It's a given that there is nothing like a good Irish road trip, and in the recent weather we've been having, we crave the wind on our face even more than ever.

Leopardstown has announced the two music headliners for the Dublin Racing Festival: Damien Dempsey and Stockton’s Wing.

Mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty headlines the 15th East Cork Early Music Festival this weekend, writes Cathy Desmond

"We're here to entertain you tonight and that's what we're gonna do."

From enchanting Morrissey to moving Imelda May, Damien Dempsey’s music often provokes an emotional response, writes Ed Power.

Marjorie Brennan selects a Top 10 of the best rebel songs

This week, a mixed-race woman overcomes prejudice in period drama 'Belle', Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon star in ‘Devil’s Knot’, a young boy embarks on a journey of self-discovery in ‘T.S. Spivet’, and ‘Doctor Who’ star Karen Gillan appears in supernatural horror ‘Oculus’.

THE President of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, Gerard Craughwell, says he doesn’t think we should “experiment” with our children’s future but I don’t know how we can make progress if we don’t.

Coldplay's 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' has been voted BBC Radio 2 listeners' favourite album of all time.

Dido's music is popular in war zones.

Jade Ellis blames tactical voting for her 'X Factor' axe.

An exhibition of Monroe memorabilia in Italy proves that the iconic actress was a modern-day Venus, says Daisy Goodwin

What I do: Teacher, musician, and creator & producer of Pulses of Tradition.

MUSIC NEWS: Noel Gallagher managed to win his own gold medal for sibling wind-ups at last week’s Olympics closing ceremony.

Dido is working on a new album.

The title of Asperger’s suffererPip Brown’s new album describes her terror of playing live, says Ed Power

The grieving characters in Carthaginians respond to Bloody Sunday by camping out in a cemetery, says Colette Sheridan

Fear and mistrust push Dido to reject Aeneas’s love in a version that utilises the musicians as actors, says Nicki ffrench Davis.

CORK Opera House’s autumn-winter programme is set to showcase over 50 performances.

Amy Winehouse's appetites for music and self-destruction often came in equal measure.

Adele’s critically-acclaimed album '21' has become one of the fastest-selling releases in chart history after it sold two million copies in 87 days.

A WIDE-ranging Fringe Festival programme has been announced for the Waterford International Festival of Music taking place next month.

Eminem and Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon could soon be set to collaborate on a new track.

Gerry and Kate McCann are hoping to put the focus back on the search for their daughter Madeleine with a new video released to mark the third anniversary of her disappearance.

Lily Allen, Lady GaGa, Pixie Lott and Florence And The Machine head the Brit Awards shortlist, each garnering three nominations.

Elton John will make a guest appearance on rap icon Eminem's comeback album, according to music industry gossip.

'X-Factor' hopeful Diana Vickers became the ninth contestant to be booted off the show last night.

Dido plans to put her singing career on hold - in order to fulfil her dream of playing drums in a band.

After nearly four years away from the music charts Dido has come back with her latest single.

Singer Amy Winehouse has settled a claim for copyright infringement over a song on her best-selling album Back to Black, a solicitor said today.

The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was today voted the nation’s favourite Number One album.

Yusuf Islam, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, insists the increasingly volatile political climate has inspired his comeback.

Former You’re A Star contestant George Murphy was today remanded on continuing bail after appearing in court in connection with an assault charge.

Robbie Williams is the UK’s biggest-selling artist of the 21st century - selling 6.3 million albums since 2000.

Robbie Williams is the UK's biggest-selling artist of the 21st century.

Mercury Music Prize nominee KT Tunstall has apologised for her scathing attack on Dido after ranting "Dido can't sing" - because she hates the idea of a public feud.

Mercury Music Prize nominee KT Tunstall hates critics who compare her to Dido because she doesn't rate the For Rent singer's breathy tones.

PINK Floyd have seen their album sales rocket 13-fold following their triumphant appearance at Live 8.

Pink Floyd have seen their album sales rocket 13-fold following their triumphant appearance at Live 8.

Twenty years after Live Aid, the world’s leading musicians took to the London stage once more tonight to call for an end to world poverty.

Rock campaigner Bob Geldof has axed himself off the playlist for Saturday's Live 8 gigs, because he doesn't sell enough records to justify sharing the stage with superstars Madonna, Paul McCartney and U2.

U2 were honoured by the music industry today with a lifetime achievement award.

A sixth Live 8 concert has been announced to coincide with the G8 summit in Scotland on 6 July.