Lauren Murphy

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

Beyonce is the first black woman to top the U.S. country charts

When Beyonce went country - Lauren Murphy on artists mixing it up

The Lauren Murphy Column • 13 Apr 24

Christopher Lee in cult movie classic The Wicker Man

Wicker Man to Hagstone: Lauren Murphy on the lure of island tales

Stories set on islands have always fascinated me...

The Lauren Murphy Column • 24 Mar 24

Games Of Thrones went from book to TV phenomenon

Lauren Murphy on why we need fantasy novels now more than ever

One of my favourite things about being knee-deep in a really good book is that sense of escapism.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 10 Feb 24

Lauren Murphy's cultural highlights for 2024

Ahh, January. The dreaded 'end of year' lists are behind us, a new canvas of cultural delights to anticipate across the coming twelve months.

Previews • 16 Jan 24

The 10 biggest moments in Irish culture in 2023

We're a nation renowned for its artistic output, so it's just as well that Ireland's cultural offerings have been up to par throughout 2023.

Pop Culture • 25 Dec 23

Paranormal Activity: 'I literally slept with the light on for months afterwards'

Boo! Lauren Murphy on the horror movie that haunted her dreams

I love horror films. Spooky horror films. Gruesome horror films. Paranormal horrors. Horrors with aliens, horrors with demons, horrors with axe-wielding serial killers. That wasn't always the case, though.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 14 Oct 23

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