Des O’Driscoll looks at the latest entertainment news

Tickets, priced just €20, are on sale now.

Hard Working Class Heroes has become the nation’s major showcase for emerging bands. Cork-born organiser Angela Dorgan tells Eoghan O’Sullivan who to watch out for

John Grant was never the cheeriest man in music — and often with good reason. But Ed Power finds him in fine fettle as he prepares for his Cork gig

Julie Kelleher, from Carrigaline, Co Cork, is the artistic director at the Everyman Theatre, as well as being a theatre director. She is producing an upcoming production of Juno and the Paycock at the Everyman Theatre, running from February 10–20.

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With an Irish tour coinciding with the referendum on Friday, this is a massive week for Villagers’ Conor O’Brien, writes Eoghan O’Sullivan

A last-gasp Paul Murray point pinched victory for Cappoquin over local rivals Lismore at Ballyduff last night (2-16 to 2-15). It represented an amazing turnaround for Ger Manley’s men after their 23-point defeat to Mount Sion last weekend.

All the latest news from the world of entertainment and showbiz

ALL We Are’s Rich O’Flynn isn’t fazed by the hype.

FILM TIPS: There’s no doubt which film will be filling the cinemas this weekend, with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 already attracting huge crowds since its opening yesterday. Away from the big cinemas, Triskel Christchurch in Cork has Nightcrawler from Sunday, and Irish film Out of Here.

Waterford SHC, Round 4

Martin McGuinness has heaped praise on Britain’s Queen for the way she influences the peace process.

Our guide on what to look out for on the box.

MasterChef Ireland and Hector both make welcome returns.

Playing to a full house at Dublin’s Vicar Street is no mean feat.

Villagers, Little Green Cars and BellX1 take to the stage tonight for this year’s Meteor Choice Music Prize.

TWO weeks ago, the Choice Music Prize shortlist for best Irish album of 2013 was announced — how many can you name?

Soul singer Laura Mvula is favourite to win tonight’s Mercury Prize ahead of acts including chart veteran David Bowie and previous winners Arctic Monkeys.

MUSIC NEWS: Arcade Fire have exploded back on to the music scene with a promotional blitz for their forthcoming album Reflektor, due out on Oct 29. Last Monday, the band released the single ‘Reflektor’, complete with backing vocals from David Bowie.

After a four-year hiatus, Dublin songwriter, David Turpin, returns this week with a new album, We Belong Dead. He now trades as The Late David Turpin, a wry nod to the fact that, in late 2011, he briefly lost his heartbeat following a swimming accident.

Chart veteran David Bowie’s comeback album after a 10-year absence has been shortlisted for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize, alongside acts such as teenager Jake Bugg.

NOBODY is quite sure when John Spillane began his residency in De Barra’s Folk Club in Clonakilty, West Cork.

Abbeyside 1-21 Ballygunner 4-06

Tonight will see the eighth annual Choice Music Prize awarded to one of ten Irish acts, half of whom have been nominated and/or won the gong before.

GIG WISE: One of the big announcements this week was The Who bringing their tour to the O2 in Dublin on Saturday, Jun 8.

Irish music fans have the chance to vote for the Meteor song of the year for 2012 after the shortlist was announced yesterday.

Conor O’Brien of Villagers is aiming for mainstream success with new album Awayland, Ed Power reports

Eleven years ago when Philip King pitched the idea of a music event on the Dingle peninsula, he couldn’t have imagined it would be still thriving.

Tickets for the Killers’ gig at the O2 in Dublin went on sale this morning.

Showers swept through the Stradbally estate in Co Laois as the early arrivals at Electric Picnic began pitching their tents yesterday morning.

'Come On Eileen' hit-makers Dexy's (Midnight Runners) will perform at this year's Electric Picnic in Stradbally, Co Laois.

Tickets for this year's Body and Soul Festival in Co. Westmeath have completely sold out.

Three more acts have been announced for the Co Meath Body & Soul Festival this summer.

Singer-songwriters Rumer and John Grant lead the field for this year's Mojo Honours awards tonight with three nominations each.

Three tracks which failed to even dent the top 100 singles chart are up for a top title as the year’s best song at the Ivor Novello awards today.

Two Door Cinema Club are the 2010 Choice Music Prize winners.

NORTHERN group Two Door Cinema Club were last night named winner of the Choice Music Prize for best Irish album of the year for Tourist History.