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RTÉ Supporting The Arts this November

Blue Moon receives its Irish premiere at the Cork Film Festival
Blue Moon receives its Irish premiere at the Cork Film Festival

RTÉ continues its proud tradition of championing Ireland's vibrant arts and cultural landscape through its RTÉ Supporting the Arts initiative.

This November, RTÉ is delighted to support the 70th Cork International Film Festival, Light Moves Festival in Limerick, Dublin Book Festival and 26 other arts and cultural events that celebrate creativity, community, and storytelling across the country.

From the 6th to 16th November, Cork becomes the beating heart of Irish and international cinema as the Cork International Film Festival marks its landmark 70th edition. With 75 Irish feature premieres, including Blue Moon by Richard Linklater, Song Sung Blue starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, and Pillion featuring Alexander Skarsgård, the festival promises a rich tapestry of storytelling. Special guests such as Gabriel Byrne, David Puttnam, and Joan Bergin will join audiences for screenings, panels, and celebrations of cinematic excellence.

Michael Palin comes to the Dublin Book Festival

The Dublin Book Festival returns, from 5th to 9th November, with over 100 events citywide, celebrating Ireland’s literary talent. Highlights include an evening with Michael Palin, bilingual poetry with Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, and panel discussions on sustainability, identity, and social justice. Family-friendly activities, walking tours, and the DBF After Dark Festival Club ensure there’s something for every reader. The Festival Hub at IMMA provides a welcoming space to explore the written word in all its forms.

From 6th to 8th November, Limerick hosts the 8th edition of the Light Moves Festival, a dynamic celebration of dance, film, sound, and media art. Highlights include Invein by street dance artist Tobi Omoteso, the immersive Groundwork performance, and they shoot horses, a poignant video installation by Phil Collins. The festival also features workshops, installations, and a focus on Palestinian voices in art, offering audiences a deeply engaging and thought-provoking experience.

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Eimear McBride comes to Dingle

November brings a rich tapestry of literary celebration across Ireland. The Dingle Literary Festival (21–23 Nov) returns to the scenic Dingle Peninsula with a bilingual programme featuring acclaimed authors like Eimear McBride, Gabriel Byrne, and Xiaolu Guo, alongside workshops, Irish-language panels, and children’s events. In Waterford, The Lit Young Writers Festival (7–9 Nov) empowers young creatives through youth-led workshops, performances, and showcases. The Leaves Festival of Writing & Music (4–8 Nov) in Laois offers a vibrant mix of literature, music, and film, with highlights including Pulitzer Prize-winner Paul Muldoon, a tribute to Mary Lavin, and the One County One Book initiative featuring Róisín O’Donnell. Finally, Library Ireland Week begins on 30th November celebrating the transformative role of libraries with events, campaigns, and the Library Staff Champion Award. Dublin hosts IMRAM Féile Litríochta Gaeilge (8–23 Nov), a dynamic Irish-language literature festival featuring multimedia performances, poetry, music, and tributes to Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, with events like Amhráin na Gealaí and Dán na Caillí drawing audiences into a rich cultural voyage.

Finghin Collins plays the West Wicklow Winter Festival

November’s musical offerings span genres and geographies, celebrating both cultural fusion and classical excellence. The Italian Fusion Festival (15 Nov, Dublin) returns with its Jazz Edition, showcasing collaborations between Irish and Italian artists, alongside visual art, short films, and Italian cuisine in a vibrant celebration of cross-cultural creativity. In Fingal, the International Perspectives Chamber Music Series (14 Nov) continues with world-class performers such as soprano Orla Boylan and horn player José Sogorb, presenting works by Mendelssohn, Schubert, and Ravel, plus a new Irish ballad-inspired piece by composer Aristide Moari. Meanwhile, the NSQF Autumn Concert Season brings chamber music to 27 towns across Ireland performing diverse programmes that include Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Florence Price, and contemporary Irish composers such as Michael Doherty and Deirdre Gribbin. The West Wicklow Winter Festival (14–16 Nov) offers a magical weekend of chamber music at the Manor House, Tulfarris, featuring artists such as Finghin Collins, Rosanne Philippens, Sara Ferrández, and Fiachra Garvey.

Also not to be missed this month, The Waterford International Film Festival (15–22 Nov) celebrates its 19th edition with a hybrid programme of short films, screenplays, and photography competitions, showcasing emerging and established talent from Ireland and beyond. Meanwhile, the IFI French Film Festival (19–30 Nov, Dublin) returns for its 26th year with 34 French-language films, including 22 Irish premieres, tributes to Claude Chabrol and the Lumière Brothers, and new movies starring Jodie Foster and Marion Cotillard.

For more information about the events we are supporting this month, see below:

Wexford Wexford Festival Opera

Waterford Waterford International Film Festival

Dublin Picasso: From the Studio at National Gallery Ireland

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Nationwide Music Network presents Emmanuel Ceysson with Sarah Shine

Dublin Dublin Book Festival 2025

Nationwide Ballet Ireland presents Cinderella

Cork Cork International Film Festival

Nationwide Boyfriends by Ultan Pringle on tour

Limerick From 'Dickie to Richard’ – Richard Harris at the Hunt Museum

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Dublin Wigmore Series Dublin

Kerry Dingle Literary Festival 2025

Dublin Italian Fusion Festival

Wicklow West Wicklow Festival Winter Weekend

Dublin Scribendi – Irish Writers 1985–2025 at Photo Museum Ireland

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Dublin Fingal Chamber Music Series

Dublin IMRAM Féile Litríochta Gaeilge

Nationwide National String Quartet Foundation - Autumn Concert Season

Dublin Dublin Gallery Weekend

Kildare The Shackleton Experience Athy

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Waterford The Lit Young Writers Festival

Cork Cork Pops Orchestra Concerts for Schools

Dublin IFI French Film Festival

Waterford Red Kettle presents A Place Like Home

Limerick Light Moves Festival

Dublin Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival

Kerry National Circus Festival of Ireland

Dublin The Dead at MOLI

Laois Leaves Festival of Writing & Music

Nationwide Irish Library Week

Find out more about RTÉ Supporting The Arts here

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