THE Temple Bar TradFest begins in Dublin this week. Promoted by the Temple Bar Company (an association of traders in the city centre), the acclaimed festival of traditional and folk music will begin on Tuesday and run until Sunday next.

It’s 20 years since A Woman’s Heart captured the nation’s feelings, becoming one of the country’s best-selling albums. David Young recalls 1992.

Béla Fleck will be joined by Irish performers for his first gig in Cork in 25 years this week, says Nicki ffrench Davis

Arty McGlynn will showcase his hybrid mix of musical styles at the Ennis Trad Festival, says Gerry Quinn.

HE’S been crowned amateur world elephant polo champion, he was Ireland’s first-ever competitor at the sumo world wrestling championships in Osaka, and he holds the world record for the three-legged marathon. But adrenalin junkie Colin Carroll is about to make his biggest-ever splash.

Tommy Barker finds a country retreat whose owner sings its own praises.

HOLLYWOOD royalty turned out in force in Los Angeles on Thursday night to honour Van Morrison, Terry George and William Monahan for their writing and contribution to film.