A round up of this weeks entertainment news

Global Irish dance sensation Riverdance kicked off a scorching summer of music and festivals in Cork last night.

Eric Clapton has paid tribute to legendary blues musician BB King, who has died aged 89.

Most of the big summer events have finalised their line-ups, with tickets already up for grabs. Ed Power rounds up 10 of the best

Beck and Ellie Goulding are among the artists confirmed for the Cork venue.

Got a gig-goer, a gamer or even a gadget-freak on your pressie list? Ed Power runs through some entertainment options that might help ease your shopping worries.

It’s been seen live by over 25 million people across the planet and smashed box office records over two decades — now the banks of the Lee are set to pulse to the rhythm of global dance phenomenon Riverdance for the first time.

MUSIC NEWS: What do you get the Bob Dylan fan who has everything?

From Dracula to Fr Ted and Boyzone, we have devised some of the most brilliant, but often annoying, things on the planet, says John Daly.

ZZ Top - Live At The Marquee

Among the acts playing Live at the Marquee 2013 in Cork are, clockwise from left: Elton John, Elvis Costello, Sting and ZZ Top.

When Cork’s Live at the Marquee festival started nine years ago its chances of reaching a decade were slight to say the least, not because it wasn’t good but because music festivals tend to have a short life-span.

Bruce Springsteen, with the full E Street Line Band line up, will bring his Wrecking Ball Weekender World Tour to a dramatic conclusion at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, next summer.

Tickets for Sting's Live at the Marquee in Cork gig this summer go on sale this Thursday at 9am.

Matthew E White’s songwriting is informed by his interest in spirituality, says Ed Power

Music legend Sting and boyband the Wanted are the latest names to be added to this year’s Live at the Marquee concerts in Cork this summer.

Aiken Promotions have announced that Sting and the Wanted will perform at this summer’s Live at the Marquee in Cork.

MUSIC NEWS: Bruce Springsteen has sold out all his summer gigs in Ireland, and will spend some of the next few months helping on a documentary on himself.

Leeside’s hot summer music lineup just got even hotter.

Elton John and ZZ Top have both been announce to play Cork's Live at the Marquee next summer, with Christy Moore and Elvis Costello also on the bill.

Manic Street Preachers are planning to release their 11th studio album in early 2014.

PLATINUM records and Grammy awards could take the place of bricks and mortar as the bread and butter of Ireland’s rich lists as plans are rolled out for the country’s first School of Rock degree course.

Slash and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea will both appear on Ronnie Wood’s solo album.

Iggy Pop is to receive a Living Legend award.

Stars from the world of rock and roll have paid tribute to guitar legend Les Paul who has died aged 94.

ZZ Top has cancelled its European tour so bassist-singer Dusty hill can undergo treatment for a benign growth in his inner ear.

Our intrepid correspondent gets to grips with the legendary Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Sheryl Crow put on a free concert in her fiance Lance Armstrong's adopted hometown of Austin, Texas, earlier this month to thank the residents for supporting him during his cancer battle.

IT’S what you might call a productive day.

Ex-Beatle George Harrison was honoured posthumously for his solo career last night when he entered the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

THE brother of one of the Bali bombing victims yesterday said the relatives are considering taking the British government to court over their handling of the tragedy.