FILM: WUTHERING HEIGHTS
Writer and director Emerald Fennell follows Saltburn with a bold (and rather visceral) reimagining of Emily Bronte's iconic love story, with a cast led by Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, alongside Irish star-in-the-making Alison Oliver, Hong Chau and Doc Martin himself, Martin Clunes, all gamely tackling a romance so forbidden it curdles into obsession, ecstasy, and ruination. Big, bold and brassy at every turn, the accompanying songs from Charli XCX set the demented tone perfectly (Cinemas nationwide)
CHILDREN: WORLD BOOK DAY 2026
World Book Day in Ireland will be celebrated on Thursday, 5 March 2026; it's a day dedicated to reading for fun and encouraging children to enjoy books. and part of the wider World Book Day initiative that gives every child a €1.50 book token to exchange for a series of specially published titles; this year's Ireland-only titles include Rita agus an tEachtrán by Máire Zepf and Andrew Whitson, Milly McCarthy and the St Patrick's Day Pandemonium by Leona Forde and Karen Harte, and The Doomsday Club: Shape-Shifters by Kevin Moran - find out more here (In bookshops now)
CABARET: THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW ANTI-VALENTINE'S DELIGHT
Creatures of the night assemble! Looking for something a lttle unusual this Valentine's Day? What about a night in the company of the greatest cult movie of them all, and its biggest fans? With a full cast performing alongside a screening of Rocky Horror, this "No Partners and No Pants Anti-Valentines Delight" encourages - nay, positively demands - audience participation and fancy dress (yes, there are prizes). So dig out your fishnets and high heels, and let's do the time warp again (Sugar Club, Dublin, February 14th)
EVENT: DUBLIN FILM FESTIVAL
Paul Rudd, Colin Farrell, Bill Nighy, Maisie Williams, and Alice Krige lead a star-studded line-up as DIFF kicks off its 2026 edition with a bumper programme showcasing 83 feature films, including 17 world premieres and 53 short films. The opening and closing films this year are world premieres from Irish filmmakers: David Gleeson's Limerick-lensed small-town saga Once Upon A Time in a Cinema and John Carney's latest heartfelt musical dramedy Power Ballad. We also can't wait to see the Irish premiere of Jim Jarmusch's Father Mother Sister Brother, partially shot in Dublin and starring Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver and Tom Waits (Various venues, 19th February – 1st March)
NETFLIX: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST
How do you follow one of the most iconic Irish comedy series of all time? The eagerly anticipated new series from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee sees three lifelong pals (Roisin Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan and Caoilfhionn Dunne) embark on a chaotic quest to solve the mystery of their old friend's suspicious death and keep their own dark secret under wraps. We'll keep details to a minimum - as the twists and turns are to be savoured - save to say some very familiar faces make an appearance, and you'll probably want to binge all eight episodes in a go (Netflix, now streaming)
BONUS: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Back by popular demand, Oscar Wilde's dazzling satire of Victorian society once again takes centre stage at the Lyric Theatre. One of the greatest comedies ever written, Jimmy Fay's dazzling production is brimming with sharp wit, tangled romances, and delightfully absurd mistaken identities, as defly performed by an exceptional ensemble cast that includes Meghan Tyler, Conor O'Donnell, Allison Harding and local legend Christina Nelson (Lyric Theatre Belfast, until February 22nd)
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