Last week, the head of Fifa’s referee committee, Pierluigi Collina claimed that 99.3% of “match-changing” decisions have been, thanks to the newly introduced Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, called correctly at the World Cup.

Yes, it may be The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, but what if all you want is a Silent Night, asks Caomhan Keane

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill has paid tribute to original Lois Lane actress Noel Neill, who has died at the age of 95.

Billy Paul, the jazz and soul singer best known for the chart-topping ballad Me And Mrs Jones, has died.

Republicans have a history of recruiting celebrities into the party ranks going back 60 years, but find themselves at a crossroads with Donald Trump — who is using his celebrity power to attack rather than to revive the Grand Old Party, writes Kathryn Cramer Brownell

Shannon Airport’s celebration of 70 years since the first commercial transatlantic flight into an Irish airport has been marked with a photographic exhibition featuring the many famous people who passed through — and the one who didn’t.

Jimmy Crowley’s book on the songs of Cork is the latest instalment in his longterm love affair with the culture of his hometown, writes Dan Buckley

He delighted with Disco Pigs, bamboozled with Ballyturk, and took a Tony award for Once — now Irish playwright Enda Walsh is collaborating with no less than David Bowie.

WHY, asks Donal Hickey, is it that so many Christmas cards continue to feature images of snow on the ground when white Christmases are so rare?

'All I Want For Christmas Is You' sung in the style of 20 different artists - from John Lennon to Bruce Springsteen.

’All I Want For Christmas Is You’ by Mariah Carey is regularly touted as the Best Christmas Song Ever and it’s not hard to see why. Whenever it comes on the radio, just try not to feel festive - you’ll fail.

Happy Thanksgiving y’all — it’s a little taste of Stateside on the banks of the Lee.

Permission has been granted for a scheme of over 200 new homes near Castleknock in Dublin 15.

British pub chain JD Wetherspoon has outlined its plan to open a bar in one of Cork city centre’s busiest areas.

Sculptures of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marconi, and a man who was involved in one of the greatest escapes in Irish history are to be unveiled in part of West Cork in a drive to improve tourism.

KURT COBAIN:

He is one of the most iconic recording artists of the 20th century and his influence shaped the global entertainment industry.

SATURDAY

I LOVE the glamour and romance of old railway hotels.

It may be 70 years since Bing Crosby recorded ‘White Christmas’ but the Emerald Isle failed to turn white to mark the anniversary.

Lugging stuffed schoolbags is uncomfortable and could even damage your child. Deirdre Reynolds gets some practical advice on lessening that load.

Tony Martin, the romantic singer who appeared in movie musicals from the 1930s to the 1950s and sustained a career in records, television and nightclubs from the Depression era into the 21st century, has died.

“I can’t believe I haven’t had a wee once,” announces Liberties belle Imelda May halfway through her performance.

Treyvaud’s in Killarney provides rare good value in a town where some premises are still leaning towards prices that were more fitting in the Celtic Tiger era.

'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues, featuring Kirsty MacColl, has topped a Christmas poll of UK drivers.

MANY years ago, before I became the farmer you now read about every week, I was a security guard.

Model Twiggy, 61, is to revive her music career with a new album.

Adrian Frazier does a fine job in bringing to life John Ford and others involved in the remarkable links between the Abbey and Hollywood, says Val Nolan

THERE she was in an ad for a chair.

IN A special Millennium edition Time magazine named Frank Sinatra ‘the voice’ of the 20th century.

'Silent Night' has beaten more modern tunes such as 'White Christmas' to be named the most-recorded festive song ever.

A comedy hip-hop act from Limerick is threatening to steal this year’s Number 1 spot in the Irish Christmas singles chart.

JUST days after reporting its first homicide, the town Disney built is investigating another death. This time, a man killed himself after shooting at deputies.

BING Crosby’s widow, Kathryn Crosby, is recovering after being flown to hospital with major injuries following a deadly traffic crash last month in the Sierra Nevada.

Residents in Celebration, the Florida town that Disney built, have been left shocked by the first suspected murder in the community in its 14-year existence.

ACTOR and comedian Niall Tóibín is to receive an honorary doctorate of arts in his native Cork next week.

Pogues hit 'Fairytale of New York' – which has repeatedly missed out on the number one spot – is the all-time Christmas favourite, a survey showed today.

Terry Wogan and Aled Jones are wading into the Christmas chart battle with their version of the Bing Crosby and David Bowie classic 'Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth'.

IF it had been a cinema, the lights would have dimmed, the low notes of a double-bass would have dominated a foreboding soundtrack and the whispers of an uneasy cast would have been broken only by a blood-curdling scream.

IAN PAISLEY’S transformation from hate-baiter-in-chief to fluffy cuddle-monger continues to astound.

Richard Collins explains why there won’t be any more snow days in Ireland.