The Dublin Community Blog

It seems it is all happening in Stephen’s Green these days, not only is there Shakespeare in the Park but there is also a wonderful photography exhibition, Spirit of the Wild, on the pathway around the inside of the park by Steve Bloom featuring some of these works. It will be on show until October 7th and has been running since the middle of August apparently. But what a great idea, lots of wonderful images, printed BIG and exhibited outside, I was in heaven.

Arrghhh run there’s a bear chasing you (thanks to my model Geffrey Wang who agreed to pose for me) Unfortunately I only took one shot (note to self, again, ensure you have your shot) and there’s more than a little camera shake – eh we were eh running away from the bear *ahem* but you get the idea

Anyway there’s lots of amazing wildlife images, wonderful, so it is well worth a look. I was there just before 7pm and the light was starting to go but the shots are incredible.

If you haven’t already done it, I highly recommend getting over to St. Stephen’s Green for a free open air performance of The Taming of the Shrew by Public Shakespeare. (LINK) After seeing it today, I can say that it’s a brilliant show! The actors did an excellent job of making the play come alive (which can be a great thing if you’re not a big Shakespeare fan.) Often they walked through the audience and even interacted with them, evoking both laughter and applause. It’s been on twice every day, at 1 and 4pm, since 26th August. This Saturday will be the final performances, so there are only a few days left.

Be sure to have a tenner or something on you since they are only able to offer these free performances as a result of donations. Today most of the audience members seemed to enjoy the performance so much that they were more than willing to throw in a few Euro at the end of the hour long production.

The second annual Dublin Culture Night is happening next Friday (14th September) involving 82 venues (museums, galleries, theatres, libraries, etc.) and 100 free events. Events will include such highlights as free tours of Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Croke Park, lectures on Dublin literary figures, art exhibitions, a film making workshop for kids, and loads more. Whether or not you decide to attend any of the free events, Dublin Culture Night will be difficult to avoid with guides and street entertainers spreading out across the city to answer questions and point people in the right direction.

As a preview to Culture Night, The Dubliner Magazine are holding a debate this Friday night exploring the notion that Ireland has lost its cultural identity. The lively banter will involve writers and musicians such as Mik Pyro from Republic of Loose and Sunday Independent journalist Victoria Mary Clarke.