Daytrippers

Seven things to do this week

TODAY Fans say a visit to Kilternan market, in south Co Dublin, is like stepping back in time. The same local ladies (and gents) have been turning up to sell their home-made goods - including scones, cakes, chutneys, quiches and pies - for about 40 years. You pay your money, take a ticket and wait until a curtain is drawn back, allowing you to enter the original farmers' market, where breads, jams, veg, honey, plants, crafts and flowers await. This processed-food-free zone makes an extra appearance on Thursday before returning in the new year. The market is opposite Palmer's Golden Ball Tavern, on the road to Enniskerry. 10am-noon.

TOMORROW 12 Days of Christmas, as this Docklands market is known, is the perfect place to pick up last-minute stocking-fillers. Inspired by the markets held across Germany at this time of year, the Dublin event features craft goodies plus entertainment from wandering angels and the man in red. Relax with mulled wine, hot chocolate or something from the German barbecue. Continues until Wednesday. Noon-7pm. Entrance through the arch at Custom House Quay.

MONDAY Another seasonal outing for Handel's Messiah, this time to raise money for Rainbows, a charity helping children and adults who have been bereaved through parental death, separation or divorce. The orchestra of St Cecilia will provide the music at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, accompanying Dublin Bach Singers, including Pauline Graham, soprano. Tickets €20/€15 from 01-4734175 or the pro-cathedral.

TUESDAY There's more to Christmas at the Body Shop than the usual baskets of smellies. Its branches are also selling Women's Aid charity Christmas cards, with all proceeds going to the charity's national freephone helpline and other services. Both Women's Aid and the Body Shop hope to highlight domestic violence and its prevalence at this time of year. The cards cost €5 for six.

WEDNESDAY Get in the mood for Christmas with the debut performance of an ethereal vocal trio called Animae, which for non-Latin students means Souls. Your favourite Christmas carols will be given an original interpretation by this young a cappella group in flickering candlelight, at the Goethe Institut, 37 Merrion Square, Dublin. Animae are sopranos Sue Brady and Geraldine Meade and mezzo Jennifer O'Neill. Tickets €12/€8 on the door; proceeds to the Society of St Vincent de Paul. 6pm.

THURSDAY More carols - and why not? In one of the National Concert Hall's final events before the holiday (it's on again tomorrow), John Pryce-Jones conducts The Glory of Christmas, which features Carlow Choral Society and St Bartholomew's Children's Choir singing popular carols, accompanied by Dublin Concert Orchestra. Bach, Handel, Berlioz and Haydn are among the composers. Tickets €19-€39.50. Call 01-4170000.

FRIDAY With the first of the Narnia films showing at cinemas all over the country, the Dublin band Aslan could be even more popular this Christmas. Tonight Christy Dignam and the boys play the TF Royal Theatre, on Old Westport Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Doors open 8pm, show starts 9pm. Tickets €22.

[ daytrippers@irish-times.ie ]