Cohen returns to Ireland for summer concerts

Leonard Cohen is returning to Ireland this summer for a clutch of concerts, it was revealed today.

The hugely-influential singer and songwriter will play two gigs at The O2 in Dublin as well as one night at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena.

Tickets priced between €90 and €125 for all three dates are expected to sell out within minutes.

Cohen is renowned for his songwriting career spanning five decades, which has explored the themes of love, sex, death and religion.

Among his most well-known songs are 'Suzanne' and 'Hallelujah', which have been widely covered by other artists down through the years.

His three critically acclaimed performances in Dublin’s Royal Hospital Kilmainham last summer sold out in record time and were received with rave reviews.

U2, REM, Sting, Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright and the late Johnny Cash are just some of the many famous devotees of Cohen’s work.

'Albums Songs of Leonard Cohen' (1967), 'Songs of Love and Hate' (1970) and 'I’m Your Man' (1990) are considered classics.

Tickets for the O2 gigs on July 19 and 20 go on sale on April 7, while tickets for the July 26 Belfast concert are released on April 3.