AT a fund raiser in aid of a domestic abuse charity, in between performances from Alison Moyet, Tracy Thorn and Caitlin Moran, it was interesting to hear the experiences of a transgender woman who had used the services of the charity while fleeing not just the horrors of violence in the home, but violence against her from wider society – from catcalls to punches to ridicule, her transition had not been smooth.

Cork Opera House has begun repaying all of its loans after posting record profits.

MUSIC NEWS: Back in April, Frank ‘Poncho’ Sampedro told Rolling Stone magazine that his band Crazy Horse were too old to tour with Neil Young.

This week's highlights include Cracking Crime, which revisits the murder of a prison officer from Kerry.

Dawn French has re-married in secret.

Author Dan Brown has been confirmed for the Dublin Writers Festival from May 20-26.

Depeche Mode founders Martin Gore and Vince Clarke have reunited for new project VCMG.

Showbiz friends and fans of singer Kirsty MacColl will perform tonight to mark the 10th anniversary of her death in a freak speedboat accident and raise money for one of her favourite causes.

Former Westlife star Brian McFadden is savouring his success today after his first solo single stormed to the top of the charts in Ireland and the UK.

Ms Dynamite will be hoping to crown an explosive year tonight as she vies with Coldplay and The Streets to be the toast of the Brits.

Ms Dynamite and The Streets headed the shortlist for the Brit Awards tonight as the UK’s urban music scene was the toast of this year’s event.

TV presenter Gaby Roslin has undergone a radical image change for her new role in hit West End musical Chicago.