Lauren Murphy

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

Sarah Jessica Parker in And Just Like That...

And Just Like That, and the perverse pleasures of the hate-watch

I'm about five episodes into the second season of And Just Like That... I hate it. It's awful.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 11 Sep 23

In defence of 'nepo babies' - a short cut to success?

Lately, I've been thinking a bit about 'nepo babies' - or more specifically, the idea of creative and artistic dynasties.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 17 Aug 23

'Lisa O'Neill has been releasing great albums for years now, but this album cemented the Cavan woman as an important musician'

The best Irish albums of 2023 (so far)

It's already been a belter of a year for Irish music, and we're only just over halfway through the year.

Music • 05 Aug 23

Sinéad O'Connor - 10 of her most essential songs

Ireland is in shock with the devastating news that we have lost one of our finest artists following the death of Sinéad O'Connor.

Music • 29 Jul 23

Kin season 2 - no spoilers - raised the stakes for Irish TV crime drama

The best Irish TV & film of 2023 (so far)

After the bumper year for Irish film and television that was 2022, the bar has well and truly been raised for filmmakers and TV creators.

Film • 23 Jul 23

Elaine Feeney, author of How to Build a Boat

The best Irish books of 2023 (so far)

We're now officially just past the halfway mark of 2023 - so it's the perfect time to pause and cast a glance over the cultural highlights of the last six months.

Books • 15 Jul 23

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