Irish Times Off Topic

Last week, we got out of the Off Topic studio and went on the road to the Electric Picnic. The Irish Times tent in the Mindfield section played host a series of talks on TV, film, sports and media. Today will be having a listen to some of the best bits. First up, it's the inner workings of a much-envied job: sports writing. Gavin Cummiskey and Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times and Sinead O'Carroll, news editor of the journal.ie talk about reporting on Rio, the fallout from the scandal surrounding Pat Hickey and alleged ticket touting, doping in sport, and the art in conveying the experience of sports people in their crucial moment of victory. Our next discussion focused on writing for television and film, and features Sarah Francis, who was previously story editor for Fair City, and Louise Ní Fhiannachta, the director of Epic, TG4 groundbreaking Irish TV drama, and the award-winning short movie “Rubai”. She has also written for Ros na Rún and Irish language drama Seacht. The discuss just how much work goes into TV drama. The Fair City Story Room, for example, works 50 weeks a year, creating storylines for 200 episodes. The also talk about what Netflix and Amazon mean for making TV and the format of TV shows, the role of showrunners here and abroad, and discuss the national past time of slagging off RTE. And finally on today's show Irish times arts writes discuss the joys and the frustrations of writing about culture. You'll hear from Laurence Mackin, Una Mullally, Patrick Freyne and, Peter Crawley and Louise Bruton. How do you review an album you;ve only heard once? How do you stay impartial in a country as small as Ireland? And what happens when you make a critical judgement and realise you've got it wrong? And finally, a sad announcement: this is the final episode of Off Topic, at least for now. Thanks very much to all our listeners, participants and to everyone who gave feedback on the show.

On this week's Off Topic podcast, we look at the business end of the Irish music industry. How difficult is it for new artists to become visible? How can they make money? and is talent alone enough to succeed? To answer these questions and many more, host Laurence Mackin is joined by DJ and music journalist Niall Byrne, musician Rhob Cunningham, Faction Records boss Ken Allen and Eleanor McGuinness of Pitch & Smith entertainment agency.

Do Irish people feel cherished? Is honesty of expression always encouraged in this country? Founder of Trailblazery Kathy Scott endeavored to answer these questions by conducting a 'Census of the Heart' . On this week's Off Topic, Kathy joins host Laurence Mackin, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland Colm O'Gorman, screenwriter and actor Stefanie Preissner and Shane Kelly from the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy to talk about the project's findings, and engage in a frank discussion of our nation's psyche.

Don't try to be funny!!! This week's Off Topic riffs on the theme of improvisation in comedy. To discuss its lineage and place in comedy writing for stage and screen, Laurence Mackin is joined by actor and improviser Danny Kehoe, improv teacher Neil Curran and Irish Times writer Patrick Freyne. Comedian Alison Spittle joins us on the line from Edinburgh to give us her take on the Fringe Fest, and how improv fits in to her show there.

New documentary "Bobby Sands: 66 Days" goes on general release today, and its maker Brendan J Byrne is in studio with Hugh Linehan and Fintan O'Toole to talk about how his film challenges the easy narratives surrounding the hunger striker - to the displeasure of some. Also in studio is Henrietta Norton, whose documentary Born and Reared examines the lives of men and the lingering effects of conflict in communities in Northern Ireland.

On this instalment of Off Topic, host Laurence Mackin welcomes writers Sarah Maria Griffin, Caomhan Keane and Rosie Gogan-Keogh into the podcast studio to discuss the pristine 'Spielbergian' tropes of Netflix's latest success Stranger Things, the inherent nostalgia of Pokemon Go, and the fickle nature of the internet mob as experienced by teen fashion vlogger Marina Joyce.

What is fun? Are you having much fun? Does the thought of having fun fill you with disgust? Michael Foley, author of a new book on the subject Isn't This Fun?Investigating the Serious Business of Enjoying Ourselves endeavours to answer these questions. Host Hugh Linehan admits to treating the whole idea of "fun" with a healthy amount of suspicion, Michael assures Hugh he is not alone in this and after much research on the topic believes he has found core reasons for the basic human need for fun.

West Coast music is in rude health according to Dean Van Nguyen. Artists like Kamasi Washington, Flying Lotus and Kendrick Lamar are releasing fresh and vital albums packed with musical experimentation and a keen social conscience. Dean joins host Laurence Mackin and guests, chief theatre critic with the Irish Times Peter Crawley and journalist Zara Hedderman to discuss the musical heritage and sonic appeal of that "LA sound", and how these works have breathed new life into contemporary jazz and hip-hop. Waiting for Godot is a play Peter Crawley knows well - too well. New productions of Beckett's absurdist play pop up on a regular basis. Having thought the play had no more mystery or revelations to offer, Peter "stumbled out in disbelief" at the impact of Druid Theatre's latest production of Godot at the Galway International Arts Festival. Describing it as "exceptional and miraculous", he endeavours to explain to the podcast why it had such a profound effect on him. And finally, the successful bid for European Capital of Culture 2020 has gone to Galway. Gemma Tipton joins us on the line from Galway to discuss the "joy and tears" and no small amount of excitement that this announcement has brought to the city.

Beyoncé Knowles is fast approaching twenty years in the business. First coming to attention as part of the hugely successful and consistent girl group phenomenon Destiny's Child, her transition to multi-platinum solo artist was seamless and logical. Some six albums in and Beyoncé, much like Motown artists of old, has taken a more personal and socially conscious approach to her art. On today's podcast Laurence Mackin invites pop music aficionados Jen Gannon, Louise Bruton and Seamas O'Reilly to pore over the career trajectory of one of today's more compelling pop stars, from the Destiny's Child hit machine to her solo success and her latest effort 'Lemonade', a so-called "visual album" that takes a look at where Beyoncé is from and where she is going.

The Brexit effect seems to have cast a shadow of confusion and foreboding over most industries in this country and the culture sector is no different. To discuss the implications for Irish music and film and what it means for the long-established relationship of collaboration with our UK neighbours, Laurence Mackin is joined by Irish Times film critic Donald Clarke and CEO of First Music Contact Angela Dorgan. In part two Laura Slattery discusses Rupert Murdoch's takeover of Belfast based Wireless Group and with it several Irish radio stations including FM104 and Q102. While seen as a good deal for both parties, will this make any difference to Irish listening habits?

To mark Impact Journalism Day, Hugh Linehan meets some people involved in projects aimed at creating sustainable social change. First Hugh chats with NCAD graduate Mark O'Meara's project is a novel solution to the problem of how to help homeless people shy away from handing over small change Then he sits down with Paul O'Hara of ChangeX, a "platform of proven ideas for anyone who wants to strengthen their community", Tony Geoghegan of the Merchant's Quay drug harm prevention project, and Sarah Keane CEO of Swim Ireland to talk about their experience in changing people's lives for the better.

Una Mullally speaks with Moby about his life and music.

In the wake of last week's mass shooting in Orlando's Pulse nightlcub, Off Topic takes a look at the role of gay clubs and LGBT spaces and how they've changed. Laurence Mackin hosts a panel discussion with three guests who play a pivotal role in Ireland's LGBT community - journalist, activist and columnist Una Mullally, events manager and club promoter Buzz O'Neill and journalist, activist and founder of The Irish Queer Archive Tonie Walsh.

This week the Stanford case reopened the debate about the prevalence of sexual violence against women and the treatment, in court and in society, of victims and perpetrators. Publicly, all men condemn sexual violence, but what are they doing to bring the culture that encourages it to an end? Not nearly enough, say feminists, writers and friends Sarah Maria Griffin and Roe McDermott. They are joined on today's podcast by veteran court reporter Conor Gallagher, who talks about the experiences of perpetrators and victims in our own courts of law.

Irish Times political correspondent Harry McGee, a native speaker and supporter of Irish, was one of the many who disagreed with Irish Times feature writer Rosita Boland's column this week, in which she complained she was made to learn a language for which she had "no aptitude, absolutely no interest in, and no choice about". Harry and Rosita are in studio today to debate the merits of her arguments.

"Unsteady foundations - imposing something new on something old" ; this goes some way to describing the challenges and opportunities presented by the destruction in Dublin's city centre following the 1916 Rising. On this edition of the Off Topic podcast Hugh Linehan is joined by architectural and cultural historian Ellen Rowley and archaeologist Frank Myles to discuss the positives and negatives of rebuilding Dublin following the Rising.

One of the best known campaigners for civil rights of his day, a knighted poet, a gay man, a nationalist, a rebel: the life of Roger Casement's provides more than enough fodder for a big screen treatment. Exploring what such a movie would be like is the idea behind a new exhibition at IMMA, The Humaniser, by artist Simon Fujiwara. Screenwriter Michael Lesslie, who worked on the project, talks with Laurence Mackin about Roger Casement and the primacy of themes over facts in dramatisations of real lives. Lesslie also talks about his work on the new Assassin's Creed movie and an intriguing new writing project, blending fact and history in New Orleans. In part two: how can libraries survive and thrive in an age where texts of all kinds are multiplying at a dizzying rate and can be spread and shared in the digital space? The changing concept of the modern library was the focus of ‘Library Futures' Symposium at Trinity College Dublin this week. Hugh Linehan talks with speakers Richard Ovenden of Oxford University's prestigious Bodley Library and and Helen Shelton of Trinity College.

Eurovision fever has gripped the Off Topic podcast this week despite Nicky Byrne's failure to make the final. Laurence Mackin is joined in studio by Eurovision diehards Hugh Linehan and Laura Slattery with Patrick Freyne joining us on the line from Stockholm where it's all going down. In part two Donald Clarke reports from the 69th annual Cannes film festival where Woody Allen is making headlines for his private life aswell as his latest film which opens this year's festival. Laurence and Hugh are in studio to offer their take on this most influential of film events.

By dropping the N-word on Twitter, Gerry Adams inadvertently drew attention to a contested view of history: that the experiences of Irish people, from Plantation-era deportees to nationalists during The Troubles, are equally as unjust as those of African Americans throughout the history of the United States. Literary Editor of The Irish Times Fintan O'Toole is on the line to discuss this story with Hugh Linehan.

Patrick Freyne spent a Friday embedded with Ryan Tubridy and the The Late Late Show team, observing how they prepare for the night ahead. He joins Laurence, media columnist Laura Slattery and former TLLS researcher Donal Scannell to pull back the curtain on all the pizzazz and look at the evolution of this most familiar of Irish programmes. In part two: a new documentary tells the story of how Ireland has squandered its marine resources of fish and oil. Director Risteard Ó Domhnaill speaks to Laurence and Irish Times Marine Correspondent Lorna Siggins about what's at stake for the nation and particularly for communities on the Western seaboard.

Irish Times music critic Jim Carroll and Brian Spollen of MCD join Hugh to look at the tremendous body of work left behind by Prince, who died yesterday at the untimely age of 57. In part two Laurence Mackin and guests mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. Actors Derbhle Crotty and Aaron Monaghan of the award-winning DruidShakespeare project and Irish Times theatre critic Peter Crawley are in studio to discuss the Bard's enduring legacy.

Is technology enhancing or diluting the live music experience? To discuss this and a variety of other music-related topics Laurence Mackin is joined in studio by musician Daniel Anderson, Sorca McGrath of the band Ships and Irish Times writer and some time musician Patrick Freyne. Will we ever see a new film? In part two Laurence asks film critic Tara Brady and Patrick Freyne about the now accepted trend of retreading and remaking an almost endless list of films and television shows.

Enda Walsh, one of Ireland's best-loved contemporary playwrights, pops in to talk about the unexpected new form his contemporary opera, The Last Hotel, has taken: the critically acclaimed dark drama has been filmed and will be televised next week on Sky Arts. Also in studio is Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, talking about the challenges of commercial arts television programming. In part two: for most a nightmare in glass and concrete, Hawkins House, familiar to anyone familiar with Dublin city centre, won't be missed when it is demolished. But what about the other brutal 'concrete monstrosities' between Pearse Street and the Liffey's south bank? Hugh takes a stroll with architectural historian Dr Ellen Rowley to see if they can be rehabilitated.

Virtual reality has always been about to arrive, and today is no different. But with the release of the futuristic-sounding Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR systems (and the not so futuristic Google Cardboard) you might be forgiven for believing that VR's time has finally come. Although it is apparently impossible to explain to someone what it's like to use these systems until they try for themselves, early adopters Eoghan Kidney and Kenneth Killeen are in studio to give it a try, and to explain how it's genuinely about to change all our lives. In part two Laura Slattery and Jim Carroll perform an autopsy on the lifeless corpse of radio station TXFM, formerly Phantom, whose owners decided not to bother extending their licence this week. What went wrong?

Who fears to speak of rebel songs, who blushes at the name? We certainly don't on this special installment of Off Topic, joining Ronan McGreevy to discuss the appeal and poetry of the Irish rebel song are Irish traditional singer Jerry O'Reilly, noted historian Catriona Crowe and musician and scholar Mick Moloney. Fintan O'Toole also joins us on the line to talk about the enduring appeal of Bryan MacMahon's ballad The Valley of Knockanure.

First up Jim Carroll joins us on the line from Austin, Texas to give his take on the sights and sounds of this year's SxSW and what the Irish contingent have contributed to the festival this time around. In part two Laurence Mackin interviews celebrated sound recordist Chris Watson, best known for his work on David Attenborough's beloved nature documentaries. From getting into trouble trying to capture the howls of hyenas, recording animals on the edge of extinction, creating the imagined sounds of mythical island Hy Brasil with all its imaginary flora and fauna, to more mundane subjects like the house sparrows in his own back garden, Chris's fascination with the natural world is truly contagious. Chris was on town for a performance of Hy Brasil as one of the Santa Rita concerts at The Little Museum of Dublin.

Once director John Carney is in studio to discuss his new musical film Sing Street, an homage to his youth growing up in the 1980's Dublin. He is joined by Angela Dorgan of the Hard Working Class Heroes music festival. They discuss the role of music both in movies and in the day to day lives of young people, and how the pop of the 1980s helped cut through the occasional dreariness of life in Ireland. Sing Street is released on March 17th. Off Topic is a weekly arts and culture podcast from The Irish Times.

House of Cards, Yes Minister, The Thick of It - we love TV shows that draw back the curtain on political life, from the shady and malevolent to the ridiculous and downright incompetent. But how realistic is any of it? Two people with experience of the power game, former MP and 'A Very British Coup' author Chis Mullin and former Fianna Fáil political advisor Richard Moore, join Patrick Freyne and Laurence Mackin to give their insider perspective. In part two Patrick pays tribute to Coronation Street and its creator Tony Warren, who died this week aged 79.

Moratorium Day-dodging satirist Oliver Callan sits down with Laurence Mackin to talk about the election campaign, his controversial Sun column and the changing personas of our politicians. In part two, Donald Clarke is on the line from LA where he is covering the Oscars for The Irish Times.

Donald Clarke is joined in studio by co-founder of Element Pictures and producer of four time Oscar nominee Room, Ed Guiney, Director of Mammal, Rebecca Daly, Director of Viva, Paddy Breathnach and James Hickey from the Irish Film Board to discuss the recent upsurge in fortunes of Irish films abroad, culminating in an unprecedented seven Oscar nominations. What are we doing right? Where do we go from here? And why are there so few women in Irish film production posts?

Leaving politics aside, how enjoyable was the leaders debate last night and are such debates worthwhile? Should points be awarded for zingers, and should the overall loser be slimed? To discuss Laurence Mackin is joined in studio by Hugh Linehan and Patrick Freyne. In part two Laurence speaks with music producer Ian Brennan about his new project I Have No Everything Here, a Grammy-nominated album recorded by inmates of a maximum security prison in Malawi.

TCD student's union president Lynn Ruane talks with host Laurence Mackin about formative experiences that led her to support mandatory sexual consent classes. And journalists Laura Slattery and Louise Bruton discuss the challenges facing the new Director General of RTE and how it can compete with the vast array of content available to it viewers. They also talk about the potential of new cable channel Viceland, borne out of the success of Vice's diverse and prolific documentary output. The channel promises restricted air-time for advertisement and a host of celebrated contributors.

25 years after the establishment of Temple Bar Properties for the regeneration of area, a leaked report suggests it is "besieged by anti-social behaviour" and that it's culture may be "barely apparent". Is there a problem in Temple Bar, or has its purpose just changed? Meanwhile in Smithfield, the imminent closure of Ireland's "Largest Independent Cultural Space", Block T, raises questions about the sustainability of cultural initiatives in the post-crash city. What kind of city do Dubliners want? On today's panel: Willie White of Dublin Theatre Festival, Laura Dovn of Block T, Irish Times Arts Editor Laurence Mackin. The show is hosted by Fionn Davenport.

Is writing about the lives of others a morally dubious enterprise? Novelist and essayist Andrew O'Hagan's subjects have included missing persons and deceased children long forgotten to all but their parents. In discussion with Hugh Linehan and Fionn Davenport he says that life stories belongs to everyone, not just the people who live them - or their loved ones. Andrew O'Hagan spoke at The Theatre of Change Symposium which is running today and tomorrow at the Abbey Theatre. The schedule is available here: https://www.abbeytheatre.ie/images/uploads/user/resources/The_Theatre_of_Change_Symposium_Schedule_2016.pdf

Lenny Abrahamson discusses his Oscar nomination for Room, the Irish film industry, that letter he sent to Emma Donoghue and David Bowie's death with Irish Times film critic Tara Brady, Culture Editor Hugh Linehan and host Fionn Davenport.

Fintan O'Toole and Una Mullally join Hugh Linehan to look back at the life of David Bowie in this special edition of Off Topic.

'Rebellion' creator Colin Teevan talks to Fionn, Laurence and Ruth Barton of Trinity College about bringing the women and men of 1916 to life on screen, and the perils of producing period drama. But first Fionn and Laurence have a spoiler free chat about hit Netflix documentary Making a Murderer.

Fionn Davenport, Laurence Mackin and Hugh Linehan host the second special review of highlights from the inaugural year of Off Topic. Featuring the dark days of the Graham Dwyer trial, the dark corners of the internet, debate over how we remember our past and a glorious interview with the legendary Van Morrison.

Fionn, Hugh and Laurence relive some highlights of the podcast in 2015, from the bizarre story of the fake memoir to the deciphering of the meaning hidden in Don Draper's wardrobe.

What would it be like to learn to sing if you can't already do so? Or write a memoir or a song? Or paint a portrait? In January The Irish Times will run a series of articles which giving readers a detailed guide on how to master one artistic skill within the next year. Journalists Gemma Tipton and Catherine Conroy contributed to the series and they discuss it with Fionn and Laurence on today's podcast. After that, Hugh, Fionn and Laurence look at the multitude of end of year lists - music, movies, and books - and identify some interesting patterns.

What do we talk about when we talk about whiteness? Are ideas of race fluid? Are some Irish people still happy to think of themselves as "the blacks of Europe", as Jimmy Rabbitte put it? Irish Times resident philosopher Joe Humphreys visits the studio to grasp this nettle and a few other uncomfortable ideas we really should more think about. In part two: Linda Doyle of Trinity College wants the arts and the language of arts to play a bigger role in science, technology, engineering and maths. She bats the idea about with Fionn and Laurence in the face of some opposition. Plus, what to expect from the new season of hit podcast Serial. ‘Unthinkable: Great Ideas for Now' by Joe Humphreys is available from Irish Times Books: www.irishtimes.com/irishtimesbooks

Irish Times film critic Donald Clarke is in studio to talk with Hugh and Fionn about Star Wars, the oddities of the all-time highest grossing list and why The Force Awakens probably won't make it to the top. They also discuss the Darth of other releases this Christmas - why could that possibly be? - and what makes a good Christmas movie (copying Dickens, essentially). Later on the show: people feel the need to approach journalist and wheelchair user Louise Bruton to ask her about her disability. It's something she is not very pleased about. Her article about it this week in The Irish Times provoked some comment, so she's come to studio to explain a little more.

Fast food doesn't have to be unhealthy or unethical says Michelin-starred chef JP McMahon, who wants to establish a chain of high-quality fast food restaurants. Is such a thing possible? Consumer Affairs correspondent Conor Pope joins Fionn and Hugh to ask JP some questions about his lofty ambition. Later in the show Irish Times TV critic Bernice Harrison pops in to discuss the passionate reaction inspired by Diarmaid Ferriter's scathing review of Tim Pat Coogan's latest book in The Irish Times last Saturday, and how hard it is to be a critic on this small island. Finally there's time for some quick praise of the Brand New Retro book and Danny Boyle's Steve Jobs biopic.

Last week's terrorist attacks in Paris targeted civilians in the streets, in cafes and most infamously in the Bataclan Theatre. Irish Times Paris Correspondent Lara Marlowe and journalist Jeremy Allen are on the line to speak with Fionn about the terrible events that took place there, the history of the theatre, and the challenge for Parisians to resume normal life in their shared spaces. Today's show also features blogger Nialler9 and Aoife Barry of the journal.ie, who discuss and dissect the long awaited new Adele album and consider who deserves this year's Mercury Music award.

In this week's Off Topic podcast Fionn Davenport and Hugh Linehan discuss the proposed rental reforms and the perils of the Irish attitude to property. They're joined by Kitty Holland and DIT lecturer Lorcan Sirr. Later in the podcast they hear more about the Waking the Feminists event in the Abbey Theatre this week with Roise Goan and Sara Keating. Off Topic is a weekly culture and ideas podcast. It is researched by Declan Conlon and produced by Sinead O'Shea.

Technology reporter Karlin Lillington joins Hugh and Laurence for a look back at Web Summit 2015 in an attempt to find middle ground between the cynics and Paddy Cosgrove-bashers on one hand and the everything-is-awesome boosterism on the other. In part two Dr Linda O'Keeffe of Lancaster University has studied the effect of sound on life in our shared spaces. The study has produced some surprising insights, among them the reason Smithfield Square is a teenage wasteland. Plus, Laurence has been reading about a mean trick our reptilian brain plays on us at our most vulnerable moment - after we've been dumped.

In this edition of Off Topic Fionn Davenport and Hugh Linehan interview Prof Roy Foster and Prof Ciaran Brady on the preparations and potency of the 1916 commemoration. Later in the podcast film critic Tara Brady discuss the tedium of Bond and its marketing machine with Hugh and Laurence Mackin. Off Topic is a weekly culture and ideas podcast. It is researched by Declan Conlon and produced by Sinead O'Shea.

In this week's Off Topic Fionn Davenport and Hugh Linehan meet some of the team behind The Queen of Ireland, director Conor Horgan and its star Rory O'Neill aka Panti. They discuss the making of the project and the challenges and excitement of being Panti now. Later in the podcast Fionn and Hugh are joined by writer and former Le Cool Dublin editor Kate Coleman to discuss the recent campaign to re-brand Dublin as a 'breath of fresh air.' Off Topic is a weekly culture and ideas podcast. It is researched by Declan Conlon and produced by Sinead O'Shea.

In this week's edition of Off Topic Fionn Davenport and Laurence Mackin discuss Playboy's decision to remove nudity from its magazine and what this means for the worlds of pornography and publishing. They are joined in studio by Shawna Scott from Sex Siopa.ie Later in the podcast Laurence plays back his public interview with Jamie Bartlett, author of The Dark Net and examines the creativity, scope and danger of unregulated internet use. Off Topic is a weekly culture and ideas podcast. It is researched by Declan Conlon and produced by Sinead O'Shea.

In this episode of Off Topic Hugh Linehan and Fionn Davenport explore hispter foods and their discontents with food writer Catherine Cleary and DIT lecturer in Culinary Arts Dr. Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire. Later in the podcast they discuss the place of philosophy in Irish life with Joe Humphreys and Cathy Barry from NUI Maynooth and whether Irish people are more comfortable to engage more deeply with issues within an artistic context only. Finally Fionn and Hugh celebrate the launch of Facebook's Impressions and Nobel Prize for Literature Winner Svetlana Alexievich. Off Topic is a weekly culture and ideas podcast. It is researched by Declan Conlon and produced by Sinead O'Shea.

In this week's Off Topic podcast Hugh Linehan and Fionn Davenport discuss microaggressions and triggering, issues which are starting to make a serious impact on academic and public discourse. They're joined by UCD academic Mary McAuliffe and writer Roe McDermott. Later in the podcast they're joined by Tonie Walsh, independent curator of the Irish Queer Archive to discuss the comments made by Matt Damon regarding gay actors and their private lives. Off Topic is a weekly culture and ideas podcast. It is researched by Declan Conlon and produced by Sinead O'Shea.