Arts and Culture

10 new books for August: Cecilia Ahern, Donal Ryan, Robert Harris...
10 new books for August: Cecilia Ahern, Donal Ryan, Robert Harris...
There's a bumper crop of new books being published in the coming weeks 

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

10 TV and streaming highlights for August: Ted Lasso, Ricky Gervais animation, Outer Banks...
10 TV and streaming highlights for August: Ted Lasso, Ricky Gervais animation, Outer Banks...
The month ahead brings the return of a pandemic-era favourite, while a hard-hitting documentary looks at what happened an undercover British soldier who disappeared during the Troubles 

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Tim Goulding: West Cork-based artist takes stock with new exhibition at 81 
Tim Goulding: West Cork-based artist takes stock with new exhibition at 81 
Many of the pieces in the VI Decades exhibition were inspired by the landscape around his home in Allihies

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

All Together Now review: Kneecap steal the show across weekend of exceptional music and art
All Together Now review: Kneecap steal the show across weekend of exceptional music and art
Irish acts at the festival proved that music in all its various forms is in rude health in this country

Sun, 02 Aug, 2026

All Together Now in pictures: The best of the images from the Co Waterford Festival 
All Together Now in pictures: The best of the images from the Co Waterford Festival 
Greta Thunberg, Pulp, and Gurriers feature among the best photographs from the 2026 festival at Curraghmore Estate 

Sun, 02 Aug, 2026

All Together Now day 2 review: Kneecap and Greta Thunberg among the highlights in Waterford
All Together Now day 2 review: Kneecap and Greta Thunberg among the highlights in Waterford
On the Saturday of the Co Waterford festival, Christy Moore also paid tribute to the late Glen Hansard 

Sun, 02 Aug, 2026

Culture That Made Me: Fair City actor Liam Carney picks his touchstones 
Culture That Made Me: Fair City actor Liam Carney picks his touchstones 
He plays property developer Con Rafferty in the popular soap, but his culture selections include Kris Kristofferson, Queen, and La Haine 

Sat, 01 Aug, 2026

All Together Now 2026 - Friday
All Together Now 2026, first day review: Traffic, Pulp, and other talking points
Despite the delays en route to the site at Curraghmore, Co Waterford, the festival got off to a fine start on Friday 

Sat, 01 Aug, 2026

My life in books: ‘I’m a firm believer in the right book finding you at the right moment’
My life in books: ‘I’m a firm believer in the right book finding you at the right moment’
Author Jane Casey says booksellers and librarians have the best recommendations  — 'don’t leave it to an algorithm'

Sat, 01 Aug, 2026

Book review: Unusual plot with a surprising ending
Book review: Unusual plot with a surprising ending
The 10th book in Steve Cavanagh’s series featuring criminal defence attorney Eddie Flynn is a compelling and gripping read

Sat, 01 Aug, 2026

Book review: Debut inspired by personal story
Book review: Debut inspired by personal story
Author Louise Powell delivers originality and empathy in spades in ‘Underdogs’ — an ode worthy of a community she is ‘incredibly proud to be part of’

Sat, 01 Aug, 2026

The Salisbury Poisonings: A Spy Next Door
Our TV picks: Theresa May features in documentary on The Salisbury Poisonings
Plus the search for a British army Captain who was killed by the IRA

Sat, 01 Aug, 2026

Platinum Jubilee
Ed Sheeran sets up musical youth project in Cork and Belfast
The project will focus on songwriting, performance, and community engagement – encouraging young musicians to blend influences and genres

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Film reviews: Spider-Man is back and at his best in the action-packed Brand New Day
Film reviews: Spider-Man is back and at his best in the action-packed Brand New Day
Full of heart and plenty of treats for true fans of the MCU, Brand New Day is Spider-Man at his best.

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Children’s book reviews: From sacrifices for ballet, to dinosaur adventures, and war
Children’s book reviews: From sacrifices for ballet, to dinosaur adventures, and war
Pet O’Connell rounds up a selection of the latest children’s books, including a tale of the sacrifices required to succeed in a Russian ballet school, fun for dinosaur-obsessed children, and a story of young lives changed utterly by needless war

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Five For Your Radar: All Together Now, Spider-Man, Ye Vagabonds... 
Five For Your Radar: All Together Now, Spider-Man, Ye Vagabonds... 
The bank holiday weekend brings plenty of arts and entertainment options 

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Film Title: Wind That Shakes The Barley.
The Wind That Shakes The Barley at 20: Magic memories of the Cork-set film 
Screenwriter Paul Laverty tells Esther McCarthy about his happy days working on the 2006 Cannes-winner 

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Glen Hansard death
'Glen was a legend to many of us': Musicians gather for memorial busk tribute to Glen Hansard
Musicians assembled at the statue of folk singer Luke Kelly near Grafton Street to sing songs made famous by Hansard, including a rousing rendition of 'Falling Slowly' as books of condolence open in Dublin and Cork

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

All Together Now FAQ: Lineup, access roads, weather, cashless bars, alcohol allowance...
All Together Now FAQ: Lineup, access roads, weather, cashless bars, alcohol allowance...
Are tickets available? Who's playing? How do I get to Curraghmore? Can I pay in cash? All you need to know for this weekend's All Together Now festival in Co Waterford

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

'A choir of angels in one man': Tributes continue for Glen Hansard as book of condolences opens in Cork
'A choir of angels in one man': Tributes continue for Glen Hansard as book of condolences opens in Cork
The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Damian Boylan, opened and signed a book of condolences for the Oscar-winning musician on Thursday

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

'Music unshackles us': Andrew Ridgeley on his trip to China with George Michael 
'Music unshackles us': Andrew Ridgeley on his trip to China with George Michael 
Wham! 10 Days in China looks back on the group's unusual 1985 concerts in the world's most populous country 

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

'My mother's song was Bantry Bay': John Creedon on the latest Musical Atlas Of Ireland  
'My mother's song was Bantry Bay': John Creedon on the latest Musical Atlas Of Ireland  
The broadcaster tells Richard Fitzpatrick about the new season of the RTÉ series, and also picks his favourite Cork songs

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Glen Hansard: From busking on Dublin's streets to accepting an Oscar in Hollywood 
Glen Hansard: From busking on Dublin's streets to accepting an Oscar in Hollywood 
The late Frames' frontman had an incredible life in music, as well as having a part in two hugely-significant Irish films 

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Blindboy, Doireann Ni Ghríofa, and Seán Ronayne among line-up for Island Drift festival on Garnish Island
Blindboy, Doireann Ni Ghríofa, and Seán Ronayne among line-up for Island Drift festival on Garnish Island
Now in its fourth year, the festival will feature a programme of free cultural walking tours, renowned writers, poets, musicians, and cultural creatives

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Esther McCarthy: 'It was never just a gig with Hansard, it was a chance to share, to inspire, to entertain'
Esther McCarthy: 'It was never just a gig with Hansard, it was a chance to share, to inspire, to entertain'
Like everyone who ever connected with his music or stood in a room big or small while he sang, the news lands hard

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

On The Sea: Barry Ward on his tale of queer love in a rural setting 
On The Sea: Barry Ward on his tale of queer love in a rural setting 
One of the biggest challenges in the film for the Irish actor was perfecting his Welsh accent 

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

'A great, genuine talent and a lovely man': Tom Dunne on Glen Hansard
S 'A great, genuine talent and a lovely man': Tom Dunne on Glen Hansard
I'd known Glen since the 1990s and watched him emerge through his brilliant band The Frames 

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

The Frames review: Remembering Glen Hansard's last gig in Cork
The Frames review: Remembering Glen Hansard's last gig in Cork
The Frames' appearance in West Cork in February 2026 was part of a tour to highlight the need for music fans to support small venues 

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

President Connolly and Bruce Springsteen lead tributes to 'incomparable' Glen Hansard
President Connolly and Bruce Springsteen lead tributes to 'incomparable' Glen Hansard
The 56-year-old died following a single-vehicle motorcycle crash near the Strawberry Beds in Lucan

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Oscar winning musician Glen Hansard dies after motorcycle crash in Dublin 
Oscar winning musician Glen Hansard dies after motorcycle crash in Dublin 
The Oscar-winning singer-songwriter and The Frames frontman died following a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Dublin on Wednesday.

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

All Together Now: 21 essential acts to see at this weekend's festival in Co Waterford 
All Together Now: 21 essential acts to see at this weekend's festival in Co Waterford 
Pulp and Kneecap feature among the headliners, but there are plenty more acts of various sizes well worth catching at Curraghmore 

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Opera review: Testament takes on Colm Tóibín's account of Christ's mother Mary
Opera review: Testament takes on Colm Tóibín's account of Christ's mother Mary
Mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty is in the lead role for the Galway Arts Festival production which is also being staged in Dublin in October 

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Dublin author's debut novel makes 2026 Booker Prize longlist 
Dublin author's debut novel makes 2026 Booker Prize longlist 
The writer from Dublin was named among those longlisted for the prestigious literary award on Tuesday

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Lorenzo Alessi and Julia Majchrzak crowned 2026 Love Island winners
Lorenzo Alessi and Julia Majchrzak crowned 2026 Love Island winners
The couple beat fellow islanders, Kavan Murphy, 21, and Jasmine Muller, 27, who placed second on the ITV reality dating show

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Jim's Gems 1976: The 10 best albums marking their 50th anniversary
Jim's Gems 1976: The 10 best albums marking their 50th anniversary
Cork music aficionado Jim Comet includes Bowie, Tom Waits and an Irish duo among his selections for an eclectic year for the music world 

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026

Shimmer Boy: West Cork musician on his new name and new tunes
Shimmer Boy: West Cork musician on his new name and new tunes
Aaron O’Sullivan has released his debut album, the first record he's made while sober 

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026

The hills are alive in Cork as Sound of Music hits the Opera House
The hills are alive in Cork as Sound of Music hits the Opera House
A top-class cast brings the tunes of one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved musicals to the city

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026

Culture That Made Me: Presenter Shane Coleman on Irish history, football books, and TV favourites
Culture That Made Me: Presenter Shane Coleman on Irish history, football books, and TV favourites
Journalist Shane Coleman’s teenage self found solace in the music of The Smiths and what would become a lifelong love of history in the novels of Walter Macken, he tells Richard Fitzpatrick

Sun, 26 Jul, 2026

Gare St Lazare: Cork theatre company bring Beckett opera to Kilkenny 
Gare St Lazare: Cork theatre company bring Beckett opera to Kilkenny 
Husband and wife duo Conor Lovett and Judy Hegarty Lovett bring the work of the writer home to Ireland, having recently performed his work in Venice 

Sun, 26 Jul, 2026

Strumpet City, Normal People, Brideshead... 10 of the best TV adaptations 
Strumpet City, Normal People, Brideshead... 10 of the best TV adaptations 
The transition from printed page to small screen isn't always a smooth process, but as Conversations With Friends launches, we look back at some of the books that provided worthy material for successful TV shows 

Sun, 26 Jul, 2026

My life in books: I couldn’t believe somebody built ‘Jurassic Park’ on blank paper
My life in books: I couldn’t believe somebody built ‘Jurassic Park’ on blank paper
Bestselling crime writer Catherine Ryan Howard has just delivered the first draft of her new book which is due out next summer

Sat, 25 Jul, 2026

Book review: Painfully raw divorce memoir
Book review: Painfully raw divorce memoir
Chris Jones chronicles the dissolution of his marriage, charts the difficult terrain of the fall-out from that fissure, and embarks on a journey of emotional rehabilitation

Sat, 25 Jul, 2026

Book review: Scattered tale lacks momentum
Book review: Scattered tale lacks momentum
In the mix of folktale homage and wholesome satire in 'Country People', the sprinkling of laugh-out-loud moments are not enough to sustain the meandering narrative

Sat, 25 Jul, 2026

Our TV picks: Bill Clinton, Gerry Adams, Leo Varadkar and more answer The Irish Question
Our TV picks: Bill Clinton, Gerry Adams, Leo Varadkar and more answer The Irish Question
The likelihood of a border poll is becoming more and more of a possibility. But do we really understand what it might mean for everyone living on the island of Ireland?

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story UK premiere - London
Jon Bon Jovi abruptly ends Madison Square Garden show ‘due to sinus infection’
Bon Jovi is scheduled to perform at Croke Park on Sunday, August 30.

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Film reviews: Andy Serkis' take on Animal Farm lacks the sharp satire Orwell's tales demand
Film reviews: Andy Serkis' take on Animal Farm lacks the sharp satire Orwell's tales demand
Plus, Wham's performance in China in 1985

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

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