European 20th-century furniture and contemporary Irish art feature in April sale

Irish writers have poured scorn on a Guardian listing of books that define Ireland

The actor on dining in London, Benedict Cumberbatch and why she loves Galway

With 600 pieces to fit in, famous names jostle for space with newcomers, but there’s no one at this party you wouldn’t be happy to go home with

Artists have a rich history of activism, using their talents to take their messages out of the gallery and into the street

The work of Iriish artist Eilís O’Connell features in a major exhibition in England alongside artists Damien Hirst, Lynn Chadwick, Antony Gormley and Elisabeth Frink

The visual art at this year's Galway International Arts Festival has lots of odd junctures, strange characters and weird journeys

Artist Niamh McGuinne on combing through the rich and strange history of hair

A gender audit reveals a poor representation of women in some of our national cultural institutions

You won’t find Michael Fortune’s colourful explorations of folklore in an art gallery – try the parish hall, handball alley or retirement home

Revamped event, with prize fund of €20,000, showcases the work of emerging artists

Are you washed up creatively at 40? Doomed to average ordinariness in all things?

An industrial dishwasher, a vintage car and a “soggy-bottom” chair

Artist Alice Maher, the ultimate practitioner of mix’n’match media, brought new meaning to the term ‘shell shock’ with this sculpture

A group exhibition curated by Janet Mullarney is accessible, unpredictable and rewarding

Susan Zelouf - one half of Zelouf and Bell - looks to her travels and the everyday for inspiration

This Dutch-born artist loves her studio and says interiors without art and books are lifeless

Dublin City Council is about to sign off on a new City Development plan. Addressing the crisis in artists’ studio spaces is crucial for the fabric of the city

A round-up of the best nights out across the country

The late American media artist was ahead of her time, but her reputation is now catching up with her powerful work; and Mayo artists respond to their home county