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Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Galway Arts Fest reviews: Cork choreographer shines with ambitious dance piece
Scorched Earth, Black Box, ★★★★☆ Cork choreographer and theatre-maker Luke Murphy is back at the Galway International Arts Festival a few years after his stunning breakthrough work, Volcano. Scorched Earth, developed at the Firkin Crane centre, is another piece of ambitious dance theatre, centered on a national obsession: land. It's not exactly news that this runs deep in the Irish psyche, but there is a freshness in Murphy's conception, as he gives an update on John B Keane's The Field for our age of cold-case podcasts and crime drama procedurals. And while Celtic Tiger references abound, the central theme remains relevant as ever amid our ongoing housing crisis. Will we ever learn? Murphy plays the prime suspect in the cold case, interviewed in a bleak, grey room about the suspicious death of the English developer who outbid him for the field he was leasing. The field he cherished, the field he made live. The field that was, like the Bull McCabe's, his and his only, by right. The 24 hours of detention count down on a digital clock as the story unfolds, with projected newspaper clippings, and slideshows of old case files making clear this particular crime is a symptom of a broader malaise. If the dramatic scenes could use some tightening up, we rarely lack for striking images, especially as dance is blended in. A country-and-Irish line dancing scene takes on a strange beauty. While a scene that has Murphy's character start with tufts of grass in his hands, morphs into a darkly surreal seduction dance. His partner is the field incarnate, head to toe in a grassy bodysuit, threatening to smother him. A pure-dance epilogue is perhaps the highlight. It comes after Alyson Cummins's set is literally torn down by the players, only for a grassy hill to rise up before us. What follows is choreography of a vigorous and literally earthy kind that's reminiscent of Michael Keegan-Dolan's work: bodies rising and tumbling, pulling and dragging. But Murphy's vision is singular, and realised expertly in the show's rich, multifaceted design. (Until July 19. Touring in 2026.) Story of a Day/Sceal Lae, The Cube, University of Galway, ★★★★☆ Story of a Day. Branar theatre company have produced a little gem for younger audiences at this year's Galway festival, in the shape of Story of a Day /Sceal Lae, a charming and musical journey following a child from dawn to dusk. It's a 'nothing-special-happens kind of day,' Eoin O Dubhghaill, who plays the child, tells us. But there is nothing ordinary here, as Tom Lane's gorgeous score, played by the ConTempo Quartet and Daniel Browell on piano, combines with Mary Murphy's words of wonder (in Irish or English, depending on the performance) and beautiful images to convey a youthful fascination with the world. It's directed with great charm by Marc MacLochlainn and deserves to be seen widely. (Until July 20.) The Baby's Room, Bailey Allen Hall, University of Galway, ★★★☆☆ The Baby's Room. Picture: Emilija Jefremova Enda Walsh and festival artistic director Paul Fahy have created something of an institution over more than a decade with their 'Rooms' series of immersive theatre shows. For this year's installment, the effect is striking and disorienting in equal measure, as the door into a white cube in a gallery space opens to reveal a hyper-realistic hallway taking us into a cluttered baby's room. The interior is redolent of a certain late-20th-century Irish domesticity, not much style, but plenty of kitsch. We are invited to poke about, opening drawers to reveal babygrows and so on, before the short story is told via Kate Gilmore's disembodied voice. Anyone who saw Walsh's Safe House, which also featured Gilmore, will be familiar with the material: a young woman's drab and unfulfilled life. Except this time, there's an unexpected twist that has one thinking of Being John Malkovich. (Until July 27.)
RTÉ News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
10 must-see events at Galway Arts Festival 2025
John Crumlish, Chief Executive of the Galway International Arts Festival, picks his own 10 must-sees at the 2025 edition of the west coast arts extravaganza, which runs from July 14th - 27th. In a festival like the Galway International Arts Festival, with so many great acts, productions, exhibitions and installations it makes it difficult to choose just ten from the large programme we will bring to our audiences this summer – but, gun to my head, here's my ten. 1. I am going to start with a dance/theatre world premiere called Scorched Earth created by the wonderful Luke Murphy. Luke premiered his previous production Volcano at the Festival and it was a great success, it subsequently went on to win Best Production at the Irish Times Theatre Awards. Scorched Earth is part crime-drama, part psychological thriller, part theatre, part dance, and no doubt will be another triumph for this very talented Corkman. 2. In the Heineken Big Top we will be presenting twelve great concerts, everything from Sophie Ellis Bextor to Mogwai, but here I choose The RTE Concert Orchestra with Mari Samuelson, performing a programme of work by contemporary composers including Arvo Part and Bryce Dessner from The National. For me, most importantly, the programme will include a performance of Max Richter's fabulous reimaging of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. A real treat on the very last day of GIAF 2025. 3. For the first time ever, we will have a second Big Top running throughout the Festival which will be located in the Claddagh. There we will be presenting Sabotage by NoFitState. a big visual physical spectacle full of unforgettable moments. 4. We also have a festival first with an underwater world premiere, Oh... by Mikel Murfi, set in the main tank of the Galway Atlantaquaria. 5. Another world premiere, this time from Irish National Opera. Mars, is based around four astronauts and their AI interface's journey to, and exploration of, the red planet. 6. Celebrating their 50th birthday, the marvellous Druid theatre company present new productions of Macbeth and Riders to the Sea. Happy Birthday Druid! 7. in recent years, GIAF has brought a strong sustainability focus to what it does and there are several exhibitions and installations in the 2025 programme dealing with aspects of the environmental and climate crisis including John Connelly and Conor Maloney's innovative installation, Funeral for Ashes, which pays tribute to the ash tree and deals with the terrible dieback it is facing. 8. David Mach returns to Galway with a large-scale site-specific installation called Burning Down the House. David's previous work at GIAF provided one of the biggest gallery attendances we ever had and I would predict this work will also prove to be hugely popular. 9. We also pay tribute to Micheal D Higgins as his presidency comes to an end with both an outdoor and indoor photographic exhibition at Galway City Museum celebrating his life and work. 10. In our First Thought talks series, we will, as usual, cover a range of topics including the relationship between autism and talent, the war in Ukraine, the crisis facing rural GAA clubs, conspiracy theories and misinformation, amongst others. One to look out for is the talk with photographer Eman Mohammed discussing her work which focuses on the terrible destruction of Gaza (Eman also has an exhibition of her work in the festival on the subject). So that's my ten... I could have picked a totally different ten, and if you come to the Festival this July you can decide whether I am right or wrong in my picks. See you in Galway!
Irish Examiner
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Duhallow dig deep to secure final spot overcoming UCC in Cork Premier SFC semi-final
Cork PSFC- Divisional/Colleges semi-final: Duhallow: 4-18 (4-0-18) UCC: 4-12 (4-2-8) A strong second half showing from Duhallow was enough to get the better of UCC in the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier SFC Divisional/Colleges semi-final at Mallow on Thursday evening. Ger O'Sullivan's side had to dig deep in this one as they will now meet either Muskerry or Carbery in the final with a place in the championship proper the reward for the winners. They trailed by two points at half-time in what was an end-to-end game before the divisional outfit came good to prevail. Their strong opening to the second half proving key. They were driven on by Cork senior footballer Luke Murphy who scored 1-7, with all but one coming from play. UCC were depleted but they must be praised for playing their part in this contest. They battled gamely throughout and represented the famous jersey well. Duhallow started positively, landing the first three points inside seven minutes through Luke Murphy, Donncha O'Connor and Séamus Hickey. They also could have got a goal in that time but Jack Curtin wasn't able to generate enough power to beat UCC goalkeeper James Hoare. UCC were well in the game. They put together two unanswered points from James Horgan and Emmet Daly. Duhallow looked to have taken a firm grip when they scored 1-1 without reply in a minute. Curtin with the point while Luke Murphy raised a green flag after being set up by Hickey, 1-4 to 0-2 after 17 minutes. The sides traded points before the teams were level when UCC hit 1-2. Horgan with an easy finish to the back of the net, but it was made by Cathail O'Mahony. With five minutes to the break, it was all to play for, Duhallow once more put 1-1 together and looked to be primed to push on. Curtin with a tidy finish to the corner of the net, 2-6 to 1-5. UCC finished the half brilliantly though, O'Mahony landed a two-point free followed by a Tomás Hannifin point before Daly billowed the back of the net. The college 2-8 to 2-6 ahead at half-time. Duhallow used all their experience and quality in the new half. O'Sullivan's charges effectively put the game beyond their opposition with a devastating opening 10 minutes to the second half. The eventual winners scored 2-5 during that time while UCC only managed a point. O'Connor and Curtin with the goals while Conor O'Callaghan's point was a highlight, 4-11 to 2-9. UCC never gave up though and a Michael Murphy goal did give them hope with 18 minutes remaining, but Duhallow were in their groove now, tacking on four points on the trot. Luke Murphy with two, one which was a free, and efforts from Seán Meehan and sub Ciarán Curtin. The sides exchanged points before an O'Mahony two-pointer from a difficult angle was probably the score of the game, but it was a consolation, 4-16 to 3-12 after 57 minutes. Hickey and Luke Murphy rounded off the scoring for Duhallow before a goal right at the end from sub Fionn O'Sullivan did make the scoreline respectable for a gallant UCC side. Scorers for Duhallow: L Murphy (1-7, 0-1 f), J Curtin (2-1), D O'Connor (1-2), S Hickey (0-3), S Meehan, C O'Callaghan, D Linehan, C Curtin, L Moynihan (0-1 each). Scorers for UCC: C O'Mahony (0-5, 1 2pt f, 1 2pt, 0-1 45), E Daly (1-2), J Horgan (1-1), M Murphy, F O'Sullivan (1-0 each), F O'Brien (0-2), T Hannifin, S Aherne (0-1 each). DUHALLOW: F O'Connor (Cullen); K Crowley (Millstreet), S Meehan (Kiskeam), D Buckley (Boherbue); K Cremin (Boherbue), J O'Connor (Kiskeam), C Murphy (Castlemagner); C Walsh (Cullen), S Hickey (Rockchapel); T Casey (Kiskeam), C O'Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), J Curtin (Rockchapel); D O'Connor (Ballydesmond), D Linehan (Castlemagner), L Murphy (Cullen). Subs: J Murphy (Dromtarriffe) for C Walsh, L Moynihan (Boherbue) for J O'Connor (both h-t), C Curtin (Rockchapel) for C Murphy (36), E Murphy (Rockchapel) for D Linehan (53). UCC (Cork unless stated): J Hoare (Dingle, Kerry); C Hannon (St Joseph's Barefield, Clare), R Bourke (Castleisland Desmonds, Kerry), D Murray (Glanmire); F Desmond (Ballymartle), D Phelan (Aghada), N Davis (Ballinora); T O'Sullivan (Kenmare Shamrocks, Kerry), T Hannifin (Na Gaeil, Kerry); J Horgan (Firies, Kerry), E Daly (Valentia, Kerry), F O'Brien (St Pat's Blennerville, Kerry); A Crowley (Templenoe, Kerry), C O'Mahony (Mitchelstown), S Aherne (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin). Subs: M Murphy (Kinsale) for S Aherne (36), F O'Sullivan (Glenbeigh-Glencar, Kerry) for T O'Sullivan (41), S Whelan (Carrig na bhFear) for R Bourke (53), C Doody (Scartaglen, Kerry) for J Horgan (55), C Reidy (St Colum's) for N Davis (56). Referee: R Whelan (Gleann na Laoi).
Irish Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘A roof over your head is seen as a luxury': Hundreds attend housing protest outside Dáil
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Dáil this evening as part of a demonstration urging the Government to take 'urgent action' to address the housing crisis . Sínead Scully and Luke Murphy attended the Raise the Roof protest as they feel locked out of the housing market. Nearing their 30s, the couple moved in with Mr Murphy's parents after two and half years renting in order to save for a mortgage deposit. With a master's degree and a PhD between them, Mr Murphy said they have another year or two of 'hard saving' before they can move out. 'We're both in very secure jobs and we're in a position to save but we're still not able to afford property in Dublin,' Ms Scully said. READ MORE They don't believe the Government is advocating on their behalf. 'I think they think they're doing a good job, but clearly they aren't,' Ms Scully said, adding that programmes such as the Help To Buy scheme don't have the intended effect when property prices are so high. 'I think it's years and years of successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments … applying bandaid solutions to long term problems," Mr Murphy said. Protestors at The Raise the Roof rally outside Leinster House. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times Mother and son Ger Nolan and Evan Sheridan have always regarded housing as a pressing issue for the younger generation. 'It wasn't a worry I had at 16 or 18, but that's the reality nowadays,' Ms Nolan said. 'Housing is where everything stems from. You need people to run services in the country and if they can't afford to pay rent in Dublin, the city doesn't function any more,' she added. Mr Sheridan said 'housing is a basic human right, it's crazy how something as basic as a roof over your head is either too expensive or is seen as a luxury, and for many young people is a luxury'. He believes the Government is making housing out 'to be a lot more complicated than it actually is', citing the €14 billion windfall tax from Apple last year as a reason why 'funding is not an issue'. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times Bernard Joyce, a representative of the Irish Traveller Movement, said 'it's really important that we're all here together today'. Mr Joye said Irish Traveller women and children are disproportionately homeless, and called for 'culturally appropriate accommodation which meets their community's needs'. Among the speakers were Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, Rory Hearne of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit's Paul Murphy. There was a considerable presence of their supporters at the demonstration. The speakers often emphasised what they see as the interconnected nature of social issues such as the housing crisis, economic inequality, and discrimination against migrants. The demonstration was organised by Raise the Roof, a broad coalition of trade unions, advocacy groups, NGOs, political parties and homelessness agencies. It coincided with a Bill in the Dáil tabled by Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit-Solidarity and the Green Party, as well as some left-wing independent TDs. The Bill seeks to implement freezes and caps on rent prices, reintroduce a ban on no-fault evictions, and increase taxes on vacant and/or derelict properties and funding for homelessness agencies.
Agriland
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Agriland
Land ownership has ‘led to violence' in Irish families
When it comes to land, there is an edge to how Irish people think about what is theirs, or maybe what they believe is theirs which seems to come up in different forms again and again. That is according to Luke Murphy, dance artist and choreographer of Attic Projects, who has created a large-scale dance 'Scorched Earth', which will be staged at the Black Box Theatre, Galway city, from July 15-19 as part of Galway International Arts Festival. Murphy told Agriland: 'Of course the country has a history where defending what's yours became a really powerful and important message, but that fear and that steeliness can get romanticised too. 'Wanting, owning, and keeping land has led to violence in families and communities over and over again, so you have to question the cost.' Inspired by John B Keane's seminal work, The Field, 'Scorched Earth' is Murphy's biggest work to date. It invites the audience into the stark world of an interrogation room in a garda station as a detective and suspect dredge through the ghosts of an unsolved murder, long thought forgotten. Part crime drama, part psychological thriller, the fast-paced show mixes spoken word, theatre, dance, and music, to pierce into a dark but fundamental part of the Irish psyche. Reopening a cold case 12 years after the incident, stories are revisited and old wounds are opened as the detective and suspect fall into a world of memory, fantasy, ambition, and resentment. 'Scorched Earth' by Luke Murphy. Source: Marcin Lewandowski, soundofphotography. The show blurs the lines of dance and theatre, where Murphy weaves a tapestry of story, striking visuals, and visceral movement through which the cast of international performers sear a picture of wanting, striving, deserving, and resenting. Murphy, whose family have a house and land at Sheep's Head peninsula in West Cork, has created and produced over 12 dance theatre works for stage, film, installation and site-specific/immersive contexts. His pieces have been presented throughout Ireland, the UK, the US, and Germany. According to Murphy, this production of 'Scorched Earth' is a key turning point in both his and Attic Projects' careers, being their biggest show to date. Having premiered on the Abbey Theatre's main stage in May. 'Scorched Earth' is brought to life by the same team that created Murphy's multi award-winning production 'Volcano' in 2021. Murphy said: 'Today's Ireland is ever more concerned with development and progress, and this progress is ever more defined as built infrastructure. 'While the pandemic upended common expectations around where Irish citizens work, live, and interact, how the land is used retains its almost gravitational significance.'
