Five things for the week ahead

Des O'Driscoll picks his cultural highlights.

1. Poetry

MULDOON’S PICNIC

Paul Muldoon brings his eclectic stage show to Cork, featuring readings from himself and Zadie Smith as well as music from Horslips.

The Everyman, Cork, tonight (Monday)

2. Show

BLOOD BROTHERS

A West End production of Willy Russell’s hugely popular tale of separated twins who meet up in later life.

Cork Opera House, Tuesday to Aug 24

3. Festival

KILKENNY ARTS FESTIVAL

As ever, this is the event with the strongest classical music line-up of any Irish festival. And plenty more in terms of other music genres, drama, etc.

Thursday to Aug 19

4. TV

THIS WAY UP

Irish comedian Aisling Bea has roped in Catastrophe star Sharon Horgan for this new comedy drama-series about two sisters in London.

Thursday, Channel 4

5. Film

GAZA

Widely-lauded Irish-made documentary shows there’s more to life in the besieged territory than the images of death and destruction we see on the news.

Selected cinemas, from Friday