TEST YOURSELF
OUR WRITERS
A Cold Eye by Carlo Gébler: A vivid and arresting diary as memoir
This book is structured as a compendium of diary entries, with one selected each of 35 years
Sally Rooney: what the critics say about her new novel, Intermezzo
Plus, what the writer said in conversation with Fintan O’Toole in the National Concert Hall on Saturday
A new history of Irish food offers rich pickings
Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire and Dorothy Cashman’s introduction to Irish Food History: A Companion
MORE CULTURE
Alone, The Cure’s first new song in 16 years, is a huge aching sigh of darkness that brings great comfort
The track, which comes ahead of the release of new album Songs Of A Lost World, is refreshingly, gloomily Cure-ish
Nobody Wants This review: Breezy romcom lands like When Harry Met Sally for self-involved millennials
Television: Romcom starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody is full of zinging gags but lacks a heart
Shades Through a Shade: Experimental theatre that pulls itself apart even as it transports you
Dublin Theatre Festival 2024: Gare St Lazare Ireland’s virtuosic, mesmeric ensemble brings texts by Beckett, Dante, Melville and others to life
Dream Factory review: Parody of society’s environmental and ethical self-flagellation is hilarious from start to finish
Dublin Theatre Festival 2024: This original new musical has all the components for a hit
I was wary of the Kneecap film, but the tiocfaidh-ár-lá sex scene clinched it for me
From the chaos of the Troubles, the movie constructs a story of hope and tenderness, proving there’s more to life than land
Gemma Hayes: Blind Faith – A most welcome creative return after a 10-year absence
This collection veers from folksy warmth to silky sandblasting, and includes one of the best songs in her catalogue
The Coronas: Thoughts and Observations – honeyed piano ballads dotted with big arena anthems
Dublin trio resist temptation to reinvent the wheel with this solid collection of reassuringly sentimental songs
Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí: An all-round Irish revolutionary gets the tribute he deserves
Dorn San Aer, a new festival in Donegal, celebrates the brilliant late broadcaster, music fanatic, political activist and champion of the Irish language
Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí: Ómós cuí do réabhlóidí teanga
Ceiliúrann an féile nua i nDún na nGall, Dorn San Aer, an chraoltóir ceannródach, saineolaí ceoil, gníomhaí polaitiúil, agus réabhlóídí ar son na teanga nach maireann an bhliain seo chaite
Susan O’Neill: Now in a Minute – A serious agenda filtered through music full of nuance, invention and charm
O’Neill wastes no emotion as her seasoned, soulful voice sets the tone throughout, vulnerable one minute, assertive the next
Will & Harper review: Will Ferrell reconnects with trans friend in this feel-good odyssey
Road trip documentary could be seen as the anti-Top Gear special. Nicer, warmer, militantly tolerant
Megalopolis or Megaflopolis? Francis Ford Coppola took 40 years to make this sci-fi epic but it misfires on the grandest scale
Adam Driver looks as if he doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. We know exactly how he feels
From Holywood to Hollywood by Paul Tweed: A swipe at big tech from a high-profile libel lawyer
Tweed argues convincingly that the online giants are diverting revenue from mainstream media without any of the associated responsibilities
Ludwig review: David Mitchell is perfect as nerdy sleuth in comic thriller stuffed with laughs
Television: This agreeably chortle-filled show is the perfect midweek distraction
Phillip Schofield TV comeback trailer: ‘Should an affair absolutely destroy me?’
TV presenter says new Channel 5 show will offer ‘chance to tell my side of the story’
Niamh O’Sullivan: ‘I am obsessed with singing. I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else’
Cork mezzo-soprano on her packed schedule, shifting pitch and the sadness of being away from home with constant travelling for performances and rehearsals
My Old Ass: Aubrey Plaza deadpans as this charming low-fi sci-fi puts a fun spin on coming of age
Megan Park takes a wistful and sensitive angle on the letters-to-my-younger-self theme in this sassy comedy
The Music Quiz: Who is the Sinéad O’Connor parody in the Rock a Hula episode of Father Ted?
Plus: Who is about to be honoured for her philanthropy at the Golden Heart Awards?
The Outrun: Saoirse Ronan gives a forceful performance as an alcoholic in white-knuckle recovery
There is much to recommend this addiction dram directed by Nora Fingscheidt and co-produced by Ronan, who also excels in her first present-day film role in nearly a decade
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout: When Lucy met Olive
Two of the author’s best-known characters cross paths for the first time in her latest novel
Rebus review: The real mystery is why is RTÉ rehashing this BBC crime caper
Television: Ian Rankin’s stoic copper is more character study than pulsating thriller but Edinburgh leaps off the screen
The Libertines at 3Olympia: Pete Doherty and Carl Barât in perfect harmony for joyous singalong session
This was a crowd that was young when The Libertines were young, most in their late 30s and early 40s
Paul Mescal battles savage monkeys and a stampeding rhino in new trailer for Gladiator sequel
Irish actor plays Lucius, son of Lucilla from the original Gladiator, in sequel set years after 2000 epic
From Gunther’s first words to Smelly Cat: a fiendishly difficult Friends 30th anniversary quiz
Total episodes! The first and last lines! The Friends monkey! Joey’s stalker and Drake’s evil twin! The original theme! Friends games!
The Shawshank Redemption at 30: is it really the greatest film ever made?
No, but there are a few explanations for why a lot of people on IMDb think it is