Pick of the week: 9 great things to do in Dublin this weekend

We're told that the weather is to pick up over the weekend, which is all the more reason to get out and about!

Here's a look at the best of what's on...

OPERA

Iarla Ó Lionáird stars in The Hunger at Abbey Theatre (Abbey Theatre)

The Hunger at the Abbey Theatre (until Saturday)

World-famous sean-nós singer Iarla Ó Lionáird (also of folk band The Gloaming) and soprano Katherine Manley star in this operatic adaptation of the writings of Asenath Nicholson, an American philanthropist who wrote about the Great Famine while distributing bibles, food and clothing to the starving.

MUSICAL

Kinky Boots at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (until Tuesday)

Featuring songs from pop legend Cyndi Lauper, this feel-good tale takes you from a shoe factory in the English town of Northampton to the catwalks of Milan as you follow the fortunes of young Charlie and drag queen Lola. This is the touring edition of the award-winning London production, which won the 2016 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

CINEMA

Dublin Feminist Film Festival at the Light House Cinema (Thursday to Saturday)

DFFF exists to celebrate and promote the work of women in film, on both sides of the camera. Along with a great programme of films directed by Irish women, there will be screenings of short films, animations and a filmmakers’ panel discussion.

FOOD

Roberts of Dalkey, lobster/fish paella (Michael Chester)

Dalkey Lobster Festival (Thursday to Sunday)

Beautiful Dalkey will again play host to a festival of seafood, music and craic this weekend, with special guests including Pat Kenny, Lorraine Keane and some of the best seafood chefs in the country. The organisers expect over 6,000 kilos of lobster to be served across the weekend. Dig in!

GIG

Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers performs at The Forum in London in March 2018 (Getty)

Stiff Little Fingers at The Academy (Friday)

Jake Burns and his band of Belfast punks are touring to celebrate the 40th annivcersary of their classic album Inflammable Material, which they will play in full. Before you pogo along to Alternative Ulster and Suspect Device, read our interview below.

THEATRE

Tell it On The Mountain at the Unitarian Church (Friday)

The beautiful Unitarian Church on St Stephen’s Green is the setting for this ‘worlds collide’ new play set in rural Ireland in the 1960s, and starring Chicago gospel singer Karen Underwood. This is an edited ‘showcase’ version of John Murphy’s full play.

CLUB

Optimo DJs and Ciel at Jam Park, Swords (Saturday)

The new Jam Park in Swords (formerly the Wright Venue) hosts a rooftop daytime shindig featuring DJ sets from Glasgow rave veterans Optimo and Canadian up-and-comer Ciel. The party moves into town in the evening for a hot and sweaty session downstairs in Wigwam.

ACTIVE

Wild Air Run at Marlay Park (Saturday to Sunday)

Wet and wild fun for all the family in Marlay Park, Rathfarnham as you pit your wits against 10 of Europe’s biggest inflatable obstacles – inclusding a hair-raising water slidfe – along a 5km course. Suitable for all fitness levels and ages between 7 and 70.

ART

Dublin Art Night 2019 (Saturday to Sunday)

The city is the canvas for Dublin Art Night – in actual fact a weekend of events designed to bring our your creative side. There’s a street art walking tour, ‘Gin & Jewels’, where you get to make your own jewllery while sipping gin, a night-time photo walk and much more.