Thurs., Dec. 4, 6-9 p.m. – Annual Irish Network Boston Chrstmas Party, Faneuil Hall, Complimentary bar and hors d’oeuvres, free for members who have paid $50 annual dues.
Fri., Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. – Pauline Wells, “Home for Christmas” lineup of talented musicians and singers, including the band Devri. To benefit”Cops for Kids with Cancer,” Norwood Theatre, 109 Central St, Norwood. Tickets $27 for adults and $24 for seniors/students, 781-551-9000. … Tony Kenny’s Christmas Time in Ireland, 7:30 p.m., Rogers Center for the Arts, Merrimack College. 978-837-5355 | merrimack.edu.

Ireland is ever changing. If you doubt that statement, just have a meal almost anywhere in the Emerald Isle and you will be more than pleasantly surprised by the excellence of the food, service, wine list, and cocktail offerings. Anyone who tells you the food in Ireland is plain, dull meat, and potatoes, clearly hasn’t been there for many years.

And the same modernization and change hold true for the country itself. Even if you are intimately familiar with a particular area, you often return to find new activities and businesses that have cropped up since your last visit.