Ireland's entertainment sector at unmatched competitive disadvantage

The pandemic could be an opportunity to reset the blunt, one-size-fits-all laws that have put Ireland’s creative sector at a massive competitive disadvantage, writes Simon Price

The Irish creative and entertainment sector has laboured under a competitive disadvantage that would not be tolerated by any other industry. 

Long-running anxiety about the depletion of performance, arts and cultural venues was given a different spin in 2020 – all it took was everything closing down.

The shift from live concerts to online streaming brought about by the pandemic has given audiences and artists an opportunity to enjoy high-quality original Irish music presented from national parks, stately homes, art galleries, iconic landmarks and other venues not ordinarily open to public performance.