Columns - Irish Examiner

Tom Dunne

Tom Dunne is a music-lover extraordinaire who, as well as presenting radio and TV shows, can also be seen in the wild as the lead singer with Something Happens.

Tom Dunne: My Lovely Horse and the relief Father Ted will bring to Eurovision night

RTÉ have made a great call to run with Dougal and co on Saturday night

Wed, 13 May, 2026

Tom Dunne: The spirit of the showbands could be back with a country twist

The showband era was just too good to disappear forever, and there are some signs in the ether that it might be about to undergo a 21st-century revival

Wed, 06 May, 2026

Tom Dunne: The prospect of a Michael Stipe solo album has got me rather excited

The REM frontman has teamed up with one of my favourite producers for the upcoming record

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Tom Dunne: Naturally, it was a joy to talk songwriting with Gilbert O'Sullivan

Many people probably don't realise what a master of the craft the Waterford man is. And he has the hits to prove it

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards - Show

Tom Dunne: Bob Dylan, Patreon, and his curated ‘Letters from the Grave’

Dylan once claimed he grew up among snake oil salesmen. I never paid much heed until I read he had started a Patreon page

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Tom Dunne: Playing in Connolly's of Leap really is a life-affirming experience

I returned to the Co Cork venue recently for the first time in many years, and was delighted to see the magic is still intact

Wed, 08 Apr, 2026

Tom Dunne: An attic discovery reminded of the glory of long-lost CD compilations

Properly-curated compilation CDs really were a great way of discovering music in the late 1990s and early Noughties

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Tom Dunne: At least Moby has reminded us all how good the Kinks are

Don't worry about Moby's throwaway comment — just go listen to the magnificence of The Kinks

Wed, 25 Mar, 2026

Tom Dunne: From Horslips to CMAT — the six albums that shaped modern Irish music

Music has long been an important part of Irish society, but it's only in recent times that people are appreciating its impact beyond the cultural sphere

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026

Tom Dunne: The late great Neil Sedaka felt like part of the family

My party trick as a child was to sing one of his tunes, and in later years I realised what a really great songwriter he was

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026