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

Robert Barrett's Nothing Ever Happens Around Here - Drama On One

Drama On One • 03 Dec 21

Painting The Nation winner Hazel Higgins, with presenter Pauline McLynn

Painting The Nation winner revealed

Sligo woman Hazel Higgins has been declared the winner of RTÉ One's second series of Painting the Nation.

painting the nation • 22 Oct 17

The final three painters - (L-R) Joanne McAndrew, Hazel Higgins and Teresa Butler

Painting The Nation Final Preview - we capture the castle

It's the final of Painting the Nation and our three remaining painters travel to county Offaly where they visit Birr Castle Gardens and Science Centre.

visual arts • 21 Oct 17

Painting The Nation Recap - the many faces of Anne Doyle

In week four of Painting the Nation, our four remaining painters visited the sunny south east for Portrait Week, with our hopeful semi-finalists facing their most difficult challenge yet.

visual arts • 18 Oct 17

When legends meet: Pauline McLynn gives Anne Doyle the brush-off on this week's Painting The Nation

Painting The Nation preview - Portrait of a Newsreader

This week, our painters attempt to capture Anne Doyle on canvas to win a place in the Painting the Nation final.

painting the nation • 18 Oct 17

Jack B. Yeats' 1930 painting The Small Ring - the inspiration for this week's Painting The Nation challenges.

Painting The Nation recap - hitting the canvas

Our five remaining painters travelled to a boxing club in Dublin's inner city in the third episode of the new series of Painting The Nation, with our talented amateur artists being set another tricky challenge by the judges.

painting the nation • 10 Oct 17

Painting The Nation preview - step into the ring

It's week three of Painting the Nation and our five remaining painters are in Dublin City tackling movement... in a legendary Dublin boxing club.

visual arts • 10 Oct 17

Painting the Nation - Pauline McLynn collects produce from Ballyvaughan Farmers' Market

Painting The Nation preview - from Clare to here

Painting the Nation continues this Sunday on RTÉ One, with the six remaining painters travelling to the harbour town of Ballyvaughan in North Clare.

painting the nation • 03 Oct 17

Painting The Nation - who knew that watching paint dry could be so entertaining?

Painting The Nation Episode One Recap - a brush with destiny

Our seven painters hit the canvas running in the first episode of the new series of Painting The Nation, with our seven talented amateur artists being put through their paces by the judges.

painting the nation • 03 Oct 17

Painting The Nation preview - Ireland's amateur artists assemble!

Painting the Nation, series two, begins with a one hour special introducing the seven amateur painters who will compete to have their painting hang in the State Art Collection.

painting the nation • 22 Sep 17

Presenter Pauline McLynn returns with another seven amateur painters, for the new series of Painting The Nation

Painting The Nation returns: amateur artists canvas for the prize

The search for Ireland's best amateur painter is back on RTÉ One, with host Pauline McLynn and judges Una Sealy and Gabhann Dunne putting seven new artists to the test.

painting the nation • 17 Sep 17

Painting the Nation's Pauline McLynn brushes up on her art

Painting The Nation is back! We sat down with host Pauline McLynn to discuss the show, her relationship with the art world and how life has come full circle for the Father Ted actress.

visual arts • 20 Jun 18

Painting The Nation host Pauline McLynn - looking for a few good painters.

Painting The Nation is canvassing for amateur Irish art talent

Painting The Nation is back! RTÉ One's amateur painting competition, presented by Pauline McLynn, is back for a second series to uncover the country's best amateur painters... and they're looking for contestants.

visual arts • 22 May 17

The winning moment! Sinead Lawless is declared the winner of RTÉ One’s Painting the Nation.

Painting The Nation Finale Recap: The Last Picture Show

Cork woman Sinead Lawless was declared the winner of RTÉ One’s Painting the Nation last Sunday evening, as the amateur painting competition reached its thrilling climax.

Culture • 08 Jun 17

Painting The Nation: The Final Paint-Off...

It’s the grand finale of Painting the Nation and our three remaining part-time painters are battling it out for the title of Ireland’s greatest amateur painter of 2016.

Culture • 29 Oct 16

Detail from a painting by Angela Mulligan, Sligo

Painting The Nation Update: Picture This!

Painting The Nation's Big Picture Competition has had an incredible response, with paintings being submitted by amateur artists from every corner of Ireland.

Culture • 27 Oct 16

Model and author Roz Purcell poses for her portrait on this week's Painting The Nation.

Painting The Nation Preview: A Model Subject

It's the semi-finals of Painting the Nation and our four remaining painters are in Dublin facing their toughest challenge yet - the portrait. Will their self-portraits be a revelation and who will perfectly capture the beauty of model Roz Purcell?

Culture • 21 Oct 16

Painting The Nation Preview: Horsing About

This week’s Painting The Nation is set in magnificent Killarney, Co Kerry, where our five remaining hopefuls must capture the highs and lows of one of Ireland’s best-loved sports on canvas.

Headlines • 14 Oct 16

Something For The Weekend: Pauline McLynn's Cultural Picks

The host of RTÉ's Painting The Nation has some choice cultural selections for you...

Culture • 14 Oct 16

Brushing up: the remaining six painters form a tableaux

Painting The Nation Episode 2 Recap: Carlingford, Ho!

Contains spoilers! Do not read unless you've watched this week's episode of Painting The Nation!

Culture • 14 Oct 16

Pauline McLynn and Painting the Nation contestant Sinead Lawless in Carlingford

Painting The Nation Preview: Watercolour Moment

The six remaining painters visit the coastal town of Carlingford in County Louth where they face a watercolour challenge good enough to eat and they take inspiration from the beautiful Mountains of Mourne.

Culture • 07 Oct 16

Painting The Nation Episode 1 Recap: Adieu, Kevin

Review the efforts of our amateur artists, and ask yourself: was Kevin robbed?

Culture • 03 Oct 16

Painting The Nation: Meet The Contestants

Brushes at the ready! There can be only one...

Painting The Nation • 30 Sep 16

Painting The Nation: The Great Irish Brush Off

Presented by Pauline McLynn, Painting the Nation is a brand-new series for RTÉ One which tests the talents of some of the very best amateur painters in the country.

Headlines • 30 Sep 16

Pauline McLynn