AGP Executive Report

U2: The Dublin band will headline Netflix’s first Thanksgiving Eve NFL halftime show on November 25, as they celebrate 50 years together and prepare for a 2027 world tour. Fontaines D.C.: Their fifth album, Dopamine Chamber, is on course for a second UK No. 1, while an inquest found manager Trevor Dietz died by suicide. Stage: Craig Revel Horwood will play Mother Superior in the Sister Act tour, with dates in Dublin, Belfast and Derry; he plans to keep his Saturday Strictly commitments. Music support: Ireland’s €1,400 monthly basic income for musicians is now up and running, a significant boost for artists. New sounds: Dublin-based Zoé Basha has shared a stripped-back session with Western AF, while Limerick-bound musician Banríon discusses her new album Untarnishing. Chart watch: Ashe’s “Stop the Wedding!” has topped the Irish charts, her first No. 1.

Irish Music: Fontaines D.C.’s new album Dopamine Chamber is on course for a second No. 1, as an inquest heard the band’s manager, Trevor Dietz, died by suicide. Big Gigs: U2 have announced a 2027 world tour, while The Academic have revealed Irish and UK dates. Stage: Craig Revel Horwood will play Mother Superior in the new Sister Act tour, which is set to visit Dublin, Belfast and Derry between September 2027 and March 2028. Arts Funding: Ireland’s basic income scheme for musicians is up and running, with payments of €1,400 a month. Opera: Wexford Festival Opera’s 75th-anniversary gala brought together international singers who began their careers at the festival. Television: RTÉ’s Curfá returns to search for Ireland’s best choir, with Doireann Ní Ghlacáin presenting.

Irish Music: Fontaines D.C.’s fifth album, Dopamine Chamber, is out now, blending synth-heavy sounds with themes of anxiety, toxic relationships and political violence. The Dublin band also faced a fresh swipe from Liam Gallagher, who said they were “not good enough” to open for Oasis. Creative Funding: Irish musicians are set to begin receiving €1,400 a month under the new basic income scheme for the arts. On Screen: Sinéad O’Shea’s documentary All About the Money, following Irish-based millionaire James “Fergie” Chambers, opens in Irish cinemas on October 30. Dublin cinemas will also screen a newly restored 4K version of Terence Fisher’s 1958 Dracula, including previously censored footage. Live & Onstage: Toto will open its 50th-anniversary European tour in Dublin on June 16, 2027, before playing Cork the next night, with Todd Rundgren as special guest. A new comedy play inspired by Mayo’s All-Ireland win premieres in Kilmeena on November 12 and 13.

Irish Music: Fontaines D.C.’s new album, Dopamine Chamber, pairs the Dublin band’s brooding sound with synths; they’ve also teamed up with Rosalía. U2 have announced a 2027 world tour and new album. Books and Free Expression: Sally Rooney says her books are being withdrawn from UK sale after her publisher raised concerns about legal risks linked to her pledge to donate royalties to Palestine Action. Young Talent: Irish Junior Eurovision hopefuls Caleb Kirwan and Naomi Gribben have flown to Malta for the contest. Arts and Theatre: Imagine Arts Festival marks its 25th year with a packed programme, while Irish theatre company Dead Centre is bringing Deaf Republic to Sydney Festival. Irish Screens and Radio: RTÉ’s radio series 30 Acres won an award at Prix Europa in Berlin; comedian Joanne McNally is set for her Tonight Show debut. Arts Support: Irish musicians are due to begin receiving €1,400 a month under a new basic-income scheme.

Junior Eurovision: Co Down singer Naomi Gribben and Dublin’s Caleb Kirwan have arrived in Malta to represent Ireland with “Níos Láidre” at Saturday’s final, airing on TG4. Irish Film: Co Down short Dear Imelda, filmed in Kilcoo and starring Rose Henderson, has been nominated for a British Short Film Award after a strong international festival run. Screen & Stage: Sharon Horgan has spoken about exploring middle age in Youth, while Barry Keoghan is back in the spotlight as he turns 34. Irish Music: U2 have announced a 2027 world tour alongside a new album, and Irish musicians are set to receive a monthly basic income of €1,400.

Irish Film: Andrew Scott could make Oscar history, with strong performances in Pressure and Elsinore putting him in contention for two Best Actor nominations. Opera: Wexford Festival Opera marked its 75th anniversary with Croí na Féile, a star-studded concert of arias and orchestral favourites. Irish Music: Fontaines D.C. have described the past year as “very tough” following their manager’s death, as their new album Dopamine Chamber arrives. Damien Rice will mark 25 years of O with a tour including two Dublin dates, while U2 have announced a 2027 world tour and new album. Arts Funding: Irish musicians are set to begin receiving €1,400 a month through the basic income scheme. Publishing: Sally Rooney’s books are being withdrawn from sale in the UK after her support for Palestine Action.

Opera: Kildare singer Éadaoin Hassett will perform in the world premiere of Colm Tóibín’s The First Festival at Wexford Festival Opera, which marks its 75th anniversary and showcases emerging talent. Irish Music: U2 have announced a 2027 world tour and new album, while former Treaty United goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan has made music his full-time career, gigging across Donegal and Derry. RTÉ Audio: 30 Acres, a black comedy set in a failed housing estate, won European Audio Fiction Series of the Year at the Prix Europa — RTÉ’s first win in the category. Creative Support: Irish musicians are set to receive €1,400 a month under the basic income scheme. On Screen: Caitríona Balfe stars in A Long Winter, Andrew Haigh’s adaptation of a Colm Tóibín story, due in Irish cinemas next year.

Irish Voices: Dermot Whelan is bringing comedy and mindfulness together at an upcoming Women & Agriculture conference, saying humour can help people feel open to new ideas. Music: Fontaines D.C. have released their fifth album, Dopamine Chamber, as the Dublin band’s rise from local venues to major stages draws fresh attention. Damien Rice has also announced a 25th-anniversary tour for O, including two Dublin shows in 2027. On Screen: Bob Geldof told The Late Late Show that Live Aid revealed the generosity he had long believed Ireland was capable of, recalling five women who offered their wedding rings to support famine relief. Fashion: Ireland Fashion Week is putting Irish designers in the spotlight, with a homecoming theme celebrating their work.

Fontaines D.C.: The Dublin band’s fifth album, Dopamine Chamber, is out now, alongside a video for “Japan” starring Stranger Things actor Charlie Heaton. They’ll also appear on Later… With Jools Holland next month. Fashion: Ireland Fashion Week has wrapped its second edition, bringing Irish designers into the international spotlight under the theme “Coming Home: An Island in Motion.” Live Music: Damien Rice has announced a 25th-anniversary tour, with two Dublin dates. Stage: Just for One Day – The Live Aid Musical is heading to Dublin in 2027; Wexford Festival Opera’s Iris has also opened to mixed reviews. Books: UK shops are withdrawing Sally Rooney’s novels after her support for Palestine Action, raising questions about book sales and royalties from screen adaptations. On TV: Daniel O’Donnell’s Opry le Daniel ar Thuras returns to TG4 on 29 October.

U2: The band have announced a 2027 world tour and released a new single, “The Greatest Show on Earth”; European dates are still to come, while their album Carnaval de Luz is due November 15. Irish Fashion: Ireland Fashion Week opened in style, with Dublin Independent Fashion Week also putting local designers in the spotlight. Books: Sally Rooney’s publisher has withdrawn her novels from UK sale over her support for Palestine Action, prompting criticism from Irish politicians and renewed debate about censorship. Irish Music: Fontaines D.C.’s Jools Holland special will air next month, while Radie Peat has released “Hares on the Mountain” from her forthcoming solo debut. On Screen: Paul McCartney says he wants the Beatles biopics to get one detail right: he shouldn’t be portrayed as shorter than his bandmates, including Paul Mescal, who will play him. Film: West Cork is set to feature prominently at next month’s Cork International Film Festival, and the IFI DocFest shorts programme offers another local cinema date. Theatre: Dublin’s Lourdes! The Musical has been praised for its moving story of faith, community and hope.

Radio Awards: Nenagh broadcaster Ella Carey and her iRadio co-hosts won two gold IMRO awards, for digital and social innovation and their music and entertainment programme. Irish Film: West Cork takes the spotlight at next month’s Cork International Film Festival, with two films shot at West Cork Film Studios among the programme’s 200-plus titles. Arts Funding: The Government has allocated €377,336 to help local authorities create up to five artist workspaces, part of a €6 million scheme. Queer Art: Outhouse’s Arthouse auction opens with more than 360 works by over 240 artists, raising funds for Dublin’s LGBTQ+ centre. Fashion: Dublin Independent Fashion Week’s latest edition brought together more than 140 designers across shows, workshops and exhibitions. Books: Sally Rooney’s publisher will stop supplying her books to UK shops over the legal risks tied to her support for Palestine Action; Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee says she is “shocked” and plans to raise the issue. Broadcasting: ComReg says Ireland should plan for how public-service TV will be delivered if traditional aerial-based broadcasting is reduced or switched off, as viewing shifts online.

Irish Literature: Sally Rooney says Faber will stop supplying her books in Britain after she voiced support for Palestine Action; the author agreed to the publisher’s decision. Folk: Radie Peat has released “Hares on the Mountain”, the opening track from her forthcoming solo debut, drawing on folk tradition and women’s stories. Dublin Music: Bell X1 have added a third Dublin date and released new single “Atlas”; Lisa O’Neill has announced an Imbolc show at Vicar Street. Live Music: Big Thief have opened a free archive of concert recordings, including a live version of “Incomprehensible” from Dublin. Visual Arts: Galway City Museum’s free exhibition explores the links between the Galway Tribes and Hungary through art, photographs and historic objects. Irish Acts: The Coronas will mark their 20th anniversary with a Fairview Park show, while Bronagh Gallagher has released new single “Blindsided”.

Public Service Media: The European Broadcasting Union has condemned the Government’s €20m cut to RTÉ’s agreed funding, saying it leaves the broadcaster to meet commitments to Irish drama, sport and digital services. It also criticised the lack of a multi-year funding deal for TG4. Irish Music: Fontaines D.C. have teamed up with Rosalía on new single “Where Is Gone?”, ahead of their album Dopamine Chamber. The Coronas have announced a 20th-anniversary show at Dublin’s Fairview Park, while Bronagh Gallagher has released a new single. Arts Funding: Mayo creative charities can apply for grants of up to €12,000 from Amazon’s €100,000 Regional Creatives Fund by November 30. Meanwhile, figures show four in five applicants were rejected from the Basic Income for the Arts scheme. Books: Sally Rooney says her publisher can no longer supply her books in the UK, after her public support for Palestine Action created potential legal risks.

New Music: Bronagh Gallagher has released soul-pop single “Blindsided” ahead of her Dublin show at the Ambassador Theatre on October 17. Fontaines D.C. and Rosalía have also joined forces on new track “Where Is Gone?”. Live Shows: The Coronas will mark their 20th anniversary with a Fairview Park concert on June 18, 2027, and have shared a new double A-side single. Arts Funding: The first Basic Income for the Arts recipients will be contacted from October 15. The scheme will support 2,000 artists with €325 a week for three years. Cork Stage: Pianist and composer Cormac McCarthy is Cork Opera House’s new Traditional Irish Crossover Musician-in-Residence, with a €20,000 bursary and a year to develop new work.

Irish Music: Fontaines D.C. have released “Where Is Gone?”, a collaboration with Rosalía ahead of their album Dopamine Chamber, out Friday. Arts Funding: The first successful applicants for Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts scheme will be notified from Thursday; 2,000 artists are set to receive €325 a week for three years. Dance: Akram Khan’s work joins pieces by Oona Doherty and Liz Roche in Luail’s Nós, at Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on January 8 and 9. Live Music: Dermot Kennedy has announced Cork and Belfast shows for summer 2027. Melanie C, in Dublin for a solo show this Sunday, says Ireland has always been special to the Spice Girls. Heritage: Five West Cork events have been shortlisted for the 2026 National Heritage Week Awards, including an immersive project exploring the region’s flax and linen history. Books: Nenagh writer Michael “Charlie” McGee launches his historical novel about life during the Great Famine on October 22.

Irish Rock: Fontaines D.C. have teamed up with Rosalía on new single “Where Is Gone?”, ahead of their album Dopamine Chamber, due October 16. Frontman Grian Chatten called the collaboration a career high. Homecoming Shows: Dermot Kennedy has announced Cork concerts on June 23 and 24, 2027, and a Belfast Belsonic date on June 26. He has postponed the rest of his North American tour while recovering from laryngitis. Folk Spotlight: The Mary Wallopers’ Paddywhackery landed at No. 3 on the Official Folk Albums Chart, with Dove Ellis at No. 7; Madra Salach and Joshua Burnside also made the top 12. New Irish Talent: Six acts will compete at Dublin’s Academy on October 28 for A New Local Hero 2026, with a prize package including a recording deal. Live Comedy: Dublin podcast duo Talking Bollox are taking their live show to the 3Arena on April 30. Theatre: The Body of Bobby has earned praise for its humour and heart, and its contribution to the tradition of Troubles theatre.