Evelyn O'Rourke

Arts and Media Correspondent

Julian Benson was celebrated for his creative talent, endless enthusiasm, colourful dress style and cheeky sense of humour

Dancer and choreographer Julian Benson dies aged 54

Julian Benson, dancer, choreographer, talent agent and former judge of RTÉ One TV series Dancing with the Stars has died in Dublin aged 54.

Ireland • 20 Apr 25

Research group PostTrak said the 18-24 age group accounted for 64% of the audience in the movie's opening weekend in the US

Can 'Minecraft' build its way to $1bn box office glory?

This Easter weekend, as families troop into cinemas across the country to take refuge from the rain for a few hours, Warner Bros Pictures will be closely monitoring ticket sales for its global smash hit: 'A Minecraft movie'.

Entertainment • 22 Apr 25

Members of the IWU submitting the petition to Minister of State Niamh Smyth

Irish authors raise concerns over Meta's alleged AI use

A group of Irish authors has presented a petition to the Department of Trade raising their concerns over the alleged use by Meta of their publications to train its AI model, Llama 3.

Ireland • 17 Apr 25

The figures were released under Freedom of Information by RTÉ to Dr Mark Cullinane, a post-doctoral sociologist who is writing a book on Irish public service media

Trust in RTÉ has fallen, value to society has risen - FOI

Newly released data compiled for RTÉ encompassing the final months of 2024 show that just 40% of the public had the perception that RTÉ overall is "trustworthy", while 81% maintained that RTÉ is "valuable to Irish society".

Ireland • 16 Apr 25

Emma Whelan's film explores identity, class, and belonging through the eyes of Aimee, a working-class teen navigating friendship across social divides

Dublin teen wins Young Filmmaker award at Fresh Festival

Emma Whelan, 18, from Finglas in Dublin has been crowned Ireland's Young Filmmaker of the Year for her film 'Abhaile' at the annual Fresh Film Festival.

Ireland • 11 Apr 25

Other amendments include an obligation on RTÉ to spend 25% of public funding by law on independent productions

O'Donovan: 'Netflix levy' to require ministerial approval

The so-called 'Netflix levy' will not be introduced without ministerial approval, Minister for Media Patrick O'Donovan has said.

Ireland • 11 Apr 25

Element Pictures' Andrew Lowe (L) and Ed Guiney at the Golden Globe Awards last year

Element Pictures returning to Cannes with new films

Two titles from Dublin-based Element Pictures have been included in the Official Selection for Cannes 2025.

Entertainment • 10 Apr 25

Members of RTÉ's Leadership Team are not eligible to apply for the scheme

RTÉ redundancy scheme to open with €300,000 cap

RTÉ plans to open its Voluntary Exit programme after Easter, according to the broadcaster's HR Director, with a cap of €300,000 on payments.

Ireland • 09 Apr 25

The scanner was purchased by the National Gallery eight years ago for €124,805 and has yet to be used

National Gallery 'working hard' to make scanner usable

The Director of the National Gallery of Ireland has said it is "working hard" to make the x-ray system which was at the centre of controversy in February, operational.

Ireland • 08 Apr 25

Minister Patrick O'Donovan said yesterday that he did not see why the levy should be imposed on consumers

'Netflix levy' to fund Irish productions under threat

The potential levy on TV streaming services, a so called 'Netflix levy', which was designed to raise money to fund indigenous Irish productions, is under threat.

Ireland • 07 Apr 25