Something for the Weekend: Lisa O’Neill’s cultural picks

Something for the Weekend: Lisa O’Neill’s cultural picks

June 25, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Entertainment

Cavan singer-songwriter Lisa O’Neill will perform alongside The National’s Matt Berninger and Engine Alley at the Live at Castle Mills concert series in Kilkenny City on Saturday, July 18, 2026. O’Neill is cited as one of the most acclaimed Irish artists of her generation, having recently toured North America and the UK celebrating the legacy of Shane MacGowan with The Pogues.

What is Lisa O’Neill’s career background?

O’Neill has established a presence in both live performance and television soundtracks. She contributed two songs to the series Peaky Blinders, including her own composition “Blackbird” and an adaptation of Bob Dylan’s “All the Tired Horses,” which played during the drama’s final scene.

What is Lisa O'Neill's career background?

Beyond her solo work, she has toured extensively with The Pogues. These performances focused on honoring the band’s history and the legacy of Shane MacGowan.

Did You Know? Lisa O’Neill’s adaptation of Bob Dylan’s “All the Tired Horses” served as the soundtrack for the final scene of the television drama Peaky Blinders.

Which cultural works does Lisa O’Neill recommend?

O’Neill highlighted several artistic picks across various media. In film, she recommended the Stephen King adaptation The Life of Chuck, noting the inclusion of Walt Whitman’s poetry.

Her music recommendations include Jinx Lennon’s album The Hate Agents Leer At The Last Isle Of Hope, specifically the song “Bouncy Castle Catholic.” She also identified the group Delivery Service as “the next big thing” after seeing their original songs performed live at Spindizzy Records in Dublin.

For literature, O’Neill pointed to We are the ARK by eco-activist Mary Reynolds. The book encourages readers to turn gardens into “Acts of Restorative Kindness” to help native flora and fauna heal. O’Neill also follows Reynolds’ weekly columns in the RTÉ Guide.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that O’Neill’s diverse recommendations—ranging from eco-activism to New Orleans-based artists like Carsie Blanton—reflect a curated approach to art that blends traditional Irish roots with global contemporary influences.

What other arts and media influenced her recently?

In theatre, O’Neill praised Kevin Barry’s The Cave in the Abbey, featuring performances by Tommy Tiernan and Aaron Monaghan. On television, she cited Tradfluencer – The Sharon Shannon Story as a standout program.

Lisa O'Neill – Goodnight World (Live) | Other Voices

Regarding radio, she noted Donal Dineen’s work on Blue Of The Night on lyric FM, specifically mentioning a version of “The Auld Triangle” by Bob Dylan. She also highlighted a recent live show by New Orleans artist Carsie Blanton at Whelan’s, including a song about Elon Musk.

What happens next for Lisa O’Neill?

O’Neill is currently in Wexford working on her next album. She recently visited Saltee Island, where she observed gannets, puffins, razorbills, and guillemots in the fog.

What happens next for Lisa O'Neill?

The artist is scheduled to appear at the Live at Castle Mills series in Kilkenny City this July. This performance may serve as a precursor to the release of the new album she is currently developing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Lisa O’Neill performing in Kilkenny?
She will perform on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Live at Castle Mills.

Which artists will perform alongside her in July?
Matt Berninger of The National and Engine Alley.

What is the focus of Mary Reynolds’ book “We are the ARK”?
The book advocates for individuals to combat climate and biodiversity crises by turning their gardens into habitats for native flora and fauna.

Which of Lisa O’Neill’s recommended cultural picks interests you most?