The Irish dancing phenomenon, Riverdance, is 25-years-old today.

Trust us, it’s exactly what you need for the week that's in it.

IN THE mood for cultural experience but not sure you’re up being confined to a concert hall seat for the duration? A Kaleidoscope night might be just the ticket for you, writes Cathy Desmond

Gale force winds and torrential rain showers couldn’t dampen the spirits in Collins Barracks yesterday as more than 1,000 singers joined forces for the Nation’s Voice.

The centenary of the Easter Rising has given us an abundance of commemorative

A satirical musical based on the ‘contraception train’ of 1971 takes a lighthearted look at an era of great change in Ireland, writes Padraic Killeen.

The TG4 Gradam Ceoil returns to Cork for a

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.

The Richard Harris clan gathered in Limerick last night to celebrate the Oscar nominated actor in his home town.

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

1994: The One with Whigfield, Ray Houghton, Blur v Oasis, Riverdance and THAT Guinness ad.

Riverdance composer Bill Whelan last night cast his eye back on times past to childhood days in his old Limerick neighbourhood.

President Michael D Higgins and racing magnate JP McManus are among more than 50 people photographed for a Limerick exhibition.

Liz Nugent

Conservatory

Cork-born soprano Deirdre Moynihan has an enviable CV, and is now releasing her first CD — a selection of Vivaldi cantatas on the classical Naxos label.

Last weekend 17,000 people turned out in Limerick for the launch of the 20th anniversary tour of Riverdance. So where were you when Michael Flatley and Jean Butler took to the Eurovision stage that night in 1994?

As Danny Erskine directed a 30-strong rigging and technical team turning the University of Limerick Sports Arena into a massive theatre, Mary Sheahan employed age-old darning needle and ironing skills on much-travelled garments.

Why didn’t Michael Noonan just throw €6 million at his native city? He could have got somebody like Patricia Ryan to rebrand the city, going forward, adding value as she went, all the way to a performance-related bonus.

Tensions developed between the Limerick City of Culture board and former artistic director, Karl Wallace over a proposal to stage a major international weekend event costing €1.8m, it emerged yesterday.

THE Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland is the summation of 10 years of research, and brings together some 2,000 articles by 240 contributors in a handsome two-volume, cloth-bound edition.

Irish people don’t celebrate success enough and give each other a well-earned boost, Riverdance composer Bill Whelan said yesterday as he heralded the show’s “homecoming” to his native Limerick.

THE inventor of television, John Logie Baird, was born in Helensburgh near Glasgow 125 years ago today. His invention was arguably the single most important of the past 100 years.

Former European Parliament president Pat Cox will head a group which will drive the Limerick City of Culture 2014 initiative, it was announced yesterday.

You learn to dance through the pain.

In his home city, rugby legend Paul O’Connell “walks on water”.

Rugby player Paul O’Connell is to receive the Freedom of Limerick city.

First prize in composition leads to Covent Garden job for Fermoy girl, says Nicki ffrench Davis

A HUGE outdoor concert from Titanic’s last port of call will be beamed around the world next year to mark the 100th anniversary of her sinking.

The chamber music group will perform with the singer tomorrow as part of Triskel Christchurch’s Christmas programme, says Colette Sheridan

“ASTOUNDING” — that was the verdict of Malachy McCourt as he walked back into his family’s impoverished childhood, as depicted in Angela’s Ashes.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II was formally welcomed to Ireland by the President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday at her first official engagement at the start of her historic four-day state visit.

Riverdance have announced a series of shows for the Royal Theatre, Castlebar, Co Mayo this autumn.

A BUSINESS leader has expressed concern at the marketing of Limerick as a rugby city.

Riverdance composer Bill Whelan today admitted he felt “remote” from the type of Ireland created by the Celtic Tiger economic boom.

U2 STOLE the show at last night’s Meteor Ireland Music Awards as the country’s legendary rock group swaggered away with a hat-trick of awards from the event, held in the band’s hometown of Dublin.

U2 stole the show at tonight’s Meteor Ireland Music Awards as the rock band swaggered away with three awards at their home town event.

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.

SIR Terry Wogan’s knighthood conferred on him by the queen in London yesterday has been warmly welcome in his native Limerick.

One of the biggest exporters of Irish music, Bill Whelan, has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

The foot and mouth disease has caused further cancellations throughout the country as the decision was made to call off Limerick Civic week.