Arts and Culture

Jim's Gems 2006: Ten best albums of the year, including Amy Winehouse and Bob Dylan
Jim's Gems 2006: Ten best albums of the year, including Amy Winehouse and Bob Dylan
Siz years into a new millenium and some of the best music came from emerging icons and old favourites, writes Jim Comet

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

Bonnie Tyler funeral
Bonnie Tyler remembered as ‘a star, but never a diva’ at her funeral
The singer died aged 75 on July 9, just months after she was treated in intensive care having been placed in an induced coma following emergency intestinal surgery

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special photographs by Alan Peebles
Brendan O’Carroll cancels 'Mrs Brown’s Boys' shows due to 'unexpected medical issue'
O’Carroll, 70, announced in a statement that the recordings would not be going ahead as he required 'immediate surgery'

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

Culture That Made Me: Sara Baume on art, audiobooks, and Moomins
Culture That Made Me: Sara Baume on art, audiobooks, and Moomins
Cork writer Sara Baume tells Richard Fitzpatrick about her cultural influences, from the Crawford Art Gallery to Pat Collins

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

Leanne McDonagh: 'I wanted to photograph people in a way that hadn't been done before'
Leanne McDonagh: 'I wanted to photograph people in a way that hadn't been done before'
Artist Leanne McDonagh tells Marc O'Sullivan Vallig about the importance of education and the tradition of creativity in her community

Sun, 16 Aug, 2026

Tim Pope: I've shot music videos for Freddie Mercury, George Michael, and Paul McCartney
Tim Pope: I've shot music videos for Freddie Mercury, George Michael, and Paul McCartney
He squashed The Cure into a wardrobe underwater, dressed Freddie Mercury as a giant prawn, and quite literally gave Neil Young the psychedelic-patterned shirt off his back. Suzanne Harrington meets legendary music video filmmaker Tim Pope

Sun, 16 Aug, 2026

My life in books: I only finish about every fifth book that I start reading
My life in books: I only finish about every fifth book that I start reading
Mike Omer is an award-winning crime, thriller, and fantasy writer whose books have been translated into more than 20 languages. He lives with his family in Cork. His latest book, In the Killer’s Sight, published by Thomas & Mercer, is out on September 1.

Sat, 15 Aug, 2026

Sinn Fein legal advice launch
Book review: An engrossing story of political struggle
It would not be fair to criticise her involvement in the IRA  without exploring her reasons, which is what she does in this book

Sat, 15 Aug, 2026

Ripe for change as older narrator yearns for belonging
Ripe for change as older narrator yearns for belonging
Sarah Moss’s sensual and absorbing ode to the Burren is also a vibrant portrait of life and loss

Sat, 15 Aug, 2026

FRANCE-ART-LITERATURE-POLAR-PORTRAIT
Book review: Big secrets lurk in a small town’s shadows
Karin Slaughter is still at top of her game with latest thriller

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Liam Ó Maonlaí review: Barefoot, bilingual and brilliant, singer brings giggles and grief to Skibbereen
Liam Ó Maonlaí review: Barefoot, bilingual and brilliant, singer brings giggles and grief to Skibbereen
Ó Maonlaí has set the bar very high for this weekend’s Skibbereen Blues, Soul & Roots Festival

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Our TV picks: The Rose of Tralee returns to our screens for its 66th edition 
Our TV picks: The Rose of Tralee returns to our screens for its 66th edition 
Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas will host Rose of Tralee, Monday/Tuesday, RTÉ One, 8pm

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Film reviews: Sunny Dancer will make audiences laugh, cry, and possibly dance in their seats
Film reviews: Sunny Dancer will make audiences laugh, cry, and possibly dance in their seats
The film is a brilliant showcase of Bella Ramsey's range

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Five for your radar: Cian Ducrot in Limerick, trad music in Bantry, dance in Kerry
Five for your radar: Cian Ducrot in Limerick, trad music in Bantry, dance in Kerry
Plus a new film featuring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor in cinemas, and a classical music festival returns

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

Eileen Walsh: Cork actress on Brenda Fricker, Disco Pigs, and upcoming projects
Eileen Walsh: Cork actress on Brenda Fricker, Disco Pigs, and upcoming projects
Cork actress Eileen Walsh tells Esther McCarthy about recent film and theatre projects, and shares her memories of working with the late Brenda Fricker

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

64th Annual GRAMMY Awards - Arrivals
Tom Dunne: How Andrew Watt became the hottest producer on the planet
Watt is the speaker of truth to Paul McCartney, Elton John, Madonna, Lady Gaga and many more — but it could have been different

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Holy Holy: Tony Visconti and Woody Woodmansey recall their days with David Bowie
Holy Holy: Tony Visconti and Woody Woodmansey recall their days with David Bowie
In advance of their Irish gigs, the duo tell Richard Purden about their work with the late music legend in the era around The Man Who Sold the World

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Luke Healy: 'I have a big beef with rom-coms that have realistic endings'
Luke Healy: 'I have a big beef with rom-coms that have realistic endings'
Dublin cartoonist Luke Healy tells Don O'Mahony about his canine take on the romantic comedy

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Antonio Banderas on playing 'very mysterious' maestro chef in Anthony Bourdain biopic
Antonio Banderas on playing 'very mysterious' maestro chef in Anthony Bourdain biopic
Antonio Banderas and director Matt Johnson speak to Lynn Rusk about their biopic based on the formative kitchen experiences of Anthony Bourdain

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

New short film celebrates the music and legacy of Cork’s Eoin French (Talos)
New short film celebrates the music and legacy of Cork’s Eoin French (Talos)
The film revisits Talos’s final Sounds from a Safe Harbour residency and the collaboration that produced ‘We Didn’t Know We Were Ready’

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

Gareth Hanrahan: Cork author inspired by daughter for latest fantasy novel
Gareth Hanrahan: Cork author inspired by daughter for latest fantasy novel
As well as a plucky young heroine inspired by his daughter, the illustrations for The Dungeon Book have been done by Hanrahan's artist wife Edel Ryder-Hanrahan

Mon, 10 Aug, 2026

Jim's Gems 1996: DJ Shadow, Suede, and REM among the albums of the year 
Jim's Gems 1996: DJ Shadow, Suede, and REM among the albums of the year 
Cork music aficionado Jim Comet selects the best albums marking their 30th anniversary 

Mon, 10 Aug, 2026

A glimpse inside Cork's 'hidden treasures' as buildings throw open their doors to public
A glimpse inside Cork's 'hidden treasures' as buildings throw open their doors to public
The public will get a chance to see inside 42 of the city's most historical and culturally significant buildings for Cork Heritage Open Day this Saturday

Mon, 10 Aug, 2026

Kilkenny Arts Festival: Top-class opening weekend of music, history, and wonder
Kilkenny Arts Festival: Top-class opening weekend of music, history, and wonder
A medieval priory, a 13th-century abbey, and the magnificent St Canice’s Cathedral were the hosts for three concerts of extraordinary scope and beauty

Mon, 10 Aug, 2026

Kaye Donachie: British artist brings her dreamlike work to Lismore Castle
Kaye Donachie: British artist brings her dreamlike work to Lismore Castle
The artist tells Marc O’Sullivan Vallig how she dips into the literary world for inspiration on her pieces 

Sun, 09 Aug, 2026

'A true original': Tributes following the death of Irish singer Cat Dowling
'A true original': Tributes following the death of Irish singer Cat Dowling
The Kilkenny-born, Dublin-based musician, whose distinctive voice and darkly atmospheric songs earned decades of acclaim across the Irish music scene, died peacefully on August 7

Sun, 09 Aug, 2026

My life in books: I love chance finds and I don’t buy online
My life in books: I love chance finds and I don’t buy online
Adrian Duncan is an Irish artist and writer based in Berlin. His novel 'Love Notes from a German Building Site' won the John McGahern Book Prize. His latest novel 'A Thought Without Collision', published by Tuskar Rock, is out next week.

Sat, 08 Aug, 2026

Book review: Domestic thriller is a compelling read
Book review: Domestic thriller is a compelling read
Cork author's ninth novel inspired by the real estate term of a stigmatised property

Sat, 08 Aug, 2026

Book review: Jewell's 24th novel is her darkest to date
Book review: Jewell's 24th novel is her darkest to date
Fans of the thriller genre should find it easy to dive into Lisa Jewell’s newest release

Sat, 08 Aug, 2026

Dermot Bolger reverses plan to retire and sticks to his words
Dermot Bolger reverses plan to retire and sticks to his words
After 14 novels and 18 plays, at the age of 65 Dermot Bolger had written his last — until a short story took hold, and a collection, ‘Imperfect Beings’, followed, writes Sue Leonard

Sat, 08 Aug, 2026

Gael Linn: Irish language films aiming to make the most of a golden era
Gael Linn: Irish language films aiming to make the most of a golden era
In the wake of the success of An Cailín Ciúin and Kneecap, a number of other Irish language films are hoping to also have an impact on audiences, writes Esther McCarthy 

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

Music Industry Trust Awards - London
William Orbit, pop producer for Madonna, U2, and All Saints, dies aged 69
The musician’s projects included Madonna’s Ray of Light, Blur’s 13 and All Saints’ chart-topping singles Pure Shores and Black Coffee

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

The Traitors Ireland returns to screens this month — here's what you need to know
The Traitors Ireland returns to screens this month — here's what you need to know
RTÉ has confirmed the return of the popular psychological reality TV show on August 30. Here’s everything you need to know

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

Five For Your Radar: Dónal Dineen, Beetlejuice, Kilkenny Arts Fest...
Five For Your Radar: Dónal Dineen, Beetlejuice, Kilkenny Arts Fest...
There are plenty events to get you out and about in the coming days 

Thu, 06 Aug, 2026

Cónal Creedon's summer essay: Island Hopping — West Cork Style
Cónal Creedon's summer essay: Island Hopping — West Cork Style
The Cork writer explores Cape Clear and some of the other islands off the coast of his home county 

Thu, 06 Aug, 2026

Glen Hansard death
Tom Dunne: Patti Smith voice note stopped the clocks at Glen Hansard's funeral
The music in St Patrick's Cathedral brought joy to our hearts, but there was no escaping the grief of losing such a gifted friend 

Wed, 05 Aug, 2026

All Together Now confirms 2027 dates and phase one tickets for past attendees
All Together Now confirms 2027 dates and phase one tickets for past attendees
Following another successful festival, organisers have announced that All Together Now will be returning for an eighth chapter in 2027

Wed, 05 Aug, 2026

Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Taika Waititi on 10 years since his Kiwi classic was released 
Hunt for the Wilderpeople: Taika Waititi on 10 years since his Kiwi classic was released 
The New Zealand director also pays tribute to Sam Neill, one of the film's stars, who passed away recently 

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Jim's Gems 1986: Nick Cave and Van Morrison among the best albums marking 40 years
Jim's Gems 1986: Nick Cave and Van Morrison among the best albums marking 40 years
Jim Comet may not have room for The Smiths in his Top 10 but has selected an impressive roster of other albums from an impressive year for music 

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Yvonne McGuinness,Cillian Murphy
Planning approved for Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness’s Dingle cinema plans
The plans for the future of the historic cinema were delayed following several third-party appeals by local residents earlier this year

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Drugs smuggling caase
BBC podcast explores British cocaine trafficker who smuggled drugs at Cork Harbour
The BBC announced this week that Radio 5 Live's podcast Gangster will return with a new series launching on BBC Sounds on Friday, August 7, and will dive into the story of ‘the Milkman’ – Brian Brendan Wright

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

St Fin Barre’s: Cork cathedral rolls out literary readings and organ recitals
St Fin Barre’s: Cork cathedral rolls out literary readings and organ recitals
The beautiful cathedral is to host a series of readings and music events over the nex few weeks 

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

10 live events for August: Electric Picnic, The Wailers, The Weeknd
10 live events for August: Electric Picnic, The Wailers, The Weeknd
The final month of summer has plenty events to get you out and about 

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

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

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