RTÉ’S Ear to the Ground is back on our TV screens and its presenter Darragh McCullough promises the rural affairs series will deliver an eclectic mix of country characters, food journeys and farming news.

Radie Peat is a musician and singer from Artane, Dublin. 

John Kelly is an artist. His father is from Cork, and mother from Bristol. The family emigrated to Australia in 1965, the year of John’s birth. Kelly has lived in all three countries and for the past decade has resided in West Cork. This week, his exhibition, John Kelly: A Group Show, will open at Uillinn in Skibbereen.

On a recent visit to Iraq, Maeve Higgins realised how important comedy is to people in difficult situations, writes Ellie O’Byrne

From Naked Camera to Bere Island to New York, Maeve Higgins tells Richard Fitzpatrick why she has to devour life.

COMEDIENNE Maeve Higgins decamped to New York at the end of January, having spent the previous year living in London, and the dozen before that in Dublin.

Frank *****

Domhnall Gleeson and Lenny Abrahamson tell Pádraic Killeen about the wonders of Frank.

YOU know the expression all mouth and trousers? According to the Harvard Business Review, this term may now be applied with scientific accuracy to quite a few men.

Maggie Gyllenhaal will star in new comedy 'Frank'.

Robbie Williams pulled out of a ghost-hunting trip to speak to people who had been abducted by UFOs.

Once famous as the location for Wicker Man, Scottish village Wigtown is now known for its book festival, says Carl Dixon

Michael Fassbender has signed up to appear in British comedy 'Frank'.

THERE is a reason for the grey hair you see in the accompanying picture.

George Clooney and Meryl Streep will help the London Film Festival open with a bang today as they walk the red carpet for the world premiere of 'Fantastic Mr Fox', based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book.

US ACTOR George Clooney plays a New Age hippie soldier trained for psychic, peaceful combat in a comedy set during the war in Iraq.

Singer Robbie Williams has been recruited to present a radio documentary - about flying saucers.