Billie Eilish and Lizzo were among the big breakthrough acts in 2019, while we bade farewell to the likes of Ginger Bakerand Keith Flint, writes Ed Power

From loot box controversies to the announcement of PewDiePie’s retirement, Ronan Jennings looks at some of the issues for gamers over the past year, and speculates on some of the developments for 2020

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra has announced it will bring the songs of Leonard Cohen to Dublin's Bord Gáis Energy Theatre next March.

KINSALE LITERARY FEST: The third incarnation of the Words by Water event takes place next weekend with its most impressive line-up yet.

As the networks get ready to release their autumn/winter highlights, Netflix was fast out of the blocks to announce that season three of The Crown will arrive on Sunday, November 17.

In advance of his Cork gig, Tommy Tiernan tells Ellie O’Byrne about his comedy influences, his obscure taste in film, and his love of Chris De Burgh.

Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan, Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy and former Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh have taken the final three MEP seats in Midlands-North-West — while runner-up Peter Casey has vowed to run for the Dáil.

Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness was elected to the first of the four seats on Monday.

Frankie Ross is director of operations for next week’s Fastnet Film Festival in Schull, Co Cork.

Classical music lovers on Leeside are in for a treat this summer with the announcement that Cork Opera House is taking us to the Proms.

Mary McGrath is from Ballybrannigan near Cloyne, Co Cork, and is the artistic director of the First Cut Youth Film Festival.

Dear Rory,

Simone Collins is an actress from Dublin. She is playing Dorothy in Cork Opera House’s summer production of The Wizard of Oz (July 19 to August 26.

In another time and another place, Rufus Wainwright would be selling millions of records and living a life of Elton John-esque fabulousness. That time was the Seventies, when tortured singer-songwriters with a knack for melody-festooned hits and off-the-cuff melodrama were quite the thing.

Denyse Woods was born in Boston, but has been living in Cork for almost 30 years, and is based in Inniscarra.

Kaylee Rogers, a name to remember.

Suzi Godson offers up some relationship advice.

Here's your morning news bulletin...

Our regular contributors select their highlights of the year

Colin Sheridan on Ireland’s footballing philosophy. The Beautiful Game it ain’t.

Deirdre O’Donovan is development consultant with West Cork Music and event organiser of the inaugural West Cork Chamber Music Fringe Festival which will take place in and around the town of Bantry from tomorrow.

She was already one of the country’s most successful models, but her stint on RTÉ’s Dancing With The Stars will make Thalia Heffernan a household name, writes Esther McCarthy.

Vlad Smishkewych presents early music programme, Vox Nostra on RTÉ Lyric fm, on Sunday mornings from 7am to 10am. He was born in New Jersey to a Spanish mother and a Ukrainian father, and also performs and teaches in the early music sphere.

Marlene Enright is from Bantry, Co Cork. She is music booker for The White Horse in Ballincollig, and is also a musician and songwriter. She is about to release her debut solo album, Placemats and Second Cuts, writes Des O’Driscoll.

Julia Jacklin is a rising star, just don’t tell her she’s a wise head on young shoulders. Ed Power talks to the Australian queen of folk in advance of her Irish gig

A new book in aid of an Irish charity asked people to recall their favourite concert, writes Don O’Mahony.

All the feels.

Your letters, your views...

Many will mourn, but few will cheer the passing of 2016, writes John Whelan.

Pop superstar George Michael's death at the age of 53 from suspected heart failure is being treated by police as "unexplained but not suspicious".

Hilary Fennell sits down this week with RTÉ Radio 1 ’Drivetime’ broadcaster, Mary Wilson, to chat about the wisdom she’s gained through her career.

From David Bowie to Terry Wogan Kelly O’Brien looks back on a year in which we lost an unprecedented number of celebrities

Some of music’s finest have died this year, but there has still been a fine array of records on release. Ed Power picks his favourites

The list comes from the world of sport, politics and celebrity.