It was a South African-like sun that brought the smiles and covered the RDS for Paul Simon’s farewell tour last night.

What effect do the members of your parliament think a vote in favour of BDS of goods produced in Judea and Samaria will have on Israel?

Kilkenny GAA chiefs have slammed “draconian rates” that could spell the end of their pursuit of big games and the staging of concerts in Nowlan Park.

Mrs Browns Boys, Bridget & Eamon, and Baz and Nancy going to see the Pope are some of the highlights on RTÉ for the Christmas period.

Willie Nelson and Paul Simon are among the stars headlining a benefit concert next week to help Texas residents affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Elvis Presley died 40 years ago today. Jonathan deBurca Butler asked some his best-known Irish fans what The King meant to them

“We Come On The Ship They Call The Mayflower

As holiday season kicks into gear, a number of broadcasters and authors tell Jonathan deBurca Butler which books they’ll be packing in their suitcase.

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Martin Hayes is from Co Clare and his various musical projects include being a member of The Gloaming. He describes music as “my life, its my passion, my hobby and my career”. Hayes performs in concert with Paul Brady, Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Altan and dancer Colin Dunne at the Blas Summer School 20th anniversary concert at the University Concert Hall Limerick on Sunday.

Tickets for the Dublin Show go on sale Thursday 26 May at 9am from all usual outlets.

JOHNNY ‘Fang’ Murphy is a founder member of the Stargazers. From Blackrock in Cork, he now lives in Macroom. The Stargazers perform tonight at Triskel Christchurch in Cork on a double bill with the Lee Valley String Band in support of Médecins Sans Frontières.

Good call, Mike — rev ‘em up with some rocking stuff from the new album and stop them getting too complacent or nostalgic. Then give a nod to the die hard fans with the older stuff such as ‘We will not be lovers’.

MUSIC NEWS: You may have seen poor Florence Welch sitting on a stool for her performance with The Machine on Later With Jools on Tuesday (longer version on BBC Two tonight). Apparently she broke her foot while leaping off the stage at the Coachella festival in the US. 

The Waterboys have tweaked their style for a new album. Mike Scott tells Niall Murray all about it.

It was a tough summer for music promoter Peter Aiken who was at the centre of the Garth Brooks concert fiasco.

Stewart Copeland is as happy as a composer and dad as he was as drummer with The Police, writes Ed Power

MUSIC NEWS: U2 caught us all by surprise earlier this week with the release of their new album, Songs Of Innocence, as part of a tie-in with Apple.

Welcome to your Wednesday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

Prosecutors are dropping a disorderly conduct case against singer Paul Simon and his wife, Edie Brickell, related to a fight at the couple’s home.

Singer Paul Simon and his wife, Edie Brickell, have been arrested on disorderly conduct charges.

Singer Paul Simon and his wife, Edie Brickell, have been arrested on disorderly conduct charges.

U2 frontman Bono and singer Paul Simon said Seamus Heaney should be an inspiration to people on their travels as a tapestry dedicated to the late poet was unveiled yesterday.

The end of a marriage can come as a huge shock, resulting in its own grieving process but there is help available, says Catherine Shanahan.

Aerosmith will headline the new Calling Festival.

Irish house prices went through the roof in the boom, and through the floor in the collapse. Now, they’ve shot back out of the basement. Literally.

Sting and Paul Simon are rehearsing for their upcoming tour, a couple of friends and neighbours preparing to take turns singing some of each other’s biggest hits.

Cork City Ballet: 21st Anniversary Gala, Cork Opera House

Cork City Ballet has come a long way since its foundation, as evidenced by the fact that international stars are willing to accept invitations to perform here.

Performers Paul Simon and Olly Murs contributed to Dublin-based promoters, Aiken Promotions maintaining profitability last year.

Sold-out concerts by One Direction and Van Morrison at Dublin’s O2 last year were not enough to prevent the group that operates the venue incurring a 17% drop in pre-tax profits to £4.99m (€5.83m).

KURT Elling plays the National Concert Hall, in Dublin, this evening, after a gruelling tour of the Netherlands, Denmark and Slovenia.

Bruce Springsteen, with the full E Street Line Band line up, will bring his Wrecking Ball Weekender World Tour to a dramatic conclusion at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, next summer.

One Direction and Robbie Williams helped Dublin’s O2 last year gross over $41m (€32m) and to jump one place to become the fourth- best attended music arena in the world.

It’s been in business nearly 100 years, so it’s no surprise Cleo Murphy enjoyed old-school, Irish hospitality at the Glenview Hotel.

Paul Simon probably never had a vocal partner quite like Bobby McFerrin, who coaxed him on stage for an impromptu performance of a Simon and Garfunkel hit - the highlight of opening night of Jazz at the Lincoln Centre’s 25th anniversary season.

Rock stars Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney were silenced after defying the sound curfew at Hard Rock Calling.