AGP Executive Report

Dolly Parton: The country icon has died at 80 after a brief cancer battle, with tributes flooding in worldwide and a special Irish connection highlighted by her RTÉ Late Late Show comments about sharing “the same language” with Irish audiences. Local Arts & Culture: Cork’s @tiny.cork is turning tiny building replicas into a hit, while Limerick’s Saint Mary’s Cathedral has appointed its second Artist in Residence, Ester Redlichová, for a residency on memory and sacred space. TV & Drama: RTÉ has confirmed Kin season 3 for 2027, with Charlie Cox’s Michael Kinsella returning as the family feud turns inward. Community & Events: Culture Night is set to bring 150+ free events, and Cork Coco previews a county-wide programme of performances in unusual locations. Sport & Society: Gardaí warn students about CAO scams, and Louth’s Sam Mulroy urges students that there’s “no right route” after his own path to a Masters without a CAO form.

Country Music & Charity: Dolly Parton has died at 80 after a “brief battle with cancer,” with tributes flooding in worldwide. Her biggest legacy for Irish audiences is the Imagination Library, the literacy programme she launched in 1995—now operating in Ireland—built on the story of her father, who couldn’t read or write. Irish Connections: Parton also recalled a Kerry pub moment in 1990 and her admiration for Sinéad O’Connor in an RTÉ Radio 1 interview. Social Media & Safety: In Ireland and the UK, authorities are cracking down after viral “Cat in the Hat” AI hoax panic and renewed outrage over TikTok joyriding and dangerous driving stunts that bait police. Music Scene: The Youth Music Awards move to Liverpool for the first time in six years, spotlighting grassroots talent. Sports & Irish Spotlight: A Down teen is set for an Aviva Stadium debut in American football, coached by NFL legend Bill Belichick, as college football lands in Dublin.

Road Safety & Social Media: The Tánaiste Simon Harris says Ireland’s deadly wrong-way crashes are tied to deeper societal issues, including social media’s role in amplifying illegal “joyriding” content, as funerals conclude for five teenagers killed on the M9 in Co Kildare. Viral Hoaxes: Police in the UK and Ireland are debunking the AI “Cat in the Hat” horror trend, urging people to trust official accounts after fake sightings spread online. Irish Arts & Culture: Cork’s Culture Night returns Sept 18 with free events across music, theatre, dance, visual art, literature, film and Irish-language activities. Film & TV: Skincrawl Studios is involved in an international fantasy-horror reimagining of Dante’s “Inferno,” with filming set to begin in Rome in September. Music & Community: Galway’s The Universal lands in the Michelin Guide, while Mullingar’s National Heritage Week features the Macahar father-son poetry-and-music duo.

Irish Arts & Culture: Killarney’s underground cocktail spot Pig’s Lane has been named Bar of the Year 2026, with the awards also spotlighting Dublin and other regional winners. Music & Live Shows: Fleetwood Mac tribute Seventh Wonder Performs The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac lands in Dublin, with manager Dennis Dunstan talking mega-albums and the band’s enduring appeal. TV & Streaming: Netflix is casting Love Is Blind Canada for its first season, with applications open via Insight Productions. Sports (Ireland-linked): UNC’s Billy Edwards Jr. says he’ll use 1,000 flashcards to learn a new system ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Ireland vs TCU at Aviva Stadium. GAA & Community: St Brigid’s Belfast are pushing for more playing space as they look toward a move from Musgrave Park to Upper Malone. Cricket: England have stood down Brydon Carse from the Pakistan Test at Lord’s after a Derby night-out arrest incident is referred for investigation. Eurovision: The Netherlands will boycott Eurovision 2027, citing loss of political neutrality.

LGBTQ+ Arts & Community: The GALAS have unveiled their 2026 LGBTQ+ awards shortlists, with the ceremony set for Oct 3 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre (Radisson Blu) and tickets now on sale; two categories open for public vote. Live Music (Ireland): Basement have added Belfast and Dublin dates to their Wired tour—Belfast’s The Limelight 1 on Feb 21 and Dublin’s National Stadium on Feb 22—with tickets on general sale Aug 28. Festival Buzz: Lemonade Shoelace is gearing up for Electric Picnic, calling it “magical” and teasing new material alongside fan favourites. Sports for a Cause: Limerick hurling stars will line out for Hurling for Cancer Research in Carlow, with the event backing Irish Cancer Society clinical trials. Pop Culture & Safety: Police have debunked viral “Cat in the Hat” serial-killer claims after AI clips sparked panic across the UK and Ireland. Eurovision Shock: Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS says it will boycott Eurovision 2027, arguing the contest is no longer neutral amid Gaza-related tensions. Community Reading: Westport Library has launched a Ukrainian-language book collection with 100+ titles, supported by local volunteers and EU-backed programmes.

Irish Arts & Culture: “Boorman and the Devil” lands as a sharp, funny documentary look at John Boorman’s notorious “Exorcist II: The Heretic,” with Boorman himself still wrestling to explain what went wrong. Music & Live: Clannad’s legacy gets a prog-style spotlight, while Into the Trees Festival in Rossland (Sept 4–6) announces a full lineup and keeps the vibe intimate. GAA Spotlight: Former Antrim hurler Neil McManus says some county boards treat hurling like a “nuisance,” arguing for stronger incentives and penalties. Football (Ireland): Hibernian sign Ireland U-21 midfielder Jacob Devaney on loan from Manchester United with an option to buy. Sport (Ireland): Mayo All-Ireland winner Aidan O’Shea returns to club action for Breaffy and plays down any 2027 inter-county talk for now. Film/TV: “The Westies” heads into its Season 1 finale, with streaming options highlighted for anyone catching up. Society & Safety: Ireland’s lawmakers push back on dangerous-driving content after viral wrong-way crashes spark outrage.

Housing Crisis: Three women in Mullingar say they’re stuck without permanent homes, with two sleeping in tents and one living in her car, as they struggle to secure accommodation during Ireland’s worsening housing squeeze. Crime & Justice: Gardaí have sent a file to the DPP over the murder of US-born mother-of-one Jamey Carney in Killarney, with the suspect arrested in Jordan still awaiting extradition steps. Comedy & Live Culture: Mike Rice looks ahead to a major Olympia show in October, reflecting on how his Irish upbringing shaped his stand-up career. Music & Festivals: Jerry Fish tees up Electric Picnic’s Fishtown with a big party plan, including professional wrestling from Over The Top. Local Arts: Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival announces its 2026 Limerick programme, packed with theatre, music, film, dance and workshops for young audiences. Education: Dunamase College in Laois marks Leaving Cert 2026 results as a “proud day” for students after strong performances across subjects. Sports & Entertainment: Hull’s John Egan and the Tigers stun Manchester United, while Netflix adds Claire Foy drama “H Is For Hawk” to its Irish-accessible streaming lineup.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: New Zealand opened the series with a 33-16 win over South Africa at Ellis Park, with Rassie Erasmus admitting the Springboks need to “find a way back” after a second-half collapse and a raft of errors. Irish Sport & Pride: Ireland’s athletics and swimming stars are being celebrated for a medal-filled summer, with Kate O’Connor, Ellen Walshe, Rhasidat Adeleke and others framed as proof that sacrifice pays off. Irish Arts Spotlight: Julian Lloyd Webber returns to Ireland for a glór concert in Ennis, exploring the story behind Bach’s Cello Suites. Theatre & Music: Moby brought a Father Ted favourite to Dublin, covering Neil Hannon’s “My Lovely Horse” at Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Community Culture: Belfast Mela kicked off its 20th festival with a big carnival parade celebrating cultural diversity across the city. Public Safety: Tragic “wrong-side” driving crashes across the UK and Ireland have left 12 dead in under a week, renewing calls for action as social media trends fuel dangerous behaviour.

Arts & Culture: Tributes are pouring in for traditional Irish music legend Eithne Vallely (81) after she was killed in a road crash in Armagh, with her legacy tied closely to the Armagh Pipers Club and decades of teaching and recording. Music Spotlight: Galway songwriter Sara Gerdine has released new single “Time Waits For No One,” blending folk, country and subtle classical touches. Theatre & Screen: Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre is bringing Paranormal Activity to the stage (Oct 13–17), a UK/Irish tour stop built to blur cinema-style thrills with live performance. TV & Streaming: BBC murder-mystery Ludwig is back for a second season, already renewed for a third—good news for fans of cosy crime. Sports (Irish interest): Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan paid tribute to his “best friend” dog Finn after sharing the loss online. Social Media & Safety: Ireland is again in the spotlight over dangerous driving trends amplified online, following the M9 wrong-way crash debate and renewed calls for platform responsibility. Tech/Business: Apple’s EU country-by-country tax transparency report flags a huge Ireland tax figure tied to a long-running state-aid case.

M9 Crash Fallout: A Limerick family whose stolen car appeared in TikTok posts linked to one of the teens who died says gardaí told them the clips “rarely stand up” in court, leaving little to investigate—while former Garda Commissioner Patrick Leahy calls for new laws and a multi-agency plan to tackle joyriding and reckless-driving uploads. RTÉ Kids: RTÉ is launching Bellie and Whizz at Big School on RTÉ KIDSjr from 24 August, a 12-episode puppet series aimed at helping children handle first-day nerves, friendships and big changes through games, chat and song. Dalymount Farewell: Bohemians produced a stirring comeback to beat Derry City 5-3 at Dalymount as the countdown to redevelopment continues, with Ross Tierney’s late strike a standout. Real Betis Signing: Troy Parrott watched Real Betis open La Liga with a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad after officially signing for the club, with the Irish forward set to join up soon. Music & Theatre: Attic Projects brings Scorched Earth, a dance-theatre-cinema cold-case whodunnit inspired by John B. Keane’s The Field, to Australia for the Brisbane Festival. Viral Hoax Watch: Gardaí have confirmed “Cat in the Hat” sightings across Ireland were AI-generated prank images, after the creepy posts sparked alarm online.

Film & TV: Warner Bros’ long-shelved animation/live-action hybrid Coyote vs. Acme finally gets a proper release after years of tax-writeoff drama, while Hannah Einbinder’s Teenage Sex and Death lands in UK & Ireland cinemas with Gillian Anderson. Theatre & live culture: Park Theatre’s The Talking Drum and new works including Unfinished Business and Dandelions and Poppy are in the spotlight, and Cork Opera House cancelled a sold-out Sound of Music run mid-show after a major technical fault. Music: Nia Archives announces her Emotional World Tour with Dublin dates, and West Cork’s Andy Hall is remembered tonight at a tribute evening. Sport (Irish angle): Real Betis confirm Troy Parrott, and the All Blacks vs Springboks rivalry headlines with Victor Matfield backing the current Springboks as their “greatest ever.” Community & arts events: Baltic Sea Docs gears up for its 30th edition in Riga, and a new craft market launches at Belturbet Railway Station for Heritage Week. Public life: Gardaí maintained a visible presence at the funeral of teenager Joe Carthy after the M9 wrong-way crash, as scrutiny grows around dangerous driving and social media content.

Irish Arts & Film: Cork International Film Festival director Aurélie Godet points to the autumn festival run as the key awards-season launchpad, with Cork (Nov 12–22) singled out as a major Irish showcase. Local Culture & Music: The Button Factory marks its 30th anniversary with indie rock band NewDad on Dec 21, with tickets going on sale Aug 21. Sport (Europe): Shamrock Rovers’ Conference League playoff first leg at Tallaght ended 1-1 with KuPS, after a late equaliser left Rovers facing a quieter, tougher return in Finland. Sport (Ireland hosting): Waterford hosts the Under-17 European Inline Hockey Championships at the SETU Arena, with Team Ireland aiming to impress at home. Community & Safety: After the M9 wrong-way crash that killed five teens, Tusla confirmed one victim was in its care and two others were known to services, as calls grow for stronger action on dangerous driving clips online. Entertainment (TV): Hallmark+ romance Paris Is Always a Good Idea is drawing extra buzz for filming in France, Spain and Ireland. Tech & Ireland: Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has bought Strancally Castle in Waterford, sparking local chatter about what the arrival could mean.

Irish Hockey: Ireland’s women’s hockey team face a must-win World Cup Pool C clash against co-hosts Belgium as they chase quarter-final hopes. Sports Nostalgia: Dion Dublin has apologised to Coventry City fans for his 1998 switch to Aston Villa, revisiting the heartbreak and the bond with Sky Blues supporters. Reality TV & Legal Trouble: “Below Deck Mediterranean” star Nathan Gallagher faces domestic violence charges in Australia. Art & Identity: Joe Caslin’s trans mural drawing “SEEN” has been shortlisted for the National Gallery of Ireland’s AIB National Portrait Prize. LGBTQ+ Culture: Cork welcomes the original Gilbert Baker rainbow flag for a new permanent LGBTQ+ exhibition at the Cork Public Museum. Music & Storytelling: Claddagh Records will release a posthumous spoken-word album by late RTÉ broadcaster Manchán Magan. Community Fundraising: Down Syndrome Ireland launches the 2026 Purple Run, a virtual 42km challenge across October. Dublin Entertainment: Ella Mai announces a Vicar Street gig on 29 September. Film/TV Pick: Cillian Murphy’s war-time romance drama “The Edge of Love” is highlighted as a great at-home movie night.

Irish Language & TikTok: An Irish TikToker’s “order food in Irish” challenge has racked up ~11m views, with most restaurants apologising they can’t speak Irish and one user mocking him to “speak English.” Stage & Screen: Sadie Sink and Tom Fletcher lead nominations for the Stage Debut Awards, with Irish actor Brendan Gleeson also among the contenders. Comedy in Dublin: Michelle Wolf’s “Page To Stage 3” follows her Irish countryside writing trip, culminating in the “Irish Courage” stand-up special filmed at Liberty Hall. Music & Live Events: The Corrs have cancelled their Abu Dhabi concert; meanwhile, Music on the Mall returns Aug 27 with live acts and local vendors. Sport Spotlight: PV Sindhu reaches BWF World Championships quarter-finals with a straight-games win, and Rory McIlroy says progress at the BMW Championship is the real goal. Community & Culture: Waterford Gaeltacht na nDéise faces a housing crisis, with locals warning nothing is moving fast enough on the ground.

RTÉ & Sport: Katie Taylor’s farewell fight at Croke Park on September 5 will be shown live on RTÉ 2, RTÉ Player and 2FM, with 80,000 expected in the sold-out stadium as she takes on Flora Pili. Arts & Culture (Ireland): Westmeath’s Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh won Rose of Tralee 2026, using the stage to spotlight alopecia and her Hair Loss Haven work. Music (Ireland): Cork gets a new Michael English show at Cork Opera House on September 16, with Foster & Allen’s Mick Foster as special guest. Film (Ireland connection): RTÉ One premieres “An Irish Atlantic Rainforest,” a two-part series about Eoghan Daltun’s West Cork rainforest restoration. Food & Drink (Cork): Blas na hÉireann 2026 finalists include 51 Cork producers heading to Dingle for the October awards. Local Arts (Dublin): Galway glass artists are featured in “Of Sand & Ash” at the National Design & Craft Gallery, running to October 24. Music Tech: Spotify’s Playlist Notes now lets playlist editors explain their picks to listeners, with editors gaining public profiles. Irish Entertainment Dispatch pick: Katie Taylor at Croke Park is the big homegrown TV moment this week.

Music & Film Loss: ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died aged 77, with the band cancelling upcoming shows after tributes from Billy Gibbons. TV & Streaming: Channel 4 is keeping Married at First Sight UK’s next run “on ice” after Panorama-linked allegations triggered Ofcom investigations and removal from streaming. Irish Language Live: TG4 returns to Electric Picnic with Beo ón Electric Picnic (Aug 30), bringing Gaeilge performances from HipHap Gaelach, Rua Rí, Clada, Burnchurch, Bog Bodies and more. Irish Pop Culture: Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger, by Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight, drops in cinemas Sept 11 and follows Liam and Noel’s reunion tour including their Croke Park nights. Irish Spotlight: Rose of Tralee crowns Westmeath’s Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, who spoke openly about living with alopecia. Road Safety & Tragedy: A wrong-way M9 crash killed five teenage boys; three sisters and a seven-year-old were pictured with catastrophic injuries as joyriding claims swirl. Tech & Audio: Spotify’s Running Mode lands on Android for Premium users, matching playlists to workout pace and mood.