Aaron Monaghan, from Cavan, is currently playing Estragon in Waiting for Godot for Druid until July 23 in the Mick Lally Theatre, Galway, before embarking on an ‘Unusual Rural Tour’.  Druid.ie.

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LOUISE COTTER is originally from Tralee in Co Kerry, but lives in Cork. She is one of the lead architects and co-founder of Carr Cotter Naessens (CCN) Architects, the firm that has won several awards for its work on dlr Lexicon, the library and cultural centre in Dún Laoghaire.

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Vicar Street, Dublin

MUSIC NEWS: Don McLean is on his way to Ireland in June, and don’t be surprised if he’s in rather good form, considering he’s just sold the transcipt for his ‘American Pie’ song for $1.2m.

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MUSIC AMNESTY

Song Reader

Soul singer Laura Mvula is favourite to win tonight’s Mercury Prize ahead of acts including chart veteran David Bowie and previous winners Arctic Monkeys.

66-year-old David Bowie's new three-disc album 'The Next Day Extra' - the collectors issue of his acclaimed LP 'The Next Day', which was released in March - will feature a 10-track companion CD with five never-heard-before tracks, such as 'Atomica', 'The Informer', 'Like A Rocket Man', 'Born In A UFO' and 'God Bless The Girl'.

MUSIC NEWS: Arcade Fire have exploded back on to the music scene with a promotional blitz for their forthcoming album Reflektor, due out on Oct 29. Last Monday, the band released the single ‘Reflektor’, complete with backing vocals from David Bowie.

Chart veteran David Bowie’s comeback album after a 10-year absence has been shortlisted for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize, alongside acts such as teenager Jake Bugg.

SATURDAY

The Voice of Ireland semi-final and an eventful week on Fair City feature in our highlights for April 20-26

Great things are expected of singer and songwriter Rachel Sermanni, who is only 19, says Ed Power

IF you have been feeling a bit bored recently, you’re not alone.

Adele is expected to make a triumphant return to the Brits tonight 12 months after her breakthrough appearance at the awards catapulted her to stardom.

Noel Gallagher is confirmed to play at the NME Awards 2012.

Adele looks set to make her UK live comeback at the Brit Awards, three months after surgery to cure a voice-threatening condition.

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are renting a luxurious apartment in west London together.

The BRIT Awards 2012 have been announced for February 21.

Adele, Jessie J and Arctic Monkeys are likely to be the big winners at today’s Q Awards, heading the nominations with three each.

ADELE, Jessie J and Arctic Monkeys head the nominations for the Q Awards, with three each.

Adele, Jessie J and Arctic Monkeys head the nominations for the Q Awards, with three each.

Carey Mulligan is reportedly engaged to Mumford & Sons singer Marcus Mumford.

Singer-songwriter Laura Marling has followed her success at the Brits by being named best solo artist at the Shockwave NME Awards.

Mark Owen thanked bandmate Robbie Williams for rejoining Take That as the manband were crowned Best British Group for the first time at the Brit Awards.

CHART topper Jessie J claimed it was a “amazing” time for British music at the Brit Awards last night.

Rapper Tinie Tempah, soul star Plan B and folk-rock act Mumford And Sons will be hoping for glory tonight at the UK's biggest music bash, the Brit Awards.

Lady Gaga’s outrageous dress sense has proved to be divisive – after she was shortlisted for both most and least stylish star in this year’s NME Awards.

Chart veteran Paul Weller will tonight take on past winner Dizzee Rascal and hotly-tipped acts such as The xx to claim the Barclaycard Mercury Prize.

Festival organisers have released the schedule for this weekend’s Electric Picnic festival.

With just six weeks to go, 11 new acts have been confirmed for the Electric Picnic festival in Stradbally, Co Laois.

DUBLIN band Villagers have been included on the shortlist for this year’s Mercury Prize.

Chart veteran Paul Weller was today shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize for the first time in 16 years – and will battle it out with past winner Dizzee Rascal.

White Stripes frontman Jack White – who is also a member of bands The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather – says that moving between his multiple music projects makes him feel like a “director”.

Oasis are leading the way at this year’s Shockwaves NME Awards, with seven nominations.

English band Elbow are celebrating today after being announced winners of this year's Nationwide Mercury Prize.

This year’s Nationwide Mercury Prize winner will be announced in the UK today, with albums by Radiohead, Estelle, Last Shadow Puppets and Adele vying for the accolade.

Radiohead, Robert Plant and Estelle have made it to the shortlist for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize.