Choice cultural picks from our favourite Bridget and Eamonn scene-stealer...
Actress Norma Sheehan will return to our screens in the new series of Bridget and Eamonn, and will also star in the Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh at the Gaiety from January.
Norma recently appeared in the films Lost and Found and The Bailout, and has also appeared in Can’t Cope Won’t Cope, Moone Boy, Handsome Devil, Damo & Ivor and The Clinic.
Film
Mike Leigh's PeterLoo is just out. I adore his work. Obsessed. Going to see it this week. Two fantastic Irish films that are hopefully still in cinemas are Katie Taylor's documentary and Rosie by Roddy Doyle, starring Sarah Greene. Saw Dublin Old School, recently and was well impressed. A timeless Trainspotting which compares street drugs with recreational drugs, by weaving two brothers' journeys. Funny, yet heart wrenching.
Music
I'm an unapologetic pop tart! I'm loving Anne-Marie at the moment for a bop - he played before Ed Sheeran during the summer, and she was as good... I do love our own ginger, Irish legend Gavin James. I'd run away with him, just to have him sing to me all day long.
Book
Léigh sa Bhaile and Read at Home are my cultural nightly reads these days. They are primary school reading and comprehension that I do with my three daughters, and then I must sign that I've done it for the teacher, (okay, the odd night we pretend we've done it). CJ Fallon's website has the Irish ones explained for parents who have developed Irish dementia, or parents who've never learned Irish and are wondering why it makes no feckin sense. Irish was meant to be spoken, not written, and so there's little phonetic logic. Also, Bressie's new kid's book, The Magic Moment is truly magical. It helps kids to become super powerful in scary situations. The perfect gift for kids. Vibrant illustrations by Sheena Dempsey, too. I've just been asked to join a book club with a bunch comic nut-jobs, so that'll expand my reading…
Play
My husband once said he'd prefer to slam his scrotum under the car bonnet than go watch a Shakespeare play. And yes, I was a little unsure heading to Hamlet at the Gate Theatre. But not only did I stay awake, I was absolutely riveted. And I could follow it for the first time ever, which was an added bonus. Ruth Negga as Hamlet was electric - Mark Huberman, Aoife Duffin and Owen Roe were fantastic too. I'm in Martin McDonagh's Cripple of Inismaan in the Gaiety Theatre in the new year. I'm looking forward to that injection of culture. And it's nearly Panto season. The Helix Panto last year was totally brilliant. I wasn't expecting such an amazing script and performances from a panto. It's Beauty and the Beast this year. Myself and the kids can't wait.
TV
Where do I start? So first shameless plug is Bridget & Eamon, RTÉ 2, series 4 coming very soon. And I'm hideously fabulous in it. Second plug is Finding Joy, RTÉ 1. If you haven't watched it, check it out on RTE Player. Amy Huberman at her best. It'll definitely travel. My favourite show in the world right now is Curb Your Enthusiasm with Larry David. He wrote Seinfeld. He's a genius. He plays a grumpy git in Curb Your Enthusiasm. It's simple but perfect comedy. Closer to home I love The Young Offenders and The School, two Cork-based comedies that you must see if you haven't already! Series 2 of both shows are in the pipeline, so if there's a part for a goddess like myself, you know my number - call me!
Art
An up-and-coming artist that I'm a bit obsessed with is Rionagh McNamara. When she's not doing graphic design on Irelands biggest festivals such as Longitude & Electric Picnic, she makes intricate hand-cut collages from antique botanical illustrations & science journals. So unique! I have a few in my house and they always make me smile.
Another artist that has made me smile for many years is Deborah Donnelly. She was the original Cow Painter, but does everything from homeware to children's books. She has had exhibitions in the Tate gallery and Saachi Museum, but also does local workshops. She's a gorgeous human.
Radio
I'm hoping to get the kids into Eoghan McDermott's Ceol 2018 with the likes of Kodaline, John Gibbons, Picture This, Saoirse Ronan, etc…. Basically, it's big hits in Irish, which may enhance their cúpla focail even further! Mario Rosenstock has a relatively new radio show on Today FM on a Sunday morning 11am to 1pm - Mario's Sunday Roast. It's good craic, a bit left of centre like himself, and I've been on it!
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Tech
I had a social media phobia until I joined Instagram this year. I'm not into reading long streams of waffle, and a picture says a thousand words, so Instagram is ideal if you're a visual person like myself. Also, your message can go straight to Facebook just with a quick swipe. I can't believe I'm mentioning Irish again, must be all the Obair Bhaile, but Duolingo is a brilliant App, with super challenges, to help kids and adults with languages. I'm only just getting into it. Tá sé go hiontach!
The Cripple
