@esthermccarthy.bsky.social
Very glad to hear I'm shortlisted for this year's Irish Journalism Awards for my long-read interview with Colin Farrell on his son James & setting up his charitable foundation, the Irish producers who received a cease & desist letter from the US president & more. Shortlist & pieces linked below:
www.irishjournalismawards.ie
October 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Very glad to hear I'm shortlisted for this year's Irish Journalism Awards for my long-read interview with Colin Farrell on his son James & setting up his charitable foundation, the Irish producers who received a cease & desist letter from the US president & more. Shortlist & pieces linked below:
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Michèle Burke, a trailblazing Irish woman in cinema and two-time Oscar winner. I was glad to speak w her in a public interview for IFTA
in 2016, some of which was later published with her blessing. Sharing here:
helloesthermccarthy.wordpress.com/wp-admin/pos...
in 2016, some of which was later published with her blessing. Sharing here:
helloesthermccarthy.wordpress.com/wp-admin/pos...
WordPress.com
helloesthermccarthy.wordpress.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Michèle Burke, a trailblazing Irish woman in cinema and two-time Oscar winner. I was glad to speak w her in a public interview for IFTA
in 2016, some of which was later published with her blessing. Sharing here:
helloesthermccarthy.wordpress.com/wp-admin/pos...
in 2016, some of which was later published with her blessing. Sharing here:
helloesthermccarthy.wordpress.com/wp-admin/pos...
I spoke with some of the stars of Crá, the Irish-language crime thriller from @tg4.bsky.social that’s become a global hit and is now broadcast in 68 different countries and streamers, for today’s @irishexaminer.bsky.social
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
'I was not good at Irish': Cork actor Alex Murphy on Crá, the series watched in 68 countries
TG4 series Crá is being shown as Boglands by numerous broadcasters worldwide. Esther McCarthy spoke to two of the stars of the Irish-language hit
www.irishexaminer.com
June 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I spoke with some of the stars of Crá, the Irish-language crime thriller from @tg4.bsky.social that’s become a global hit and is now broadcast in 68 different countries and streamers, for today’s @irishexaminer.bsky.social
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
I spoke with Matthew Goode about his new series Dept.Q, debuting on Netflix from today.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
'You do your homework': Matthew Goode on playing a cop in major new Netflix series Dept. Q
Dept. Q has the Goode taking on the role in a new Ediburgh-set crime series, writes Esther McCarthy
www.irishexaminer.com
May 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I spoke with Matthew Goode about his new series Dept.Q, debuting on Netflix from today.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
As Irish-language horror Fréwaka debuts in cinemas today, my feature on how Irish horror films and filmmakers are making waves at home and internationally in today’s @irishexaminer.bsky.social
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Scary Éire: Why Irish horror films are having a moment
As Fréwaka is released in cinemas, Esther McCarthy looks at why the horror genre seems to be so strong in Ireland right now, with a wealth of home-grown productions, and also foreign filmmakers coming...
www.irishexaminer.com
April 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
As Irish-language horror Fréwaka debuts in cinemas today, my feature on how Irish horror films and filmmakers are making waves at home and internationally in today’s @irishexaminer.bsky.social
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Can we cast these brilliant twins in a Coen Brothers movie please and thank you.
SORRY. Sorry.
Have we seen this *incredible* news video coming out of Queensland? Wait for the witness/witnesses statement
Have we seen this *incredible* news video coming out of Queensland? Wait for the witness/witnesses statement
April 21, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Can we cast these brilliant twins in a Coen Brothers movie please and thank you.
I spoke with Rami Malek about The Amateur and his Irish co-star.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
'It's hard to take your gaze off her': Rami Malek on working with an Irish actress
Rami Malek is currently starring in surveillance thriller The Amateur. He tells Esther McCarthy about the films parallels to the real world, and his admiration for his co-star
www.irishexaminer.com
April 17, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I spoke with Rami Malek about The Amateur and his Irish co-star.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
I spoke with filmmaker Darren Thornton and actor Rory O'Neill about the universal experiences that inspired the new Irish comedy drama, Four Mothers.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Four Mothers: A love letter to Irish mammies (and their gay carers)
The director Darren Thornton and one of the stars Rory O'Neill (Panti Bliss) tell Esther McCarthy about the hit Irish film that's both funny and moving
www.irishexaminer.com
April 17, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I spoke with filmmaker Darren Thornton and actor Rory O'Neill about the universal experiences that inspired the new Irish comedy drama, Four Mothers.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Amy Huberman stars in the new Irish mockumentary Fran the Man - I spoke with her about it.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Amy Huberman on new comedy Fran The Man, and the humour she inherited from her late dad
Amy Huberman plays a character named Jackie Charlton in the Irish soccer mockumentary, writes Esther McCarthy
www.irishexaminer.com
April 17, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Amy Huberman stars in the new Irish mockumentary Fran the Man - I spoke with her about it.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
I spoke with Pierce Brosnan about Mobland, Ireland and the early turning points in his career.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
'It’s thanks to my late wife, Cassie': Pierce Brosnan on making it in America
Pierce Brosnan tells Esther McCarthy about his new streaming series MobLand, and the steps that took the Navan man to the top of the acting game
www.irishexaminer.com
April 8, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I spoke with Pierce Brosnan about Mobland, Ireland and the early turning points in his career.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Catalyst International Film Festival begins today. I spoke with Shane Meadows collaborator & writer, Arctic Monkeys & Plan B music video director Paul Fraser about his screenplay for the forthcoming Saipan. He hosts a masterclass at Catalyst, Limerick, April 4.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Paul Fraser on his Saipan film: 'Keane felt he got the Irish team to the World Cup'
In advance of his visit to Limerick for a masterclass, Saipan writer Paul Fraser tells Esther McCarthy about taking on the tale of Roy Keane v Mick McCarthy
www.irishexaminer.com
April 3, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Catalyst International Film Festival begins today. I spoke with Shane Meadows collaborator & writer, Arctic Monkeys & Plan B music video director Paul Fraser about his screenplay for the forthcoming Saipan. He hosts a masterclass at Catalyst, Limerick, April 4.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Irish language horror An Taibhse is now in cinemas. I spoke with filmmaker John Farrelly about bringing it to the screen.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Meet the talented young director working with Jim Sheridan on the first Irish-language horror film
John Farrelly, 23, used his own savings to make An Taibhse, about to be released in cinemas, writes Esther McCarthy
www.irishexaminer.com
March 29, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Irish language horror An Taibhse is now in cinemas. I spoke with filmmaker John Farrelly about bringing it to the screen.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
As Storyland brings screenwriters including Kenneth Lonergan and Laurie Nunn to Ireland, I spoke to Element Pictures' Ed Guiney about eight great feats of screenwriting.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Some Like It Hot: Irish film producer Ed Guiney picks his favourite screenplays
In advance of the Storyhouse event in Dublin, Ed Guiney tells Esther McCarthy about eight great feats of screenwriting
www.irishexaminer.com
March 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM
As Storyland brings screenwriters including Kenneth Lonergan and Laurie Nunn to Ireland, I spoke to Element Pictures' Ed Guiney about eight great feats of screenwriting.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Reposted
I spoke with Erin Doherty, so good in the brilliant Adolescence, about one continuous take storytelling and teaming with Philip Barantini and Stephen Graham.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Erin Doherty on Adolescence, new Netflix drama already hailed as one of the shows of the year
Erin Doherty tells Esther McCarthy about buzzy new series Adolescence, and strong Irish connections that include her Donegal dad and her Waterford girlfriend
www.irishexaminer.com
March 13, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I spoke with Erin Doherty, so good in the brilliant Adolescence, about one continuous take storytelling and teaming with Philip Barantini and Stephen Graham.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
I spoke with Erin Doherty, so good in the brilliant Adolescence, about one continuous take storytelling and teaming with Philip Barantini and Stephen Graham.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Erin Doherty on Adolescence, new Netflix drama already hailed as one of the shows of the year
Erin Doherty tells Esther McCarthy about buzzy new series Adolescence, and strong Irish connections that include her Donegal dad and her Waterford girlfriend
www.irishexaminer.com
March 13, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I spoke with Erin Doherty, so good in the brilliant Adolescence, about one continuous take storytelling and teaming with Philip Barantini and Stephen Graham.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Oscars: How Anora won Best Picture and made Oscars history for Sean Baker.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Anora went below the radar in Ireland but it flew high at an unpredictable Oscars
The success of the low-budget Anora, and a stylish Cillian Murphy on presentation duties, featured among the highlights of this year's Academy Awards, writes Esther McCarthy
www.irishexaminer.com
March 3, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Oscars: How Anora won Best Picture and made Oscars history for Sean Baker.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
My Oscars tips for tonight. Put your house on them*!
(*do not put your house on them, prices might go down as well as up.)
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
(*do not put your house on them, prices might go down as well as up.)
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Esther McCarthy's predictions for the Oscars: Anora or Conclave? Brody or Chalamet? Moore or Madison?
The Oscars may not have the Irish involvement of recent years, but it's been a very strong 12 months for cinema. Esther McCarthy has a guess at who's going to win the main categories on Sunday
www.irishexaminer.com
March 2, 2025 at 1:10 PM
My Oscars tips for tonight. Put your house on them*!
(*do not put your house on them, prices might go down as well as up.)
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
(*do not put your house on them, prices might go down as well as up.)
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
New interview: I spoke to filmmaking legend Walter Salles about I'm Still Here, the Brazilian film that's drawing large audiences in Ireland & its three Oscar nominations, including Best Picture & Best Actress for Fernanda Torres.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Walter Salles on I'm Still Here, the hit Brazilian film that's packing out cinemas in Ireland
Walter Salles tells Esther McCarthy how he knew the Rio family at the heart of his Oscar-tipped movie
www.irishexaminer.com
February 27, 2025 at 9:33 PM
New interview: I spoke to filmmaking legend Walter Salles about I'm Still Here, the Brazilian film that's drawing large audiences in Ireland & its three Oscar nominations, including Best Picture & Best Actress for Fernanda Torres.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
RIP Gene Hackman, one of the very best.
variety.com/gallery/gene...
variety.com/gallery/gene...
Gene Hackman’s Career in Photos: From ‘The French Connection’ to ‘Superman’ and More
After news of Gene Hackman's shocking death, Variety looks back on his career in photos, from "The French Connection" to "Superman" and more.
variety.com
February 27, 2025 at 11:14 AM
RIP Gene Hackman, one of the very best.
variety.com/gallery/gene...
variety.com/gallery/gene...
New interview: I spoke with Lizzy Caplan about her new political thriller Zero Day and working with Robert De Niro.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Lizzy Caplan on acting with Robert de Niro in new Netflix thriller Zero Day
In Zero Day, Lizzy Caplan's character has a complicated relationship with her estranged father, played by De Niro. It all added to the experience of working on the gripping new series, writes Esther M...
www.irishexaminer.com
February 26, 2025 at 12:48 PM
New interview: I spoke with Lizzy Caplan about her new political thriller Zero Day and working with Robert De Niro.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
Julianne Forde and Ruth Treacy of Tailored Films on The Apprentice, Bring Them Down and next weekend's Oscars.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
'Cease and desist': How an Irish film company reacted to a letter from Trump's lawyers
The Apprentice has been nominated for two Oscars. Julianne Forde and Ruth Treacy of Irish production company Tailored Films tell Esther McCarthy how its main character wasn't so happy about it being ...
www.irishexaminer.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Julianne Forde and Ruth Treacy of Tailored Films on The Apprentice, Bring Them Down and next weekend's Oscars.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
The new Bridget Jones is a joy. Heartfelt, witty and true in its depiction of love and loss. A scene between Zellweger and Emma Thompson one of the funniest I’ve seen on screen. Hugh Grant continues his fine run. Zellweger truly gets Bridget, never more so than in this film.
February 14, 2025 at 1:38 PM
The new Bridget Jones is a joy. Heartfelt, witty and true in its depiction of love and loss. A scene between Zellweger and Emma Thompson one of the funniest I’ve seen on screen. Hugh Grant continues his fine run. Zellweger truly gets Bridget, never more so than in this film.
Always a pleasure to speak with Stephen Graham. I spoke with the actor and his co-star Malachi Kirby about A Thousand Blows, their new period boxing drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
A Thousand Blows: Stephen Graham on his new boxing drama series
Stephen Graham and Malachi Kirby tell Esther McCarthy about their tale of London's boxing underworld, written by the man who created Peaky Blinders
www.irishexaminer.com
February 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Always a pleasure to speak with Stephen Graham. I spoke with the actor and his co-star Malachi Kirby about A Thousand Blows, their new period boxing drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...