Happy St Brigid’s Day – did you make a cross or leave a scarf outside your door last night – for it to be blessed by the saint associated with creativity and wisdom? (Known as a “Bratog Bride” in Irish folklore this special garment can be used as a cure for headaches and sore throats). Today marks the start of Brigit 2022: Dublin City Celebrating Women with an inaugural programme of free events including films, tours, debates, interviews and performance of songs and stories. This evening, The Spring Rise Brigit 2022 concert features Imelda May, FELISPEAKS, Sibéal Ní Chasaide and Tolü Makay. It takes place at 7.15pm in the Round Room of the Mansion House, Dublin 2. Look out for some of Dublin’s most iconic buildings illuminated with imagery associated with Brigit and other inspiring women too. Visit the Mansion House to see artist Holly Pereira’s Brigit, Goddess of Fire and see illustrator Claire Prouvost’s The Spark projected on the walls of the Hugh Lane Gallery. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gillliland, will also be hosting panel discussions on “Inspiring Women in STEM” and another on “We Were There, We Are Here Women in Politics”. Details and bookings for all events are on www.Dublin.ie/Brigit.

Eva Pau photographed by Kirsty Lyons.

We’ve just entered The Year of the Tiger and those born under this sign (in the years 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938) are known for their charisma, natural leadership skills and rebellious streak. Celebrations for the Lunar New Year are already well underway: the Dublin Lunar New Year programme runs until February 6 and features a mix of both in-person and online events, many of which are free. Today, for instance, there is an online cooking demonstration with the Chester Beatty (www.chesterbeatty.ie) and Asia Market’s commercial director Eva Pau (pictured) is also hosting a free cookery demonstration. She will show participants how to make a traditional tomato, chilli and prawn dish that is packed with flavour and which symbolises laughter, joy and happiness. Participants can pre-order the prepared box of fresh ingredients for the cook along with Eva online at www.asiamarket.ie. Other ways to celebrate include taking a virtual tour on February 5 of Dublin Zoo and finding out more about the Amur tiger (www.dublinzoo.ie), while visitors to the Guinness Storehouse will be able to take Mandarin audio tours, enjoy some traditional entertainment, sample a special food collaboration with Hakkahan restaurant, learn about the history of Guinness in Asia, and get a Tiger-themed selfie on a pint! www.guinness-storehouse.com. For more ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year, read this post. www.dublinlunarnewyear.ie

Published on February 2, 1922, James Joyce’s Ulysses is the singular masterpiece of 20th century literature in the English language and continues to be hugely influential today. This centenary year will see events taking place across the globe to celebrate a novel about a day in the life of a Dubliner and his city. To promote the centenary MoLI has launched a new digital platform that allows visitors to explore Joycean events taking place in Ireland and abroad. Why not have a peep or delve into the world of Leopold Bloom, his wife Molly and Stephen Dedalus; ulysses100.ie; ulysses.ie.

Gabriel Byrne photographed by Jerome De Perlinghi.

Arguably the theatre event of the year, there are still some tickets left to see Gabriel Byrne at the Gaiety Theatre for the world premiere of Walking with Ghosts. Adapted from his best-selling memoir of the same name, this theatrical event, directed by Emmy award-winning director Lonny Price, is produced by Landmark Productions and Lovano and will play for twelve performances only until February 6. Moving between sensual recollection of childhood in a now almost vanished Ireland and a commentary on stardom in Hollywood and on Broadway, Byrne reflects on his life’s journey; it’s both hilarious and heartbreaking, as well as a lyrical homage to the people and landscapes that ultimately shape our destinies; www.gaietytheatre.ie.

Don’t forget to pick up your copy of THE GLOSS this Thursday, February 3, where you’ll find beauty editor Sarah Halliwell talking trends and tips with some of Ireland’s leading Irish beauty and skincare gurus. If you’re inspired to get some new make-up or treatments head to Dundrum Town Centre, where you’ll find several wellness havens under one roof. Relax at Skinfull Affairs and enjoy one of its luxurious signature manicures, which includes a gentle skin exfoliation, deep conditioning hand mask, massage and polish, €45. At Edvard & Pink, its new menu of 60-minute body treatments includes “Meditation Rituals” – that helps to reduce muscle tension and detox the body. Or at MudPie Beauty Cottage, enjoy a LED phototherapy session – a non-invasive treatment that uses therapeutic light energy to trigger the skin’s natural rejuvenation and repair processes without pain or downtime; www.dundrum.ie.

The popular annual “Friends Fortnight” festival returns to the National Gallery of Ireland on Thursday February 3. This series of online events centred on the theme “up close, from afar” can be enjoyed from the comfort of home, as the Gallery brings art to members across the globe. Events in week one include: an in depth look at the work happening in the Gallery’s Conservation Studio; a review of Turner’s watercolour palette and illuminating techniques; and a meditative virtual tour of the Gallery’s collection, exploring the art of mindfulness. Lectures will also be presented by Gallery curators Adrian Le Harivel (Curator of British Art) along with Anne Hodge (Curator of Prints and Drawings). During week two of the festival, online events include a discussion with Joanne Drum of the Gallery’s Education team as well as an analysis of jewellery in the national portrait collection by Sotheby’s London fine jewellery specialist Jemima Chamberlain-Adams, FGA. For more details, visit www.nationalgallery.ie.

The countdown to Valentine’s Day has begun and now that the green light has been given to go “out out” there are lots of tempting packages and dining options which last beyond February 14. The “Wilder Romance” at The Wilder Townhouse (pictured), is an overnight stay with a chilled bottle of prosecco, a special Valentine’s-inspired cocktail and a homecooked breakfast the following morning, from €229; www.irelandsbluebook.com. The Hardiman hotel in Galway is offering a “Love is in the Eyre Valentine’s Package” available for the month of February until the 27, from €150 per person for two nights. Evening dinner on one night of your choice and breakfast included both days. A perfect excuse to visit Galway; www.thehardiman.ie. Or why not book an indulgent Valentines Rosé Afternoon Tea experience at Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa from now until Monday February 14? Served in the panoramic Sugar Loaf Lounge with incredible views of the Wicklow countryside, this romantic afternoon tea experience includes delicate finger sandwiches, freshly made scones and an assortment of pastries accompanied by tea or coffee and a glass of Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé costing €70 per person. There’s also a non-alcohol option at €50 per person. Pre-booking is essential; www.powerscourthotel.com. For other Valentine’s offers see thegloss.ie on Saturday February 5.

Another milestone celebrated this month is the 20th anniversary of the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival taking place from February 23 – March 6, in cinemas and with a selection of films also available online. The full programme is being released tomorrow, February 2, but we do know that the complex coming-of-age Irish language feature film An Cailín Ciúin is opening the festival (pictured). Ruth Wilson will return to Dublin for the Irish premiere of the psychological thriller True Things, adapted from Deborah Kay Davies’s acclaimed novel True Things About Me. Acclaimed composer Neil Brand will present an evening of music by the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Also on the programme is Kate Dolan’s creepy and unsettling psychological thriller You Are Not My Mother, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival. The Festival Pass priced at €250 will give access to the festival’s regular cinema tickets as well as 20 per cent discount on special presentations; www.diff.ie.

For music lovers, Ortús Chamber Music Festival will take place from Friday, February 25 to Sunday, 27, in venues in Cork City and county. Audiences will be treated to a music from Dvorak’s marvellous second piano quintet, to a Chausson’s concert together with works by Beethoven, Mozart, Shostakovich, Rimsky Korsakov and Irish composer, Sebastian Adams. Performing alongside Mairéad Hickey, artistic director of the festival, (violin) will be celebrated Irish musicians, Fiachra Garvey (piano) and Siún Milne (violin), and international star violinist Fumika Mohri from Japan, cellists Brandon Cho (USA) and Alexander Kovalev (Russia), and violists Sindy Mohamed (France) and Sara Ferrández (Spain). Full details of the festival and ticket information can be found on ortusfestival.ie.

Are you looking for inspiration for your next book? Four novels from Ireland are among the 79 books nominated by libraries around the world for the 2022 DUBLIN Literary Award, the world’s most valuable annual prize for a single work of fiction published in English, worth €100,000 to the winner. The Irish titles nominated for the 2022 Award are: Here is the Beehive by Sarah Crossan; The Art of Falling by Danielle McLaughlin; Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan and Strange Flowers by Donal Ryan. For more details on the award, the winner of which will be announced on May 19 as part of the opening day of the International Literature Festival Dublin visit dublinliteraryaward.ie.