MMA
Bellator MMA at 3Arena (Friday)
No-holds-barred combat action, with star attraction The Strabanimal – Strabane’s James Gallagher – going up against the former UFC bantamweight, Roman Salazar. Before that, Tallaght fighter Richard Kiely will take on Englishman Michael ‘Venom’ Page.
COMEDY
Tommy Tiernan at Vicar Street (until Saturday)
The legendary funnyman is back at Vicar Street for another run. If you can’t make it this weekend, don’t worry – he’ll be back for another deries of dates next month.
FILM
IFI Documentary Festival at the Irish Film Institute (until Sunday)
Five days of the world’s best documentary film-making in Temple Bar. Highlights include Cold Case Hammarskjöld, about the mysterious death of UN General Secretary Dag Hammarskjöld in 1961, A Dog Called Money (about PJ Harvey’s 2016 album) followed by a Q&A with director Seamus Murphy and Taste Of Cement (about Syrian construction workers during the civil war) followed by Q&A with director Ziad Kalthoum.
THEATRE
Dublin Theatre Festival at various venues (until Sunday 13 October)
DFT showcases the best of Irish theatre at the city’s best venues. Topping the bill this year is a fresh new take on J.M.Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World at the Gaiety, by director Oonagh Murphy.
GIG
Nealo at The Grand Social (Friday)
Neal Keating is one of Dublin’s most talented rappers, and this will be his biggest headline show to date. Expect a live band backing up the MC and plenty of guest appearances from friends and co-conspirators.
CLUB
Or:la and Mike Servito at Tengu (Friday)
Dance music fans get two top-tier DJs for the price of one here. Derry DJ Or:la will be bringing her high-octane, ravey sounds to the main club while New York acid house don Mike Servito will be upstairs. Start your weekend right.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Embroidery Workshop for Beginners at Lucky's (Saturday)
Convinced you’d be a dab hand with a needle and thread? This is your chance to put it to the test. Head to Lucky’s bar on Meath Street (yes, it’s in a pub!) and you can learn four main embroidery stitches before starting your own work of art.
SPORT
Great Dublin Bike Ride starting at Phoenix Park (Sunday)
Feeling energetic? The Great Dublin Bike Ride has two different courses – one 60km, one a whopping 100km – for riders of all abilities to spend a morning in the saddle from a starting point in the Phoenix Park. There’s also a 2km Family Cycle in the park so kids can get involved too. Be quick though – entries close at midnight on Friday.
FAMILY
Bosco and Sleeping Beauty at dlr Mill Theatre (Sunday)
A true national hero, Bosco stars in this interactive, puppet-led version of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale. Looks like a magical way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
