RTÉ Concert Orchestra
More than 80 Irish festivals to watch out for in 2026
Here’s our round-up of cultural showcases to catch this year, from TradFest and Electric Picnic to West Cork Literary Festival and more
A smaller RTÉ does not mean a hollowed-out RTÉ
Contention that working with Ireland’s independent sector will result in a reduction in quality or scale of Ireland’s public service media is unfounded
Obituary: Geraldine O’Grady, the first woman leader of the national symphony orchestra
Described as inspirational for many musicians, the Dublin-born violinist performed as a soloist and with several orchestras
The Nutcracker at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre review: A journey more whimsical and fantastical than most
State Ballet of Georgia’s colourful production remains tethered to the original narrative
Sean-nós dancer Edwina Guckian: ‘I have very bad eyesight – which comes in really useful, as I can’t see the audience’
Edwina Guckian was thrilled when Zoë Conway composed a piece for her. They’re about to perform it with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in Dublin
High emotions as Dermot Kennedy joins The Cranberries to sing Dolores O’Riordan’s immaculate songs at Electric Picnic 2025
Noel and Mike Hogan welcome the star to perform with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in a tribute to their late bandmate
Don Wycherley: ‘Eircom put me off investing in shares for life’
Actor Don Wycherley is the narrator for Guy Barker’s Soho Symphony at the NCH
Clarinettist Julian Bliss: ‘You’re running a business. A lot of musicians don’t learn that side early enough. It can be overwhelming’
Julian Bliss has been performing in big venues and with major orchestras for two-thirds of his life. It’s hard to think of another clarinet player with a similar career arc
Dancing with the Stars: Gearóid Farrelly hit by nerves during dance-off but Kevin Dundon somehow lives on
‘I screwed up and never recovered,’ says Farrelly as judges hand him a collective thumbs down on orchestra night
Festivals in Ireland 2025: From Longitude to All Together Now – a guide to 80 of the best
From Brigit and Dublin Lunar New Year to Culture Night, Space Week and Cork Jazz Festival, here’s our round-up of cultural showcases to catch this year
RTÉ Concert Orchestra’s Mia Cooper: I’d almost perjure myself in court to avoid a conflict
English violinist is leader of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, whose spring programme ranges from Bowie to Beethoven, via the Beatles and Gatsby-era jazz
Charlie Lennon obituary: Influential composer and musician who never stopped learning
From Bantry to Boston, the fiddler's tunes can be heard occupying a central role in most sessions
‘When my life was more stable, my music was more active, more gritty. When my life has been chaotic my music has calmed down’
New Music Dublin 2024: The composers Bekah Simms, Raymond Deane, Linda Buckley and Rhona Clarke on their creative processes
‘I was 5 when I studied the violin. At 19, I rebelled and moved to Ireland thinking music was not my future’
What I do: Guided by his parents in Slovakia, the Kildare-based musician Vladimir Jablokov began studying the violin at the age of five. His dedication to the instrument has, for better or worse, shaped his life
Ann Murray: ‘If I’d had my time again, I would have stayed in Ireland. That’s one of my biggest regrets’
The London-based mezzo-soprano has built a stellar opera career abroad. This week the National Concert Hall is honouring her with a lifetime-achievement award
‘The woman who loaned me the Stradivarius offered to sell it for £140,000, but my own fiddle sounded better’
Master luthier Jim McKillop has crafted one final instrument for musician Zoë Conway, a process preserved in the new film From a Forest to a Fiddle
Luca Truffarelli: ‘We are using immigrants as slaves, to keep the market running. But what is the cost?’
In The Weight, his first dance piece, the Dublin-based Italian photographer appeals to his audience to help solve urgent problems
‘Being a musician, saving was never much of an option’
Me & My Money: John Finucane, artistic director of Music in Monkstown 2023
Max Richter and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at All Together Now: Pure joy
With summer finally arriving at the festival, Richter brings all four seasons, remixed and wonderful
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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