Our regular contributors select their highlights of the year

Andy Irvine at the Triskel (as part of Cork Folk Festival) - 4/5

THE two Irelands met a few hundred yards from each other near the South Main Street, Cork last night, where a 1,000-year-old Viking weaver’s sword was recently discovered by archaeologists at the historic site of the former Beamish and Crawford brewery.

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

Catch up on this morning's headlines...

At 75, Cork Folk Festival headliner Andy Irvine still gets a buzz out of touring and playing his music, writes Joe Dermody.

The amphitheatre at Cloughjordan eco-village is just like its ancient predecessors, says Ellie O’Byrne

Jimmy Crowley has started a new folk club in his native city, writes Pet O’Connell

5/5

Some great things to see and do this week. 

Des O’Driscoll with the latest entertainment news and events

Stuck for ways to broaden your cultural horizons this week? Des O’Driscoll has some suggestions for you.

Gibert O’Sullivan, Tommy Tiernan, and a wealth of opera, musicals, and theatre are just some of the highlights at Cork Opera House this year.

4/5

Peter Gowen was born Youghal, Co Cork, and now lives in London. He is currently on tour with Decadent’s production of The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh. Upcoming dates include Everyman Theatre, Cork, 7-11 Nov; as well as Civic Theatre, Tallaght, 21-22 Oct; and Lime Tree, Limerick, Nov 4-5.

Martin Hayes is from Co Clare and his various musical projects include being a member of The Gloaming. He describes music as “my life, its my passion, my hobby and my career”. Hayes performs in concert with Paul Brady, Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Altan and dancer Colin Dunne at the Blas Summer School 20th anniversary concert at the University Concert Hall Limerick on Sunday.

Music takes you somewhere else. It has a quality that elevates you to a higher plane.

Life should be a colourful experience. My advice is to try not to get trapped in the grey areas.

Dust off your bonnets, polish those buckles, and get the horse and trap ready for a trip into the past as a West Cork town prepares to step back in time.

Even bigger crowds are expected to attend this year’s Skibbereen Arts Festival as it grows in popularity with its impressive line-up of musicians, actors and artists from home and abroad.

HE MAY have been 72 by the time it hit the record stores, but Gerry Quinn says musician Andy Irvine is justifiably proud of the CD and DVD of his 70th birthday concerts in Dublin’s Vicar St.

MUSIC NEWS:

The Cork Folk Festival provided a feast of great music and good fun, writes Eoin Edwards

From Kate Bush to Mozaik, Donal Lunny has always pushed boundaries, writes Ed Power

The 35th Cork Folk Festival will be the best ever, according to organisers, and will feature many of Ireland’s and Europe’s finest musicians.

Si Kahn says his music career began as a hobby. He is also a union activist.

GIG WISE: All roads lead to Longitude in Marlay Park, Dublin, this weekend, and stage times are available on the festival’s website.

Lisa Hannigan, Glen Hansard, Conor O'Brien and Paul Brady are all to participate in a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of President Michael D Higgins state visit to England.

Andy Irvine recorded his new album while camping in the Outback, says Gerry Quinn.

Beyond the work, the pressure and the spotlight, Eanna Falvey enjoyed the ride.

MUSIC is Donal Lunny’s world — his day, his night.

The RaboDirect Pro12 League is enjoying incredible growth in terms of attendances and television audience figures, according to competition chairman, Andy Irvine.

THE Performance Corporation is renowned for staging its theatre productions in adventurous places — in medieval dungeons, amongst sand dunes, even on a small rowboat. For its latest, most adventurous trick, it’s staging a three-day festival in Ireland’s only palace — Castletown House on the outskirts of Celbridge, Co Kildare.

CELEBRATING the workers’ rights activism of Cork-born firebrand, Mary Harris, The Spirit of Mother Jones Festival takes place in the Shandon area of Cork city from Jul 30-Aug 1.

Series-winning Lions coach Warren Gatland believes those players who achieved victory over Australia will go to New Zealand in four years with no inferiority complex about facing the All Blacks.

Jonathan Sexton has promised Ireland players will do everything possible to ensure Brian O’Driscoll finishes his Test career on a high.

Australia head coach Robbie Deans insists having captain James Horwill available for the final Test will not give his side an edge but admits his players have received a massive boost after the skipper’s stamping acquittal was upheld.

British and Irish Lions team manager Andy Irvine has defended Warren Gatland’s decision to take the tourists to a beach resort ahead of the must-win third and final Test against Australia in Sydney.

The British and Irish Lions are hopeful that Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Alex Corbisiero will be passed fit for Saturday’s series decider against Australia at ANZ Stadium.

Brian O’Driscoll looks set to end his British and Irish Lions career by captaining the tourists in a Test series decider.

A Cork woman who became a byword in the campaign for miners’ rights in the US is to be honoured in a special festival in her native city next month.

THERE was a poignant moment at Campbell’s Hill Cemetery, just outside Newcastle, New South Wales, in the small hours of the Irish night as Lions captain Sam Warburton came face to face with the grave of the original captain, Robert Seddon.