Altan are on the road 30 years, and fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh is as happy as ever to play their music, even if she’s starting to pass the baton to her daughter, writes Marjorie Brennan.

President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to Guinness heir Garech de Brún, founder of Claddagh Records, and custodian of Luggala Estate, following his death at the age of 78.

Vlad Smishkewych presents early music programme, Vox Nostra on RTÉ Lyric fm, on Sunday mornings from 7am to 10am. He was born in New Jersey to a Spanish mother and a Ukrainian father, and also performs and teaches in the early music sphere.

After 30 years in UCC, Mel Mercier has now taken up a post in University of Limerick, writes Colette Sheridan

In our weekly 'Getting To Know You' feature, Waterford hurler Noel Connors talks Netflix, movies, food and endorses the great GAA love affair with Marty Morrissey.

As Colm Tóibín appears on the famed BBC radio show, Richard Fitzpatrick looks at the selections of Irish stars who have already made the trip

Fine Irish furniture, an antique pierced steel helmet reputedly owned by Sir Thomas Wentworth, the harp owned by Derek Bell of The Chieftains, and a set of bagpipes used at Fenian gatherings in West Cork gives some idea of the range and breadth of the Guinness family collections to be sold in Naas today.

Bill Linnane spends a spell on Speyside and discovers how Scottish distillers have a lot to teach the booming Irish whiskey trade.

The Chieftains’ Matt Molloy talks to Eoin Edwards about some of his and his instrument’s epic journeys

Global star Van Morrison will make an appearance in Ireland next month after a local jazz committee secured its biggest coup ever.

UCC’s FUAIM festival ranges from Indonesian gamelan to Irish trad, says Ed Power.

I was greatly honoured to be invited as Grand Marshall of the Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade. Little did I think, growing up as the son of Irish emigrants on Chicago’s south side, that I would be a future Grand Marshall for Ireland’s second largest city.

Dance legend Michael Flatley has spoken of his honour after agreeing to lead Cork’s St Patrick’s Day parade. The multi-millionaire Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames superstar, who was made a freeman of Cork in 2007 said: “I am truly honoured to be chosen as grand marshal of the Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade, in the county my family and I now call home.

Renowned tin whistle player and founding member of the Chieftains, Sean Potts has died aged 83.

Newstalk radio had a bit of a coup today as they brought together Ireland's favourite astronaut Chris Hadfield and the Chieftains to sing Moondance.

Highlights of next week’s festival

On Raglan Road on an autumn day... the strains of ‘The Mexican Hat Dance’ took on the air of an Irish folk tune.

TG4 stalwart Geantraí features The Chieftains and other special guests on Christmas Day, says Gerry Quinn

The Chieftains’Triona Marshall reveals plans for a concert to aid quake victims and also mark the band’s 50th anniversary, writes Gerry Quinn

Arty McGlynn will showcase his hybrid mix of musical styles at the Ennis Trad Festival, says Gerry Quinn.

The nerves never leave you.

AS a rule, heads of State don’t really get to have a holiday when performing official duties overseas.

Mary Byrne, Westlife and The Chieftains will all take part in a concert to mark Quenn Elizabeth II's visit to Ireland this monith.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen clearly enjoyed the craic provided by The Chieftains yesterday when he opened the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick.

ONE of the world’s most famous gospel choirs is set to feature at a forthcoming international music festival in Waterford.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese has told survivors of abuse in Catholic institutions that the people of Ireland are with them as they strive to recover from the horrors of their stolen childhoods.

Musician Sharon Shannon is to be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement gong at the Meteor Music Awards, set to take place on St Patrick's Day in Dublin.

THE composing section of yesterday’s higher level Junior Certificate music paper hit the right chord with well-prepared students, according to Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) spokesperson Mary McFadden.

BANJOS and ballads, laments and love songs filled the church where Ronnie Drew said farewell in the only way he knew how to the woman who kept him in tune.

Four renowned groups are being featured on postage stamps in recognition of their role in bringing Irish msic to an international audience.

FOR a game normally played with the silence of a library, the Ryder Cup yesterday went loud.

In the second part of our Top 50 list of the most influential figures in Irish music, Joe McNamee considers some of the surprising results.

FOR once The Chieftains sat back and did the listening.

FLAUTIST Sir James Galway yesterday led the tributes to Chieftains’ harpist Derek Bell who died unexpectedly.

Surviving members of the Chieftans said today they would miss Derek Bell "terribly".

A member of traditional Irish band, the Chieftains, has died suddenly in the United States.