a chance to see him in creative mode as he refines the next chapter of his stand-up — loose, lively and full of surprises. Every seat, at €18, has gone. Returns do occasionally free up close to the night — see below.

Key facts

• Show: Neil Delamere: Work in Progress
• Venue: Viking Theatre, Connolly's The Sheds, Clontarf, Dublin 3
• Date and time: Sunday 18 October 2026 at 6pm (doors open 5.45pm)
• Running time: 60 minutes
• Tickets: all seats €18 — SOLD OUT
• Please note: no latecomers admitted

About the show

Neil Delamere is preparing for his brand new show, and this is a chance to see Neil in creative mode as he refines the next chapter of his stand-up. Loose, lively and full of surprises, the work-in-progress format means new material tried out in front of a small room at the Viking.

Frequently asked questions

When is Neil Delamere at the Viking Theatre?

Sunday 18 October 2026 at 6pm at the Viking Theatre, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Doors open at 5.45pm, and no latecomers are admitted.

Is it really sold out? Can I still get a ticket?

Every seat is currently sold. Returns do occasionally free up close to show time — check the Viking Theatre booking page for late availability.

How long is the show?

The running time is 60 minutes.

How much were tickets?

All seats were €18.

Tickets and availability

Neil Delamere: Work in Progress on 18 October is sold out, but it's worth keeping an eye on the Viking Theatre booking page for returns.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• PADDY: The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong at the Viking Theatre – October 2026
• Anne Gildea: Further Adventures in WOMANING at the Viking Theatre – 26 October to 7 November 2026
• Mary's Hopes and Dreams at the Viking Theatre – 9 to 21 November 2026

Vivaldi's Four Seasons Recomposed by Max Richter comes to Mount Saint Alphonsus Redemptorist Catholic Church, South Circular Road, Limerick on Saturday 7 November 2026, performed by Mystery Ensemble. It's Antonio Vivaldi's famous cycle in the contemporary composer's unique interpretation. Tickets from €20 on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Concert: Max Richter's Vivaldi Four Seasons Recomposed, performed by Mystery Ensemble
• Venue: Mount Saint Alphonsus Redemptorist Catholic Church, South Circular Road, Limerick
• Date and time: Saturday 7 November 2026, 8.30pm (doors 7.45pm)
• Duration: 1 hour
• Tickets: €20, €25 and €30 early-bird tiers, €35 standard (plus €2.50 booking fee)
• Seating: unreserved — early arrival is advised for the best seats
• Presented by: Red Events & Distribution Ltd.
• Booking: Mount Saint Alphonsus booking page

About the concert

Max Richter is the composer of music for dozens of feature films and documentaries — the European Film Academy voted him best film composer in 2008 — and he reinterpreted Antonio Vivaldi's music in the spirit of minimalism and postmodernism. Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons is one of his most famous works; after its release in 2012 the recording topped the iTunes classical charts in over 20 countries.

Richter has recorded 12 solo albums and performed at the London Barbican, the Paris Philharmonic, the Sydney Opera House and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. His music is heard in films including Shutter Island, Last Love on Earth and Waltz with Bashir, for which he received the European Film Academy's Best Composer award.

Vivaldi's The Four Seasons is one of the most famous and frequently performed works of classical music. The Italian master wittily and gracefully captured in music the way his contemporaries saw the world and nature — a cycle that is both a philosophical reflection on a magnificent illustrated calendar and a sightseeing tour of Italy.

Good to know

Doors open at least 30 minutes before the performance. Seating is unreserved, so arrive early for the best seat. Out of respect for guests and performers, late entry may not be permitted, and original seats can't be guaranteed after the concert begins.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is Vivaldi's Four Seasons Recomposed in Limerick?

Saturday 7 November 2026 at 8.30pm (doors 7.45pm) at Mount Saint Alphonsus Redemptorist Catholic Church, South Circular Road, Limerick.

How long is the concert?

About 1 hour.

How much are tickets?

€20, €25 and €30 early-bird tiers and €35 standard, plus a €2.50 booking fee, on the Mount Saint Alphonsus booking page.

What will I hear?

Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons in Max Richter's Recomposed version, performed live by Mystery Ensemble.

Tickets and how to book

Tickets are on sale now from €20 via the Mount Saint Alphonsus booking page on TakeYourSeats.ie. Early-bird tiers are limited, so book early for the lowest price.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble at Mount St Alphonsus, Limerick — Saturday 10 October 2026
• Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams at Holy Trinity Church, Cork — Friday 23 October 2026
• Vivaldi's Four Seasons Recomposed by Max Richter at Monkstown Church — Friday 27 November 2026

The Love Hungry Farmer, starring Seamus O'Rourke at the Viking Theatre, Dublin from 28 September to 10 October 2026, is SOLD OUT. Every remaining performance of the run — nightly at 8pm except Sundays — has now sold out.

Returns do occasionally free up seats close to the night — keep an eye on the Viking Theatre booking page for late availability. City Theatre Dublin's production of John B Keane's comedy is directed by Michael Scott.

Read more in our article: The Love Hungry Farmer: Seamus O'Rourke at the Viking Theatre, Dublin.

Lines of Enquiry Live at the O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin on Wednesday 2 December 2026 is SOLD OUT. Former Garda Detective John Sweetman brings the Go Loud true-crime show to the stage for one night, exploring some of Ireland's most shocking cases with special guests. Returns do occasionally free up seats — see below.

Key facts

• Show: Lines of Enquiry Live, produced by Go Loud
• Host: John Sweetman, former Garda Detective
• Venue: O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin
• Date and time: Wednesday 2 December 2026 — doors 7pm, show 8pm
• Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Age guidance: over 18s only
• Availability: SOLD OUT — waiting list open on the booking page

About the show

Join John Sweetman as he explores some of Ireland's most shocking cases, featuring special guests. The show takes you through the investigation — the tiny clues left behind that piece a case together — the unheard details revealed during the trial, and the lasting impact on victims' families.

Frequently asked questions

When is Lines of Enquiry Live on?

One night only: Wednesday 2 December 2026 at the O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.

Is it really sold out? Can I still get a ticket?

Every seat is currently sold. Returns do occasionally free up close to the night — check the O'Reilly Theatre booking page, where you can also join the waiting list.

Is there an age restriction?

Yes — the show is for over 18s only.

How long is the show?

The running time is 2 hours 20 minutes.

Tickets and availability

Lines of Enquiry Live is sold out, but it's worth keeping an eye on the O'Reilly Theatre booking page for returns, and you can join the waiting list there.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• Tim Burton's Universe by Mystery Ensemble at the O'Reilly Theatre – 31 October 2026
• Lemn Sissay: Let the Light Pour In LIVE at the O'Reilly Theatre – 9 November 2026

Together Forever, a brand new musical from Eclipse Stage School, comes to the O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin for one night only on Saturday 7 November 2026. Written, directed and choreographed by Kenneth Giles, it links some of the biggest pop songs with a new story of friendship, love and dreams — performed by almost 100 talented Eclipse students. Tickets €24 (plus €1.50 fee) on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Show: Together Forever – A New Musical, presented by Eclipse Stage School
• Written, directed and choreographed by: Kenneth Giles
• Venue: O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin
• Date and time: Saturday 7 November 2026 at 7pm (doors open 6.15pm)
• Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Tickets: €24 standard (plus €1.50 booking fee)
• Booking: online via TakeYourSeats.ie

About the show

Together Forever is all about heart and fun: a story of friendship, love and dreams told through pop hits, in a one-night-only debut that will have you singing and dancing along. Eclipse Stage School brings the production to the stage with a cast of almost 100 of its students.

Good to know

Every audience member must have a valid ticket and seat. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable, so double-check your date and seats before you book. The performance is seated.

Frequently asked questions

When is Together Forever on?

One performance only: Saturday 7 November 2026 at 7pm at the O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin. Doors open at 6.15pm.

How much are tickets?

Standard tickets are €24, plus a €1.50 booking fee per ticket.

How long is the show?

The running time is 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where can I book?

Book online through TakeYourSeats.ie via the O'Reilly Theatre booking page.

Tickets and how to book

Tickets for Together Forever are €24 (plus €1.50 fee) and the show plays for one night only, so don't leave it late. Book on the O'Reilly Theatre booking page.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• Tim Burton's Universe by Mystery Ensemble at the O'Reilly Theatre – 31 October 2026
• Lemn Sissay: Let the Light Pour In LIVE at the O'Reilly Theatre – 9 November 2026

by Saoirse Anton

It’s September (how? Where is this year going? I think I lost a couple of months down the back of the press or between the couch cushions.) which means it is back-to-school season. It also means that after the, slightly, quieter summer months it is back-to-theatre season too. And where better to start back than at Dublin Fringe Festival? Tackling any busy festival programme and figuring out what to see can be more daunting than the task of finding lunchboxes, ties and calculators that have been abandoned since June! Luckily for you, I’m here to set your syllabus and get you started with some of my top Fringe recommendations!

Muster

The festival programme this year has a feast of multidisciplinary approaches to the stage, and this one in particular caught my eye. Described as a “live concept album blending spoken-word, rap and storytelling,” this new work from Dagogo Hart promises an insightful and courageous exporation of black masculinity, friendship, inheritance & legacy.

Arborlogues: A Botanical Recital Performed for one Tree

One of the reasons I love theatre festivals, and particularly fringe ones, is the likelihood of finding something odd or unusual that I might not otherwise have had the chance to experience. Arborlogues from Ofo Theatre definitely falls into that category. An experience for one audience member, and one tree, at a time, Arborlogues has been performed around the world for numerous people and numerous trees, inviting the audience member/participant to spend 15 minutes in gentle exchange with the chosen tree, guided by a script that brings them through a collection of stories, prompts and actions. If you’re keen to experience something truly new and different this Dublin Fringe Festival, then this production may be the one for you!

Afronauts

This production from Circus Zambia and Wake the Beast, co-produced by Civic Theatre and Dublin Fringe Festival, looks set to be a lot of fun. Described as “the story of the greatest space mission you have never heard of,” this production recounts the true story of Edward Mukuka Nkoloso, a man with a plan to send Africa’s first astronauts into the cosmos amidst the Space Race of the 1960s. Afronauts promises an entertaining story told through remarkable circus skills & visual spectacle.

Trolley Boy

Sitting writing this column just after returning from doing the weekly shop, a chore I do not enjoy, I found myself drawn to this production from Diarmuid Armstrong Mayock. A work of surreal dance theatre, Trolley Boy tells the story of Bob, a man lost in an endless shop. Another to add to the list of unusual but exciting and intriguing works that you find in festival programmes!

SOAK: The Perfect Man

Another multidisciplinary dive into the complexities of masculinity and grief, I suspect SOAK and Muster may be good companion pieces in the Dublin Fringe Festival programme, each taking a different approach to a similar theme. Described as “part concert, part confession, part reckoning,” this contemporary music-theatre experience from Samuel Yakura and +353 promises a challenging and absorbing look at vulnerability, masculinity and healing.

Kafka’s Doll

Theatre Lovett are always a reliable go-to for excellent family-friendly theatre, and I would expect Kafka’s Doll to continue that trend. Offering a glimpse into the imagination of a literary giant, Kafka’s Doll sets out to tell the story of Franz Kafka’s encounter with a tearful child that restored a “fragile but vital faith in the human spirit,” as he writes letters from the child’s lost doll, telling stories of the doll’s grand adventures. Sure to be a captivating, playful, play, Theatre Lovett’s Kafka’s Doll looks delightful to children and adults alike.

Pretty Vacant

The Performance Corporation are another reliable company for delivering high-quality original theatre. Fresh of their run of Tír an Traonigh in Belmullet, they are bringing a very different piece to the Tailor’s Hall as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival programme. A “high-octane musical satire” exploring topics of gentrification and the property crisis, Pretty Vacant tells the surreal and entertaining story of Carmilla, a former Eurovision star turned property mogul, and her attempt to “rebrand” the Liberties.

Across the Fence

Capturing the story of a relationship between a traveller man and a settled girl, Across The Fence promises a beautifully human story about prejudice, trust and connection. Across the Fence is also part of Dublin Fringe Festival's Home Ground community takeover performances initiative, a brilliant section of the programme that facilitates artists to co-create safe, celebratory audience spaces for the communities their work represents.

This is only a tiny taste of the smorgasbord that makes up the Dublin Fringe Festival programme this year, but I hope it helps you start deciding where you want to delve in. My number one rule for any festival programme is to keep an open mind – you never know what you might discover!

The Viking’s ever-popular A Christmas Carol returns to Clontarf this festive season, nightly except Sundays from 14 to 23 December 2026 at 8pm. Three actors take you on Scrooge’s ghostly journey to redemption, with Victorian songs and carols — all seats €20. Book on TakeYourSeats.ie.

Key facts

• Show: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• Performed by: Michael James Ford, Sinead Murphy and Sam Ford
• Presented by: Antelope Productions and the Viking Theatre
• Venue: Viking Theatre, Clontarf, Dublin
• Dates: nightly except Sundays, Monday 14 to Wednesday 23 December 2026, 8pm
• Suitability: suits ages 10+
• Tickets: €20.00, group rate €18.00 (plus €1.50 booking fee per ticket); no latecomers admitted

About the show

Keep up the tradition and get in the festive spirit with Scrooge’s wonderful journey to redemption, accompanied by Victorian songs and carols and a rich musical score. This highly theatrical adaptation brings the colour and vivacity of Dickens’ story to the intimate setting of the Viking Theatre, where three outstanding actors share his world of phantoms, darkness, merriment and everlasting goodwill — a lovely Christmas evening.

Frequently asked questions

When is A Christmas Carol on?

Nightly except Sundays from Monday 14 to Wednesday 23 December 2026, at 8pm, at the Viking Theatre in Clontarf.

How much are tickets?

All seats €20.00, with a group rate of €18.00, each plus a €1.50 booking fee.

Is it suitable for children?

The show suits ages 10 and up.

Can I arrive late?

No — no latecomers are admitted, so arrive in good time for the 8pm start.

Tickets and how to book

All seats €20.00 (group rate €18.00), one admission per ticket. Choose your night and book online via the Viking Theatre booking page on TakeYourSeats.ie.

More on TakeYourSeats.ie

• Also at the Viking in the run-up to Christmas: Phelim Drew in Joxer Daly Esq — 23 November to 5 December 2026.
• All the latest news and listings.

The Pitchfork Disney

The Teachers Club, Dublin · 1–5 September (run continues from 27 August) · 7:30pm nightly (doors 7pm) · 1hr 30min

Judder Theatre Co. presents Philip Ridley's award-winning dark, unsettling and darkly comic modern classic. In a claustrophobic flat, two isolated siblings have hidden themselves from the outside world for years — until their fragile existence is shattered by the arrival of two mysterious strangers. Tickets from €20.00.

GMT Jazz Club

Glass Mask Theatre @ Best Seller Cafe, Dawson Street, Dublin · Thursdays 3 & 17 September · 7pm (doors 6pm) · 2hr 30min

Step into a transformed Glass Mask Theatre for a decadent night of live jazz. With a nod to New York of the 1970s, GMT welcomes you to sit back and enjoy a glorious playlist of live jazz in an elegant boutique theatre — seating is unassigned and a table is included with your ticket, with optional pre-show food and drink service. Tickets from €35.00.

Eason Presents an Evening with Kyla Cobbler — SOLD OUT

O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin · Friday 4 September · 7pm (doors 6:15pm) · 1hr 30min

Eason presents Kyla Cobbler in conversation about her hilarious and honest memoir Happy, Thank You. More, Please — from questionable dating decisions to finally discovering she had the power to create her own happiness. Each ticket includes a signed copy of the book. This event is sold out, but you can join the waiting list via the booking page.

The Music of The Lord of The Rings

O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin · Saturday 5 September · 6:30pm (doors 6pm) · 1hr

The Mystery Ensemble pay tribute to Howard Shore and the music of The Lord of the Rings, joined on this occasion by soprano Megan Ruby Walsh. Presented by Red Events & Distribution Ltd. Tickets from €20.00 (reserved seating).

Eason Presents an Evening with Rebecca F. Kuang — SOLD OUT

O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin · Monday 14 September · 7pm (doors 6:30pm)

Yellowface novelist and bestselling sensation Rebecca F. Kuang celebrates the publication of her new book Taipei Story, a coming-of-age story exploring identity, language, grief and family history during a Taiwanese summer. Ticket types were €29.99 (entry + a signed copy of Taipei Story) and €15.99 (entry only). After the talk, Rebecca will sign and/or personalise one copy per reader. This event is sold out.

The Music of Harry Potter by Mystery Ensemble

Monkstown Church, Monkstown · Friday 25 September · 9pm (doors 8:30pm) · 1hr

Red Events & Distribution present the Mystery Ensemble performing The Music of Harry Potter in the atmospheric surrounds of Monkstown Church. Seating is unreserved — arrive early to get the best seats. Tickets from €35.00.

Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams — Wexford

St. Iberius Church, Wexford · Saturday 26 September · 7pm (doors 6:30pm) · 1hr

The Miyazaki Dreams concert is an immersion in the fabulous atmosphere of the films of Oscar-winning director Hayao Miyazaki. Mystery Ensemble perform magical music from his anime, including Joe Hisaishi's renowned works from My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Laputa: Castle in the Sky. Tickets from €35.00.

Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams — Kilkenny

St Canice's Church, Kilkenny · Sunday 27 September · 7pm (doors 6:30pm) · 1hr

The same enchanting programme comes to St Canice's Church, Kilkenny: music from Hayao Miyazaki's beloved films performed by Mystery Ensemble, with works by ingenious composer Joe Hisaishi and others inspired by Miyazaki's artworks, transporting the audience into the world of famous anime stories. Tickets from €35.00.

The Love Hungry Farmer

Viking Theatre, Dublin · 28–30 September (run continues to 10 October, no Sunday performances) · 8pm nightly (doors 7:45pm) · 1hr

City Theatre Dublin presents John B Keane's The Love Hungry Farmer, starring Seamus O'Rourke and directed by Michael Scott. John Bosco McLaine is a man who has never lain down with a woman but has had romantic blood pulsing through his veins all his life — an uproarious evening of laughter, love, hope and desire. Note: 28 September is already sold out, and no latecomers are admitted. Tickets from €25.00.

Browse all shows and book at TakeYourSeats.ie