Dublin-born author Sarah Crossan is the current Laureate na nÓg(Ireland’s Children’s Literature Laureate).

Dublin spoken-word poet Stephen James Smith talks to Ellie O’Byrne as he faces economic exile from his city.

FILM TIPS: A nine-year wait for Toy Story 4 has meant that anyone who saw the previous instalment in the cinema is rather more mature by now. Whether that means you’re 18 or 88, the latest offering by John Lasseter and co is arguably the most exciting film of the year, and early reviews have been good. Go see it. Less blockbuster offerings include the excellent Gloria Bell, at Triskel in Cork from Sunday, starring Julianne Moore in a comedy drama about a free-spirited divorcée. Triskel also has ‘heartwarming’ maternal French film In Safe Hands.

When you’re a kid you write to Santa with your wish list, but who do you write to when you’re an adult? God? Hmmmm. No-one? Too depressing. Facebook? Pfffft.

Parc Del Forum, Barcelona

Cork poet Bernard O’Donoghue is on the shortlist for next week’s TS Eliot prize. He tells Colette Sheridan why, though he moved to the UK many years ago, his home area still has such a presence in his poetry.

Irish authors Sebastian Barry and Maggie O’Farrell have been shortlisted for the 2016 Costa Novel Award

Elusive artist Banksy’s theme park ‘Dismaland’ has been revealed at a derelict seaside lido — featuring Jimmy Savile, migrant boats, and an anarchist training camp.

ALL We Are’s Rich O’Flynn isn’t fazed by the hype.

Kate Tempest was honoured to be nominated for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize because she has been "in love" with music her entire life.

Hotly-tipped Barclaycard Mercury Prize nominees FKA twigs and Kate Tempest are among the acts which have enjoyed the biggest percentage sales boosts since being shortlisted for tonight’s award.

 

JAZZ FESTIVAL: The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is already under way, and choruses of ‘not as good as it was’ will (mostly) be drowned out by a whole new generation of revellers at the wide range of offerings.

Damon Albarn’s solo debut and chart-topping duo Royal Blood heads the shortlist for this year’s Barclaycard Mercury Prize.

Mindfield, the spoken word arena at this year’s Electric Picnic festival, is set to include Bob Geldof, Nobel Laureate Jerry White and Booker Prize winners John Banville and Roddy Doyle, it was confirmed today.