The Irish Times Summer Nights Festival

From June 28th to July 1st, join us for Summer Nights, when internationally renowned guests and Irish Times journalists get together for a festival of conversation, culture and ideas.

Ticket price: €25 - €50. A ticket gets you access to the whole online festival.

All events will be recorded and in the week following the festival, attendees will receive an email with a link so you can catch up on anything you miss, or watch back an event.

All ticket holders will be sent instructions on how to join the festival in the afternoon of Monday, June 28th to the email address used to register on Eventbrite for the event

Monday, 28th June.

6:30pm – 7:30pm

From Cahersiveen to Capitol Hill

CNN correspondent and proud Kerryman Donie O’Sullivan joins us from Washington DC to talk to Irish Times columnist Jennifer O’Connell about mental health, the rise of the right and the storming of Capitol Hill.

7:45pm – 8:45pm

Fixing Ireland’s Housing Problem

Housing will be a deciding factor in the next general election. Irish Times columnist David McWilliams talks to Irish Times political correspondent Jennifer Bray about equitable solutions to a national crisis.

9:00pm - 10.00pm

A (Ros)Common Man

Ten years after his career-changing comedy Bridesmaids, Moone Boy actor Chris O’Dowd talks to Irish Times features writer Patrick Freyne about Hollywood, fatherhood and being part of the IT crowd.

Tuesday, 29th June.

6:30pm – 7:30pm

The Politics of Fiction

Turkish-born novelist and thinker Elif Shafak talks to New to the Parish writer Sorcha Pollak about how art intersects with pressing global issues from women’s rights to refugees.

7:45pm – 8:45pm

The Next Taoiseach?

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald could be this country’s first woman Taoiseach. Irish Times columnist Kathy Sheridan talks to her about her life, her politics and her thoughts on a United Ireland.

9:00pm - 10.00pm

Lads In Red

As he prepares to get back on the road for the first time in over a year, singer Chris de Burgh talks to Ross O’Carroll-Kelly creator Paul Howard about his storied musical career.

Wednesday, 30th June

6:30pm – 7:30pm

Front Line to Front Row

Star of the Women’s Six Nations Linda Djougang answers Ireland’s call both as a student nurse and on the rugby pitch. She talks to Irish Times columnist Joanne O’Riordan about performing under pressure.

7:45pm – 8:45pm

Looking for America

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maureen Dowd has been a columnist on The New York Times Op-Ed page since 1995. Irish Times Arts & Culture Editor Hugh Linehan asks her about Biden’s America and the legacy of Trump.

9:00pm - 10.00pm

Seven Ways to Change The World

Former British Prime Minister and leader of the Labour party Gordon Brown talks to Irish Times columnist Fintan O’Toole about the most pressing problems facing the world and how to fix them.

Thursday, 1st July

6:30pm – 7:30pm

Necessary Sins for Women & Girls

Feminist firebrand and author Mona Eltahawy tells Irish Times columnist Róisín Ingle why women and girls should be angry, ambitious, profane and even violent in order to dismantle the patriarchy.

7:45pm – 8:45pm

The Thrill of it All

Dublin thriller writer Jo Spain tells Irish Times journalist Bernice Harrison about her prolific novel and screenwriting career and working on TV drama Harry Wild.

9:00pm - 10.00pm

Love & Commitments

Booker prize winning author Roddy Doyle talks about his literary life and times with old friend and fellow Dubliner Fintan O’Toole.

No refunds.