International Women’s Day falls on Friday, March 8 this year and there are plenty of events ranging from music and theatre to activism and discussion to celebrate diversity and provide a platform for the huge amount of female talent in our small country. The theme for IWD this year is ‘Balance for Better’ which calls for gender balance in all fields across the world; further information about the campaign is available on their website.

24 Hours of Womxn’s Voices at Dublin Digital Radio

The great people at DDR are hosting a 24-hour takeover showcasing the best female voices from all over the country with live showcases throughout the day. Kicking off at midnight on Friday, March 8th, expect to hear a diverse programme featuring a live-streamed sleep concert, discussions on the representation of womxn and a handful of live sets. Check out the updated schedule here.

Bus to Belfast for International Women’s Day Rally

Alliance for Choice have organised a bus to Belfast to join Alliance for Choice, Belfast Feminist Network and other groups to call for abortion access in Northern Ireland at the IWD rally on 9th March. The bus will leave Eden Quay at 8 am, tickets for sale on Eventbrite.

Voices of Creation: Women in the Arts at VISUAL Carlow

KCLR’s Eimear Ní Bhraonain will be joined by award winner animator and co-creator of queer variety show Spicebag Sarah Devereux, director and choreographer Emma Martin and film director and writer Oonagh Kearney to discuss their work and celebrate female voices in the arts. This event is free but you can reserve a place here.

Raging Grannies Day of Mourning at Shannon Airport

A group of women called the raging grannies will hold a day of mourning on Friday, March 8th from 11 am for deceased children in the Middle East as a direct result from US human rights abuses and war crimes. They are calling to remove the US military from Shannon airport and restore Irish neutrality. For more information, contact Ann O’Dea at 089 4310965 or Margaretta D’Arcy at 091 565430.

International Women’s Weekender at the Bernard Shaw

The Bernard Shaw will be hosting a weekend-long programme with some of Ireland’s leading female creatives to promote the importance of inclusivity. Festivities will include a talk series and a pop-up DJ class with Glitter Tits. Full schedule on their website.

Finding a Voice concert series at the South Tipperary Arts Centre

A celebration of women composers curated by Róisín Maher will be held in South Tipperary Arts Centre, Clonmel from Friday, 8th to Sunday, 10th from 1 pm.  The series will feature the music from prominent female composers Alexina Louie and Jane O’Leary. You can book tickets and view the full schedule here.

Seahorse at Everyman, Cork

Seahorse is a play created by stand-up comic Christiane O’Mahony about the anxiety of being a woman in modern Ireland and the expectations of family and society. Developed with the support of Dublin Fringe Festival, it runs from Wednesday, March 6 to Friday, March 8 at 8 pm. Read the synopsis and buy tickets on their website.

Big Romance – International Women’s Day Celebration

From 6pm today, The Big Romance venue on Parnell Street will play host to an amazing lineup of DJs all celebrating IWD.

DJ Sally Cinnamon will be joined by Sorca Lou (Ships), Kate Brennan Harding, Claire Beck and more for this special occasion. Expect an evening of great music on vinyl from some of the best people in the biz.