Lauren Murphy

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

We have the talent - so why not an Irish musical theatre scene?

London has the West End. New York has Broadway. Ireland has... Well, we have a well-established and respected theatre scene, of course.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 02 Aug 25

Great Irish albums you might have missed in 2025

The Irish music scene continues to flourish, and it's a beautiful thing to see some of our biggest acts - from Fontaines DC, to Hozier, to CMAT, to Kneecap - making such a huge impact on the global stage.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 08 Dec 25

CARDIFF, WALES - JULY 04: (EDITORS NOTE: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. IMAGES MAY ONLY BE USED IN RELATION TO THE EVENT. NO COMMERCIAL USE. NO USE IN PUBLICATIONS SOLELY DEDICATED TO THE ARTIST. NO USE AFTER JULY 03, 2026.) Liam Gallagher of Oasis performs on stage

Oasis's Croke Park gigs are a homecoming for the 'Irish' band

What's the Irish for 'mad fer it'?

The Lauren Murphy Column • 14 Aug 25

10 books to get kids reading over the summer hols (and beyond)

The world of children's books is as wildly varied as any other genre. There are good books, bad books, middling books...

Books • 14 Jul 25

Lana Del Ray: "Ooh I think this is the wrong take on the angle for the story".

Lana vs. the critics: should musicians clap back at bad reviews?

Who'd be a critic, eh? You're out there, just doing your job and sharing your opinion when all of a sudden an unruly tide of pitchfork-waving fans is unleashed upon you.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 13 Jul 25

GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 24: Lewis Capaldi performs on the Pyramid Stage on Day 4 of Glastonbury Festival 2023 on June 24, 2023 in Glastonbury, England. The Glastonbury Festival of Performing Arts sees musicians, performers and artists come together fo

Capaldi's Glasto triumph shows why mental health must come first

Everyone loves a happy ending. And if ever there was a happy ending to be found at Glastonbury, it took the form of Lewis Capaldi's comeback show last weekend.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 05 Jul 25

Yes, it's okay if you haven't seen Adolescence yet.

Too. Much. Content. Are you suffering from cultural burnout?

Take it from me: this is a hard pill to swallow. As an arts and culture journalist, there is an added pressure on me to keep up with every new album, book, movie, play, exhibition, TV show and podcast available for consumption.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 21 Jun 25

CMAT on the red carpet at this year's Brit Awards ceremony in London

Summer of CMAT: the rise and rise of Ireland's gobbiest pop star

It's out with the cigs, the Bic lighters, the "strappy white tops with no bra" and all the other garish lime green accoutrements; time to drag out the cowboy hats and boots, tooth jewels and brightly coloured tights from storage.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 14 Jun 25

Careful, now - the 10 best Father Ted episodes, ranked!

It's one of the best sitcoms of all time, and certainly one of the most iconic and beloved Irish shows ever. If you want to spark a lively debate across a pub table, however, you need only utter the words: 'What's the best Father Ted episode?'

Listicles • 01 Jun 25

AI, journalism and the importance of human voices

It was inevitable, but it doesn't make it any less terrifying. Most people working within the creative arts - musicians, animators, filmmakers, designers - have already felt the ramifications of AI within their industries.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 24 May 25