The European Broadcasting Union is investigating a transition to wholly online audience voting for the Eurovision Song Contest to dilute coordinated bloc voting and limit external interference, according to an internal letter reported by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. Eurovision Weighs Wholly Online Voting System Organisers are actively exploring a complete switch to online audience voting to … Read more
According to RTÉ, the new avant-garde feature-length documentary In Time: Dónal Lunny explores the life, pioneering career, and personal tragedies of Irish folk music figure Dónal Lunny. Directed by Nuala O’Connor and broadcast on RTÉ One, the black-and-white film relies on archival footage, poetry, and intimate recollections to trace Lunny’s journey from a pop heart-throb … Read more
Most legal claims against the Christian Brothers are settled within a year without requiring a court appearance, according to a statement released by the congregation on Wednesday. The Catholic body responded to recent commentary by emphasizing its focus on timely resolutions, noting that it has provided more than €40 million, including legal fees, to upwards … Read more
Boy George withdrew from an upcoming West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium after facing backlash for releasing a pro-Israel song generated using artificial intelligence, according to statements from his management team. The singer, whose real name is George Alan O’Dowd, made the decision to step aside from his scheduled August … Read more
Documentaries like Aoife Kelleher’s Testimony are shifting the national conversation in Ireland from mere awareness of Magdalene laundries to a demand for systemic accountability. By centering the lived experiences of survivors and the persistent work of campaigners, these films challenge the state’s historical reliance on administrative secrecy and limited redress, forcing a public reckoning with … Read more
The Office of Public Works (OPW) rejected a request from the production team of The Traitors Ireland to film at the prehistoric sites of Knowth and Dowth in County Meath. Internal emails reveal the state agency blocked the proposal due to concerns over archaeological sensitivity, ecological impact, and the risk of misrepresenting protected monuments for … Read more
Broadcaster Áine Lawlor has retired from RTÉ following a 40-year career that established her as a defining voice in Irish public service media. Known for her tenure on Morning Ireland and The Week in Politics, Lawlor’s departure marks the exit of a journalist noted for a “tough but fair” interviewing style and a commitment to … Read more
Musician and songwriter Mike Hanrahan, best known for his work with the band Stockton’s Wing, is advocating for a shift in how society approaches aging and professional retirement. According to Hanrahan, the forced retirement of older workers is “cruel,” as he continues to pursue multi-year projects in dementia care education and creative arts, challenging the … Read more
Wolfe Tones singer Brian Warfield has settled a defamation action against RTÉ regarding comments made by broadcaster Joe Duffy during a 2023 Liveline segment. The legal proceedings concluded on consent with no order for legal costs, following a ruling by Coimisiún na Meán that found the broadcast failed to meet standards of fairness and impartiality. … Read more
Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme Hits Record 5.8 Million Container Returns in Single Day Ireland’s deposit return scheme saw a record 5.8 million drink containers returned to machines on June 27, 2024, according to Re-turn. This marked the highest daily total since the program’s launch in February 2024, contributing to over 3 billion bottles and cans … Read more