Contemporary Ireland #8

Trump: More ‘Mericans set to take cover on the Emerald Isle

Far be it from us to go and get all political, but the stats don’t lie. The US-based company, Expatsi, have reported an astronomical surge in enquiries about moving to Ireland since Trump got elected.

Jen Barnett, the big wig director of Expatsi, said their site saw “a month’s worth of traffic” in a few hours after the election results were announced. 2,500 visitors listed Ireland as their top preference when it comes to countries to move to.

Among the post-election defectors are Hollywood hottie Eva Longoria, who’s said to have settled yonder in Spain, and Ellen DeGeneres who’s chosen to hunker down in the Cotswolds. 

Balls: Ireland spanks England in the cricket

The Irish cricket team opened their six-game tour with a strong start against England a few weeks ago, and captain Gaby Lewis says they’re looking forward to “dominating” the rest of the tournament. Crikey, Lewis; bit saucy!

The cricket team are ploughing through the Bangladeshi series, and their win over England represents a rather tasty five-wicket margin. This milestone, which the media are calling “historic”, positions Ireland to be in with a good chance of pulling ahead of Bangladesh, who are currently sitting just one place above them—at number nine— for the T20 games.

Stage: Moulin Rouge set to paint Dublin red next year

Creole Lady Marmalade!

It’s just been announced that the multi-award-winning theatre version of Moulin Rouge will be hitting the big shmoke in November 2025. Exciting news for fans of the iconic film, who’ll be able to catch the musical performance ​​in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from November 20, 2025, to January 11, 2026. Pure class.

The only question left on everyone’s lips is, of course, voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?

Culture: Tracing Ireland’s historic influence on Mexico

In fairness, it might be on the uncommon side that you hear about a wee country that’s historically been colonised actually exerting influence on the cultural arc of another. But that’s just what a recent writer from UCC has just covered in an article about Ireland and Mexico earlier this week.

Brenda Mondragón-Toledo has written a fascinating piece about Irish figures who’ve influenced Mexico’s history and culture—and no, before you ask, we’re not talking about being “under the influence” (although tequila may have had something to do with some of the reported antics).

From fiery feminists to the legendary El Zorro, it’s pretty enlightening to read up on the surprising, interesting links between Irish and Mexican history. Get on it.

Trophies: Irish player scoops up groundbreaking World Rugby Award

Well, would you look here – Erin King has only gone and scooped the World Rugby Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award at a swanky do in Monaco. Sure, the glamour of it all!

Not only that, but our Erin's made a bit of history while she was at it, becoming the first Irish woman to nab the individual title. Australia's Caitlyn Halse, England's Maddie Feaunati, and New Zealand's Hannah King were all in the running, but Erin wasn't having any of it.

A dynamo of a flanker, Erin has been making waves all year. She was part of Ireland's 7s team at the Paris Olympics, and who could forget her heroics in September when she helped Ireland topple the mighty Black Ferns by just two points at the WXV1? Go on, the King!

Literature: From bangers to books for Annie Mac

Any young wan from Malin to Mizen has heard Annie Mac’s bangin’ DJ sets. She’s made a right name for herself (ahhh in a good way, Annie!) as one of Ireland’s most celebrated DJs—but did you know she’s also a small bit of a bookworm? And by ‘bookworm’, we mean prolific author and Doctor of Literature, and by “small bit” we mean absolutely massive.

In recognition of her bloody brilliant-ness, Belfast’s Queen’s University has recently awarded Annie an honorary doctorate of literature. She took to Instagram to shout about her antics, describing the celebrations as “Sweaty raves and silverware in Belfast this weekend”. H’on the Annie.

Art: Plugging Ireland’s artists of the year

The Visual Art Awards of Ireland have just gone down at Dublin’s RDS, where five emerging artists got minted with some cash and awards. The winners have snagged a smorgasbord of bursaries, residencies, and cash prizes to support their work. Well done, the lads! 

From paintings and sculpture to multimedia collages and soundscapes (yes, it’s a thing), these artists have been pulling out the big guns to gain recognition for their craft—and it’s paying off. 

Among them are Fionn Timmins, Sorcha Browning, Ava Lowry, Keara Simonsen, and Mary Madeleine McCaroll. Keep an eye on these guys; and if you’re a collector, now’s the time to invest (you heard it here first, alright).

Biz: Meta’s Irish leg is making bank

Sure we all know the lads at Facebook are eating their lunch with a silver spoon, but would you believe that their revenue increased to the tune of 11 billion just in the past year—and just in Dublin alone?! Madness!

Meta’s Dublin HQ have just reported that their revenue rose by a whopping 20% in the last year, now sitting pretty at 69.75 billion euro. Lads.

Ads are where the money’s at, ladies and gents, and between ad revenue reaped from Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, Dublin’s Meta folk are positively rolling in it (they’d want to be, considering the average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom in Dublin is nearly 2,500 euro. Would you be well!).

Meanwhile, the Irish government isn’t doing too badly off it either; no wonder The Wall Street Journal’s recent cover story was about Ireland’s corporate tax motherload. 

Film: Colin Farrell swings in as Executive Producer for new short

Directed by TJ O'Grady-Peyton and starring Bríd Brennan, a multi-nominated Olivier Award and Tony Award-winning Irish actress, the new short film ‘Room Taken’ has gone and stolen our Colin’s heart.

Farrell has swooped in as Executive Producer on the short film, which is pegged to be an Oscar hopeful, according to those who’d know.

The film’s premise is personal, political, and described as “touching”—if a small bit creepy sounding, too. The story follows an asylum seeker who’s recently landed in Dublin and, desperate for a place to stay, shnakes into an aul wan’s house and takes up residence in her spare room without her knowing.

Errrr… right. Let’s wait and see if Colin can help the lads pull this one off.