Film fans are in for a treat this month. The 21st Belfast Film Festival opens on November 4 with a gala screening of Belfast at the Waterfront Hall. The semi-autobiographical film written and directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh which stars Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciaran Hinds and Caitriona Balfe, is one of six premieres which also includes the first Irish language feature film Doineann. Director Jim Sheridan will participate in an In Conversation With session, and will no doubt discuss working with Daniel Day-Lewis, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Harris, Tobey Maguire and rapper 50 Cent among others. There’s plenty of fashion inspiration too. Old school comedy classic Bringing Up Baby starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn will be screened, as will The Way We Were with Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand. Fans of The War of the Roses with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner should note that its director Danny DeVito has recorded a video interview at the Fox Studios screening room; www.belfastfilmfestival.org. Breaking Out, winner of the George Morrison Feature Documentary Award at the 2021 Irish Film & Television Academy Awards and Best Irish Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh 2019, will be released in cinemas from November 19. Directed by Michael McCormick, this poignant biopic is of Cork born singer-songwriter Fergus O’Farrell, the charismatic voice of influential 1990s band Interference, diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at a young age. He was best known for his timeless song Gold, which featured in the soundtrack to Once, the Oscar winning film and multi-Tony-award-winning musical. Finally, expect an uptick in Gucci sales when Ridley Scott’s The House of Gucci, starring Adam Driver and Lady Gaga, hits cinemas on November 24. The film is based on Sara Gay Forden’s book, The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour and Greed, which retells the story of Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) and her marriage to Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver). Reggiani was convicted of his assassination in 1998 after hiring a hitman to kill him…

The West Wicklow Chamber Music festival has a gorgeous “Winter Weekend” running from November 12-14 featuring six musicians, set in the stunning surroundings of The Saloon, at Russborough House. Artists include Fiachra Garvey (piano), Mairead Hickey (violin), Sharon Carty (mezzo-soprano), Gary Beecher (piano) and the superstar Latvian sisters, Krist?ne Balanas (violin) and Margarita Balanas (cello). The Balanas sisters, (pictured), have a huge following (by classical artist standards). In addition to performing in all of the world’s major concert halls, they were featured as actors and musicians alongside Robbie Williams in his music video Different, and have modelled for Vogue and Molly Goddard in London Fashion Week. Since 2018, they have been sponsored by leading brands such as La Perla and GVIDO. For a full programme of the mini festival visit www.westwicklowfestival.com. In the spirit of a cultural adventurer, Finghin Collins, pianist and classical music dynamo, is embarking on a national Wanderer tour from November 13 to December 5. Says Collins, “Named after Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasie, the composer’s most virtuosic piano work, and a pillar of this programme, I can’t think of a better way to nurture well-being than through live music performance and I hope my Wanderer recitals bring people joy.” Tickets are available via eventbrite.ie. Meanwhile Ardee, Co Louth, is hosting a baroque music festival from Friday November 19 – 21. The weekend includes music by Bach, Handel, Santiago De Murcia, Boccherini, Vivaldi and Purcell in the beautiful setting of St Mary’s Church in the heart of the town. For information on tickets and concerts visit www.ardeebaroque.com.

Promenade The Podcast is a collection of 16 stories from around the world dealing with memory and the stories they trigger – from the sound of the sea reminding you of an old romance, the scent of a perfume in Paris making you yearn for home, or a bar of soap reminding you of a loved one – memories can be triggered by the oddest of things. Created by Andy Gaffney, Promenade was born “from both love and curiosity of nostalgia and a love of hearing a person’s story. Memories and the stories they trigger can be actual real life time travel.” The podcast will be available to listen, download and enjoy from November 2 across all platforms.

Opera lovers take note: Irish National Opera is on a nationwide tour from November 20 – December 11 with The Lighthouse. Directed by Edwina Casey and performed by tenor Gavan Ring, baritone Ben McAteer, bass John Molloy, and the Irish National Opera orchestra. First performed in 1980 as part of the Edinburgh Festival, The Lighthouse is inspired by a true story, which unfolded on the Fladda Isles of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland in 1900, when the lighthouse mysteriously “went dark”. When a visiting supply ship visits the island, the crew finds the building in order, but the three keepers vanished. Ring, McAteer and Molloy, in multiple roles, explore the psychological state of the fractious men, relive an official investigation and project a supernatural explanation. The opera will be staged in Dundalk, Cork, Tralee, Ennis, Navan, Dublin, Bray and Letterkenny; www.irishnationalopera.ie.

Contemporary storytelling, exquisite costumes, a re-imagined Tchaikovsky score and classical ballet unite in Ballet Ireland’s festive offering Nutcracker Sweeties. This ballet will tour venues around Ireland from November 3 – December 23. Set in a department store in Dublin, Ciara and her brother Fionn wander off from their parents where the magic of The Nutcracker begins. The pair are rescued by the Nutcracker Doll who comes to life transporting them to the magical Kingdom of The Sweets where the two meet the majestic Sugar Plum Fairy. With choreography by Morgann Runacre-Temple, audiences of all ages are bound to be enthralled by Nutcracker Sweeties’ fairytale magic; www.balletireland.ie.

Get set (and dressed up) for a trio of new restaurant openings. If the elegant decor by Carla Benedetti is anything to go by, then Dorian restaurant, wine and cocktail bar in Donnybrook will be a very chic haunt indeed. Manager Harshal Shah’s credentials are impressive – as a connoisseur of fine food and wine (formerly of Pembroke Wines) his new venture embraces elements of the Roaring ‘20s, with cool jazz and classic bistro vibes; www.dorian.ie. Kevin Burke, the former head chef of Michelin-starred The Ninth London, and more recently allta in Dublin is opening Library St, located off South Frederick Street in Dublin city centre. Burke’s emphasis will be on sharing menus for an inclusive dining experience: “We will encourage the sharing of classic dishes done simply using great produce sourced from all over our beautiful island. We have ambitious standards: from freshly baked baguettes to crispy chicken wings stuffed with scallop & tarragon mayo, whole baked bass with fennel & mussels to lamb marinated in yoghurt, honey and rosemary.” Finally, renowned Scottish-Italian chef, Nico Simeone, will introduce his dining concept Six by Nico to Dublin at the end of the month. Located at 1 Molesworth Street, Six by Nico Dublin will be the ninth addition to the restaurant brand’s portfolio.The new premises will deliver a fresh new six-course tasting menu – each one focused on a different place, memory, or idea – every six weeks. Having had a preview at the Six by Nico Belfast premises, I can attest that this is one food experience you don’t want to miss; www.sixbynico.ie.

For oenophiles, Irish Master of Wine, Róisín Curley will host a wine event on Thursday, November 11 in The Grill Room of The River Lee, Cork. A Mayo native, Curley is a pharmacist whose love for wine led her to making her own highly-regarded vintages and she now divides her time between Burgundy and Ballyhaunis. Founding Maison Róisín Curley in 2015, she is a micro-négotiant, sourcing organic grapes from top growers to make her wines, and her winemaking philosophy has always been about minimal intervention, producing elegant and authentic wines that express their terroir.  This event is an opportunity to experience five of Maison Róisín Curley’s selections paired with a five-course tasting menu created by chefs Paul Lane and Oisín Collins.  Tickets for the Róisín Curley wine dinner are limited and are available for €125 per person via theriverclubcork.ie.

Seasonal markets and illuminations to look forward to this month include Ballymaloe Craft Fair which is taking place across two weekends – Friday, November 19 to Sunday 2, and Friday 26 to Sunday 28 at Ballymaloe Grainstore. There will be over 150 stalls showcasing and selling artisan products from Irish food producers, artists, designers and craft brewers. The event will be open from 5-9pm each Friday evening, while there will be ample opportunity to browse and buy on Saturdays and Sundays, with the Craft Fair open from 10am to 5pm. Free parking is available on site, while admission costs €6, with free entry available to children under 12. Visitors can expect craft demonstrations, children’s activities, hot food, mulled wine and live music; www.ballymaloefestivals.ie. For an immersive night walk “Wonderlights” at Malahide Castle and Gardens not only highlights the history of the castle, delving into the story of the Talbot family, but also brings magical themes to life, meaning it’s perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Entry times are every 15 minutes from 5 pm – 8 pm every Thursday – Sunday and tickets are from €16.50; www.wonderlights.ie.

Since 2006, the Dublin Book Festival has been a highlight of the literary year. After 18 months of online events, the Festival is offering a variety of live in-person events at venues throughout Dublin, including Smock Alley Theatre, The Heritage Centre, Dublin Port and National Botanic Gardens. They will also be live-streaming events throughout the weekend from Smock Alley Theatre, making the festival accessible to everyone in Ireland and abroad. There is a special opening night broadcast on Arena, RTE Radio One, on Friday, November 12 at 7pm featuring Roddy Doyle, Lisa Harding, Hugo Hamilton and Caitríona Lally. This year’s event will also see the return of its popular walking tours, including a dedicated poetry walking and boat tour. Of course, there will also be book launches and awards with “in conversation” events too. To book tickets and get inspiration for your reading list visit dublinbookfestival.com.

How good is your eye? Are you able to spot your favourite artist’s work when exhibited anonymously? Verso Art is holding an online sale on November 6, giving everyone a chance to meet the challenge and spot work by many well-known artists including Gottfried Helnwein, Eilis O’Connell, Dorothy Cross, Peter Curlin and (randomly) Ab Fab star Joanna Lumley. It’s also a chance to nab a bargain, as all artworks are €50. The proceeds will be used to raise funds for St Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore, Co Waterford, one of Ireland’s most historic buildings. The artwork is displayed on www.versoart.ie. Art Source takes place at the RDS, Dublin, from November 12-14, showcasing painting, sculpture, photography, illustration, prints and ceramic art. Show organiser Patrick O’Sullivan says, “Art Source offers visitors the opportunity to purchase a one-off affordable original artwork to make their home unique and also the opportunity to meet the artists and hear about their work.” www.artsource.ie