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

GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 24: Lewis Capaldi performs on the Pyramid Stage on Day 4 of Glastonbury Festival 2023 on June 24, 2023 in Glastonbury, England. The Glastonbury Festival of Performing Arts sees musicians, performers and artists come together fo

Capaldi's Glasto triumph shows why mental health must come first

Everyone loves a happy ending. And if ever there was a happy ending to be found at Glastonbury, it took the form of Lewis Capaldi's comeback show last weekend.

The Lauren Murphy Column • 05 Jul

Taylor Tomlinson on turning personal trauma into comedy gold

Taylor Tomlinson is set to play Dublin's 3Arena on Sunday, 13 July, 2025.

Comedy • 17 Jun

Writer Patrick Freyne on avoiding burnout

Writer and journalist Patrick Freyne chats about his recent viral column in The Irish Times recovering from burnout and re-connecting with community and what he loves about his job

Highlights • 15 Jan

Jenny Macdonald in The Tightrope Walker (Pics: Vlad Gurdis)

Meet The Tightrope Walker: Jenny Macdonald on illness & recovery

The Tightrope Walker is a new play from writer and performer Jenny Macdonald, navigating a personal journey through the chaotic and profound territory of illness and recovery.

First Fortnight • 03 Jan

Myth maker Stephen Fry on Odysseus and oxycontin

The writer, comedian, actor and all-round Renaissance man talks to Brendan about falling, oxycontin, his new Greek Myths Retold book and mental health during wartime.

Highlights • 21 Oct 24

Artists Helen Delany and Brenda Aherne, AKA Electronic Sheep (Pic: Declan Kelly)

First Fortnight: Electronic Sheep on their mental health tapestry

First Fortnight • 06 Jan 23

Tommy Creed writes and stars in Spliced, coming to this year's First Fortnight festival.

First Fortnight: Timmy Creed on Spliced and telling his GAA story

First Fortnight • 06 Jan 23

Poet Molly Twomey: 'Ó Bhéal helped me get my voice back'

First Fortnight: Molly Twomey on the healing power of poetry

First Fortnight • 02 Jan 23

Toshin performs at the Therapy Sessions at this year's First Fortnight

First Fortnight festival returns with a message of hope for 2023

Festivals • 30 Nov 22

Detail from 'Putting on underpants' by Rory Draper (2021)

First Fortnight: Artist Rory Draper on Breaking The Bubble

First Fortnight • 12 Jan 22

Revisiting the Ghosts of Grangegorman – Documentary on One

Documentary On One • 07 Jan 22

First Fortnight: Aoife Martin on books, and minding your head

First Fortnight • 05 Jan 22

First Fortnight: Peter Gowen on making plays & finding your voice

First Fortnight • 07 Jan 22

Timmy Creed's acclaimed play Spiced plays at First Fortnight 2022

First Fortnight Festival announces 2022 programme

Festivals • 25 Nov 21

Blindboy Boatclub on Covid and anxiety

RTÉ Radio 1 • 23 Nov 21

Keith Walsh & Janet Moran on making a show about mental health

Theatre • 18 Nov 21

James Withey on telling depression to p**s off

Books • 08 Oct 21

Reviewed: The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

Books • 06 Aug 21

Stephen Fry is one of the speakers at the Winter Series

Fry, Geldof & Hynde among Winter Series speakers

Should you be pining for the chance to attend a literary festival, fear not. The Festival of Writing and Ideas have launched their Winter Series, a programme of online events offering dynamic pairings of renowned speakers...

Books • 17 Jan 21

Artist and Art in Mind founder Glenn Gibson (Pic: © Darach photography)

First Fortnight: Glenn Gibson on keeping Art in Mind

Throughout January, the First Fortnight festival presents than 70 events online, as they mark 10 years of challenging mental health stigma...

First Fortnight • 12 Jan 21

First Fortnight preview - a collective moment through movement

We explore the series of online events focused on dance and wellbeing offered by Dance Ireland in partnership with choreographer Áine Stapleton...

First Fortnight • 11 Jan 21

Geoff Finan (AKA The Poet Geoff) presents Empowering Voices at this year's First Fortnight festival

First Fortnight preview - empowering Traveller voices

Geoff Finan (AKA The Poet Geoff) writes for Culture about a fascinating project that explores issues around identity and mental health in communities of Traveller men...

First Fortnight • 08 Jan 21