Brendan Gleeson's star power shines in brilliant revival of haunting play ‘The Weir'
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RTÉ News
17 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Carl Mullan lands Master of Ceremonies role at this year's Rose of Tralee
Radio and social media star Carl Mullan is set to take on the role of Master of Ceremonies at the 2025 Rose of Tralee Festival. Speaking on 2 FM Breakfast with Carl, Roz & Aisling on Friday morning, Mullan announced that he will be introducing all 32 Roses on stage across both nights of the event. The Rose of Tralee remains one of Ireland's most enduring and beloved cultural events, bringing together people from across the country and around the world to celebrate Irish identity, heritage and ambition. The five-day festival will culminate in the selection of the 2025 International Rose of Tralee. The televised event will take place on 18 Monday and 19 Tuesday, August from 8pm - with a break for the Nine O'Clock News and resuming at 9.35pm - live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Earlier in the week, The Rose of Tralee International Festival 2025, Monday and Tuesday, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, 8pm.
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Grace Mulvey: ‘I moved to London at 33. My friends were in Ireland buying houses, having babies'
Growing up I felt like I straddled two different Irelands. I was born and raised in Rathfarnham in Dublin but spent all of my summers on my mum's family's farm in Roscommon . My mum grew up speaking fluent Irish and her family had a great rambling way of storytelling. My dad, by contrast, is from Dublin and didn't have a word of Irish. I always felt like you were either this kind of trad music, GAA Irish or this kind of Dublin Irish, which was rugby , Celtic Tiger and house prices. I'm trying to learn Irish again now. I did not really enjoy primary school; being the fat kid with a moustache was not easy. I blossomed in secondary school as I found the school play and my people. After school I went to UCD for a year and absolutely hated it. Then I went to IT Tallaght . I made some amazing friends there and did four years of creative digital media. From an early age I knew I wanted to perform, but as a fat kid you are afraid of anyone noticing you because they might insult you. So after college I thought, what's a safer bet than going into comedy and performing? Radio. READ MORE I worked for RTÉ for a bit after college, but I was not passionate about it. It was around the time of the crash and it was very tough. My parents have always been very supportive but where I grew up everyone had proper jobs. My relatives are nurses, teachers and accountants and I didn't know anyone who wanted to do something like comedy. I didn't know how you could make a living out of it. I cried when I first said I wanted to be a comedian. We are so embarrassed about having dreams in Ireland. It took me until I was 25 to do my first gig, and until I was 30 to actually commit to comedy because I was so nervous. When I turned 30, in a very short space of time, my cousin, who I was very close to, passed from cystic fibrosis and I came out of a long-term relationship. I was dealing with things that other people my age were not dealing with. It puts you on a different path. Grace Mulvey Photography by Karla Gowlett I thought, I'm gonna do that thing that I was too afraid to do in my 20s. Now I'm in my 30s I don't care any more. During Covid I thought, I have nothing better to do so I may as well write that script I have been thinking about. The script won the BBC Galton & Simpson Bursary, which led me to getting an agent. This stamp of approval got me better gigs. I moved to London when I was 33 because my mum reminded me that was when Jesus died. She said, if you are good at comedy you might want to get going. We had just come out of Covid and I thought, I've just survived a worldwide pandemic, I suppose I should just do that thing and move to London. I felt foolish moving to a new place and starting over at 33. All my friends were back in Ireland buying houses and having babies and here I was spending all my savings, sleeping with people younger than me and living in a house share in Hackney. Like with anything in life worth doing I would not have done it if I had known how difficult it was going to be. For the first six months I would weep openly in the street and then just get on with it. It's been really tough, but London actually suited me more than I thought it would and I have made some great friends. You can be ambitious in London, it's totally cool to tell people you are a comedian and doing a show. In fact, you have to tell people you are good to convince them to work with you. While in Ireland you are almost like: Look, no, I'm not even funny, I wouldn't hire me. I have never felt more Irish than when I am in London. When you meet London-Irish people, that's a specific type of Irish person; they almost have more Irish qualities than I would have, like they know more of the songs. My dad lived in London for six months back in the 1980s and he really didn't like it. He was called a Paddy and it wasn't a welcoming place for him. I feel so grateful for the work that people have done before me, because when I arrived in London being Irish was such a benefit. Unfortunately there's nothing for me back home right now, which is a sad thing to say First of all, apparently we just sound funny to people; I get on stage and can make people laugh by a simple turn of phrase. Being Irish is seen as kind of kitschy, I suppose. English people find us charming, even in London, if you have an Irish accent people warm to you quicker. For the most part I get on stage and make fun of English people and they have to take it because they colonised us for such a long time. [ Flirt review: Grace Mulvey's hilarious tour through the life of a thirtysomething single woman Opens in new window ] I have gigged in some places outside of London that I wouldn't have felt particularly welcome as an Irish person. I probably won't go back again but it's never been so hostile that I have felt threatened. I see myself living in London for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately there's nothing for me back home right now, which is a sad thing to say. I'm also a single woman, I'd love to meet someone and I feel there's more a chance of that happening in the UK than in Ireland. Currently, I'm working on a new show for when I go on my UK and Ireland tour next year and I have two podcasts: Fad Camp and The Jump. In conversation with Hosanna Boulter. This interview is part of a series with well-known people about their lives and relationship with Ireland.
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
The Gaeilge Revolution: 15 ways to add more Irish to your life
Tá athbheochan na Gaeilge buailte linn: the Irish language revival is here. What a joy it is to see a deeper appreciation for our native tongue, more people using their cúpla focal and committing to (re)learning the language. I often hear people say they didn't connect with Irish in school, they had a bad teacher, or their parents influenced a negative attitude around the language. My response every time is "what's stopping you now?" The Irish language belongs to us all. It's yours to choose in adult life, and there's no age limit on learning it. So if you've been contemplating an Irish language journey, take this as your sign to do it. The power is in your hands, and the future of the language depends on each of us to pass on go dtí an chéad ghlúin eile. As an Irish speaker, my most common question I get is usually around accessible and fun ways to incorporate the language into everyday life. So today, I've compiled a list of exactly that. Go n-eirí go geal libh go léir! 1. Listen to podcasts: I'm a firm believer that you understand a language before you can speak it. So if you're new to it - or just a bit rusty - podcasts are a great place to start. You'll be able to hear the language being used in a casual and chatty setting without feeling under pressure to be fluent or understand every single word. Some of my favourites are: How to Gael Three charismatic cailíní join forces each week to chat about the modern everyday life of Irish speakers. Síomha, Doireann and Louise jump between Gaeilge agus Béarla, so it's really easy to understand and pick up a few new words. From identity to pop culture, dating to dialects, the podcast dives into what it really means to be a Gael today. Gaelgals GaelGals is the podcast where Gaeilge, friendship, and feminism collide — agus tá sé lán le croí, gáire, agus grá don teanga. Hosted by a dynamic group of Gaeilgeoirí, this pod is all about living life trí Ghaeilge in a way that feels modern, fun, and unapologetically female. From chats about mental health and pop culture to coláiste samhraidh, cearta ban, and everything in between, GaelGals keeps it real. Motherfoclóir Motherfoclóir is the podcast that proves language isn't just grammar and spelling – it's politics, identity, history, and humour. Expect episodes on everything from conas a scríobhann tú "craic" i gceart to why direct provision, gender, the Constitution, and colonialism are all part of the language conversation. With host Darra Ó Séaghdha and a rotating cast of writers, lawyers, activists and Gaeilgeoirí of all stripes, Motherfoclóir is insightful, irreverent, and unapologetically nerdy. They're not currently releasing new episodes, but you can still jump into any of them at any time. 2. Follow Irish Language influencers online One of the easiest ways to get a dose of Gaeilge each day is to curate your social media to serve Irish language content to you. Whatever your interest is, you'll find creators who are posting videos about it in Irish. Here are some great creators to check out: 3. Take up a hobby with Irish You don't necessarily need to be sitting in a classroom to pick up the language. Taking up a hobby is a cool way to find other Irish language speakers and to practice in a casual setting. This year, I wanted to find more environments where I could use and improve my Irish. I took up Sean Nos singing at the start of summer, and it's been one of the best decisions I've made. I do my lessons in The Cobblestone pub with teacher - and professional singer - Inni-K. She dips in and out of Irish throughout the class and there's a real mix of fluency levels. We have people dialing in from Canada and America each week to sing with us, so if you're unable to attend in person that's ok too. More classes will launch in September, email eithnenichathain@ for more details. 4. Do Irish language lessons If you want to be fluent in the language, the best thing to do is attend classes. Lots of people use Duo-Lingo, which is helpful and easy to pop onto each day. However, nothing can really beat the opportunity to sit with a teacher and learn from them. Here are some of my top recommendations for Irish language lessons: Conradh na Gaeilge – Dublin: Located in the heart of Dublin, Conradh na Gaeilge is one of the most iconic places to learn Irish. It offers fun, social, and structured classes across all levels in-person and online. Gaelchultúr – Nationwide/Online: Gaelchultúr is a leading provider of online Irish courses, offering everything from beginner to advanced levels. Ideal for busy learners and professionals. NUIG and Maynooth University Adult Irish Courses: These third-level institutions offer part-time evening and online classes in Irish for adult learners. Great if you're looking to build towards a qualification or develop fluency steadily. Gael Linn - Dublin: Gael Linn is a long-established Irish language and culture organisation that offers structured adult language classes in Dublin throughout the year. Their classes are typically live and interactive, with a focus on conversation building in small groups. 5. Head to the Gaeltacht for a week of immersion Oideas Gael – Donegal: Located in Gleann Cholm Cille in the stunning Donegal Gaeltacht, Oideas Gael offers immersive week-long courses that combine language learning with culture, music, and craic. A favourite among adults seeking a proper Irish experience. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne – Dingle Peninsula: Immersive adult Irish courses set in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh in the stunning West Kerry Gaeltacht. Expect top-class teaching, lively conversation, and cultural extras like sean-nós singing – all in the heart of Corca Dhuibhne. 6. Read Irish language publications Reading a language is one of the best ways to understand sentence structure and grammar - it'll really help you in knowing where to add an urú or a shéimiú. Check out for daily news and opinion pieces, Comhar for cutting-edge altanna, and Nós magazine for pop culture, music, and younger voices. 7. Listen to Irish language radio programmes I highly recommend switching on the radio while on a long journey and soaking up some great Irish language conversations. Here are some great Irish language shows to listen to: Bladhaire on RnaG: A lively talk show covering music, pop culture, current affairs, and the arts all as Gaeilge. Hosted by the bubbly Áine Ní Bhreisleáin, it's modern, funny, and great for learners too. On weekdays at 3pm on Raidió na Gaeltachta. Splanc on Newstalk: Presented by Cuán Ó Flatharta, Splanc covers a wide range of topics and quirky chat. A relaxed show airing every Friday 10pm–midnight on Newstalk, and available as a podcast. Tuairisc on Raidió na Life: This flagship current affairs talk-show has been a staple on Raidió na Life for over 20 years, airing every Tuesday evening at 7pm. Hosted by Eoin and Liam, it offers sharp, thoughtful coverage of local and international news, politics, sport, and the arts. A trusted go-to for weekly analysis and debate. 8. Read books that dive into the culture and history of the language One of my favourite books ever is 32 Words for Field by Manchán Magan. If you want to understand the magic of the language and truly appreciate its linguistic history, I can't think of a better place to start than the first page of this book. His other book Listen to the Land Speak is brilliant as well. 9. Go to a Pop Up Gaeltacht The best way to practice your Irish is to speak it with other Gaelgóirí. The problem is, sometimes it can be hard to find them if they're not in your immediate circle. Pop Up Gaeltacht is a gathering of people who appreciate the language, and like to do so over a pint* or two. Pop Up Gaeltacht happens once a month in Dublin and Cork, the location can change so keep an eye on their Instagram account. It also happens on the last Thursday of each month in Galway. You'll find them dotted all around the country and beyond - there's even been some in Australia, America and Canada! 10. Wear a fáinne An Fáinne is a small circular badge worn to indicate that you speak Irish (or are learning it) and are open to speaking it with others. Wearing one can motivate you to use the language more, and show pride in your learning journey. It's especially helpful in places like cities where Irish speakers are more dispersed. It's a small but powerful way to normalise Irish in public spaces too. You can buy them from places like Gael Linn, Conradh na Gaeilge, or 11. Go to Irish language events There is a plethora of Irish language events throughout the calendar year. is a great place to see what events are coming up. Here are some of my favourites: Liú Lúnasa – Belfast: Held each year at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, Liú Lúnasa is a vibrant arts and culture festival. It's a three‑day celebration featuring music, spoken‑word events, slam poetry, family workshops, film screenings, talks, and intensive Irish-language classes. Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia – Nationwide: The biggest celebration of Gaeilge agus cultúr in the world. Running annually for the first three weeks of March, it features events in schools, workplaces, pubs, clubs, GAA clubs, and online, from céilís to podcasts to pop-up Gaeltachtaí. 12. Do a short break in a Gaeltacht region and practice your cúpla focal Why not mix your Gaeilge journey with a bit of tourism? The Gaeltacht regions are some of the most scenic in the entire country. They're also a great place to bain trial as and order a coffee or some lunch using your cúpla focal. I personally love An Spidéal and Conamara in Co Galway, Béal an Mhuirthead in Co Mayo, An Rinn in Co Waterford, Daingean Uí Chúis in Co Kerry and Múscraí in Co Cork. 13. Go to an Irish language music festival Féile na Gealaí in Co Meath is a weekend-long celebration of the Irish language, music and arts, completely as Gaeilge. Expect a buzzing campsite, live gigs, poetry, comedy, and workshops — all set in Ráth Chairn, the Gaeltacht of the east. 14. Watch Irish language films It's been a brilliant couple of years for Irish language film. In 2022, An Cailín Ciún - the story of of Cáit, a quiet, neglected girl who finds unexpected care and love when sent to live with distant relatives for the summer - was nominated for an Academy Award. Last year, KNEECAP became the first Irish-language film ever selected for the Sundance Film Festival and won the NEXT Audience Award. Some other great Irish language films to check out are Arracht, Foscadh, Kings and Róise & Frank. 15. Listen to Irish language music The Kneecap lads have really introduced the world to modern Irish language music. However they're not the only ones making great music. Add some more Irish language artists to your Spotify playlists like Imlé, Rónán Ó Snodaigh, An Chéad Ghlúin Eile, Clare Sands, The Gloaming, Róisín Seoighe, Ispíní na hÉireann, James Shannon, Inni-K, Súil Amháin and Le Boom.
