Is there any such thing as a political genius?
All of these archetypes feature in The Genius Myth, the new book by the journalist, author and podcaster Helen Lewis. She joins Hugh Linehan to talk about so-called geniuses, from Elon Musk to The Beatles, the modern influence of concepts like IQ, and what it takes to be a political genius.
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Irish Times
16 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Previously unreleased Beatles tracks to feature on new Anthology 4
Thirteen unreleased Beatles tracks are to feature on a new, fourth anthology compilation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of the first edition of the series in 1995. An exact track listing has not been revealed, but there is no indication that the release will feature any completely unheard songs, with unreleased tracks thought to be unheard demos, session recordings and other rare versions of known Beatles songs. The three previous albums, which contain rarities such as demos, out-takes and live performances, were released alongside a book and documentary series called The Beatles Anthology, which will be remastered and streamed with a new ninth episode on Disney+ from November 26th. Episode nine of the documentary series will show unseen behind-the-scenes footage of Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr coming together between 1994 and 1995 to make the Anthology collections. Anthology 4 will be released on November 21st in a new box set alongside remastered versions of Anthology 1, 2 and 3 by Beatles producer George Martin's son Giles. The 191-track set will be released on streaming platforms and in 12 vinyl LP and eight CD formats, and will include new mixes of Free as a Bird and Real Love, the singles from Anthology 1 and 2. [ The Beatles: Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan confirmed to play Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes's Fab Four biopics Opens in new window ] The remixes of Free as a Bird and Real Love have been undertaken by their original producer, Electric Light Orchestra frontman Jeff Lynne, using de-mixed John Lennon vocals, while a remastered version of the original Free as a Bird video will be released on Thursday. The box set will include the original liner notes for the first three anthologies as well as a new set of notes on Anthology 4 by Beatles author Kevin Howlett, and an introduction compiled from 1996 interviews recorded with The Beatles' close friend and adviser Derek Taylor. A 25th anniversary edition of The Beatles Anthology book, initially released in 2000, will also be released on October 14th. Formed in 1960, The Beatles are the bestselling musical act of all time and one of the most influential groups in the world, having achieved 18 UK number-one singles and 15 UK number-one albums. – PA
RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Things to do in Dublin this weekend (August 22-24)
From Beatles celebrations and lobster festivals to yoga in the park and SFX workshops for kids, there is plenty happening in Dublin this weekend. Set in the heart of Smithfield Square on August 23 and 24, this free, unticketed, family-friendly festival celebrates community through Irish folk music, with a dynamic blend of internationally acclaimed and local artists. Taking place from 12pm - 6pm, this festival will include energetic street sessions and standout acts on the Main Stage. The Beatles Weekend Dublin City Council is hosting a three-day celebration of music, culture, and friendship to honour the enduring legacy of The Beatles and the deep-rooted connections between Liverpool and Dublin. Taking place across various venues, including Wigwam, the historic Adelphi Cinema site where The Beatles performed their only ever Irish shows in 1963, and Meeting House Square in Temple Bar, the weekend will be jam-packed with live music, themed markets, record fairs, and much more. Dalkey Lobster Festival 2025 The renowned Dalkey Lobster Festival is set to return to 47 Castle Street in South Dublin from August 23 – 24. There will be culinary indulgence, live music, street entertainment, artisan exhibits, and children's entertainment. Best of all, everything from lobster rolls, mussels, crab claws, oysters, paella, seafood chowder and fish n' chips will be on the menu. Peach is a pop-up party series in Dublin aimed at queer women and their friends (18+), focusing on creating a welcoming and inclusive space. On August 22, DJ Kate Brennan Harding will be at the Hen's Teeth, playing a mix of genres like funk, house, disco, and techno. Tickets cost €11.70 on Eventbrite, with a percentage of all proceeds going to Trans Harm Reduction & Dublin Lesbian Line. Hot Yoga Dublin will be connecting and moving together in the beautiful private walled garden of Malahide castle & gardens on Sunday, 24 August at 10:30am. All classes are weather dependant and subject to time change. The hour long yoga session is for those aged 16+ costs €15 on Eventbrite. Cinemagic is hosting a drop-off workshop for children aged eight to 14 at Liffey Trust studios at 1:30pm on Saturday, 23 August. Multi-award-winning makeup artist Connie McGrath will talk through the basics of creating realistic SFX makeup design, such as cuts, bruises and scratches. You will even learn how to make your very own edible fake blood. This 90-minute session costs €22.42 on Eventbrite.
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Hostage on Netflix: An incredibly silly premise but the stars Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy throw up sparks
Here's an elevator pitch to have you sputtering out your coffee. Imagine if Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron were forced to team up to fight international terrorists threatening their families – whilst also engaging in their own high-stakes game of cat and mouse? The twist with Hostage is that the leaders of the UK and France are not a tweedledum-tweedledee pairing of middle-aged fuddy-duddies but the charismatic duo of Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy – overachievers who each run headlong into an immovable object when they find themselves facing off across a conference room. Hostage, it should be pointed out, is incredibly silly. It is one of the least plausible things Netflix has put on the screen since the streamer tried to sell us west Cork as a latter-day Darby O'Gill hellscape in the appalling Bodkin last year. Given its flimsiness, its appeal rests 100 per cent – more if possible – on the star power of Jones and Delpy, who just about deliver in the face of daunting odds. Jones is Abigail Dalton, the newly minted British prime minister. Or so we are told. In truth, she seems a bit introverted and skittish for someone who has ascended to the highest office in the UK. Where is the cold glint of steel in her gaze? The whiff of mercurial calculation hanging over her like a heat haze? READ MORE Delpy, by contrast, entirely convinces as gimlet-eyed French president Vivienne Toussaint. That said, you wonder if there isn't some latent Anglo-Saxon prejudice here, with the morally pure Brit up against the Machiavellian European mainlander. Plus ça change and all that. The story kicks up a gear when Abigail's husband (a well-meaning idiot played by Ashley Thomas) is kidnapped while working in a war zone in a former French colony. The obvious question is in what reality would the spouse of a serving PM be allowed to place himself in such clear and present danger? But let's not be detained by plausibility. What matters is that Dalton needs Toussaint's help to extract her hijacked hubby. This, it seems to her, is why French special forces were invented. But, slippery Eurocrat that she is, Toussaint demands her pound of flesh – while also leaving herself open to manipulation by shadowy third parties. It will come as no surprise to discover that the French leader's weakness is a sexual indiscretion, whereas that of Abigail is loyalty to her husband. Nor is it shocking to learn that Hostage is the creation of a British screenwriter. At least he hasn't thought to include any Irish politicians. Given the enthusiasm with which Hostage chucks about cliches about the French, it would no doubt have the Irish delegation arriving with pigs under their arms, rosary beads dangling raggedly from their pockets. Jones and Delpy can't be faulted, however. They throw up sparks against each other, and it is genuinely great fun to see these two powerful screen presences facing off. If only they'd been persuaded to cross paths in less flimsy circumstances.
