The rain put a damper on the outdoor events at Kilkenny Arts Festival, but there were plenty stand-outs among the classical music events, writes Cathy Desmond.

Four new venues and a subtle change of name have allowed this classical festival to broaden its horizons, writes Nicki ffrench Davis

An original manuscript of the finale of Mozart’s best-loved opera, the Marriage of Figaro, today sold for more than £700,000 at auction.