Cork actress Liz Fitzgibbon has been acclaimed for her work on stage and screen, winning the Irish Times Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2019 for her performance in Dublin Will Show You How - recent stage credits include The Border Game for Lyric Theatre Belfast and One Good Turn at The Abbey, alongside roles in Channel 4 comedy Frank Of Ireland and acclaimed indie film Redemption Of A Rogue.
This October, she stars in Hatch Productions' presentation of Eoghan Quinn's new play colic, which receives its world premiere at this year's Dublin Theatre Festival.
We asked Liz for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
An Cailin Cuin is one film that stayed with me long after I left the cinema. A heart wrenching story. Beautifully shot and performed. The story of the film is set in the Gaeltacht of An Rinn in Waterford down the road from where I grew up. But you don't have to speak any Irish to appreciate and love this film. It's just a stunning piece of cinema, and brilliant to see it getting the recognition it deserves internationally.
MUSIC
Having two older brothers I listened to a fair bit of hip hop when I was younger, artists like Cypress Hill, De la Soul and Jurassic 5. But the Irish scene is on a steep rise and dominated festivals this summer. Artists like Kojaque, Mango X MathMan, Reggie Snow and Kneecap are some of my top picks.
BOOK
I'm very late to this. But Anam Cara by John O'Donohue found its way to me this summer. Its a beautiful mix of philosophy, poetry and spirituality. I found it grounding and uplifting. A source of solitude and hope. One that I will turn to again and again.
THEATRE
colic, the play I'm currently rehearsing as part of this year's Dublin Theatre Festival, is one that I am really excited by. It is a savage script by the brilliant writer Eoghan Quinn. It's packed full of reality, fantasy, tragedy and comedy. As an actor or audience member, you can't ask for much more from a new play.
star in 'colic' by Eoghan Quinn (Pic: Ros Kavanagh)
TV
I'm loving Bad Sisters at the minute. Hilarious, moving and sometimes quite disturbing, it's jam-packed full of incredible Irish actors. Sharon Horgan is one of the creators - anything she puts her hands to is gold. Sarah Greene is superb in it, too, showing once again what a talented and versatile an actor she is.
GIG
Kae Tempest in Vicar street was a special gig. An incredible lyricist. A powerful performer. Their tracks hit you on a deeper level.
If you're looking for some serious craic and whooper tunes, you will never be disappointed when you see DJ Sally Cinnamon play. Keep an eye on her Instagram to see where she is appearing next.
ART
My home town of Youghal in Co Cork is bursting with artistic talent.
Two of my favorites are the visual artist Diane Magee and portrait artist Finola Power.
PODCAST
The Two Norries' podcast is one to check out. Their podcast covers social issues with particular focus on addiction, drug use, crime and recovery. They have really interesting and diverse guests. It's sensitive and informative while also having a laugh, and If you ever wanted to hear a proper Cork City accent you wont find much better than these boys.
TECH
The Climate Campaigners app offers diverse Challenges that will help residents of Dublin and 13 other cities around the world to live more CO2 neutral lives. By signing up to the app, people will help Dublin achieve a transition to become a competitive, low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy.
Dubliners unite against climate change. #ClimateCampaigners has launched a NEW APP in Dublin & 12 other cities across the globe! Stand up to #climatechange, take on the #CCchallenges. Download it now: https://t.co/3oMtAYpufG
— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) September 15, 2022
Image: Nate Meepian pic.twitter.com/RuSznly7Yk
THE NEXT BIG THING...
A name to look out for if you haven't heard it already is Fionnuala Gygax. An incredible writer and performer, she has some very exciting and promising projects in progress. Watch this space...
Hotel Happiness 🦎🍑
— Fionnuala Gygax (@GygaxFionnuala) September 24, 2022
Trailer by @MDMcKernan pic.twitter.com/dYoH3TfSU1
colic runs 5th - 9th October at Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, as part of this year's Dublin Theatre Festival - find out more here.
