Lauren Murphy

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

Fantastic! Lauren Murphy on the genius of George Michael & Wham!

Wham! were a little before my time. I was born in the 1980s, but by the time George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley had called it a day with their final gig at Wembley Stadium in 1986, I was still in nappies.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 10 Jul 23

Future folk - Lauren Murphy on the magic of Lankum

I first interviewed Ian Lynch back in 2015. In the Library Bar of Dublin's Central Hotel - the much-missed bastion of journalists in search of a quiet bar for interviews.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 09 Jun 23

Ex-Python turned TV globe trotter Michael Palin

Lauren Murphy: How TV travel shows were my passport to the world

I blame Michael Palin.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 31 May 23

Garth Marenghi lives! Lauren Murphy celebrates cult comedy heroes

There are certain phrases that will only make sense to the initiated. "She was like a candle in the wind; unreliable", for example, or "I felt muscular and compact, like corned beef".

opinion • 15 Apr 23

10 Irish creatives killing it right now

When it comes to culture, Ireland has always punched above its weight.

Arts & Culture • 17 Mar 23

King of 'commercial' fiction: Stephen King

Book snobs, be damned! The joys of commercial fiction

I am not a fast reader. I have friends that can whizz through books like they're fact-checkers speed-reading legal documents, gobbling up words and flinging the carcasses aside like greedy cartoon dogs let loose on a pile of pork chops.

Books • 11 Mar 23