The Hot List: 51 festivals, food spots, films and more to experience this summer
Some of our essential summer selections.
Cork's own PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey of I'm Grand Mam are back with another live show, with two dates in Cork's Opera House tonight and tomorrow at 8pm. If you can't wrangle a pair last minute, they are also in Limerick's Lime Tree Theatre this Thursday, June 6.
Liverpudlian comedian John Bishop is back on our fair shores for his Back At It tour with dates in Killarney's INEC, Cork's Live at the Marquee, Dublin's Vicar Street and more. While the majority of shows are sold out, there are still tickets remaining (at the time of writing) for Killarney, Cork and Dublin — be quick!
Avant-garde Dublin folk act Lankum play their only Irish show of 2024 with a headliner performance at this new festival, which celebrates the pastoral and eclectic side of independent rock. The bill also includes post-rock veterans Mogwai and Mercury Rev, who still speak warmly to this day of an early gig in Cork, where the crowd grew so enthused they laid siege to the band’s tour bus and rocked it from side to side.
The Grammy-winning R&B superstar has always had a big Irish following, and there is excitement ahead of his two-night stand at the Live at the Marquee festival. He will be blitzing through favourites such as 'Sexy Love', 'Closer', 'Because of You', 'Miss Independent', and 'Push Back'.
Some of the biggest names in food will be on hand for several days of exclusive wining and dining on the salubrious environs of Merrion Square. Look forward to appearances from star chefs such as Jordan Bailey, Aishling Moore, Mark Moriarty, Eric Matthews and Jeeny Maltese.
Once billed pop’s 'biggest unknown star’ by the BBC, Hill has clocked up smashes such as 'I Wish You Well' and 'Lose Control'. She drew a huge crowd to Electric Picnic two years ago and is set to become even bigger with the release of her latest album, Believe Me Now?
A venerable Cork institution that is now almost 200 years old, returns with a feast of food-related frolics as befits this family friendly farming and agricultural showpiece, with fruit and vegetable growers’ produce competitions, food stalls, chef demos and live entertainment, including hot air balloons.
Tall of hair, with a lute always to hand, Sting was the original ludicrous rock star. But there’s no arguing with his smashes, and the former Police frontman has been careful across recent tours to pile his set list high with classics such as 'Roxanne', 'Message In A Bottle' and 'Walking On The Moon'.
One of Ireland's newer festivals, Beyond the Pale's biggest draws this year include British dance music project Jungle, who are playing their only Irish date this summer at Glendalough Estate, alongside popstar and podcaster Jessie Ware, Orbital, Marc Rebilet and more. Foodies will also find lots to rave about with Goldie's Aishling Moore, Majken Bech Bailey, JP McMahon, and the Irish Examiner's Dr Michelle Darmody among those gracing the food stage.
It’s been over a decade since the grunge behemoths played Ireland (though singer Eddie Vedder has come over for regular solo shows). But, they’re finally back and will be in Dublin for the first date of the European tour promoting their blitzing new LP, Dark Matter.
Twain had a torrid noughties but has recently been acknowledged as one of her generation’s great country pop artists. Who doesn't want to belt out 'Man! I Feel Like A Woman!' at the Park?
It feels like a lifetime of waiting, but the Eras tour will finally arrive in Ireland in June, with Swift blending her rich catalogue of hits with picks from her new album, The Tortured Poets Department over a mammoth three-and-a-half-hour set.
There’s something for everyone at this festival at Curraghmore House just outside Waterford City. Techno titans Prodigy headline, alongside arena-filling ‘sad dads' The National and Wicklow pop icon Róisín Murphy. Don't forget to check out the Grub Circus food stage with Irish Examiner food writer Joe McNamee presiding over two days of glorious culinary chaos on the Saturday and Sunday.
This Cork city festival arrived in 2022 as a young colt, very shaky on its legs, but the growth over 12 months was quite extraordinary, last year’s outing revealing all the form of a thoroughbred. The heart of the festival is in Emmet Place where the main marquee will feature Cork’s top chefs including several Michelin stars and a producers’ market showcases stunning local produce, with plenty of live entertainment on hand to charm the children.
Once known as the best BBQ and live fire cooking event in Ireland, TBG is now a world class affair, assembling a world class coterie of Irish and international pitmasters and live fire chefs, food stalls, bars, live entertainment, and a whole host of activities to entertain Little Grillers under 12, who get in free for certain sessions when accompanied by a responsible adult.
It turns out the funniest man on Twitter is also a pop star. Ahead of the 20th anniversary of his break-out album, Back to Bedlam, and its unavoidable/accursed single 'You’re Beautiful', he comes to Dublin for an evening of mid-tempo pop and top-drawer banter.
Chris Martin and pals have made stadium rock a wholesome, feel-good affair. Expect lashings of positive vibes as they bring their Music of the Spheres tour to Dublin for an astonishing four nights.
The award-winning production following Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West flies back to Dublin this summer. Shows at 2/2:30pm and 7:30pm throughout July, August and September, with a special Audio Described and Touch Tour on August 7, Irish Sign Language performance on August 20 and Captioned Performance on August 28.
It's the big one. This year's line-up includes Aussie superstar Kylie, history-making London singer-songwriter Raye, TikTok sensation Noah Kahan and DJ Calvin Harris. A fine selection of Irish artists are also on the bill including Kodaline, Jazzy, The Scratch, Kojaque and The Wolfe Tones.
- Compiled by Ed Power, Joe McNamee and Nicole Glennon
Family owned and run, Carol and the Dunmore House team put a high value on their food offering and the terrace perched on the coast overlooking Clonakilty Bay is one of the nicest places in the county for al fresco dining, with a menu flush with fare from their own organic gardens and pizzas from their Boat Shed Pizzas food hut. Dog-friendly.
Exquisitely located in gorgeous gardens, this inner city oasis is for townies longing for a bit of country and where the GDD team serves a fine menu of locally sourced produce, Irish craft beers, natural wines and fine confections from their sleek and stylish garden restaurant with plenty of outdoor tables.
An already lovely BBQ courtyard has been recently turbocharged to add yet another awesome angle to enormously talented Michelin-starred chef Ahmet Dede Turkish take on superb local West Cork produce. On cold days, rugs and a timber stove, keep you cosy and snug.
The hotel is once again open to non-residents and there are few places to compare in the Kingdom in which to dine al fresco, whether enjoying breakfast as a guest out on the terrace or, weather permitting, enjoying an evening dinner from a terrace table looking down over the gardens and on to the waters of Kenmare Bay — a pretty fine excuse to book a night away in the Park.
Dick Mack has been an iconic Dingle venue for over half a century but the comparatively recent addition of the Brewhouse, Taproom and outdoor yard with very fine food trucks, has taken the party outdoors, a pet-friendly space with plenty of live music and entertainment. In particular, look out for Cáis in Dingle, for killer cheese toasties.
Begin with a pint of porter and order local lobster and the finest Riesling. Cap your appetite with views across the water to Co Galway.
The terrace of the Cliff House is perched high above the magnificent Ardmore Bay. Relish an evening cocktail before heading indoors to the Michelin-starred House restaurant under chef Tony Parkin.
This beautiful Georgian restoration houses the divine No 1 Pery Square overlooking the park, a fine place for a picnic on a summer’s day, but the hotel’s own walled interior garden makes for an equally fine outdoor dining venue and a very lovely spot for an evening sundowner just before dinner.
- Compiled by Joe McNamee
Russell Crowe stars as Anthony Miller, a troubled actor shooting a supernatural horror flick who starts to come apart at the seams. Have Miller’s old demons come back to haunt him, or is there something actually demonic in play? Joshua John Miller directs, with Sam Worthington co-starring and David Hyde Pierce playing Fr Conor.
Little Riley has grown up to become a teenager since Inside Out (2015), so her emotions – Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Tony Hale), Anxiety (Maya Hawke) et al – are currently off the scale. Kelsey Mann makes her feature-length directorial debut for Pixar, with Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan voicing Riley’s Mom and Pop.
No stranger to a Western epic, Kevin Costner co-writes, directs and stars in this sprawling, three-hour account of how the Wild West was won. Set over 15 years (and with Chapter 2 due later in the summer), the teeming cast includes Danny Huston, Jena Malone, Sam Worthington, Luke Wilson and Thomas Haden Church.
When the White House decides that the Apollo 11 mission is too important to fail, marketing genius Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) is brought in to fake a moon landing, much to the dismay of launch director Cole Davis (Channing Tatum). Woody Harrelson co-stars in this 1960s-set rom-com, which is directed by Greg Berlanti.
Arch-villain-turned-reluctant-hero Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) confronts a new nemesis in Maxime le Mal (Will Ferrell) in the latest outing for the minion-infested franchise, all the while trying to cope with the chaos unleashed by the latest addition to the Gru family, Gru Jnr. Kristen Wiig and Steve Coogan co-star.
Dragged – kicking and screaming blue murder, no doubt – from his quiet life by the Time Variance Authority, foul-mouthed super-hero Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) teams up with the recuperating Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) on a mission that will change the entire history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Sci-fi action-comedy, adapted from the video game series of the same name, starring Cate Blanchett as Lilith, a notorious outlaw who returns to her home planet of Pandora to investigate the disappearance of the daughter of Atlas (Edgar Ramirez), aka the baddest ass in the universe. Lilith’s ragtag team of fellow ne’er-do-wells includes Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Black and Ariana Greenblatt. Eli Roth directs.
A prequel insert into the Alien franchise, this movie is set between the events of the original Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). A group of young scavengers led by Cailee Spaeny and Isabel Merced come across a derelict space station, but get considerably more than they’ve bargained for. Brace yourself for some classic sci-fi horror: director Fede Álvarez has already received the thumbs-up from Ridley Scott and James Cameron, the directors of Alien and Aliens, respectively.
- Compiled by Declan Burke
The sixth studio album from the British star, she says it’s a club record - lead single ‘Von dutch’ sounds positively indie sleaze, Dizzee Rascal’s ‘Bonkers’ twisted by the pop princess. Having ticked off a chaotic Boiler Room session, she says: “i was born to make dance music... I came from the clubs.. xcx6 is the album i’ve always wanted to make.”
The seventh studio album from the Irish singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, it finds him returning to the sounds of his first album, 2010’s Early in the Morning. “To me, the album is about finding relief from the cycle of life’s pressure,” he says. The likes of ‘Give Up’, which features his daughter’s vocals, also make it sound like he’s having a lot of fun.
One third of the pop group Fifth Harmony, Normani has unveiled a steady string of killer singles since 2019 as she geared up to release her long-awaited debut album. With features from the likes of James Blake, she says the album title represents her experiences of highs and lows, while the cover, of Normani sitting on a rocket, “feels energetic”.
Controversy follows them around but Belfast rappers as Gaeilge Kneecap reveal their musical bona fides on their debut album. Fontaines DC singer Grian Chatten features on the irresistible ‘Better Way to Live’ as Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí transition away from all-Irish vocals. Their self-titled film, starring Michael Fassbender, gets its Irish premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh in July.
Melbourne trio Warren Ellis (a key collaborator with Nick Cave), Mick Turner, and Jim White return for their first album in 12 years. A suite of six tracks, the sound of the summer this is not - it’s much more exciting than that. The blurb: “Their playing encompasses ALL – from the original fury of their unlikely power trio to an impressionist cinema later on; mercurial, tumultuous to ambient to adagio, mood and emotion drawn up to dazzling heights from the humble human scale.”
A collective based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the second album by Kokoko! is a frenetic fissure of energy. House, trance, punk, and funk are put in the melting pot for what might be the most exciting sound of this - or any - summer.
Still only 23, the Filipino-English pop artist is readying her fifth studio album, produced by Rick Rubin in his Shangri-La Studio. She’s attracted critical and cult acclaim in the past - can she make the next step up this summer? “It’s me feeling introspective about unhealthy way of living,” says Bea. “It’s finding comfort in a familiar place – finding comfort in chaos, because that’s what I know.”
The Dublin five-piece are stepping things up for their fourth record. Working with James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Blur) and signed to the esteemed XL label, they sound huge on lead single ‘Starburster’, eyeing world domination in 2024. Singer Grian Chatten says: “The album is about protecting that tiny flame. The bigger Armageddon looms, the more precious it becomes.'
- Compiled by Eoghan O'Sullivan
When Daphne’s fiancé leaves her for his childhood best friend, she finds herself moving in with his new girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend. Slowly a friendship forms and they start a fake relationship to make their exes jealous — this ticks all the boxes for an easy summer read.
Every woman Justin dates finds her soulmate in the next guy she dates. When he shares his experience on Reddit, he gets a message from Emma saying she shares the same curse. They devise a plan to date each other and break up to see if they cancel each other’s streak.
A buttoned-up heir of a grocery chain and his free-spirited artist ex fake their relationship in order to receive a massive inheritance as he will only receive the $100 million payout if he’s married for five years.
Adopted journalist Cara Joyce overhears a shocking piece of information that connects her to the unsolved disappearance and murder of a young woman whose body was found buried in a Connemara bog nearly thirty years ago. Cara's quest to find out the truth reunites her with the powerful Casey family.
Marnie and Michael are brought together by a persistent mutual friend. They suddenly find themselves alone on the most epic of walks and on the precipice of a new friendship. But can it survive the journey?
Escape to a fantasy world that’s described as The Hunger Games meets vampires. In this sequel to the bestselling The Serpent and the Wings of Night, we find Oraja laid low and forced to make a secret alliance with the vampire who betrayed her. It promises heart-wrenching romance, dark magic and bloodthirsty intrigue.
It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party and it will end in murder. This new locked-room murder mystery takes place on the opening night of The Manor, where old friends and enemies are on the guest list. On Sunday morning, the local police are called after there’s been a fire — and a body discovered.
A new collectable edition containing the first and second novels that inspired the hit Netflix show. Daphne’s Story (The Duke and I) and Anthony’s Story (The Viscount Who Loved Me), are the first in a four-volume set being published. Each volume includes sprayed edges, intricate foil iconography, beautiful endpapers, and a ribbon bookmark.
- Compiled by Denise O'Donoghue
