Dublin Handel Festival

The forthcoming Dublin Handel Festival which takes place in13 April in the Old City area of Temple Bar and other historic venues throughout Dublin. Celebrating the 251th anniversary of Handel’s death, Temple Bar Cultural Trust presents a full programme packed with Handel highlights including concerts, theatre, workshops, tours, talk, family activities and newly commissioned work.

The hugely popular fun and uplifting outdoor event “Messiah on the Street” which opens the festival is an experience not to be missed! Other highlights include an extra special performance of A Global Hallelujah by three national schools in Dublin and a dramatic performance of “Handel’s Crossing by Joseph O’Connor” where Handel will be brought to life on the Jeanie Johnston ship, for a theatrical re-imagining of Handel’s arrival to Dublin in 1742.

This year, Temple Bar Cultural Trust will pay particular attention on involving young people and families in the festival. They are also very excited to be able to expand this year’s programme to include traditional Irish music, as well as offering dance workshops and an outdoor Movie on the Square.

The Old City area of Temple Bar will also participate in In Handel’s Day celebrations offering plenty of choice for visitors looking for lunchtime food and refreshments.

Here is a taster of some of the special highlights from the programme for young people:

Dublin Handel Festival Events 2010

Messiah on the Street

Performed by Our Lady’s Choral Society

Conducted by Proinnsías Ó’Duinn with live accompaniment from the National Sinfonia

Our Lady’s Choral Society will open this very special Handel 251 festival, with their unique choral performance of well known excerpts from Handel’s Messiah. Performed outdoors on the original site where Messiah received its world premiere in 1742, the choir will be joined by guest soloist Ross Scanlon..

Classification : Family Concert / All Ages

Venue: Fishamble Street, Old City Temple Bar

Dates / Times: Tuesday 13 April / 13.00

Admission : FREE No Booking Required

Let’s Walk And Talk: Handel’s Dublin—Then And Now

Historical walking tour with Pat Liddy.

A walk around some of the Dublin streets that still echo with the sounds of George Frideric Handel’s visit in 1742/3 and finishing in Fishamble Street to hear the annual performance of excerpts from his Messiah.

Classification : Family Tour / All Ages

Venue: Meeting Point: Wolfe Tone Park, Mary Street, Dublin 1 (beside Jervis Shopping Centre)

Dates / Times: Tuesday 13 April / 11.00

Admission : FREE No Booking Required

Hallelujah! Classical Music for Kids at St Audoen’s National School

Classical music is being brought to the classroom of St Audeon’s NS. Viola and cello players will perform for the children giving an introduction to Baroque instruments. Children from 4th, 5th and 6th classes will perform their own Hallelujah in the classroom.

Classification : School event closed to the general public

Handel And Dublin in 1742 – Walk by Professor Barra Boydell

See Dublin in a different light on this illuminating walk, led by music historian Professor Barra Boydell, as you meander through the streets and buildings of Handel’s Dublin.

Venue: Meeting Point: Meeting House Square, Temple Bar

Dates / Times: Tuesday 13 April at 12noon

Admission : FREE No Booking Required

Movie on the Square: Barry Lyndon

Stanley Kubrick (1975) (184 mins)

Now regarded as one of Kubrick’s finest films, with ornate imagery reminiscent of paintings from the story’s 18th century period, this adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s novel, The Luck of Barry Lyndon, depicts the rise and fall of an Irish
adventurer in the British aristocracy.

Classification : Movie / All Ages

Venue: Meeting House Square, Temple Bar

Dates / Times: Tuesday 13 April / 21.00

Admission : FREE No Booking Required

A Global Hallelujah in association with The National Chamber Choir of Ireland

The results of a series of workshops will be performed by pupils from Belgrove Senior Girls School, Clontarf, Scoil Áine, Raheny, and Harold’s Cross National School conducted by Alan Leech, a tenor with The National Chamber Choir.

Classification : Family Music / All ages

Dates / Time Tuesday 13 April / 15.00

Admission : FREE No Booking Required

Temple Bar Food Market

Temple Bar is home to 3 outdoor markets The Book Market, Designer Mart and The Temple Bar Food Market every weekend. These markets offer you an alternative way of shopping. Find out more about the Temple Bar Markets