AGP Executive Report

Mental Health Support: Samaritans Awareness Day is set for Friday, with volunteers urging anyone in crisis to call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or email jo@samaritans.ie. Local Arts Funding: Mayo’s small-scale festivals and summer schools get a €9,855 boost, including Castlebar Music Festival (€2,500) and grants for Achill, Ballina and Foxford events. TV & Irish Drama: RTÉ confirms a second series of Marian Keyes’ The Walsh Sisters, starring Cork actress Máiréad Tyers, with production now underway. Fashion in Dublin: Dior designer Jonathan Anderson will bring Dior’s Fall 2027 show to Trinity College Dublin on December 4. Music & Community: Cork’s Spirit of Mother Jones Festival kicks off today with choirs and unplugged singing, while West Cork’s Skibbereen Arts Festival launches an eco-arts national tour, Dinnseanchas. Sport on Screen: All-Ireland football final weekend is here, with camogie semis also on RTÉ2 and TG4/YouTube coverage for other finals. Airport News: Dublin Airport Authority settles a defamation case with journalist Phelim McAleer and apologises over deleted X posts about an alleged terminal evacuation.

Irish TV & drama: RTÉ has confirmed KIN is back for a third season, with Emmett J Scanlan celebrating the news online. Music & culture: Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell says they once tried to “give away” their song America before it became a number one hit. Fashion & lifestyle: Ireland AM’s Muireann O’Connell wowed viewers in a Marks & Spencer black bodycon dress, with green heels as the pop of colour. Sport (Ireland): Bohemians sealed a Europa Conference League win at Dalymount with Ross Tierney’s late rocket, while Derry City’s Michael Duffy is pushing for European group-stage progress against Rijeka. Arts & theatre: Brian Warfield’s new musical Celtic Exodus opens in Dublin’s Mansion House this week, billed as a famine-era family saga with 20 original songs. Media industry: NUJ warns Reach is accelerating job cuts after financial results, putting Irish Daily Mirror and other titles at risk.

Irish Sport Streaming: Roscommon’s All-Ireland U18 ‘A’ final vs Cork is set for Saturday (4pm) with the A and B deciders streamed live on Spórt TG4’s YouTube, while the ‘C’ final heads to LGFA Facebook. Travel & Trade: Trafalgar is inviting a small group of agents into its Trailblazers scheme, with two UK & Ireland spots, for early hands-on experience of new tours ahead of launch. Food & Hospitality: Camille is expanding with a British-and-Irish focused restaurant opening in Farringdon in late autumn, led by Tom Hill, Clare Lattin and head chef Elliot Hashtroudi. TV Casting: EastEnders’ Nicholas Bailey is heading to Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap for its 75th anniversary touring run across the UK and Ireland. Entertainment Casting Call: Gogglebox Ireland is back on Virgin Media Television and is recruiting new “sofa stars” and families (with 12+ members) for the next series. Music & Heritage: Ernest Ball—composer of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”—was born on July 22, 1878, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Rathmines Heritage: An Post’s old art-deco post office in Rathmines is being dismantled, with the iconic Milner’s safe wheeled out as the branch closes early and reopens nearby in a new permanent home. GAA Management: Tipperary have ratified Liam Cahill as senior hurling manager for another three years, keeping him in charge through to the end of the 2029 season. Streaming & Comedy: Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie lands on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ in the US on July 24, with both series seasons also dropping the same day. Irish Sport on the Move: Shamrock Rovers face a tough Champions League task after a 2-0 away defeat to Ararat-Armenia, conceding two soft goals. Music & Culture: Belfast’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is set to turn a North Street car park into a pop-up Fleadh hub for eight days of music, sessions and street performances. Arts & Film: The Odyssey continues to spark debate and viewer “nightmare fuel” talk after its big-screen run.

Human Rights & Accountability: The Irish Council of Civil Liberties says it’s “very concerned” after gardaí posted (and later deleted) an image of four men detained while lying on the ground, with the ICCL questioning the “potentially humiliating” circumstances. Arts & Activism: Armagh artist John B. Vallely’s Féile an Phobail exhibition “From Wounded Knee to Gaza” runs 30 July–7 August in St Mary’s University College, with a special film screening and panel on 6 August. TV Buzz: Olivia Colman is teased for season 6 of Disney+ crime hit Only Murders in the Building after fans spotted her on set. Music & Touring: Delta Goodrem announces a UK and Europe tour for early 2027, including Dublin dates, following Eurovision success. Sports Spotlight: Limerick captain Cian Lynch is hailed as “the best hurler” by Aaron Gillane after the All-Ireland SHC final win over Galway. Student Cost of Living: A UCD student says Dublin’s “hidden costs” make it one of the most expensive cities for students. Policy & Money: Tánaiste Simon Harris says Irish savers are “screwed over” by punitive tax and low interest rates, outlining a new state savings scheme. International Entertainment: Seabourn marks its 40th anniversary with the Ruby Collection of 54 curated voyages opening for booking.

Irish Culture & Diplomacy: Canada and Ireland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost cultural cooperation under the Canada–Ireland 180 initiative, with funding potentially reaching $2m each and exchanges planned for 2027. GAA Community: Louth’s new Dundalk stadium will be named The Edward Goodman Park, with the Goodman Foundation also backing a sensory room in the later phase. Limerick Homecoming: Limerick hurlers are set for a big public celebration in Pery Square, with DJ Mark McCabe and other acts marking the Liam MacCarthy win. Music & Live Events: The Undertones announce 50th anniversary tour dates including Belfast and Derry, plus more stops across Ireland. Boxing at 3Arena: Zuffa Boxing adds Irish fighters Joe Ward and Connor Coyle to its Aug. 8 Dublin card. Film Buzz: The first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday drops ahead of its Dec. 18 cinema release. TV/Comedy: Peter Doherty and Josh Pugh team up for the new YouTube comedy series The Pete Doherty Show.

All-Ireland Hurling Homecomings: Galway hurlers are set for a Ballinasloe and Pearse Stadium welcome today after losing to Limerick, while Limerick’s champions head to Pery Square for a Monday homecoming with entertainment from DJ Mark McCabe and singer Gearoid McCarthy. Music & Live Shows: The Jacksons add a Dublin 3Arena date (Nov 15) with Sister Sledge support, and Gracie Abrams drops two bonus tracks from Daughter From Hell plus a major European run including Dublin. Festival Season: Forest Fest 2026 returns to Emo, Co Laois (July 24–26) with Echo & The Bunnymen, Madness and a dedicated traditional music stage. Irish Culture & Language: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann puts Irish front and centre in Belfast with an Irish Language Hub at the MAC. Sport on Screen: The Rest Is Football is back on Netflix for the Premier League season, with Euro 2028 coverage planned for UK & Ireland. Value Fashion: Penneys/Primark-style pricing moves hit shoppers, with Primark cutting hundreds of lines under an “Iconic Value” push. Tourism Investment: Westport Estate’s €65.5m redevelopment gets underway with Fáilte Ireland funding. Community Casting Call: The National Dairy Council seeks a boy (7–12) from Roscommon to play “Seání” in a new autumn campaign. Safety Reminder: CCPC warns that many air fryer owners don’t clean them often enough.

Box Office Buzz: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey roared out of the gate with a record-breaking $264m global debut, including a huge UK & Ireland lead, as the Imax-shot epic turns into a major cinema event. World Cup Drama: FIFA is set to review the much-booed “hydration” (now “tactics”) break after fans complained at every match, with Spain’s final win over Argentina still sparking debate. Irish Sport Spotlight: Limerick’s John Kiely praised the side’s tactical intelligence after a dominant All-Ireland hurling final over Galway, while Galway boss Micheál Donoghue admitted they “never got into the pitch” of it. Local News: A man in his 20s was arrested after a car struck several people during a public order incident in Skerries, leaving four injured. Music & Theatre: Majella Cullagh talks about stepping into The Sound of Music as Mother Abbess at Cork Opera House. EU Health Watch: The EU’s proposed supplement vitamin/mineral limits are reigniting the fight between consumer safety and industry pushback.

All-Ireland Hurling Final: Galway take on Limerick at Croke Park today (3.30pm) in a huge Liam MacCarthy decider, with Galway chasing a first final win since 2017 and Limerick aiming for another title run. Local TV/Heritage Clash: Fáilte Ireland stepped in after OPW refused filming plans for The Traitors at Knowth and Dowth in Co Meath, with officials warning “creative storytelling” could undermine sensitive heritage. Social Media Disruption: Meta’s Instagram and Facebook went down for users worldwide Sunday morning, with Irish reports of login and site-access issues. Irish Arts Spotlight: A new Gradam Solais award launched in memory of Moya Brennan, offering a €5,000 bursary and commissioned artwork. Music & Screen: Niall Horan postponed a US show due to severe weather; Netflix’s The Fall is being hailed as a top-tier Belfast-set thriller. Fashion/Policy: The EU’s new ban targets big firms destroying unsold clothes, pushing resale, repurpose or donation. Sports Culture: Young Matilda casting for the UK & Ireland tour has been revealed ahead of its Norwich Theatre Royal run.

Irish Screen Loss: Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker has died at 81 in Dublin, the first Irish performer to win an Academy Award for My Left Foot and also famed for the “pigeon lady” role in Home Alone 2. TV & Quiz Craze: Darragh ‘The Menace’ Ennis is bringing The Chase Around the World to Ireland this September, with the RTÉ-style quiz spin-off airing Thursdays on Virgin Media. Sport Spotlight (Ireland): Kerry dethroned Dublin to book a TG4 All-Ireland final date with Galway, while Galway’s Kate Geraghty credits “new energy” for their surge into the decider. Music & Community: Hundreds in Dublin dressed as Kate Bush to perform Wuthering Heights in Fairview Park, raising €3,500 for Women’s Aid. Showbiz Abroad (Irish link): Rosie O’Donnell says she may return to the US after moving to Ireland, citing family and mental health. Weather Watch: Cork’s heatwave is easing, with rain expected to return next weekend.

All-Ireland Hurling: Limerick boss John Kiely says “renewed vigour” is behind the Treaty’s return to Croke Park as they chase another Liam MacCarthy, while Galway manager Micheál Donoghue insists his younger squad has “a good few years ahead” after a remarkable run. Irish Film & TV: Oscar-winning Dublin actress Brenda Fricker has died at 81; the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award for My Left Foot and the “pigeon lady” from Home Alone 2 leaves a huge legacy across stage, TV and Hollywood. Music & Culture: EVA International’s 50th anniversary has named Platform Commissions artists for 2027, including Limerick creatives Shirani Bolle and Mícheál Keating. Community & Heritage: Ballintubber Heritage Week runs through July 26 with talks, stalls, music and family-friendly events. Sport Controversy: New Zealand’s Luke Jacobson escaped a red card after a dangerous clearout incident vs Ireland, sparking anger over the punishment.

Irish Screen Loss: Oscar-winning Dublin actress Brenda Fricker has died aged 81, remembered for My Left Foot and the “Pigeon Lady” role in Home Alone 2, with tributes noting her humanity and authenticity. Irish TV & Streaming: Prime Video’s romantic drama Boys of Tommen is adding Eoin Macken, Amy Huberman, Róisín Gallagher, Jamie Schneider and James Craven to its Cork-set cast, with production already underway in Ireland. Live Music in Dublin: Sunny Day Real Estate announce an Irish debut at The Grand Social on August 6, with the band bringing new album Novum Vetus to a Dublin crowd. Local Gigs to Win: Bulmers Live at Leopardstown confirms SexyTadhg as closing-night headliner (July 23) and runs a premium lounge package competition. Sport Spotlight (GAA): Shamrock Rovers edge Cork City in the FAI Cup to reach the third round after extra-time drama. Rugby Night in Auckland: All Blacks vs Ireland at Eden Park tonight (7.10pm) headlines the Nations Championship finale, with Ireland chasing a rare win at the fortress.

All-Ireland Hurling Final: Limerick and Galway meet at Croke Park on Sunday (3.30pm) with team news already out: Limerick recall captain Cian Lynch and make two changes, while Galway name an unchanged starting line-up after their Cork semi-final win. Nations Championship Rugby: Ireland head to Eden Park, Auckland, to face the All Blacks in Week 3 of the July Nations Championship, with kick-off listed for 5.10pm AEST / 8.10am BST; squads include Hugo Keenan, Rob Baloucoune and Sam Prendergast for Ireland. Soap & Screen: Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard says she’s finished her final radiotherapy session after her breast cancer diagnosis, sharing an emotional update with fans. Music Spotlight: Fermanagh singer-songwriter Jake Carter releases new single “All That I Need Is You”, continuing his run of original tracks alongside touring. Tech & Industry: Intel confirms a €5.7bn investment in Ireland, expanding Leixlip chip production, while Spotify rolls out a more conversational AI assistant for Premium users. Streaming & TV Picks: This week’s viewing includes Apple TV’s “The Dink” and Channel 4’s “Wicked Little Letters,” plus World Cup coverage details for Irish audiences.

Rugby (Ireland): Andy Farrell has restored key senior names for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test at Eden Park, with Dan Sheehan captaining and Robert Baloucoune, Joe McCarthy and James Ryan back in the mix as Ireland aim to defend their Eden Park record. Europa League (Derry): Derry City’s Europa tie with CSKA Sofia was briefly halted after supporter clashes at Brandywell, with play stopped for around 15 minutes as fans were forced to safety; CSKA won 2-1 on the night. Arts (Boyle): Boyle Arts Festival kicks off today with a ten-day programme, with Mary Coughlan officially launching the event and returning for a special concert on Friday. Sport (UFC): Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 comeback was a ratings hit despite his early exit, with almost 16m tuning in at peak and fans already debating what’s next. Showbiz (Ireland): TV and music fans get a fresh Ireland angle as Patrick Treacy drops a new country single, “Paddy’s On The Move Again.” Justice (Ireland): Minister Jim O’Callaghan says gardaí may still be able to question Jamey Carney murder suspect Ahmad Al-Saqar despite no extradition deal with Jordan. Tech/AI (sex & media): A new debate piece argues AI is set to reshape adult content and its knock-on effects on society and therapy.

All-Ireland Hurling (Ladies): Galway and Armagh meet in the senior ladies semi-final at Pearse Park, Longford (3.15pm, TG4), with Galway chasing a Croke Park decider after past heartbreak and Armagh bringing fresh threats. European Football: Bohemians’ Darragh Power says it’s “hard to put your finger” on what makes Dalymount special as they aim to see out their Conference League tie in Gibraltar. Choral & Community Music: Sing Ireland selects a new Irish Youth Choir line-up, with concerts in Limerick (Fri) and Dublin (Sat). Cork Live Music for Older People: Healthcare Hoolies returns to Cork hospitals and care settings, expanding into libraries for the summer. Film & TV (Streaming): This week’s picks include “Heartstopper Forever” and new releases featuring Steve Lacy and Anya Taylor-Joy’s “Lucky.” Arts & Policy: Danny O’Donoghue backs a Dáil motion to protect Irish artists from AI copyright theft. Tech & Industry (Ireland): Intel announces a €5bn Leixlip expansion to boost Xeon production for AI demand. Charity Spotlight: A 5-year-old from Cork donates 20 inches of hair for sick children’s wigs and raises funds for Make-A-Wish Ireland.

Irish Arts & Culture: Dublin Theatre Festival 2026 has unveiled its programme, with Ruth Negga leading the bill and more major names set to appear. Music & Community: The Pogues’ Spider Stacy talks about bringing The band back on the road for a new live run, sparked by renewed interest after Shane MacGowan’s death. Film & Streaming: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is being widely praised ahead of release, with reviews calling it his best work to date. Sports & Irish Identity: RTÉ GAA podcast guest Shane McGrath says the All-Ireland final “wall of noise” is unlike anything players can prepare for, while Elaine Dowds reflects on being a woman managing in a male-dominated inter-county camogie world. Local Spotlight: Tributes are paid as Stephen Corrigan steps down as chair of the NUJ’s Irish Executive Council, with Carolyn Farrar elected as the new chair. Fashion & Summer Life: A farm-fashion trend is taking off during Ireland’s heatwave, with shorts replacing wellies for some rural routines. Boxing: Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn is confirmed for Sept 12, with Paramount+ streaming worldwide (excluding UK & Ireland).