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Aviva Stadium, Dublin, February 1 After a desperately disappointing World Cup campaign last year, the Irish rugby team will be looking to get their 2020 Six Nations campaign off to a bright start with a win against Scotland at the Aviva. Leinster’s imperious form in both the European Champions Cup and the PRO14 is grounds for optimism, but the Scots are always capable of a big performance, as they proved with their 2017 Six Nations victory over Ireland. Nonetheless, with Andy Farrell now taking over the managerial reigns from Joe Schmidt, Ireland will be keen to ensure his tenure commences on a high note.

Olympia Theatre, Dublin, February 5–9 Bestselling children’s author and Little Britain legend David Walliams (pictured above), has once again teamed up with the award-winning West End producers of Gangsta Granny and Horrible Histories for an amazing new production of his best-selling story, Billionaire Boy. Released in 2010, the story follows Joe Spud, who is the richest boy in the country and has everything he could ever want, other than a friend. The book was adapted for television by the BBC in 2016, and this musical musical production comes from the award-winning Birmingham Stage Company, with music by Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler. producers of and amazing new production of his best-selling story, Boy follows Joe Spud, who is the richest boy in the country and has everything he could ever want, other than a friend. The book was adapted for television by the BBC in 2016, and this musical musical production comes from the award-winning Birmingham Stage Company, with music by Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler.

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SSE Arena, Belfast, January 17 & 18 Arenacross hosts only the best motorsport mavericks who hail from all corners of the earth and specialise in whipping and flipping their bikes 40ft above the arena floor. An event like no other, the track is created from a locally-sourced purple type of dirt and organisers have scoured the globe to find some of the best Freestyle Motocross riders in the world to take to the ramps for your viewing pleasure. With bragging rights and a well-paid jackpot up for grabs, the riders leave nothing on the line resulting in knuckle to knuckle non-stop racing.

SSE Arena, Belfast, March 3 This Belfast date finds the Dublin rockers touring their latest opus, Sunsets & Full Moons, another blockbuster collection of stirring anthems that topped both the Irish and UK charts. Led by the charismatic Danny O’Donoghue, The Script’s live performances are powerful affairs, with their singalong-friendly hits enhanced by cutting edge visuals and production. The likes of ‘For The First Time’ and ‘Hall Of Fame’ will no doubt go down a storm at this hotly anticipated Belfast date.

Exploris Aquarium, Belfast, January 3, 31 & February 28 This brand new alternative night out gives visitors the chance to see if things go bump in the night at Belfast’s Exploris Aquarium. Your evening will begin with a delicious two course meal using locally sourced ingredients at the beautiful Portaferry Hotel. The hotel overlooks the shores of Strangford Lough which makes it a magnificent setting for evening dinner! After dinner you will arrive at Exploris Aquarium for a fascinating guided tour of Northern Ireland’s only aquarium. The lantern lit tour will allow you to explore some of the amazing animals found in oceans, globally and a lot closer to home.

THE HENRY GIRLS

Various Venues, Bundoran, Donegal, January 18–21 The Northwest of Ireland has long been celebrated for its unique Atlantic culture and history. Now there is a festival which takes place on that Wild Atlantic Way, making the most of the cosy winter atmosphere, with the best of cultural talks about the history of Ireland and outdoor activities along the spectacular coastline. Outdoor activities include golf, surfing lessons and a beach horse riding trek. The craic agus ceol will be on hand at excellent musical performances by The Logues, The Henry Girls, Johnny Gallagher & Boxty and Erdini.

Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, January 18 & 25, February 22, March 13

One of Belfast’s most haunted buildings is opening its doors to valiant visitors this spring. The only Victorian-era prison left in Northern Ireland, Crumlin Road Gaol is a place with dark secrets, where many of its inmates met violent ends over its 150 year history. This Paranormal tour will take you to the various hot spots of the Gaol where Paranormal Activity has been reported and the guide will tell you of the harrowing stories associated with these areas: the condemned man’s cell, the execution chamber, the tunnel and the flogging room. Comfortingly, tour tickets can also be bundled with a meal to steel the nerves!

The MiX Course is for aspiring Musicians, PR, Media, Music Managers & Marketers who want to make their mark in the music industry or for those who simply want to update their knowledge, expertise and network!

SCHEDULE MiX is composed of a 13-Week, lecture-based course holding one class per week by the top specialist exponents of the Irish and International Music Industry

STACEY DOOLEY

Waterfront Hall, Belfast, January 24–26 It may seem like the 8 Out Of 10 Cats presenter is rarely off our TV screens, but Jimmy Carr has maintained a career as one of the UK’s most successful stand-up comedians by constantly touring. Since he began his career in the early 2000s, Jimmy has performed 10 sell-out tours and played over 2,000 shows to 2.5 million plus people. Not for the easily offended, Carr has made a name for himself as a comic willing to poke and prod around the darkest recesses of taste, while still managing to keep the crowds rolling in the aisles.

SSE Arena, Belfast, January 29 & 30 Hosted by 2018 winner Stacey Dooley, this high-kicking spectacular will feature a selection of celebrities and professional dancers from 2019's series of the show. Arena audiences can expect to enjoy an unmissable evening of dance entertainment filled with colour, excitement and humour. Showcasing all the amazing choreography and live music that Strictly is known for, audiences will experience a host of breathtaking dance routines guaranteed to leave them reeling and roaring for more. Recreating the glitz, glamour and magic conjured up on the TV, this show is undoubtedly a must-see spectacle for fans and families.

Waterfront Hall, Belfast, February 2 Ireland’s top sketch trio are back on tour with their new show Swines. With over 100 million hits, the group are best known for their online sketches, but it’s the live show where they really shine. The trio achieved critical acclaim this year with the best reviewed show at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, and are now hitting the road around the Island of Ireland in an over packed car. The new show promises an hour of scripted nonsense, twisted characters, music and unintentional improvisation

Waterfront Hall, Belfast, February 29 Another one of the greats is saying goodbye. Legendary Donegal folk band Clannad are celebrating an exceptional 50-year career with a farewell world tour which includes some eagerly anticipated Irish shows. The Grammy and BAFTA award-winning quartet have sold 15 million records worldwide and have eight Top 10 UK albums to their name. Additionally, Clannad have plans to release In A Lifetime, a multi-format, career-spanning anthology. Grab tickets and make sure you properly say goodbye to the group who’ve done so much for Irish culture!

STEVE MARTIN & MARTIN SHORT: THE FUNNIEST SHOW IN TOWN AT THE MOMENT SSE Arena, Belfast, March 12 Comedy legends of stage and screen for nearly 50 years, Martin and Short have been enjoying their later years by taking to the road together. Their 2018 Netflix special An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest Of Your Life was a huge hit, earning rave reviews and four Emmy nominations. As with that tour, the dynamic duo will be joined by bluegrass band The Steep Canyon, who are frequent collaborators of Steve Martin, himself an accomplished banjo player. The jokes come at you at a rapid-fire pace with little set-up and big punch lines as they mock Hollywood and the fickle nature of celebrity, but the comedy truly soars when they lovingly (and relentlessly) roast each other.