Lauren Murphy

Freelance journalist and broadcaster, writing about music and the arts.

Behind the screams - what I learned making a horror short film

Twelve years ago (gulp), myself and my husband Sean Smith began making the film that is now known as Heathen...

Get Creative • 19 Nov

10 Irish comics destined for stardom: the next wave of funny folk

We Irish are renowned for our sense of humour, often of the blackest kind...

Listicles • 09 Nov

Lily Allen and ex-husband David Harbour, allegedly the subject of her new LP

Should Lily Allen have bared her soul so brazenly on her new LP?

I don't know about you, but when I was a kid, the idea of someone reading my diary entry was one of the worst things that could happen.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 08 Nov

'Edna O'Brien is best known for her era-defining novels like The Country Girls, but dismiss her short stories at your peril.'

10 of the best Irish short story collections

We are a nation of storytellers - and if you ever needed proof, you need look no further than our short story writers.

Listicles • 28 Oct

Ten of the best Irish books of 2025 so far

Books • 06 Nov

Who is Tilly Norwood, and why does Hollywood hate her?

She looks like any other starlet; a pretty, doe-eyed, long-haired brunette, primed to play the ingénue in the next Richard Curtis rom-com. So why has Tilly Norwood become a pariah in Hollywood over the last week?

The Lauren Murphy Column • 07 Oct

Kimmel, Rooney and Kneecap - how culture became dangerous again

Growing up, you were probably familiar with the old playground adage 'Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.'

Opinion and Analysis • 27 Sep

What is Italian Brainrot, and should parents be wary of it?

The question is, what exactly is Italian Brainrot?

Pop Culture • 20 Sep

Domhnall Gleeson's 10 best roles - The Culture Countdown

He is certainly one of the most versatile actors of his generation, having traversed genres including rom-com, sci-fi, drama and comedy over the course of his career.

Listicles • 06 Sep

What is KPop Demon Hunters, and why is everyone talking about it?

Of all the unexpected earworms of 2025, a song sung by a bunch of demons masquerading as a K-Pop boyband plotting to steal the souls of their fans was probably one of the most unlikely.

Animation • 02 Sep