CINEMA: THE WHALE
Comeback kid Brendan Fraser won an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his transformative role as a clinically obese lock-in seeking redemption in filmmaker Darren Aronofsky's chamber piece, which also features fellow Oscar nominee Hong Chau and Stranger Things breakout Sadie Sink as Fraser's estranged daughter (Selected cinemas nationwide).
THEATRE: TALES FROM THE HOLYWELL
The Church of Damo comes to the national theatre... Directed by Conor McPherson, this World Premiere at the Abbey offers a reflection on Damien Dempsey's childhood, the early stages of his music-making and life as an Irish musician, in words, music and song. McPherson and Dempsey talk to Miriam O'Callaghan below (Abbey Theatre, Until February 18th)
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BOOK: THE WRITER'S TORCH
This new anthology features eighteen short stories from the pages of Dublin's iconic literary magazine The Bell (1940 -1954), alongside responses to each story by eighteen of Ireland's foremost contemporary writers - read an extract here (Stinging Fly Press, out now)
EVENT: IRELAND READS
Ireland Reads is an annual campaign to get the whole country reading during February, in the lead up to Ireland Reads Day on February 25th. The campaign aims to spread the joy of reading, and to open reading up to everyone, of every age and background. It doesn't matter what you read, or for how long, so long as you read and discover the benefits it has for wellbeing and enjoyment. Find out more here.
TELEVISION: LADY GREGORY: IRELAND'S FIRST SOCIAL INFLUENCER
Lady Augusta Gregory is a figure whose influence on Irish theatre, writing and the arts in general looms large, but as is frequently the case her huge contribution, has all too often been overshadowed by others, including many of those she herself championed. This two-part documentary sets out to explore the life of this remarkable and complicated woman, as British actress (and national treasure) Miriam Margolyes joins forces with Irish writer and activist Senator Lynn Ruane for a road trip around the fascinating world of Lady Gregory. (RTÉ One, Thursday Feb 9th & 16th at 10:15pm)
Listen to the Culture 5 every Friday on Aedín in the Afternoon on RTÉ lyric fm, from 1 pm - listen back here.
