Rising star Eleanor O’Brien stars in the acclaimed new Irish language mystery B\u00e1ite, winner of Best Irish Language Feature Film at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh and nominated in four categories at this year’s 2026 IFTA Awards.<\/p>\n
Set in September 1975, B\u00e1ite (The Drowned) begins with the discovery of a body in the receding waters of a lake. For Peggy Casey (played by Eleanor), who runs the local pub, the revelation threatens to upend not just her life, but an entire community built on secrets long submerged…<\/p>\n
\n
We asked Eleanor for her choice cultural picks…<\/p>\n
FILM<\/p>\n
I recently watched Perfect Days, a film about a man who cleans public toilets in Japan. And that’s essentially the whole story. Yet it\u2019s one of the most joyous, life-affirming films I\u2019ve seen this year.<\/p>\n
The lead actor, K\u014dji Yakusho, is exceptional. He finds such quiet joy and dignity in his work, and it\u2019s deeply moving to watch. It\u2019s a slow-paced, calm film, the kind you turn to when you feel like you need to slow down or be gently held for a while.<\/p>\n
\n
MUSIC<\/p>\n
Lily Allen\u2019s new album West End Girl is fantastic. It is theatrical, playful, and full of brilliant storytelling. I\u2019d recommend listening to it in one sitting. That\u2019s what I did, while putting on a wash and tidying up, and it felt like going on a journey. I loved every minute of it.<\/p>\n
\n
BOOK<\/p>\n
I\u2019m currently reading How to Be an Artist, which I bought years ago in Kildare. My dad is a painter, so I grew up around art, looking at it, making it, living alongside it. I love comparing acting to visual art. With art, the work exists outside of you; you can step back and look at it. Acting, on the other hand, needs an audience. I find myself feeding both their processes and mentalities into how I think about acting.<\/p>\n
\n
THEATRE<\/p>\n
I saw The Weir in London and felt such a sense of pride in Ireland and in the art it produces. It\u2019s a beautiful piece of storytelling. I met a woman who was French who came to the show specifically to see Brendan Gleeson. She was saying how she loved him and I just felt very proud of Brendan, even though I have never met him, I thought it was just so lovely how this woman felt so moved by Irish storytelling that she made such an effort to see the play.<\/p>\n
\n
TV<\/p>\n
I watched Pluribus, and it is nuts in the best way. I really enjoyed Season 1. The first episode had me thinking, “No way, not for me.” But I stuck with it, and it\u2019s brilliant. Really well written and completely unique. I won\u2019t spoil a thing, but it\u2019s from the same creator as Breaking Bad, which says a lot. But also very different to Breaking Bad. A great sci-fi show to watch, and very thought-provoking!<\/p>\n
\n
GIG<\/p>\n
I went to Other Voices in Wales, and there were so many talented musicians. I particularly loved George Houston from Donegal. He has a beautiful voice and feels completely unique. I found myself trying to place who he reminded me of and I couldn\u2019t. Which I think says a lot about him and how he is just one of a kind. I especially love his songs White Fang and Drag Queen.<\/p>\n
ART<\/p>\n
I adore going to the final year show at Limerick School of Art and Design. It\u2019s always so inspiring, I\u2019d recommend it to anyone who needs a creative lift. Every year it is fantastic! One piece that stayed with me was Don\u2019t Let Me Fall Apart by Charlie Yris<\/a>. It was a ceramic work that personified derelict houses in Limerick, homes that could potentially help combat the housing crisis. It was thoughtful, moving, and socially aware in a way that really struck me.<\/p>\n \n PODCAST<\/p>\n The weather has been so relentless lately. So much rain, so little sunlight. It feels deeply connected to the climate crisis, and sometimes I feel like I\u2019m going mad because it doesn\u2019t seem to get the urgent mainstream coverage it deserves.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why I listen to The Climate Alarm Clock. It\u2019s exceptional. The presenters are warm and down-to-earth, and they bring on brilliant guests. It fills a gap for me, a place to hear what\u2019s actually happening and what can be done. It is also very reassuring to hear other people and their concerns. Even though it is a huge topic and overwhelming, it is nice to know I am not alone in feeling concerned for the planet.<\/p>\n We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences<\/a><\/p>\n TECH<\/p>\n