A bigger, better Ballymore Country Music Festival
For many in Ireland’s midlands the August Bank Holiday – at the beginning of the month - means the Ballymore Country Music Festival, just...
And the sun shone on Crawley…
By Anne Geaghan
The 24th annual Crawley Irish Festival took place in scorching temperatures and with packed entertainment programme at The Hawth Theatre last Sunday....
‘We want our country music to reflect modern Ireland’
Michael McDonagh talks to Candy of The Murphys
The Murphys – Pat and daughters Cindy, Candy and Katie – have been described as Ireland’s...
Irish traditional music is alive, well and living in Manchester
Michael McDonagh talks to acclaimed uilleann piper Mike McGoldrick - currently touring with Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler - about Manchester as a huge crucible...
The Drogheda accent at the centre of Radio 4’s topical Westminster satire, Lobby Land
‘If this show was made a few years back, Sam would probably be played by a guy, maybe a white guy from England,...now she’s...
How music was so integral to the BBC hit television programme Gentleman Jack
By Michael J McDonagh
One of the surprise hits for BBC this year was the Sally Wainwright’s recent historical drama, Gentleman Jack.
Set in 1832 in...
Not your garden variety art
Gerard Byrne found refuge as a fledgling painter at the Botanical Gardens in Dublin. The works he created there and in Kew Gardens in...
Kathy Durkin: ‘Sport was always my first love’
By Michael McDonagh
Kathy Durkin, from Butlersbridge, in County Cavan, has been a household name in Irish country music for over 30 years. ...
‘What’s On’ guide for August, with Willie Moone
Fill up your event diaries with Willie Moone’s entertainment listings – from necessary art and culture to local community events.
Arts & Culture
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The Coronas’ modern Rock ‘n’ Roll life
By Michael McDonagh
Dubliners Danny O'Reilly, Graham Knox and Conor Egan met at Terenure College, formed a band called Kiros with a friend that, when...