Sharon Shannon and Tullamore Musical among highlights of Esker Arts' new year line-up

Esker Arts Centre in Tullamore has announced its programme of events for the first three months of the new year, with a performance by trad music star Sharon Shannon and the staging of 'Rock of Ages' by the Tullamore Musical Society among the highlights.

Sean Walsh, the artistic director of the venue, said it had some "amazing events and activities lined up" for the early part of 2024.

Sharon Shannon will make her first appearance at the venue on February 23, as part of her "Now and Then Tour" which celebrates her 30 years at the forefront of Irish music.

Fans of classical music will no doubt look forward to a visit by the Solas Quartet on January 18, a night which will feature material by Alexander Borodin and Fanny Mendelssohn, among others.

An event which is geared towards younger music enthusiasts is Kyle Riley's 'Little Folk – On the Road' concert which takes place at 11am on March 9, and is aimed at 2-7 year olds and their parents.

Tullamore Musical Society returns to Esker in February with 'Rock of Ages', which will feature '80s rock anthems and power ballads, and will be performed from February 10-17.

Tommy Marren's latest comedic play 'Matches and Old Flames' will be staged on March 8 & 9, while later that month, on March 29, Anne Gildea will perform her one-woman show 'How To Get The Menopause and Enjoy it!'

Esker Film Club will be showcasing its spring programme which starts with a topical screening of 'Gaza', an Irish-made documentary about the grim reality of life in the city of Gaza.

Proceeds from this screening, on January 23, will go towards the Palestinian Red Cross.

The film club will also screen 'Asteroid City' by Wes Anderson (February 20) and 'The Eternal Daughter' by Joanna Hogg (March 5). A film about the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, entitled 'Cassius X: Becoming Ali' will be shown on March 19.

Esker Arts Centre's galleries will also be busy in 2024, and the centre's exhibitions programme begins on January 12 with the opening of 'Murmuration', an exhibition of work created collaboratively by 16 talented designers, makers and artists from Offaly, Westmeath and Finland.

Further details of these and other events included in Esker Arts Centre's January to March programme can be found at: eskerarts.ie