8 Of Our Favourite Things in Ireland Lately
We couldn’t let some of our favourite things fall through the cracks, from footballers in the rink up north to rappers in Irish faux fur, here are some bits to dig into that we’ve been enjoying lately.
Merchy Christmas
Now is the time to get your hands on that hoodie you’ve been wanting for so long. The Mecca of Irish merch, with over 35 of Ireland’s biggest artists are coming together for a two-day market, selling records and merchandise with free admission. From 16-17 December at The Grand Social, support artists such as Gemma Dunleavy, John Francis Flynn, Gilla Band, Lankum, Kojaque and many more.
Paul Lynch Wins Booker Prize
Irish international acclaim in the arts seems to be at an all-time high and Irish author Paul Lynch winning one of the most prestigious awards in world literature ice the cherry on top. His award-winning novel Prophet Song details a dystopian future for an Irish family as their nation slips into becoming a totalitarian state.
The Return of Dream Baby Dream
The celebration of Irish filmography is returning in the new year, exhibiting three stunningly shot Irish short films all in 16mm. Returning on 17 January, three filmmakers are collaborating with prominent Irish musicians, in the Stellar Cinema in aid of the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund. Grab tickets here.
Petr Čech on Ice Up North
Lets be real, nobody’s 2023 bingo card had one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time taking to the ice in Belfast. The Chelsea legend appeared for the Belfast Giants in a charity march against Ukrainian outfit Dnipro Kherson and raising £65,000 for charity in the process. His “dream came true” when he made his pro debut in the British Elite Ice Hockey League, thrashing Glasgow 5-1.
RASHHIIID x Danny Brown
Who better to rock the faux fur than Danny Brown. During her Shoreditch popup, the man himself rocked her unreleased `Raccoon papi hat’. Combined with co-signs from Megan Thee Stallion and Kali Uchis in the past month, RASHHIIID is finishing the year on a high.
Emporium Brick and Mortar
Beloved Dublin streetwear brand has finally breached the physical. Their first retail space on Drury Street is hosting five events across their five-week residency, with some free drinks from Hennessy. After having pop-ups in Japan, selling out in a matter of hours and support from the likes of Nia Archives, a home for the brand is well overdue.
CMAT Nominated For BBC’s Sound of 2024
Is there anything she can’t do? An album, headlining Other Voices, four shows at the Olympia and one in Fairview Park on the horizon, we can barely keep up. And now the artist has been included in the preemptive list for BBC’s sound of 2024 alongside names such as Sekou, Peggy Gou and Olivia Dean.
Thom Dehli’s 51 Track Tape
Who needs an advent calendar when you can wake up and bump 2 tracks of underground goodness a day til Santy comes? One of the most prolific producers from the Irish underground dropped a 51 track tape with features from Dublin’s Curtisy, Brum rapper Tony Bontana and more. Get a hot whiskey and dig into the Kerry artist’s meandering care package of good music. Listen here.
