ONCE a year, fiddle players old and young cluster around the statue of Sliabh Luachra master Pádraig O’Keeffe in the Kerry village of Scartaglin.

The return of top try scorer Craig Gilroy is the only change for Ulster in this afternoon’s win or bust Guinness PRO12 Super Saturday shoot-out with the Champions Cup-chasing Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

Ulster 17 Dragons 15: A Paddy Jackson penalty two minutes from the end of the game catapulted Ulster to the top of the Guinness PRO12.

Ireland winger Andrew Trimble can push aside the disappointment of not being on World Cup duty when he becomes Ulster’s most-capped player this evening when Guinness Pro12 rivals Benetton Treviso visit the Kingspan Stadium.

Ireland international wingers Tommy Bowe and Andrew Trimble start for Ulster in the pre-season game against Edinburgh at Goldenacre tonight (6:30).

Ireland’s midfield duo Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw will put their growing playing relationship on hold when Ulster face Connacht in what should be a close Pro12 clash in Galway on Saturday.

Ulster have announced the signings of London Welsh players Peter Browne and Paul Rowley.

Gardaí have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a body in Wicklow yesterday, the Dáil’s disciplinary committee says Mary Lou McDonald abused her parliamentary privilege, Munster may be going in for more transfer business and the introduction of TechNow. These are some of the latest and most read news on irishexaminer.com this evening.

Manchán Magan presents a weekly Tuesday travel slot on Newstalk’s The Right Hook, and will be teaching a six-week course in travel writing in the Dublin Writers’ Centre, from February 3.

Well-known traditional accordionist Dan Herlihy will be honoured at the Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival in Castleisland, Co Kerry, this weekend.

A well-established traditional music festival is expected to draw a crowd of around 10,000 to Killarney.

O’Riada’s iconic radio series is now being rebroadcast to mark 40 years since his death,says Colette Sheridan

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

EVER since he purchased his first fiddle for two old pounds at the age of 14, Mikey Duggan has been an integral part of the traditional music scene in the Sliabh Luachra area, straddling the Cork/Kerry border.

LEADING estate agents Lisney swung into the red last year.

A MUCH-LOVED traditional musician who brought joy to many people during his long life was laid to rest in his beloved Sliabh Luachra, yesterday.