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Sun, Dec 5, 2021
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Don’t Look Up: Jennifer Lawrence as Kate Dibiasky, Leonardo DiCaprio as Dr Randall Mindy,and Rob Morgan as Dr Clayton ‘Teddy’ Oglethorp. Photograph: Niko Tavernise / Netflix Adam McKay: ‘An Oscar? How the f**k did that happen?’
  • Film
  • Donald Clarke
  • December 4, 2021, 05:00

Oscar-winning filmaker Adam McKay has a new film about the end of the world

Please stop going on about ‘problematic’ Christmas songs Please stop going on about ‘problematic’ Christmas songs
  • Culture
  • Donald Clarke
  • December 4, 2021, 05:00

Donald Clarke: Another season of Fairytale argy-bargy would be too much to bear

Michael C Hall: ‘We’ve tried to lead with the music’ Michael C Hall: ‘We’ve tried to lead with the music’
  • Music
  • Ed Power
  • December 4, 2021, 05:00

Dexter star on Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum and shifting from messenger to message

Hugh Linehan: It’s not surprising Haughey’s arts patronage remains contentious Hugh Linehan: It’s not surprising Haughey’s arts patronage remains contentious
  • Culture
  • Hugh Linehan
  • December 4, 2021, 07:00

Writers and artists were keen to pay court when the politician was in his pomp

‘I just wish people would stop moaning and giving out.’ But what would Liveline do then? ‘I just wish people would stop moaning and giving out.’ But what would Liveline do then?
  • TV, Radio, Web
  • Mick Heaney
  • December 3, 2021, 05:00

Review: Joe Duffy presides over tetchy debates on bungalows and masks in schools

This is Fiona, who’s flanked by goonish fashion victims – much like yourself in Coppers This is Fiona, who’s flanked by goonish fashion victims – much like yourself in Coppers
  • TV, Radio, Web
  • Patrick Freyne
  • December 3, 2021, 05:00

Patrick Freyne: The Princess Switch films celebrate Yuletide tat and aristocratic grandeur

Mabel’s Magnificent Flying Machine: An original alternative to the mayhem of the pantomime Mabel’s Magnificent Flying Machine: An original alternative to the mayhem of the pantomime
  • Stage
  • Sara Keating
  • December 3, 2021, 14:25

The Gate Theatre’s Christmas show is an adventure story anchored by a deeper emotional narrative

The Long Christmas Dinner: A ghostly telling of a dreamlike curiosity The Long Christmas Dinner: A ghostly telling of a dreamlike curiosity
  • Stage
  • Sara Keating
  • December 3, 2021, 16:25

Thornton Wilder’s expressionist one-act play tracks a family home over 90 years

Giving the gift of Christmas: Sponsor a run, swim, or have a Christmas jumper day Giving the gift of Christmas: Sponsor a run, swim, or have a Christmas jumper day
Special Report

How corporate giving and staff fundraising can make all the difference to charities

Brought to you by The Irish Times Content Studio
Intimate City: Required reading for every Dubliner Intimate City: Required reading for every Dubliner
  • Books
  • Michael O'Loughlin
  • December 3, 2021, 06:00

Book review: Peter Sirr ponders Dublin’s shameless appetite for devouring itself

Latest Film

Joaquin Phoenix and Woody Norman in C’mon C’mon Four new films to see in cinemas this week
Don’t Look Up: Jennifer Lawrence as Kate Dibiasky, Leonardo DiCaprio as Dr Randall Mindy,and Rob Morgan as Dr Clayton ‘Teddy’ Oglethorp. Photograph: Niko Tavernise / Netflix Adam McKay: ‘An Oscar? How the f**k did that happen?’
Stephen Sondheim in New York in August 1990. Photograph: Fred R Conrad/The New York Times The Movie Quiz: For which film did Stephen Sondheim win his only Oscar?
  • Rita Moreno: ‘Was Brando a good lover? Oh, yes! Incredible’
  • Four new films to see this week

TV & Radio

Olivia Colman in Landscapers. The pitch-black comedy begins Tuesday on Sky Atlantic TV guide: 24 of the best shows to watch this week, beginning tonight

You Don’t Know Me, Neven’s Christmas, Colmcille – An Naomh Dána, Junk Couture, Vienna Blood, The Unforgivable

Black & Irish: Tolü Makay has been named best female artist Tolü Makay named best female artist at Black & Irish awards
Princess Switch: Netflix’s Christmas kingdoms must have Vanessa Hudgenses as far as the eye can see This is Fiona, who’s flanked by goonish fashion victims – much like yourself in Coppers
  • ‘I just wish people would stop moaning and giving out.’ But what would Liveline do then?
  • Edie Falco: ‘I was a big fan of cocaine if it was around, but I could never afford any’

Latest Books

Shakespeare’s 1623 play The Winter’s Tale performed at the Abbey as party of the 2005 Dublin Theatre Festival The Books Quiz: What is the warm setting of Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale?

A cold quiz for when the nights grow longer and Old Man Winter closes in

Catherine Ryan Howard uses the strictures of the first Covid-19 lockdown to ramp up in the tension in her book 56 Days. Photograph: Bríd O’Donovan The best crime fiction of 2021
Two fresh takes on the Treaty: compelling analysis of a triumph and a tragedy
  • Valiant Gentleman (2016) by Sabina Murray: Roger Casement’s unrequited love
  • Grace and Mary: Heartbreaking tragedy of brave women told with profound respect

Film Reviews

Justin Chon and Alicia Vikander in Blue Bayou Blue Bayou

 
Recollections play over images of earnest gatherings of Hitler Youth Final Account

 
Joaquin Phoenix and Woody Norman in C'mon C'mon C'mon C'mon

 
Filippo Scotti, Toni Servillo, Teresa Saponangelo and Marlon Joubert in The Hand of God. Photograph: Gianni Fiorito The Hand of God

 

Latest Music

David Brophy with the Choir of Ages. Photograph: Kyran O’Brien An Irish plan to break the record for the number of nationalities in a choir

David Brophy’s record-breaking choir attempt at Dubai Expo 2020

Michael C Hall (centre) with Matt Katz-Bohen and Peter Yanowitz of Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum: “I would say I didn’t have to lobby to be in the band. I was lucky to be in there in the right place.” Photograph: Paul Storey Michael C Hall: ‘We’ve tried to lead with the music’
Kodaline’s Vinny May: ‘Our fourth album was released in the summer of 2020 and never really got the push or attention it deserved.’ Kodaline’s Vinny May: ‘Those online gigs kept us connected’
  • The Music Quiz: What is Harry Styles’ new beauty brand called?
  • Nils Frahm: ‘Spotify and Apple encourage a way of listening that is only half-ass’

Book Reviews

Wish You Were Here: Appeal lies in satisfying blend of familiar Picoult elements
Imagining Ireland’s Pasts: Pioneering and comprehensive exploration of Irish history
The Fires of Lust: Sex in the Middle Ages – An intimate read
These Precious Days by Ann Patchett: A thank you for the days

Stage

The Long Christmas Dinner at the Peacock unfolds with graceful fluidity. The Long Christmas Dinner: A ghostly telling of a dreamlike curiosity

Thornton Wilder’s expressionist one-act play tracks a family home over 90 years

Mabel’s Magnificent Flying Machine: Caitríona Ennis as the effervescent, energetic Mabel. Photograph: Ros Kavanagh Mabel’s Magnificent Flying Machine: An original alternative to the mayhem of the pantomime
The Little Mermaid: Daryn Crosbie’s production celebrates the Gaiety Theatre’s 150th birthday in style The Little Mermaid: The Gaiety puts on a near-perfect pantomime
  • Pantomines during Covid: ‘It will be a miracle if we get to the end of the run’
  • Stephen Sondheim obituary: Titan of the American musical

Art & Design

Array Collective: have won one of the world’s best-known prizes for the visual arts, celebrating artistic talent in UK. Photograph: Alessia Cargnelli/PA Wire Belfast collective wins Turner Prize with pub installation

Array Collective becomes first Northern Irish winner of the prestigious art prize

Julie Manet in a Hat, around 1894. Photograph: Musée Marmottan Monet ‘The last Manet’: Julie Manet was the living legacy of impressionism
A block of 1960s social housing at Le Grand Parc in Bordeaux before its transformation Demolition debate: Are Irish architects behind the curve on concrete’s climate implications?
  • Hugh Linehan: To understand Dublin’s current problems, you must understand its past
  • The RDS Arts Awards can launch careers, but what about the art of rejection?

Unthinkable

How good can a God be? Stephen Fry and Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz have opposing views. Photograph: PA/Getty Is there a God? Why is there something instead of nothing? This article explains it all

Unthinkable: No of course it doesn't, but it does try to address life’s ultimate questions

While many of us welcome the decline of the church, there is a nagging sense that our connection to fundamental questions about human existence is being severed. Photograph: Getty images Is your mind open enough to contemplate belief in God?
Author John Boyne: ‘Through my experiences, the people who tweet the most . . . go a bit mad’. Photograph Nick Bradshaw What is Twitter doing to your brain?
  • What should any one of us be expected to do to avert climate catastrophe?
  • Has Stoicism become a new religion?

Heritage

Charles Gavan Duffy, Erskine Childers, Robert Barton and Arthur Griffith (London 1921). Photograph: National Library of Ireland ‘The British were braced for failure.’ How the Anglo Irish Treaty of 1921 was negotiated

On the Treaty's centenary, Gretchen Friemann pieces together its creation

The Irish delegation on the day that the treaty forming the Irish Free State and partioning the country was signed, (from left) Arthur Griffith, Eamonn Duggan, Erskine Childers, Michael Collins, George Gavan Duffy, Robert Barton and John Chartres. Photograph: Hulton Archive Who was who during the Treaty negotiations
The Irish peace delegation shortly after arrival at the Grosvenor Hotel in London in 1921. Photograph: National Museum of Ireland Treaty Timeline: from beginnings to a Republic
  • Cobblestone: Pub owner ‘eternally grateful’ as redevelopment plan refused
  • Colourisation of old images enables greater empathy

Michael Viney's Another Life

A surging flood in Dublin’s Liffey meeting a record storm surge in the bay would be one fearful scenario, that might concentrate minds in Ireland. If fear won’t work, how can we encourage climate action?

Michael Viney: Studies suggest positive messages about post-carbon society more effective

Gannet with fish: Anyone who has watched the birds plunging vertically from the sky to seize mackerel deep beneath the surface must marvel at their anatomy. Illustration: Michael Viney Gannet population continues to thrive despite human threat to its numbers
Fox with prey: The urban adult is “thin and exhausted” from finding and ferrying food to its cubs. Illustration: Michael Viney Another Life: The fox as he dwells among us
  • The declining choughs of Dursey island need decision makers’ help
  • Super grass: the arching, architectural forms of wild meadows

Tuarascáil

Sioc soilseach na maidne i gCo Chill Mhantáin. Grianghraf: Niall Carson/PA Wire Ar thóir féiríní?

Agus an Nollaig ag teannadh linn, shocraigh Tuarascáil liosta gnólachtaí a fheidhmíonn nó a dhíolann earraí trí nó le Gaeilge a chur le chéile

Feodair Micileóvich Dostáibhscí: Is ait agus is indíreach mar a fhágann scríbhneoir amháin lorg ar scríbhneoir eile, ach b’fhéidir gurb é an sampla a thugann siad is tábhachtaí ar fad. Grianghraf: iStock Feodar Mac Mhichíl
Bhí foirne balún sa pháirc cheana féin agus bhí an-teannas agus an-atmaisféar le blaiseadh fad a chuir siad a mbalúin i bhfearas. Grianghraf: iStock Chun na spéire!
  • Neamhaird ar riachtanais i scoileanna na Gaeltachta
  • Rogha gach rabhaidh

Sponsored

Basketcase Hampers offers gift baskets with a personal and modern touch Basketcase Hampers offers gift baskets with a personal and modern touch

Hampers tailored to deliver a personal touch is at the heart of Basketcase Hampers

Ireland’s Creative Influence survey: The results are here Ireland’s Creative Influence survey: The results are here

The results of IAPI’s 2021 Creative Influence survey are in, 90% of creatives believe that Irish culture and environment contribute to the quality of creative output

It's Christmas Great gift ideas, travel destinations, interviews, food, music, and more
 

Subscriber Only

Catherine Ryan Howard uses the strictures of the first Covid-19 lockdown to ramp up in the tension in her book 56 Days. Photograph: Bríd O’Donovan The best crime fiction of 2021
Charles Gavan Duffy, Erskine Childers, Robert Barton and Arthur Griffith (London 1921). Photograph: National Library of Ireland ‘The British were braced for failure.’ How the Anglo Irish Treaty of 1921 was negotiated
This remarkable scholarly study is eloquent testimony to Nicholas Canny’s inspirational passion for and commitment to Early Modern Irish History. Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images Imagining Ireland’s Pasts: Pioneering and comprehensive exploration of Irish history

Most Read in Culture

1 Edie Falco: ‘The eight years I spent ‘married’ to James Gandolfini on The Sopranos was the longest intimate relationship I ever had.’ Photograph: Celeste Sloman/The New York Times Edie Falco: ‘I was a big fan of cocaine if it was around, but I could never afford any’

2 Charles Gavan Duffy, Erskine Childers, Robert Barton and Arthur Griffith (London 1921). Photograph: National Library of Ireland ‘The British were braced for failure.’ How the Anglo Irish Treaty of 1921 was negotiated

3 Singers in 1984 Do they know it’s Christmas. Photograph: Steve Hurrell/Redferns Please stop going on about ‘problematic’ Christmas songs

4 Don’t Look Up: Jennifer Lawrence as Kate Dibiasky, Leonardo DiCaprio as Dr Randall Mindy,and Rob Morgan as Dr Clayton ‘Teddy’ Oglethorp. Photograph: Niko Tavernise / Netflix Adam McKay: ‘An Oscar? How the f**k did that happen?’

5 David Brophy with the Choir of Ages. Photograph: Kyran O’Brien An Irish plan to break the record for the number of nationalities in a choir

6 Haughey fancied himself a political leader in the mould of De Gaulle or Mitterrand. Photograph: Colman Doyle Hugh Linehan: It’s not surprising Haughey’s arts patronage remains contentious

7 Catherine Ryan Howard uses the strictures of the first Covid-19 lockdown to ramp up in the tension in her book 56 Days. Photograph: Bríd O’Donovan The best crime fiction of 2021

8 The actor Don Johnson in Los Angeles, November 22, 2021 Don Johnson: Casting Colin Farrell in Miami Vice was ‘a mistake’

9 Mr Salary – a short story by Sally Rooney

10 Curse of the Gucci family continues to haunt the heirs

Real news has value SUBSCRIBE

Music Quiz

The Music Quiz: What is Harry Styles’ new beauty brand called? The Music Quiz: What is Harry Styles’ new beauty brand called?

Plus: At the age of 15, Lady Gaga appeared as an extra in which hit TV show?

Dublin Theatre Festival 2021 Reviews, news and interviews from Ireland’s premier theatre festival
 

The Books Podcast

The Irish Times Books Podcast - Darran Anderson, author of Inventory The Irish Times Books Podcast - Darran Anderson, author of Inventory 33:48
The Irish Times Books Podcast The best crime fiction of 2019 The Irish Times Books Podcast The best crime fiction of 2019 40:49
The Irish Times Books Podcast Remembering Maeve Binchy The Irish Times Books Podcast Remembering Maeve Binchy 35:01
The Irish Times Books Podcast Danielle McLaughlin The Irish Times Books Podcast Danielle McLaughlin 33:47

Culture Videos

Anglo-Irish Treaty: The story behind the 'title deeds of the Irish State' 14:01 Anglo-Irish Treaty: The story behind the 'title deeds of the Irish State'
Josephine Baker becomes first black woman inducted into France's Panthéon 2:10 Josephine Baker becomes first black woman inducted into France's Panthéon
Campaigners say Cobblestone Pub will be ‘swallowed up’ by hotel development 6:41 Campaigners say Cobblestone Pub will be ‘swallowed up’ by hotel development
Betty WIlliams: 'Compassion is more important than intellect' 1:43 Betty WIlliams: 'Compassion is more important than intellect'

Food & Drink Club

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Shelved: a selection of books by Irish women writers. Might some of these names figure in the final 12?
Women writers Putting Irish women writers back in the picture
 

Galleries

Errigal Nightscape, by Patryk Sadowski: the night sky at Loch an Ghainimh, or Lough Agannive, in Co Donegal, with Mount Errigal in the background Reach for the Stars: The best of Irish astrophotography
Perfect shot: the murmuration of starlings that James Crombie photographed over Lough Ennell, in Co Westmeath, on Tuesday evening. It became the front-page photograph of The Irish Times of March 4th, 2021. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Murmurations over Lough Ennell
Great reads From crosswords to great wines and the best bits from The Irish Times - Buy an Irish Times Book today

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