AGP Executive Report

Irish Fashion & Weddings: Sasha Donnellan, the Irish heritage-rooted designer behind Roz Purcell’s Celtic-inspired wedding gown, talks storytelling, craftsmanship and how her brand has moved from ready-to-wear and bespoke occasion pieces into bridal. Royal Spotlight: Trooping the Colour brought plenty of style talk, from Princess Charlotte’s standout bow to Kate Middleton’s icy blue look said to nod to Princess Diana, plus Prince George’s sneeze moment that had everyone laughing. Film & TV Buzz: Steven Spielberg’s alien sci-fi “Disclosure Day” is off to a strong global start, while Elijah Wood is pitching an animated reboot of “Sam & Max” and “Accused” (with Sheridan Smith and Stephen Graham) is getting a streaming spotlight. Music & Culture: Waterford’s Ad Hoc Chorale returns to the Cathedral with a summer concert, and Leitrim Folk Club launches June 20 with Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan. Sport (Irish angle): Kerry cruise past Kildare in All-Ireland SFC Round 2B as Jack O’Connor says they’re “off the life support,” and St Pat’s keep their title push on track with Kian Leavy’s Ireland debut goal.

Irish Music: Mary Black plays her final solo gig tonight at Dublin’s Vicar Street, closing out her Slán farewell tour after sold-out stops across the country. Irish Arts & Culture: Mongolian composer-pianist Shuteen Erdenebaatar brings her quartet to Ireland for a run of dates from 19–27 June, with performances including Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick. Film & TV Craft: A handy guide breaks down film credits in plain English, decoding roles like Key Grip and Best Boy for anyone who’s ever wondered who does what on set. Sport Ireland & Governance: Sport Ireland is pursuing almost €300,000 in back taxes after workers were reclassified as employees following a Revenue guidance change tied to the Domino’s Pizza Supreme Court case. International Spotlight (World Cup): England’s T20 World Cup opener delivered a record-setting win over Sri Lanka, while Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina kick off Group B in Toronto as the tournament gathers pace.

FAI Israel Row: Opposition slammed the FAI for moving Ireland’s Nations League match to a neutral overseas venue behind closed doors, calling it a “cop out” while the Government insists it’s a rules-and-governance matter. Architecture & Culture: The RIAI Public Choice Awards shortlist is out, with voting open for the public’s favourite building or space ahead of the June 15 deadline. Food Buzz: Dublin’s Morso sandwich shop has people queuing for a viral chicken parm, with customers already planning their next order. All-Ireland SFC: Westmeath face Galway at Pearse Stadium next Sunday, while Roscommon are in last-chance territory against Monaghan in Clones. Boxing Spotlight: Katie Taylor says a Croke Park undisputed title fight could be the perfect end to her career. RTÉ Documentary On One: Pirate Predator episode 4 ramps up with new allegations and survivor accounts tied to pirate radio broadcaster Eamon Cooke. Leaving Cert Arts: Teachers say this year’s Leaving Cert Art/Visual Studies paper was more accessible than last year’s, with students given clearer routes to succeed. Music & Live: Cork’s Triskel hosts the Shuteen Erdenebaatar Quartet on June 20 as Music Network’s spring season closes. World Cup Watch: BBC and ITV differ on studio locations for the tournament, with the BBC starting from Salford.

Tech & Talent: Horizon Quantum says it will install a second, trapped-ion quantum computer in Dublin, positioning the city as a frontier testbed for Ireland’s growing quantum ecosystem. Court & Community: A Co Offaly phone shop proprietor, Ali Raza, faces court over eight “very realistic” imitation firearms found in his shop. Literature: Anna Llewellyn wins the Caterpillar Poetry Prize for The Whistler of Muldoon, while Trinity graduate Virginia Evans takes the Women’s Prize for Fiction for The Correspondent. Music & Live: Razorlight announce a 20th-anniversary UK and Ireland tour, ending in Dublin on December 14. Sports & Irish Interest: Ireland’s women’s T20 World Cup campaign begins with a bid to finally end a 17-match winless run; meanwhile, a brother of an Irish sports star is shot dead in Barcelona, prompting Garda and DFA attention. Road Safety: RSA launches a summer breathalyser push at major events after alcohol-linked crashes. Arts & Culture: Bloomsday celebrations get a boost with RTÉ’s Ulysses listening push and a festival programme tied to Joyce in Dublin.

RTÉ & Media: RTÉ’s podcast First Conviction won the top prize at the Justice Media Awards, with Ruth Negga narrating an investigation into an FGM case later overturned on appeal. Culture & Food: Taste of Dublin 2026 returned to Merrion Square (to 14 June), with live cooking, music and the Best in Taste Awards spotlighting Achara, Daata and more. Music (Ireland): Waterford’s Bank Lane launched Block Party, a free open-air series running 11 Saturday evenings this summer featuring Irish and international acts. Sports & Politics: The Dáil debate over whether Ireland should boycott Israel fixtures at the 2028 Olympics escalated, with the Minister claiming a boycott would mean not taking part—while RTÉ and GAA coverage continues to stir public debate. Local Football: Derry City appointed Mark Connolly as Director of Football as the League of Ireland season restarts. Tech & Safety: RTÉ rolled out a new-look RTÉ News app, and Ireland’s online safety push remains a hot topic.

World Cup Fever: FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off this week with a 48-team, 104-match format across 16 cities, and Ireland fans are being pointed to RTÉ coverage and free-stream guides as the tournament ramps up. Festival Focus: Forest Fest adds a new Country and Americana arena, “Kickin’ Up Dust,” with dedicated acts for ticketholders at Bee’s Wing Farm in Laois. Music & Culture: Peaches hits back at body-shaming and “the joy in resistance” themes in a keynote chat, while Fontaines D.C. mourns the death of manager Trevor Dietz. Irish Arts & Design: A Victorian Kinsale Harbour property with library, cinema room and artist’s studio goes on the market after a conservation-led restoration. Policy & Safety: Ireland may trial digital ID for age checks on porn sites as part of EU online safety rules. Health System Pressure: The IHCA urges speeding up Ireland’s national Electronic Health Record rollout. Sport Spotlight: Armagh captain Aidan Forker balances family life with injury rehab as he eyes a return for the All-Ireland SFC.

Irish Arts & Culture: A Dublin seminar on racial equity in the arts brought dancers, musicians and writers together at Smock Alley, with GORM and the Arts Council backing a push to tackle gaps in how Irish arts systems support creative careers. Music Industry & Tech: IMRO says it has hit record €57m revenue but warns AI is now an “existential threat” to Irish musicians, as the wider debate over digital replicas and deepfakes keeps heating up. Film & TV: Virgin Media TV has removed an episode from its streaming service after a High Court dispute over footage showing a man’s dead body during an ambulance call. Sports Spotlight: Aoife Wafer has been crowned Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship for a second year running, while Leinster’s James Lowe confirms his move to Japan after nine years with the province. Boxing: Katie Taylor’s Croke Park fight is surging towards a sell-out, with 40,000+ tickets sold in presale alone. Rugby Court Update: A Leinster player who threw a beaker in a nightclub row has avoided jail and a criminal conviction, receiving compensation instead.

Media & Regulation: Irish independent radio stations are calling for tougher oversight of Coimisiún na Meán, arguing broadcasting levies and spending powers need more scrutiny ahead of an Oireachtas hearing. Music & Live: Sabaton announce a 2027 UK and European arena leg with Dublin’s 3Arena dates on April 7, plus stops across Europe—tickets go on sale at 9am today. Theatre & Comedy: Aoife Kane’s comedy The Wee Wake returns to Belfast after a sold-out run at Féile an Phobail, with updated jokes and “even more mental” characters. Storytelling & Culture: Colin Urwin’s Celtic Heart: A Belfast Story brings Irish folklore to the Waterfront Hall over the summer, blending dance, spoken word and traditional music. Sports Infrastructure: Letterkenny Regional Activity Hub gets approval to move to tender, with a first phase including multi-sport pitches, track, pavilion and floodlighting. Streaming & Film: Wicked: For Good confirms its UK streaming release date for July 10 on Sky Cinema and NOW. Cricket Buzz: 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lands a maiden India call-up for Ireland and England T20Is after a record IPL 2026. Local Arts Picks: Seamas O’Reilly shares his cultural picks, including the Oscar-nominated The Secret Agent and Boards of Canada’s new album Inferno.

Irish Fashion: Limerick designer Ber McNamara unveiled her Autumn/Winter 2026 collection “The Pure Line” at 1314 for Twilight Thursday, spotlighting timeless tailoring and luxury womenswear built for longevity. Casting & Screen: “Lord of the Flies” casting directors Nina Gold and Martin Ware opened up on the “wild panic” of finding 30+ child actors for Jack Thorne’s Netflix adaptation, shot in Malaysia. Music & Culture: Fontaines D.C. paid tribute to late manager Trevor Dietz, calling him “the sixth member of the band” after his death at 47. Film & TV: Marina de Van’s body-horror work “In My Skin” and “Dark Touch” is examined for how pain and trauma can literally break the skin. Sports Spotlight: Katie Taylor says her Croke Park finale is “like a movie,” then turns to training for Flora Pili’s undisputed title fight in Connecticut. Tech & Media: Elon Musk and X are challenging Ireland’s media watchdog at the High Court over its Digital Services Act probe into X’s EU complaint-handling. Local Arts: Cork City Hall hosts “On The Boards of City Hall,” celebrating Rory Gallagher’s 1974 gig with his first guitar and a recreation of his famous Stratocaster.

Football & Politics: The Tánaiste Simon Harris urged the FAI to “bring clarity” over whether Ireland’s Nations League home fixture against Israel will be moved to a neutral venue, as protests and boycott calls gather momentum. Legal Pressure: Irish Sport for Palestine has threatened a judicial review over the fixtures, warning ministers and the FAI to carry out due diligence on public spending and entry rules for the Israeli delegation. Sport Spotlight: Billy Loughnane is chasing more Ascot glory after winning the 2000 Guineas on Bow Echo, while Hardik Pandya has been cleared at the CoE in Bengaluru to return for India’s ODI series vs Afghanistan. Entertainment & Media: RTÉ’s kids’ soccer show Total Football returns on RTÉ2 with streaming on RTÉ Player, featuring Irish YouTube star DavidMC alongside Aisling O’Reilly. Local Business: Apache Pizza marks 30 years and opens 12 new stores, creating 120 jobs across Ireland. Arts & Culture: The Nobel-Artist International Music Competition announced its 2026 final-round winners, recognising musicians from 27 countries. Public Safety: A man is in critical condition after a “barbaric and brutal” knife attack in north Belfast.

Leaving Cert Wrap: Students shared relief after the higher-level Irish paper, with teachers praising accessible compositions—though one topic omission raised eyebrows. GAA Spotlight: Dublin’s Ger Brennan returns for the Cavan clash after a 12-week suspension, with Jack McCaffrey saying the punishment was “harshly” dealt with. Local Sport (LoI): Galway United’s Dundalk game shifts to Turners Cross in Cork due to pitch and stadium availability. Arts & Culture: Stratford Festival’s Waiting for Godot lands as a funny, human staging—led by Paul Gross and Tom McCamus. Music & Film: The Bluff gets a period-pirate thumbs-up, with standout costume work and a Jamaica-set story built for big-screen catharsis. Community & Family Fun: Cork Week 2026 returns to Crosshaven with a family day and live music, while Mayo’s Oweninny Windfarm visitor centre opens to the public this summer.

Broadway Buzz: Moroccan-American Tony winner Ali Louis Bourzgui, 26, picked up best featured actor for The Lost Boys, spotlighting Arab and Muslim representation on stage. World Cup Listening Guide: BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT are set to broadcast all 104 matches live across the US, Mexico and Canada, with full Irish-friendly details on how to tune in. Munster Hurling: Limerick edged Cork in a dramatic Munster final, with Cork boss Ben O’Connor fuming at a “stop-start” refereeing style. Local Arts & Culture: Clonakilty rebrands as “The Soul of West Cork” with Irish-language sign-painting inspired branding. Music Spotlight: Derek Ryan announces a packed summer tour across Ireland and Scotland, including intimate songwriter shows. TV Pick: Bulgarian detective drama The Devil’s Throat lands on Channel 4’s Walter Presents for binge-worthy viewing. Community & Lifestyle: Cork’s IBAL litter survey shows improvements in parts of the city, while a Cork aviary owner shares the story behind rare birds worth thousands. Road Tragedy: A fatal single-vehicle crash on the N73 near Kildorrery, Co Cork, has prompted witness appeals.

Munster Hurling: Limerick dethroned Cork in a rain-soaked Páirc Uí Chaoimh classic, edging the Mick Mackey Cup 1-21 to 2-17 and setting up All-Ireland semi-finals at Croke Park. All-Ireland Fixtures: Quarter-finals are set for June 20/21 (Clare v Dublin, Offaly v Cork), with semis on July 4/5 and the final on July 19. Music & Live Performance: SETU Junior Strings wrapped up the academic year with a public showcase at College Hill, spotlighting young players and big classical moments. Community & Mental Health: Dublin’s Teen Buddy Program is pairing teens with older adults to tackle isolation through shared hobbies like art and pottery. Sports Drama Beyond Ireland: Denmark’s Christian Eriksen collapsed again in a friendly vs Ukraine, with the match abandoned. Irish Arts Calendar: Limerick Sings International Choral Festival ends after performances and workshops featuring Eimear Quinn and APOLLO5. Entertainment Buzz: Underscores hit out at Houston venue Meow Wolf as “misogynistic,” while Gorillaz introduced at Primavera Sound by Palestinian activist Aarab Barghouti.

Race & Safety in Ireland: Africans in Ireland say fear is rising after the death of Congolese man Yves Sakila, with community members describing a shift from welcome to targeting. Music & Culture: David Gray shares the playlist he wants at his funeral—Madness, Dolly Parton and more—plus a look at what songs still hit hardest. Sport (Ireland): Ireland’s Kyra Carusa and Carla Ward push for another “big-time moment” as the Girls in Green face France for automatic World Cup qualification after a dramatic win over the Netherlands. Cricket (Ireland-linked): 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earns a first India call-up for tours including Ireland and England, with BCCI arranging travel for his parents. Interiors & Home: Designers are questioning the 60-30-10 colour rule as bold 2026 schemes lean on balance, light and mood. Fashion: M&S shoppers are snapping up a €77 faux leather bomber jacket said to instantly elevate any outfit.

Cricket & Leadership: India shake up their T20 setup for the Ireland and England tours: Shreyas Iyer is named captain and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earns a maiden call-up after a record-breaking IPL 2026, while Suryakumar Yadav is dropped. Workload Management: Ajit Agarkar says Jasprit Bumrah is rested for the Ireland/England T20Is to keep him fit for Tests and ODIs, with the Asian Games still on the radar. Irish Sport Spotlight: Galway beat Dublin in the Leinster hurling final, while Leinster book the URC final after a 20-11 win over the Stormers at the Aviva. Local Arts & Culture: Donegal gets a homecoming performance from Milford composer Gerard O’Donnell, and the Irish entertainment world mourns circus ringmistress Marion Fossett, who has died aged 71. Community & Language: A Carlow Gaelscoil wins top honours at the national Irish-language schools’ drama festival with a Lion King production.

World Cup 2026: A fresh guide to the early groups sets the scene for co-hosts Mexico, Canada and USA, with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior both getting “how to watch” breakdowns for Irish viewers. Sanctions & Sport/Politics: Ireland has imposed entry bans on Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, with the wider Gaza context driving renewed debate around upcoming Ireland-Israel fixtures. Boxing at Croke Park: Katie Taylor’s Croke Park farewell is booked for 5 September against undefeated Flora Pili, with ticket details and a promise of major Irish entertainment on the night. Arts & Books: Katriona Lally’s memoir Home Economics lands alongside Katriona O’Sullivan’s searing body-focused memoir Hungry, while a new Irish writer’s crime fiction and a horror-movie round-up keep the streaming and shelf chatter going. Local Culture: Heartland Harp Ensemble prepares for a Waterford/Kilkenny cathedral trip, and Irish community notes include golf lotto winners and Castlerea choir highlights. Health Policy: The Rotunda Hospital escalates its fight over private maternity care, challenging Government Sláintecare rules on public-only consultants.