Culture | Books, Music, Theatre, Film & The Arts

A life in music - Paul Brady talks to Miriam

Paul Brady is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known for blending folk, rock, and pop influences.

In Conversation • 24 Mar

President Michael D. Higgins: "There are things that can't be spoken about as easily as when I was younger"

President Michael D. Higgins on language, culture, and the future

In the lead-up to the Winter Solstice (Grianstad an Gheimhridh) last year, The Trailblazery hosted a powerful and thought-provoking conversation between President Michael D. Higgins and author Manchán Magan...

In Conversation • 20 Mar

Edna O'Brien is the subject of Sinead O'Shea's new documentary

Blue Road: Sinead O'Shea on her new Edna O'Brien documentary

Originally from Navan in Co. Meath, Sinéad O'Shea is an acclaimed writer, journalist and filmmaker.

In Conversation • 30 Jan

Watch: Steve McQueen in conversation at UCD

Earlier this year, celebrated filmmaker and artist Sir Steve McQueen joined Dr Nicolas Pillai at University College Dublin for an illuminating public conversation at UCD's Trapdoor Theatre.

In Conversation • 01 Nov 24

Watch: Diarmaid Ferriter on The Revelation of Ireland

The Transformation of Ireland by Diarmaid Ferriter, published in 2004, was the first survey history of twentieth century Ireland in many years. Now, 20 years later, comes the acclaimed sequel.

In Conversation • 21 Oct 24

How is the housing shortage affecting artists?

Is lack of housing damaging creativity and forcing artists to leave the country? Does having to constantly move disrupt their activities?

In Conversation • 29 Jan 24

The Irish photographer documenting US hip-hop culture

First Thought: Photographer Brian Cross (AKA B+) in conversation

In Conversation • 10 Nov 23

First Thought Talks: Martha Wainwright's tall true stories

Stories I Might Regret Telling You is singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright's heartfelt memoir about growing up in a bohemian musical family and her experiences with love, loss, motherhood, divorce, the music industry and more.

In Conversation • 26 Oct 23

What did we learn from the Decade of Centenaries?

We have come to the end of a serious interrogation of the years of our so-called revolutionary period. How did we do?

In Conversation • 19 Oct 23

First Thought Talks: Three Female Versions of Belfast

There has been a remarkable flowering of female writing in Northern Ireland over the last 20 years.

In Conversation • 12 Oct 23

In the Fires of Rebellion and War - talking Sean O'Casey

Garry Hynes, Druid's Artistic Director and director of DruidO'Casey, sat down with journalist and author Fintan O'Toole to discuss the life and works of playwright Sean O'Casey

In Conversation • 05 Oct 23

Watch: Ukraine and Russia - what happens next?

Galway Arts Festival • 11 Oct 22

The Curiosity Series: Jane O'Leary and Gwen O'Dowd get creative

Get Creative • 10 Oct 22

Watch: Middle ground in Northern Ireland - what happens next?

In Conversation • 10 Oct 22

Watch: Cheap houses in Ireland? How to fix a crisis

We have a housing crisis, and we've had one for many years. One solution to it would be to bring back into use even one third of the 180,000 vacant properties in Ireland, not counting holiday homes...

In Conversation • 10 Oct 22