Arena

The Scottish crime writer William McIlvanney was working on The Dark Remains, when he died leaving behind a half-finished manuscript, which Ian Rankin has completed, The Border Game, at the Lyric Theatre, The Dance, documentary maker Pat Collins follows acclaimed choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan & concertina virtuoso Cormac Begley amongst others.

On The Line: Conversations with Sean Scully, is a new book by art critic Kelly Grovier, The First Bad Man, Pan Pan’s Theatre Festival Show is part theatre piece, part book club, Cristin Leach reviews The Crawford Gallery exhibitions, Rembrandt In Print, & Remains, from acclaimed Irish artist, Brian Maguire.

Seán Ó Riada's contribution to Irish music was enormous, his 50th anniversary was celebrated with two concerts, the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Brophy & Peadar Ó Riada teamed up with some of the country's finest musicians & singers, David Burke is the director of the documentary Father of the Cyborgs, album reviews.

Actors Alex Murphy, Catherine Walsh & director Geoff Gould on Philadelphia Here I Come! from October 5th, corkoperahouse.ie , Paul Whitington revisits Daniel Craig's 007, Crime author Stuart Neville's new book, The House of Ashes, the writer Annie Ernaux is considered the great chronicler of French society, Edel Coffey reviews Exteriors.

Gemma Creagh & Michael Pope review films incl Daniel Craig's last outing as Bond in No Time to Die, Uncle Ray from CoisCéim Dance Theatre by David Bolger, looks at father figures, David & Don Rongavilla , this week is traveller pride week, Roads Well Travelled recalls life on the road, Vivian Klieman’s No Straight Lines closes GAZE Film Festival

Cary Fukunaga is the director of No Time to Die, which opens this week in cinemas, Music for Galway celebrates 40 years, Dutch soprano, Lenneke Ruiten, opens the series with a Gala this Thursday, Oliver Sacks is best known for two extraordinary books, Awakenings, he died in 2015, Oliver Sacks: His Own Life is a documentary by filmmaker Ric Burns.

Seán Rocks hosts a special edition of Arena dedicated to the RTÉ Short Story Competition & the writing form, special guests include, writer Kevin Barry, Chris Morash, the judging panel with writers June Caldwell, Declan Hughes, Lisa McInerney, from 2800 entries to ten shortlisted & one overall winner.

In 1979 songwriter Paul Brady released the album The Green Crow Caws featuring the music from the plays of Seán O'Casey & now releases a re-mastered version, Peter McKenna is the writer of Kin, the story of the Kinsella crime family, Andrea Cleary & Eamon Sweeney review the latest albums incl. James Vincent McMorrow & the Houseplants debut album

Tara Brady & Justin MacGregor review new films, The Many Saints of Newark, The Green Knight, The Alpinist, the 30th anniversary of Nevermind which sold over 30 million copies, John Meagher & Emma O Kelly revisit Nirvana's second album, Hunting Darwin is Blue Raincoat’s new show, at the The Factory Performance Space, Sligo from September 29.

Seán Rocks previews the Dublin Theatre Festival, with a special guests includling Enda Walsh & composer Donnacha Dennehy, ANU’s Louise Lowe, Thommas Kane Byrne, Philip McMahon, Caitríona Daly & Fishamble's Jim Culleton. Further details,    dublintheatrefestival.ie.