TV & RadioBryan Dobson: ‘Retirement could be a terrible shock to the system – or not, who knows!’The RTÉ news man has been behind a microphone or in front of a camera for 40 years. Moving on ‘could be a terrible shock to the system’. But for now he feels ‘just fine’ about itBy Laura Slattery●Sat May 4 2024 - 06:00
MusicPassion, booze, madness and comradeship: Bruce Springsteen’s special relationship with IrelandA new chapter in that friendship opens as the Boss returns for an all-Ireland tour with dates in Belfast, Kilkenny, Cork and DublinBy Ed Power●Sat May 4 2024 - 05:30
Subscriber OnlyPains and gains: Paschal Donohoe on three books about economic growthThe complex matrix of growth, economics and society is mapped forcibly by Daniel Susskind, Maja Göpel and Fareed Zakaria
Subscriber OnlyBambie Thug: ‘I fully support anyone boycotting Eurovision’Eurovision Song Contest 2024: Ireland’s entrant, who competes in the first semi-final next week, on couch-surfing, identity and standing up for their beliefs
Subscriber OnlyConductor Daniele Rustioni says a fond goodbye to the Ulster Orchestra: ‘Some of the music was fantastic – it touched heaven’The orchestra will say farewell to its dynamic, charismatic music director with a performance of Mahler’s epic Symphony No 2, Resurrection
‘No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs’: How common were such notices in Britain?Unthinkable: The only known photograph of such a sign is from an unknown sourceBy Joe Humphreys
Passion, booze, madness and comradeship: Bruce Springsteen’s special relationship with IrelandA new chapter in that friendship opens as the Boss returns for an all-Ireland tour with dates in Belfast, Kilkenny, Cork and DublinBy Ed Power
Bambie Thug: ‘I fully support anyone boycotting Eurovision’Eurovision Song Contest 2024: Ireland’s entrant, who competes in the first semi-final next week, on couch-surfing, identity and standing up for their beliefsBy Deirdre Falvey
The Black Keys in Dublin: Gritty show gives people what they wanted, especially towards the triumphant finishThe Ohio players came to play and people got what they wanted, mainly towards the triumphant finishBy Glen Murphy
Dua Lipa: Radical Optimism review – Step aside Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, this is the pop album we’ve been waiting for By Lauren Murphy
Kamasi Washington: Fearless Movement – Somehow both more and less than The Epic and Heaven and Earth By Philip Watson
Lemoncello: Lemoncello review – Subversive and silky sticks of sonic dynamite By Tony Clayton-Lea
Kevin Spacey hits back at docuseries alleging sexual abuseSpacey Unmasked will be broadcast on Channel 4 on May 6th and 7th
Four new films to see this weekChallengers, That They May Face the Rising Sun, In the Land of Saints and Sinners, ISSBy Donald Clarke and Tara Brady
Unfrosted review: Jerry Seinfeld’s Pop-Tart brandopic is yet another unwelcome addition to the genre By Donald Clarke
Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry review: Elene Naveriani’s warm, wise dramedy makes merry with a midlife crisis By Tara Brady
The Fall Guy review: Who ordered a half-baked revival of a Lee Majors TV show? Anyone? By Tara Brady
Pains and gains: Paschal Donohoe on three books about economic growthThe complex matrix of growth, economics and society is mapped forcibly by Daniel Susskind, Maja Göpel and Fareed ZakariaBy Paschal Donohoe
Elaine Feeney: ‘I write what I know, so the west of Ireland aesthetic permeates everything’Writer talks about her new poetry collection, Galway roots and upcoming projectsBy Martin Doyle
Bryan Dobson: ‘Retirement could be a terrible shock to the system – or not, who knows!’The RTÉ news man has been behind a microphone or in front of a camera for 40 years. Moving on ‘could be a terrible shock to the system’. But for now he feels ‘just fine’ about itBy Laura Slattery
‘Dobbo has left the building’: Bryan Dobson bids listeners farewell on final broadcastBroadcaster (63) retires after 37 years in RTÉBy Sarah Burns
Clarkson’s Farm review: Farming is tough nowadays – even for millionaire dabblers bankrolled by Jeff BezosTelevision review: Jeremy Clarkson turns misty-eyed over the fate of his cattle. Top Gear fans will be shockedBy Ed Power
Brendan O’Connor brings his contrary streak to a cosy conversation about immigration Radio: Even at his most factually minded, the RTÉ presenter can’t resist his mischievous sideBy Mick Heaney
Tom Moran Is a Big Fat Filthy Disgusting Liar review: Vulnerable exploration of a journey from self-hatred to self-fulfilmentTheatre: More than any other factor, the catharsis he is seeking onstage is an attempt to process trauma that he feels stems from an insecure attachment at homeBy Tom Lordan
The Last Pearl: Blue Raincoat’s best voyage yetTheatre: Niall Henry’s absorbing play about a deep-sea diver is eerily resonant with contemporary concernsBy Chris McCormack
Visual art reviews: Each Now, Is the time, the Space; and Aleana Egan: Second-hand Group shows can create brilliant conversations, but unless you are familiar with the work of these artists, you may need help to get inBy Gemma Tipton
The blink of an eye: Great street photography that finds magic in the mundaneA new festival in Dublin captures the glorious, random, intimate moments of everyday lifeBy Gemma Tipton