MUSIC: AGAINST ALL CERTAINTY
Featuring ten original poems, President Michael D. Higgins' debut spoken-word album is set to an ambient soundscape by acclaimed musician and filmmaker Myles O'Reilly. Recorded at Áras an Uachtaráin, it offers a poetic journey through Higgins' life — from childhood to his pre-presidency years — exploring themes of memory, identity, and reflection. This intimate, personal project from Ireland’s ninth President showcases his lifelong passion for words, justice, and the arts (Claddagh Records, now streaming)
THEATRE: DUBLIN FRINGE FESTIVAL
The 2025 edition of the essential arts shindig promises bold performances, new ideas, and joyful experiences across the city. Under new director Bee Sparks, the programme is full of surprises: immersive packages delivered to your door, biodiversity-inspired tasting menus, and eclectic nightlife events. Expect unforgettable theatre, performance art, and boundary-pushing productions from Irish and international creatives, celebrating community, experimentation, and the unpredictable joy of live art. Dive in! (Various venues across Dublin, September 6–21)
STREAMING: THE PAPER
The Office fans, rejoice! More than a decade after Dunder Mifflin closed its doors, Greg Daniels, the man behind The Office US, is back with a new spinoff, which sees the same documentary crew turn their cameras toward a new workplace – a struggling newspaper called the Toledo Truth‑Teller. Featuring Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Tim Key, and The Office alum Oscar Nuñez, this one has already been renewed for a second season before it premiered - it might just be your new favourite comfort watch (Sky/NowTV, all episodes now streaming)
EVENT: THE SEÁN CORCORAN SERIES
This intimate multidisciplinary festival honours Irish tradition with a contemporary twist. . Blending folk with electronica, mumming with keening, and architecture with zines, the event fosters cross-pollination of artistic forms, celebrating place and heritage and inviting all to reflect, revel, and reimagine culture through a local lens. Highlights include performances from RÓIS, Ultan O'Brien and Edwina Guckian, words from Belinda McKeon, John Banville and historian Dónal Fallon, with events spaning music, dance, literature, architecture, ecology, and craft - any festival with an event called Tea And Drones already has our heart (Various venues across Drogheda, September 5–7)
ART: SCULPTURE IN CONTEXT
Located in the National Botanic Gardens, Ireland's largest and longest-running sculpture exhibition celebrates its 40th anniversary Featuring work by over 100 artists — including Eilis O'Connell and Róisín De Buitléar — this year's selection comes from over 500 submissions, offering a unique blend of art and nature, with contemporary three-dimensional pieces scattered across the iconic Botanics. We can't imagine a nicer way to spend an afternoon (National Botanic Gardens, Dublin, September 4 - October 10)
Hear The Culture 5 every Friday on Aedín in the Afternoon on RTÉ lyric fm, from 1pm - listen back here
