This weekend in The Irish Times, in Magazine, Patrick Freyne meets Joseph O’Connor who tells him about his fears for the Ireland of today. While in Ticket, Ella Sloane has a guide to 80 of the best festivals in Ireland in 2025 - from Longitude to All Together Now. Plus, don’t forget to enter this week’s fantastic competitions and be in with a chance of winning a romantic escape to Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate or one of two alpaca wool sweaters from Cayo.