Christmas Entertainment: What better way to stir even the Scroogiest of hearts than song? Catherine Foley highlights some of the best Christmas music countrywide.
The Giant's Garden
Join the Armagh Rhymers to welcome in the new year with an interactive workshop, followed by a performance of The Giant's Garden. Ages four and over.
Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks, Jan 4th, 3 p.m., free (1890-687386)
Cork
Christmas Art: Make Christmas wreaths, cards, trees and more. Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Sat, 10 a.m.-noon, €10 (021-4723377)
Mayo
Christmas Decorations Workshop: Make your own seasonal decorations and cards. Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Dec 9th-12th, phone for times (094-9031751 or 01-6486304)
Ice shows and ice rinks
Touring
The Russian Ice Stars: The troupe are bringing a temporary ice stage with them for performances of Sleeping Beauty On Ice and The Nutcracker. INEC, Killarney, Co Kerry, Dec 26th & 27th, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., €27.50/€20 (Sleeping Beauty); then Dec 28th, €35/€27.50 (The Nutcracker) (064-71555); The Helix, Dublin, Jan 6th-10th, 7.30 p.m., also Jan 7th & 10th, 2.30 p.m. (Sleeping Beauty), from €20 (01-7007000)
Dublin
Dublin City On Ice: Now in its second year, the seasonal outdoor rink is slightly larger this time, with a separate area for the under-sixes, who can skate with their parents or play on snow sleighs. Non-skaters can check out the Christmas market and bring children to Santa's Workshop. Smithfield, daily until Jan 11th except Christmas Day, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., €12/€8, including skate hire (1890-868686). See also www.dublincityonice.ie
7UP Christmas On Ice: A rival indoor ice rink has opened on the southside, with a Continental-style Christmas market and Santa's Polar Palace for younger children (admission extra). RDS, most days until Jan 11th, 9.30 a.m.- 10.30 p.m., €12.50/€8.50(1850-423423). See also 7upchristmasonice.ie
Visiting Santa
Dublin
Santa's Magical Trail: Apart from run-of-the-mill department-store Santas, how about trying a wildlife-based Christmas experience? The trail lets children visit animals from different countries, learning about how Christmas is celebrated in places such as Indonesia, Brazil and Madagascar. Before checking out the elves' workshop and getting their gift from Santa, they can also see Arctic animals such as the Arctic fox and the snowy owl. Dublin Zoo, Mon-Fri, 1 p.m.-3.30 p.m. until Dec 19th, also weekends and Dec 22nd-24th, 11 a.m.-3.30 p.m., children €21, including admission to the zoo, adults €8.25 when accompanying a child (01-4748900)
Cork
Santa's Magical Trail: Zoo trail, including a chance to see cheetah cubs experiencing their first Christmas. Fota Wildlife Park, Carrigtwohill, Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-3.30 p.m., also Sun 11 a.m.-3.30 p.m., until Christmas Eve, children €14, adult €6.80 (021-4812678)
Kildare
Santa's Kingdom: Two- to eight-year-olds will be entertained by Mrs Claus, the Grumpy Elf, the Toymaster and more on their two-hour journey to see Santa. Punchestown Racecourse, daily until Dec 23rd, 9.30 a.m.-7.30 p.m., €24.50/ €19.50 (0818-719300)
Christmas films
Elf: A human child brought up as an elf goes in search of his real father; one of the better children's films this Christmas. On general release now
Brother Bear: In Disney's new animated comedy drama, a young man (voiced by Joaquin Phoenix) gets a new perspective on life when he is turned into a bear. Opens on Friday
Peter Pan: Unlike its Disney predecessors, this is a darker version of the children's tale, with actors rather than animation. Opens on St Stephen's Day
Belfast
UO Family Christmas Concert: The Ulster Orchestra under the baton of Christopher Bell. Waterfront Hall, Dec 13th 2.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m, £10 concessions available (0044-2890334455).
Carols by Candlelight: Featuring the Mozart Festival Orchestra in full 18th-century period costume, the night will be filled with traditional music and carols, in a candlelit venue. Waterfront Hall, Dec 14th, 7.30 p.m., £25 (0044-2890334455).
Handel's Messiah: The great seasonal oratorio will be played by the Ulster Orchestra and conducted by Nicholas Kraemer with the Belfast Philharmonic Choir and soloists Elizabeth Cragg, Matthew Hargreaves, Matthew Beale and Charles Humphries. Waterfront Hall, Dec 20th, 7.30 p.m. (0044-2890334455).
Clare
Regina Nathan: Performing songs from opera, light opera and Christmas hymns. Accompanied by Gillian Williams on violin, Linnhe Robertson on piano and a full choir. Glór, Ennis, Dec 14th, €17, concession €14 (065-6843103).
Cork
Christmas Carols Concert: A very popular event, there will be a collection for charity at the end of the ecumenical celebration but there is no admission charge. St Fin Barr's Cathedral, Dec 19th, 8 p.m., Dec 21st, 3.30 p.m. (021-4963387).
Dublin
Con Anima: The Royal Irish Academy of Music's annual charity concert features pianists John O'Conor and Hugh Tinney, cellist Aisling Drury Byrne and singers Suzanne Murphy and Kathleen Tynan, as well as members of the National Symphony Concert. In aid of the Society for Poor People's Development, which is supporting communities in the Trichy District of Tamil Nadu in India. Dublin Castle State Apartments, tonight, 8 p.m., €40/€30 (01-6764412).
Trinity College Singers: Conductor Stuart Kinsella will entertain the audience with a selection of works by Berkeley, Walton, Britten, Joubert, Mawby and Bach. City Hall, Dec 3rd, 1.05 p.m., free.
Handel's Messiah: The Culwick Choral Society will perform in a candlelit setting with soloist soprano Kim Sheehan, contralto Deirdre Cooling-Nolan, tenor Eugene O'Hagan, bass Conor Biggs and the Orchestra of St Cecilia under the baton of Colin Block. In aid of Focus Ireland. St Patrick's Cathedral, Dec 3rd and 4th, €22, tickets from Focus Ireland (01-4751955) or Ticketmaster (08187-19300).
Mozart's Requiem: Performed by the choirs of the Dublin Choral Foundation - the Lassus Scholars and the Piccolo Lasso - with guest soloists accompanied by the Orlando Chambert Orchestra. National Concert Hall, Dec 7th, 8 p.m., €15 with 10 per cent concession for groups of 10 (01-4170000).
RTÉ Cór na nÓg: Conducted by Blanaid Murphy and accompanied by pianist Alison Thomas in A Christmas Carol, with traditional and contemporary Christmas carols, including Silent Night and Jingle Bells.
St Ann's Church, Dawson St, Dec 8th, 6.30 p.m. Adults: €10, children: €5, available at the door.
Culwick Choral Society: The concert's programme includes Jingle Bells, O Holy Night, Wexford Carol and In the Bleak Mid-Winter. National Concert Hall, Dec 12th, 8 p.m., €18, concessions available (01-4170000).
Adventure Concert - Countdown to Christmas: The RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gareth Hudson and presented by Alasdair Malloy, playing new and old favourites. The Helix, Dec 12th-14th, 4 p.m. and
7 p.m., adults €10, children €5 (01-7007000). National Concert Hall, Dec 16th, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Adults €10, children €5 (01-4170000).
Handel's Messiah: A special fundraising event with the 3rd Day Chorale and full orchestra. St Fintan's Church, Sutton, December 12th, 7.45 p.m., €20, concessions available (087-7990880).
Carols for Freedom: With the Dublin Gospel Choir, and soprano Nora King, as well as music from Colm and Ronán Ó Snodaigh of Kíla, organised as a fundraising event by the Irish Section of Amnesty International. Christ Church Cathedral, Dec 13, 8 p.m., €20, with concessions (01-6776361).
Handel's Messiah: The National Concert Hall, the Dún Laoghaire Choral Society and the Orchestra of St Cecilia, with a host of special guests. Audience members are requested to bring along a score and lend their voices to the chorus. National Concert Hall, Dec 14th, €22/€18 with concessions (01-4170000).
The Susannah de Wrixon and Trio Con Brio Christmas Show: New and old songs combined with seasonal texts from J. B. Keane and Patrick Kavanagh. Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Dec 16th-21st, €20/€15 (01-2312929).
Anúna: Reverent music in arrangements that drift in and out of modern harmonies, often sustained without words. Under director Michael McGlynn, the concert will feature tracks from the group's latest album, Winter Nights (see panel, above). Christ Church Cathedral, Dec 19th-21st, €25, from Opus 2, South Great George's Street at 01-6778571 or online at www.anuna.ie.
New Year's Eve Gala Concert: A perennial favourite of all-time classical favourites. Glorious melodic Viennese music is promised with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, soprano Virginia Kerr and conductor Laurent Wagner. There is also pre-performance music in the foyer by The Café Orchestra.
National Concert Hall, Dec 31st, 9.45 p.m., €30, €40, €50 and €20 choir balcony with concessions, includes complimentary glass of champagne (01-4170000).
Galway
The Three Tenors: John Scott, Karl Scully and Paul Linehand return from their tour of the US to sing a range of arias. St Nicholas's Collegiate Church, Lambard Street, Dec 5th, €22.50 (091-509960).
Kildare
A Celebration of Christmas: The Millicent Singers and the Clane Church Choir, under the direction of choir-conductor Michael Weedle. Clane Parish Church, Dec 14th, €15 (045-868158).
Limerick
RTÉ Lyric FM Christmas Choral Extravaganza: All those who sing in a choir are invited to apply and help make up a choir of more than 1,000 choristers. The day begins at 2 p.m. with a dress rehearsal and the concert will start at 3 p.m. The resulting concert of the best loved carols will be broadcast on Lyric FM on Christmas Day (see panel, right). University Concert Hall, Dec 7th, €12.50, concessions available (061-207300/ 207336 or 061-331549).
ICC Gala Christmas Concert: A platform for budding young local string players to perform alongside the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Conducted by Nicholas McGegan, featuring a combined string orchestra from the Limerick School of Music, Clare Music Makers and Cór Nano Nagle, it promises to provide lots of festive cheer and a host of Christmas carols. University Concert Hall, Dec 13th, €20, concessions available (061-331549).
UL Choir: Comprising students and staff, the University of Limerick Choir will give a lunchtime Christmas recital featuring a varied repertoire of renaissance, classical, modern and Irish choral music. Donations will be taken for the Hope and Homes for Children. Irish World Music Centre, Dec 13th, (061-331549).
Handel's Messiah: Citizens of Limerick are in for a treat when the imerick Choral Union celebrates its 40th season of bringing oratorios and choral music to audiences. Conducted by music director Malcolm Green with soloists Franzita Whelan, Imelda Drumm, Paul McNamara and Charles Johnston. niversity Concert Hall, Dec 14th, €20 (061-331549).
Scrooge: resented by the Binneas Chamber Choir & Actors' Co-Op.
Georgian House, Pery Square Dec 14th, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., €15,concessions available (061-314130).
Waterford
Handel's Messiah: Performed by the WIT Choir and Orchestra, conducted by Dr Eric Sweeney and joined by a team of soloists, including Vanessa Sadlier, Tanya Sewell, Dermot Doyle and Eoin Power. Christ Church Cathedral, Dec 11th, €10/€7 (051-875622).
Anúna: The Anúna series of concerts in Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin this year is likely to sell out early. In the candlelit surrounds of the ancient church, the glacial, ethereal sound of the a capella group, which toured the east coast of the US this year, has continued to win rave reviews since it was formed by Michael McGlynn in 1987. This year, Anúna will perform carols and new compositions from its latest album, Winter Songs, which has just been released. Carols such as Away in a Manger, Silent Night, as well as The First Day, from the eighth century, The Coventry Carol from 14th-century England and a 16th-century piece called Ríu Ríu all feature on the new album. "It's a chilly album, the sound is quite glacial," says McGlynn, explaining the crystal-clear sounds of the unaccompanied voices. The group played at the World Sacred Music Festival in Fès in Morocco earlier this year, where they performed under an 800-year-old tree.
In Dublin, with the group's full complement of 36 singers on the night, they will also be joined for some of the pieces by percussionist Noel Eccles and oboist, Matthew Manning.
Christ Church Cathedral, Dec 19th-21st, Tickets €25, from Opus 2, South Great George's Street at 01-6778571 or online at www.anuna.ie.
Christmas Choral Extravaganza: One thousand singers will gather in Limerick this month to form one big choir and sing the world's best-loved carols.
This will be the second Christmas Choral Extravaganza. Voices from choirs of all shapes and sizes around the country will join under the baton of Gerry Kelly for a day of music-making, and the results will be broadcast at 5 p.m. on RTÉ Lyric FM on Christmas Day. Special guests include last year's winners of the station's Choirs for Christmas Competition, the Mullingar Cathedral Choir, the Valda Chamber Choir, the Young Wexford Singers, Dublin's Gloria choir and the Grovenor Chorale from Co Down. Members of the band of the Garda Síochána will be taking part as well as organist Peter Sweeney. After a dress rehearsal, the concert will start at 3 p.m. and run until 4.30 p.m. The carols include Away in a Manger, Once in Royal David's City, See Amid the Winter's Snow and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. "Come along, you don't need to be in a choir. Everybody comes to sing. Last year, it was amazing, the whole auditorium burst into song," says Gail Henry, a producer with Lyric FM and co-ordinator of the event. University Concert Hall, Dec 7th, 2 p.m.-4.30 p.m, 12.50 and €10 concessions. Special group rates available.
