As the cooler evenings close in, thoughts turn to night classes and doing that something you’ve always wanted to do – restore some furniture, experiment with photography, make a hat, write a novel, perhaps? The options are endless and often quite unexpected. You can even do a course on ‘Rugby – what really goes on in the scrum?’ Honestly!

Musical interludes
But let’s begin with gentler pursuits of art and music appreciation at the National Concert Hall where the Medieval to Modern series will explore a diverse range of music and visual art, from Hildegard of Bingen to Haydn and Gershwin. Medieval Madness to American Dreams will allow you discover your own new world of sound and vision! It starts on Tuesday September 29. For bookings tel (01) 408 6777, with a good discount for ‘friends of the NCH’.

Celluloid dreams
If you enjoy a good film, then 100 Years of Cinema might capture your imagination. It’s part of the comprehensive programme at UCD’s Adult Education Centre and promises an exciting overview of the history of cinema from the first flickering images through the golden years of Hollywood, to the changing digital world. If digital has befuddled you until now than perhaps it’s time to unravel its mysteries with a Digital Photography course at Pobalscoil Rosmini in Drumcondra. There you will learn how to capture, store, share and edit your snaps. The UCD cinema course starts on September 28, tel (01) 716 7123. Digital Photography, email adulted@pobalscoilrosmini.ie

Millinery by numbers
Ever thought you’d love to Make your own hats? If so book into the three-day course run by Beads and Bling of Temple Bar, but taking place in their workshop in Kilternan, Co Dublin. Participants will learn all the tricks of how to design, cut, block, create and professionally finish their own creations. Cost €350, contact beadsbling@hotmail.com

City streets and antique treats
If you are fascinated by your surroundings and the changing city skyscape then maybe Dublin Street Histories will satisfy your curiosity. This course will focus on selected Dublin city streets, with accounts of their names, buildings, houses and inhabitants, based on entries in the National Archives online 1911 Census. This takes place in Belfield, starting September 29, cost €175. Tel (01) 716 7123

Still in the past, Antique Furniture Restoration and Repair at Newpark Adult Education Centre draws the crowds year after year, so if you’ve been putting off getting around to removing the hot-plate marks from your favourite coffee table, book early! The course costs €131. Newpark is in Blackrock, Co Dublin, on the same premises as the secondary school. Email newparkedu@eircom.net  

A novel idea
Fancy yourself as another Patricia Scanlan or Sebastian Barry? Then I have an Idea for a novel – what do I do now? could be the answer. This course runs at the Irish Writers Centre in Parnell Square, Dublin, and is a practical one for scribes who are already part way through the writing of a book. info@writerscentre.ie

Look to the skies
With the space ship and booster rockets flying overhead recently – not to mention the 40th anniversary of the moon landing – interest in things celestial has been rekindled. Astronomy Ireland’s Astronomy for Beginners at Trinity College takes you into the world of planets, stars, cosmology, telescopes and much, much more. The course starts on October 9 and costs €180. Email sec@astronomy.ie  

Traditional skills
Busting the recession by getting back to basics is becoming fashionable, so dust off your old Singer and head to Learn to Sew at the Bray Institute of Further Education (www.bife.ie ) This 12-week dressmaking course is a snip at just €120. If you want to learn to make curtains, properly and expertly, then Fran O’Brien will be running evening classes showing you how the professionals achieve those sleek hand finishes in Just Curtains. (info@justcurtains.ie).

Scrum tours
Finally – are you one of the much-maligned corporate guests at rugby matches? If so then you must enrol in Rugby – what really goes on in the scrum? That way you’ll be able to take your place in the new hospitality boxes in Lansdowne, or should I say Aviva Stadium, when it opens next year, without fear of embarrassment. Referee Ian Long explains the lineout, the maul, the ruck and everything else that takes place on the rugby field – even the shape of the ball! There’s a field trip too, but the match ticket is extra. Cost €140, starts October 1. Tel UCD (01) 716 7123.

…And if you don’t find anything here there’s always bridge and flower arranging!