Some of our 23 new MA students in Arts Mgmt & Cult. Policy, enjoying the sunshine after orientation at the Chester Beatty Library

We’ve just begun a new term at University College Dublin — for me that means 140 fresh new faces in first year art history, and 35 new MAs in both Art History, and Arts Management & Cultural Policy.

Lots of folks joining us are new to Dublin — we have postgraduate students this year from Italy, Greece, Hungary, Belgium, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, China, Iran, and the U.S. — as well as students from across Ireland, North and South. We are also celebrating our 50th anniversary as a UCD School this autumn, with other events TBA. It’s going to be a super year!

Dubliners can take for granted that autumn is chock-a-block with arts events… but it’s worth pointing out a few highlights for those new to our fair city:

• The Irish Museum of Modern Art’s major new exhibition ‘What We Call Love’ is opening this weekend (11 Sept). There will be lots of events happening (including the free opening party this Friday evening from 6.30-9.30 — with free access, special talks, food vendors, dj etc. — IMMA openings are always great craic) Lots of other things on offer too, including family events over the weekend.
• The Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival (7-20 Sept) has just begun — many of our former students now work for this, as managers or producers! They also have a special range of 21 euro tickets to celebrate their 21st birthday this year:
• The Dublin Theatre Festival begins in late September, just after Fringe (24 Sept – 11 Oct)- it’s the largest theatre festival of the year. Worth checking out tickets now, as lots of things sell out!
• Culture Night: Unmissable – it’s Friday, 18 September, and every year it amazes me how packed city centre gets with folks wandering from one venue to the next. It’s nation-wide, and everything is FREE! One of the best nights of the year, and a great buzz throughout the city. It gets very busy though, and popular places fill up fast, so have a plan of attack! (p.s. if you want to see something v quirky, I always recommend the Freemason’s Hall, just beside the National Library & Museum)
• Open House Dublin (14-18 October) — if you’re interested in architecture, or just like to have a nosy around people’s homes — this is the biggest architectural event of the year. Tons of great talks, debates, and most importantly, tours of public & private buildings across Dublin.

Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments…