The Anglo-Celt 2025 Arts Review- Rebecca O'Connor

Rebecca O'Connor

Moth editor, poet, author

Best art event: Vanessa Fay's solo exhibition HEAL, an uplifting and inspiring celebration of Vanessa finding healing, following a cancer diagnosis, through creativitity. At Johnston Central Library until January 6.

One to watch: Cormac McCann. He took Electric Picnic by storm and he has a solo show at the townhall in Cavan in the spring. Hilarious, virtuosic pianist and all round great entertainer!

Best film: The Holdovers. Utterly charming film starring Paul Giamatti as a grumpy teacher who has to spend the Christmas holidays at the boarding school with the kids who are left behind. On Netflix.

Best book: All Fours by Miranda July. Wildly funny look at a middle aged woman trying to find traction as her life unravels.

Best TV: Peter Jackson's The Beatles: Get Back. A really intimate docuseries about the making of their album Let It Be. I'm obsessed. It's on Disney.

Best music: Jacob Alon's debut album In Limerence. I can't believe this Scottish artist is only 24. Timeless, knowing, incandescently beautiful songs.

Best theatre: Pat McCabe's The Adventures of Shay Mouse at the Cavan Arts Festival, starring Shane Carroll and Padraic McIntyre. The perfect mix of whimsy and humour to transport children and adults alike. Still touring, I believe.

Best podcast: The New Yorker Radio Hour on Spotify. Great for a liberal American perspective on politics and culture.