This is the assignment I have been dreading.
Regardless of the blood, sweat and tears involved in compiling a list like this, you just cannot win.
Anyone reading this has their own personal highlights of shows, movies, gigs, books, poetry, television shows and documentaries that had a profound impact on them in 2024, so I know this list will disappoint some readers, and for that, I can only humbly apologise.
So for now, treat this list as a jumping off point for discussions, rather than a final decision on the 2024 Calendar.
There are so many events to choose from that it is daunting.
For example, memorable events and talking points from the wider arts and media community include the recent news about the imminent closure of the Pálás cinema in Galway, the long-awaited publication of the report into controversy at the Abbey Theatre, or indeed the Minister for Arts and Media Catherine Martin failing to retain her seat in the recent General Election.
However, assessments of her tenure are for the new year when Ms Martin officially steps down from her ministerial role.
For now though, where to start? And what to choose?
Firstly, my advice is to grab a few minutes over the Christmas break to do what I have had the pleasure of doing and compile your own list.
Think back over the moments of the year when music, a movie or a book brought you somewhere interesting, somewhere out of your regular routine and made a deep impression on you. Whether it was cheering with a loud crowd at a gig, or a story that led you to shed a tear in a quiet corner one day, it is a nice place to be.
And so here is my six talking points in the world of Arts and Media for 2024:
1. Crown the witch!
In January 2024, Eurovision fans were first introduced to Macroom's finest, musician Bambie Thug, who was chosen to represent Ireland on The Late Late Show 'Eurosong' special.
When they hit Malmö in Sweden for the Eurovision competition in May, 'Crown the witch' was the call that rang out across the arena from passionate fans of Ireland's entry.
Bambie Thug made a splash, both on stage, for their powerful performance (what a voice!) and off stage, for hitting out at the EBU for - as they saw it - the broadcasting union's gaps in its duty of care to artists.
Ahead of the Grand Final, Bambie, who has been outspoken about their pro-Palestine views, accused the Eurovision Song Contest organisers of not supporting them over a row with Israel.
For the EBU's part, It was certainly a tumultuous Eurovision with much criticism coming their way.
This scrutiny ultimately led to the EBU recently announcing the roll out of new policies and guidelines to better support artists for next year's competition in Switzerland.
In the end, Bambie Thug's entry with 'Doomsday Blue' was a big success for Ireland, as they secured sixth place in the final, the country's highest position since 2000.
Roll on Basel in 2025!
2. Summer of HUGE music gigs
The buzz around Taylor Swift's 'Eras tour' visit to Dublin reached fever pitch in June as fans went into a frenzy making bracelets and counting down the days to her appearance at the Aviva Stadium.
'Tay Tay' rocked the stage for three nights and fans filed out from the gig even more in love with their singing hero than before!
For the many, many, many thousands of disappointed Taylor fans who could not get their hands on the golden ticket though, there was much on offer in Ireland for gig lovers this summer.
Coldplay sold out an astonishing five nights in Croke Park, and later in August AC/DC hit the stage in the stadium too with fans soaking up every note.
With record breaking Electric Picnic ticket sales, and Bruce Springsteen selling his 1 millionth ticket in Ireland, it is fair to say that the Oasis ticket fiasco was one of the few dark clouds in an otherwise golden music fan summer season.
The Irish music scene flourished too with the much-loved Christy Moore for example releasing a new album, 'A Terrible Beauty', over 50 years after his debut and is still selling out Vicar Street anytime he's on.
The long-standing musician is a powerful performer who demonstrates the strength of the Irish music scene and the loyalty of the country's many music fans.
3. Big screen, big success
In March, Cillian Murphy took home the Oscar for 'best actor' for his performance in 'Oppenheimer' and it ushered in another fantastic season of Irish movie magic, also taking in Paul Mescal's extraordinary rise to global stardom, bagging the main role in Gladiator 2, and Saoirse Ronan's highly praised performance in 'The Outrun'.
Both Ronan and Murphy are making waves too behind the camera - producing and bringing to screen 'The Outrun' in Saoirse Ronan's case and Cillian Murphy leading Clare Keegan's devastating story 'Small Things Like These' onto the big screen.
Even Oprah is a fan!
Of course so many of these stars began their careers on stages across the country and it was another big year for theatre in the country.
There was notably another successful Dublin Theatre Festival this October with audiences continue to flock to shows like Druid's 'The House' and 'The Agreement' at the Gate Theatre.
The Abbey ended its year of celebrating Lady Gregory's legacy on a high too with a new version of 'Emma’.
4. Farewell to Edna O'Brien
On 27 July, the sad news of the death of legendary writer Edna O'Brien in London was confirmed by her family.
An iconic figure for many readers, the writer who died at the age of 93, was a precious cultural link to an era when her novel, 'The Country Girls,' was banned in Ireland and she was denounced from the pulpit.
Ms O'Brien refused to be silenced by the moral authorities though and continued to grow and flourish as a writer for decades.
It is thanks to her and brave, talented writers like her that the Irish literary scene continues to blossom with Sally Rooney, Clare Keegan, Anne Enright, Donal Ryan, Paul Lynch, Colm Tóibín and so many other fantastic Irish authors hitting the best seller list internationally.
5. RTÉ
Some 18 months on from the controversies that engulfed RTÉ in summer 2023, the broadcaster will be heaving a sigh of relief that as 2024 draws to a close, the organisation's troubles have ceased featuring in the daily headlines for some months now.
Looking back at RTÉ's year, it was a bumpy start with the resignation of the Chair of the board, Siún Ní Raghallaigh back in February.
The resignation made front page news.
Terence O'Rourke was subsequently appointed to the role in March, and then in June, RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst launched the publication of RTÉ's five-year strategy.
The DG also welcomed the government commitment of multi-annual public funding to the broadcaster, describing the €725 million over three years as recognising the "importance and value" of independent public service media to Ireland.
That said, with one eye on the new year, the path ahead for linear broadcasting is far from clear.
6. Breakout music stars
The rise and rise of Kneecap both on stage and on screen shows this is a band on a mission.
Confirmation last week that their movie has been shortlisted for possible Oscar nominations seems to have been inevitable given the extraordinary momentum behind this band.
Will we see the tricolour balaclava make it all the way to the biggest red carpet of them all in March?
It has been a big breakthrough year for Fontaines DC too, as Irish fans revel in this much-loved band's growing international recognition.
Their Grammy nominated fourth album, Romance, was a critical hit and they enjoyed sold-out shows across Europe and the UK.
They ended their year on a high with two sell-out gigs in the 3 Arena earlier this month, playing to hordes of screaming fans.
Finally, Kabin Crew with its song 'The Spark'.
In case you don't believe me, the review from Rolling Stone headlined 'The Spark - how a group of kids from Ireland created the summer's biggest banger' says it all.
Created by the hip hop groups Kabin Crew and the Lisdoonvara Crew, it was first released as a music video in May by Creative Ireland for Cruinniú na nÓg and has amassed more than 2 billion views on social media and 52 million streams.
With their boundless energy and talent, big things lie ahead for the gang of charming, feisty performers.
