Give the gift of a night out this Christmas!

Instead of buying more “things” this Christmas have you considered giving the gift of an experience?
Perhaps you know someone who would appreciate a night out, maybe tickets for the theatre or a surprise night of trad or psychedelic-Americana to lift the spirits during the long dark months of early 2023.
There might be something in The Dock’s upcoming programme of events that appeals.

As we move into the New Year, Tradalac opens 2023 at The Dock on Thursday, January 5. Starting The Dock’s new season on a musical note, Tradalac are an ensemble of three of the finest.
Roscommon-based Seán Regan, ‘fiddler to the stars’, multi-instrumentalist and composer Alan Connor, and Cork School of Music alumnus John McLoughlin have between them performed, toured and recorded with many of the all-time musical greats including Damian Dempsey, Sharon Shannon, Mike McGoldrick, Seán Keane, Lisa Lambe, Something Happens, Ronnie Woods, Michael Bublé, Imelda May, Sinéad O’Connor… the list goes on.

With such an abundance of talent and experience between them, Regan, Connor and McLoughlin formed the ensemble in 2022. Merging their diverse styles and experiences with traditional music has led Tradalac to create their own, unique sound which you can hear for yourself at The Dock, on January 5.

Yonder Boys is a three-piece Americana band based in Berlin. Comprising of Australian Dave Stewart Ingleton, American Jason Serious and Chilean Tomás Peralta, these guys like to push musical boundaries as a performance of theirs will testify to.
With an intriguing set of songs ranging from bluegrass-infused tunes, string-band banjo driven rave-ups, Celtic flavours, Sicilian chants, Beach Boys styled harmonies, hints of California country-rock and glints of psychodelia – this music is distinctly genre-jumping. Yonder Boys perform at The Dock on Saturday, January 21.
The month of February brings theatre to The Dock. ‘Pure Medicine’ on February 3, is an exploration of childhood in rural Ireland, written and performed by Cahal Flynn and directed by Betty Duffy.
This performance ponders a time when old boys told tales by the fire and such a story would take you on an adventure. The question is asked: who will keep the stories of the old people once they are gone?

Following on 16th February ‘GomBean’ tells the tale of Grace Malley’s new coffee van venture that gets blown out of the water by a blast from the past. Her old wrestling rival, Ruby Stephens, arrives in town decades after making it big. Set in a small town in Sligo this comedy sees Grace’s world turned upside down, as she contends to win back her title which she lost at the U18’s Community Games in ’94. Some dreams can’t be stomped on!

Noriana Kennedy, Mirella Murray, Oisín Mac Diarmada & Donogh Hennessy are in concert on 18th February as the Music Network’s Spring 2023 Season commences.
The Whileaways’ Noriana Kennedy will be joined by Téada’s Oisín Mac Diarmada on fiddle and Mirella Murray, accordionist with Cherish the Ladies. Donogh Hennessy, one of the founding members of Lúnasa, will further enhance the harmonic textures and bring his trademark rhythmic drive to complement the melodic explorations of this vibrant trio. With sublime songs, energetic tunes and captivating arrangements - this will be a musical cocktail to savour.
Anne Gildea is a founder member and writer/performer with critically acclaimed Irish musical-comedy trio The Nualas. Her new show, How to Get the Menopause & Enjoy It, (The Dock, 24th Feb), is the result of a desire to talk on stage about all things female and middle aged. It has been making women and any men that turn up laugh and learn like goodo since its opening night.

If you can’t make up your mind which of these wonderful events would suit as a Christmas present, don’t worry! You can always leave the decision up to others, by simply buying a gift voucher for The Dock, which will allow the recipient to book a show of their own choosing, so you won’t risk getting it wrong!
For all queries and bookings call The Dock on 071 96 50 828 or visit the website www.thedock.ie