Catherine Martin has been the most consequential minister for culture since Michael D Higgins
The outgoing Green Party TD delivered on her predecessors’ promises to address Ireland’s woeful shortfall when it comes to supporting cultural activity
Arts Council
Terra dance artist Alessandra Azeviche: ‘What I connect with in Ireland is the oppression from the church within our bodies’
The Afro-Brazilian performer and teacher staged one of the hits of this year’s Dublin Fringe Festival. It’s part of a cultural journey
Mick Wallace’s son a chip off the old block when it comes to Italian restaurants
Plus: Keith Duffy in a falling out over knees, Enda Kenny artfully backs a winner, and it turns out RTÉ and Sinn Féin can feel at home with each other after all
Brian Teeling: ‘Every time I see someone wearing one of my T-shirts, even one of the old ones, it makes me happy’
The multidisciplinary Dublin artist is part of the exhibition Skin/Deep: Perspectives on the Body, at Photo Museum Ireland and has designed three new T-shirts for Medical Aid for Palestinians
Clare Daly finds a Dublin Central political address once linked to her ally Mick Wallace
Plus: no sign of the next laureate for fiction; the less-than-diverse membership of Aosdána; and Niall Blaney’s poor attendance record
Creating ‘diverse, open and welcoming platform’ a key aim for Culture Night 2024
Arts Council hopes people will engage more in local projects after experiencing some of 1,700 free events nationwide later this month
Collection of Irish modern art visionary goes to auction
Oliver Dowling, through his work with the Arts Council and his own gallery, was a leading figure in the Irish visual arts world
Arts Council to gift books to inmates in 13 prisons across country on Culture Night
Thirty titles from some of Ireland’s most beloved writers will be distributed, with some authors reading excerpts for prisoners
How artists are funded: Five places around the world and the ways they support creativity
Some countries build theatres, others give young people money to spend on the arts. What works best?
The funny thing about Irish comedy: Why it doesn’t hurt to be rich if you want to be a stand-up
A few big names can fill big venues, but most comedians scrape by. Now, at last, what they do is set to be recognised as worthy of Arts Council funding
New Abbey chair appointment process ‘under way’, as governance report awaited
Department of Arts says Arts Council has primary governance responsibility for the Abbey Theatre
Former Abbey Theatre directors ‘address mistaken impressions’ about payments they received
Governance report still not released by national theatre, while chairwoman’s term is set to end in weeks
The Irish Times view on the Abbey Theatre’s summer closure: questions must be answered
The decision comes in the wake of a long-running but as yet unresolved series of controversies over finances, culture and governance
The Abbey Theatre is vacating the stage during peak season for reasons unknown. What is going on?
The events that have unfolded over the past five years at the national theatre raise obvious parallels with the RTÉ debacle
Legislation introduced to allow comedians access to Arts Council funding
Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh says ‘comedians are recognised and have the support of the relevant arts councils’ in other countries
Trad musicians begin two-week journey in tribute to Traveller forefathers
Paddy Keenan and Mickey Dunne travelling by horse-drawn wagon to Donegal
The Irish Times view on Basic Income for the Arts: an imaginative investment
The numbers suggest the scheme is having a real impact on the ability of artists to devote themselves to their work
Passion play: Cork theatre fights for its future
The closure of Corcadorca theatre company, in 2022, left a hole that the city’s remaining theatre community is battling to fill
‘We’re lucky in Irish music that players we look up to and have listened to all our lives are so accessible. It’s pretty unique’
Kerry piper Leonard Barry’s new album, Littoral, features a host of well-known names, including Kevin Burke of The Bothy Band
What makes the Happy Pear unhappy? Building a 5G mast beside their organic farm
Plus: Jack Crowley’s financial conversion, architect Tom de Paor’s Wicklow woes, Siún Ní Raghallaigh’s Galway house sale, and Dublin jarveys say neigh to Harry Crosbie
Colm Ó Briain: A Coat of Many Colours – A warm appreciation of the Project Arts Centre founder
Ó Briain held many roles – he worked at RTÉ, in politics and led the Arts Council – and was ‘totally committed to public service’
All-Ireland contemporary dance company ‘a new dawn’ for art form
Collaborative venture to be led by Liz Roche Company will involve Belfast-based Maiden Voyage Dance and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick
Everyone loves Ireland! Why is Irish culture so hot right now?
From cinema and theatre to television, folk music and literature, Ireland is enjoying unprecedented creative boom
Modern day Brigids tell their story: ‘I knew it was the perfect name for a little girl who was going to have a lot of struggles in her life’
Photographer Deirdre Brennan travelled Ireland photographing Brieges, Bríds and Bridgeens, Bridies, Brigids and Brigit
Kevin Rafter leaves the Arts Council with a stonking budget. By that crude measure he’s its most successful chairman
Hugh Linehan: It took a crisis to create an opportunity. The resulting ‘fiscal gimmickry’ appears to be the Irish way of getting things done
Picture post - Frank McNally on Cork nuances, the late Colm Ó Briain, and a photo exhibition in Rathmines
Himself and yer man, from Cork to Dublin
The Abbey: Shadow of a controversy lingers at Ireland’s national theatre
Two investigations surrounding events at the theatre have cost over €200,000 between them, with an independent review of governance, in particular, incurring escalating costs
Basic income for the arts: ‘That ‘Jesus Christ, what am I going to do?’ moment isn’t as bad now’
Gearóid O’Dea explains how the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme has enabled him to worry less and concentrate more on developing his painting career
Dublin Canvas: On street corners around the city, art quietly thrives
Across the capital, 500 traffic signal boxes have been transformed into pieces of public art
IMRAM: bringing audiences to the beautiful world of literature in Irish
It’s almost 20 years since the first IMRAM festival and it’s back with a wildly diverse celebration of the Irish language in literature, including music and translations
Fall and Float review: A charming, playful, skilful show for young audiences, full of discovery, play and balloons
Dublin Theatre Festival 2023: The children at the Ark are audibly delighted and amused, gasping and giggling throughout Mónica Muñoz’s production
The Booker Prize boost: ‘It certainly changed the way people look at me’
Roddy Doyle, Anne Enright and Irish booksellers on the real difference the prestigious award makes as two Irish writers hit shortlist
Ireland’s artists can struggle to make a living. Six explain the art of juggling their finances
The creative life isn’t the path to fame and fortune that people might think. Most artists need to rely on a second and even third income stream
‘Safe, welcoming vibe’ expected on Culture Night despite Dublin antisocial behaviour concerns
Clockwork Door venue in Temple Bar cited concerns about ‘lawlessness’ in capital when it announced it would not be taking part in annual event
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Election 2024
Full general election coverage including analysis and results for all 43 constituencies
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices