Five For Your Radar: Cork World Book Fest, and Chris O'Dowd returns to the small screen
Left: Paul Lynch, author of Prophet Song will sit down with Alannah Hopkin as part of Cork World Book Fest. Right: Chris O’Dowd's The Big Door Prize returns to Apple TV+ for its second season. Lynch picture: Patrick Bolger
Fans of last year's hit, What Walks These Halls, will be delighted to learn that they do not have to wait long to rejoin the gang at Paranormal Surveyance Ireland. Raven, Archer and the gang can't go too long without finding themselves deep in a spooky mystery. Tensions among the team are high when a startling disappearance threatens to destroy them. Clarkin is gifted when it comes to making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and making you want to sleep with the light on. She revealed that the plot for this book came to her in a nightmare so, you have been warned.
Cork World Book Fest
Celebrating its 20th year, Cork World Book Fest is back once again to bring you a packed programme of literary events. Bringing writers from Ireland and beyond, there are readings, book launches, workshops, and panel discussions. Whether you are a writer yourself or just a bibliophile, the events will appeal to one and all. Most events are free as organisers want it to be accessible for all. Among the highlights are Booker Prize winner Paul Lynch in conversation with writer Alannah Hopkin and a visit from Palestinian poet Marwan Makhoul.
The New Italian Cinema Events (NICE) festival will be screening films in Cork, Dublin, and Galway this year. Cork audiences will be treated to six of Italy's best cinematic offerings starting with Io Capitano. The devastating film follows two Senegalese teens as they attempt to travel to Italy in the hopes of a better life. The Oscar-nominated film is an unflinching look at the journey thousands of migrants undertake every month. Also screening are comedy-dramas The First Day of My Life and Happiness. This year's festival will close with Andrea Di Stefano's thriller Last Night of Amore.
One of Ireland's best, Andy Irvine brings his latest solo show to Cork this week. The Planxty member may be in his 80s now but his enthusiasm and passion are as strong as ever. Irvine is a giant of the trad scene having performed with numerous bands and working as a duo with other fantastic artists but there is something very special about his solo work. A living icon, Irvine has been labelled as one of the artists who can get to the very soul of Ireland but his sound is influenced by different music styles from all over the world, especially Balkan folk.
The Big Door Prize
Chris O'Dowd's sci-fi comedy returns for a second season dropping three new episodes this week. We return to Deerfield where a mysterious machine appeared promising to reveal everyone's true potential and changing lives forever. The machine is now readying them for the 'next stage' which will see the Deerfield residents once again questioning everything they thought they knew about their lives, themselves and those around them. The quirky comedy based on the book by MO Walsh is charming and heartfelt delivering plenty of laughs while delving into life's big questions.
