Arts and Culture

Scene & Heard

Newsletter

From music and film to books and visual art, explore the best of culture in Munster and beyond. Selected by our Arts Editor and delivered weekly.

The Book Of Kells
'The history of Ireland is preserved on the backs of calves': Calligraphy expert Timothy O'Neill 
Cork University Press has republished The Irish Hand, delving into the incredible story of Ireland's manuscripts 

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

James Gunn
James Gunn and Peter Safran out at DC Studios as Skydance appoints Marvel veteran
Skydance chairman and chief executive David Ellison is turning to Jeremy Latcham to steer DC

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

It's been a helluva ride: The 29-year journey of Grand Theft Auto
It's been a helluva ride: The 29-year journey of Grand Theft Auto
As the sixth iteration of the controversial smash-hit game is released next week, Noel Campion explains how it became a gaming juggernaut

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

'To us, he was just Dad': Johnny McEvoy dies aged 81
'To us, he was just Dad': Johnny McEvoy dies aged 81
His children, Jonathan and Alice, paid tribute to their dad in a statement

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

79th Cannes Film Festival
Maura Higgins and Olivia Attwood among stars tipped for Love Island hosting job
Following Maya Jama’s departure, here are the frontrunners who could replace her and host Love Island.

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

U2 eXPERIENCE and iNNOCENCE tour
Carnaval de Luz review: This is some of U2’s best work in more than 30 years
Even earnest Bono-isms carry weight amid music that is impassioned and rejuvenated

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

Seven new shows announced for Bord Gáis Energy Theatre next year — including Hadestown
Seven new shows announced for Bord Gáis Energy Theatre next year — including Hadestown
Plus Dublin is going Back to the Future for Christmas 2027

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

Culture That Made Me: Tony Tormey of Fair City picks his touchstones
Culture That Made Me: Tony Tormey of Fair City picks his touchstones
The Dublin actor has played Paul since the popular soap's inception, and is a huge fan of classic TV and films

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

'Veruca Salt has punk energy': Sinéad Keogh on theming a visual arts festival
'Veruca Salt has punk energy': Sinéad Keogh on theming a visual arts festival
The Roald Dahl character provided inspiration for this year's TULCA event in Galway 

Sun, 08 Nov, 2026

Cork could be the next major film hub — what's stopping it?  
Cork could be the next major film hub — what's stopping it?  
With an internationally acclaimed film festival, a growing studio scene and some of Ireland’s most spectacular locations, Cork has all the ingredients to become a major film hub.

Sun, 08 Nov, 2026

'Why should everything be in Dublin?' Celebrations ahead for 80 years of Cork City Ballet
'Why should everything be in Dublin?' Celebrations ahead for 80 years of Cork City Ballet
Next year will mark 80 years of ballet companies in Cork. Deirdre McArdle speaks to Alan Foley, founder and artistic director of Cork City Ballet, about the art form’s enduring legacy and its impact on the city 

Sun, 08 Nov, 2026

Watch: Kingfishr play surprise pop-up gig in Cork City
Watch: Kingfishr play surprise pop-up gig in Cork City
The band played four songs on Oliver Plunkett St, having already played short sets in Galway and Limerick on Saturday

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

Disco Pigs review and pictures: Triumphant return for classic Cork play
Disco Pigs review and pictures: Triumphant return for classic Cork play
The Everyman Theatre hosts the 30th anniversary revival of Enda Walsh's work 

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

Six Late Late Show talking points: Taoiseach on bomb threats and touching tribute to Ciara Mageean
Six Late Late Show talking points: Taoiseach on bomb threats and touching tribute to Ciara Mageean
Patrick Kielty welcomes a star-studded line-up, while friends remember Ciara Mageean and Micheál Martin addresses the latest security threats

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

Book review: Celebration of modernist buildings across the State
Book review: Celebration of modernist buildings across the State
Book's real strength is in the significant number of lesser-known, and too often forgotten, hidden gems

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

My life in books: 'Spike Milligan always makes me smile'
My life in books: 'Spike Milligan always makes me smile'
Cork broadcaster John Creedon has presented numerous TV series for RTÉ and hosts his daily RTÉ Radio 1 evening show from his native city. His new book, 'This Boy’s Voice', published by Gill Books, is out now

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

Adam Smith
Book review: Unique mix of science and storytelling proves a challenging read
These are some aims for any one book. It is a singular achievement to change the mind of a reader, it is something else to change the direction of our civilisation.

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

Enduring power of poetry: 'Question of love, for me, is also the question of time’
Enduring power of poetry: 'Question of love, for me, is also the question of time’
Pádraig Ó Tuama speaks to Marjorie Brennan about the enduring power of poetry and the hunger for it he sees in audiences everywhere

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

Are community events integral to the future of our cinemas?
Are community events integral to the future of our cinemas?
From sold-out film marathons to live music, special screenings and animation premieres, cinemas are finding new ways to get audiences in the door, writes Esther McCarthy

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

Desire Lines: This coat's colours are rich, vivid, and right off the catwalk
Desire Lines: This coat's colours are rich, vivid, and right off the catwalk
Plus the festive flavour from a favourite crisp brand

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

SHOWBIZ U2/rooftop
U2 tour FAQ: Tickets on sale for European dates — here’s what you need to know
Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jnr are travelling the world with the Greatest Show In Earth tour

Fri, 06 Nov, 2026

TV Picks: Documentary features €1.2bn Cork cocaine seizure that inspired The Young Offenders
TV Picks: Documentary features €1.2bn Cork cocaine seizure that inspired The Young Offenders
Plus: Kate Mulgrew, known for playing Captain Janeway in Star Trek, stars in The Galway Bay Murders on RTÉ

Fri, 06 Nov, 2026

'Whiddy is a story of what happens when a corporation comes to a small community'
'Whiddy is a story of what happens when a corporation comes to a small community'
A new film shows how Gulf Oil’s terminal in West Cork was a bonanza for a poor region until the tragedy of 1979, writes Esther McCarthy 

Fri, 06 Nov, 2026

Black Doves: Season 2
Black Doves stars: ‘Why can’t there be a Welsh assassin and an Irish assassin?’
Ella Lily Hyland, 28, from Co Carlow, said it was a privilege to be able to perform in her own accent

Fri, 06 Nov, 2026

European Indoor Athletics Championships - Day Three - Emirates Arena
Late Late Show to remember life and legacy of Irish Olympian Ciara Mageean
Late Late Show host, Patrick Kielty will be joined by the friends and family of the 34-year-old, who died on Sunday.

Fri, 06 Nov, 2026

WILD HORSE NINE
Film reviews: John Malkovich's award-worthy performance shines in Wild Horse Nine
Plus a five star rating for Spanish film La Bola Negra

Fri, 06 Nov, 2026

Five For Your Radar: The Nutcracker in the Cork Opera House, and Rivals returns
Five For Your Radar: The Nutcracker in the Cork Opera House, and Rivals returns
Niall Horan is also hosting a Dinner Party at the 3Arena and CIFF kicks off

Thu, 05 Nov, 2026

British Summer Time festival - London
Bob Dylan presents Pope with copy of autobiography during meeting at Vatican
The pair – who both hail from the US Midwest – each presented the other with a gift.

Thu, 05 Nov, 2026

Garth Brooks in concert
Garth Brooks Irish tour FAQ: How much are tickets and when do they go on sale?
Country music singer Garth Brooks has announced 10 Irish dates for next summer — here’s what you need to know 

Thu, 05 Nov, 2026

Sir Elton John teams up with Irish star CMAT
Elton John teams up with CMAT for new version of Step Into Christmas
CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, said: 'When I listen to the music of Elton John, I am seven years old in the back of my mam’s car.'

Thu, 05 Nov, 2026

Revealed: Garth Brooks announces 10 Irish stadium dates — including Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork
Revealed: Garth Brooks announces 10 Irish stadium dates — including Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork
Other gigs are confirmed for Limerick, Galway, Kilkenny and Belfast

Thu, 05 Nov, 2026

SHOWBIZ Gomez
Tom Dunne: Gomez were fun on stage. Ireland loved them unconditionally
Interviewing Gomez guitarist Tom Gray recently led me to reminisce on the band's career and Gray's unique status as a musician with serious political chops

Wed, 04 Nov, 2026

'A danceable solution to teenage revolution': The heart of Roxy Music is still beating
'A danceable solution to teenage revolution': The heart of Roxy Music is still beating
As Roxy Music's classic album, For Your Pleasure, gets a deluxe reissue, Phil Manzanera tells Richard Purden about the era 

Wed, 04 Nov, 2026

79th Cannes Film Festival
Maura Higgins shares ‘reality’ of competing on Dancing With The Stars
She has now detailed what she described as one of the “toughest” weeks on the show.

Wed, 04 Nov, 2026

What act is about to be announced for Páirc Uí Chaoimh and other Irish stadiums?
What act is about to be announced for Páirc Uí Chaoimh and other Irish stadiums?
Gigs are about to be announced for Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny, Galway and Belfast — but who could it be?

Wed, 04 Nov, 2026

Seeing a Corcadorca play at age 11 led me to pursue a career in theatre 
Seeing a Corcadorca play at age 11 led me to pursue a career in theatre 
The Carrigaline native tells Colette Sheridan about directing Girl in the Machine at Cork Arts Theatre

Tue, 03 Nov, 2026

Hector hits South America and 'beautiful' Bolivia steals his heart
Hector hits South America and 'beautiful' Bolivia steals his heart
Broadcaster Hector Ó hEochagáin hasn’t been to the Amazon since 2002. This time he mixes the light with the dark on his travels on the Rio Negro.

Tue, 03 Nov, 2026

10 books for November: Fantasy, thrillers, sport, and memoirs to watch out for
10 books for November: Fantasy, thrillers, sport, and memoirs to watch out for
From Joe Biden's memoir to a romantasy sequel by an irish author, here are the books being published this month

Tue, 03 Nov, 2026

London Film Festival - Elsinore European premiere - London
Andrew Scott’s Elsinore leads British Independent Film Awards nominations
The film follows the story of Chariots Of Fire actor Ian Charleson as he prepared to play Hamlet at the National Theatre in the final months of his life

Tue, 03 Nov, 2026

Radio 1 Big Weekend - Londonderry
Macklemore ‘overwhelmed with gratitude’ after Free Palestine Tour
All the proceeds from the concerts will go towards a number of organisations working in support of Palestinian people

Tue, 03 Nov, 2026

10 live events for November: Disco Pigs, Cork Film Festival, Phoebe Bridgers
10 live events for November: Disco Pigs, Cork Film Festival, Phoebe Bridgers
From film to music, here's what to watch out for in November

Tue, 03 Nov, 2026

'Boycotts are always difficult': Whozyerman’s Paul Savage on pulling his discography from Spotify
'Boycotts are always difficult': Whozyerman’s Paul Savage on pulling his discography from Spotify
For his new album, Belly of the Beast, Paul Savage is saying goodbye to Spotify. He tells Kate Demolder why he is wiping the platform of his discography entirely

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

10 TV and streaming highlights for November: I’m a Celebrity, Galway Bay Murders, Blade Runner 2099…
10 TV and streaming highlights for November: I’m a Celebrity, Galway Bay Murders, Blade Runner 2099…
From Friday night thrills to to adventures in South America, there are plenty of viewing options for the month ahead

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

Cork comedian returning to Live at the Marquee next summer
Cork comedian returning to Live at the Marquee next summer
Tickets are on sale this Thursday

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

Miriam O'Connor: As an artist, there are so many ways to reflect on agricultural life
Miriam O'Connor: As an artist, there are so many ways to reflect on agricultural life
Farmer and visual artist Miriam O'Connor tells Marc O’Sullivan Vallig about the joys and challenges of her dual careers

Mon, 02 Nov, 2026

Book reviews: Socio-political effects of 100 years of radio in Ireland
Book reviews: Socio-political effects of 100 years of radio in Ireland
Rosemary Day's 'On the Air' and Clíona Ní Anluain's 'Sounding Ireland' approach Irish radio with differing emphases and contrasting aims

Sun, 01 Nov, 2026