John Palmer has been running his musical instrument shop in the heart of Waterford city for 30 years.

Glen Hansard Christmas concerts have an epic reputation and his latest three-hours plus seasonal shindig more than lived up to expectations. The red-haired, grey-bearded singer-songwriter crooned, joked, danced (yes) and invited up a rotating cast of poets, trad singers and Irish music icons.

The couple, who have been together for "exactly" 32 years, were engaged for 11 years.

An impressive debut EP and a deal with Virgin have marked the trio out as ones to watch, writes Ed Power.

Camille O’Sullivan returns in Shakespeare’s poem of rape and its aftermath, writes Esther McCarthy

Brian Kennedy has battled cancer and seen close friends go to the grave. He now appreciates life more than ever, writes Ellie O’Byrne.

I can’t remember the first time I heard Bob Dylan or Van Morrison or even Lightnin’ Hopkins, but I remember the first time I heard Dolores O’Riordan, writes Michael Clifford.

A raucous atmosphere filled the National Concert Hall last night as some of rock ‘n roll’s greatest rebels gathered to celebrate the 60th birthday of Pogues singer Shane MacGowan.

Shane MacGowan’s girlfriend has revealed that ‘Fairytale of New York’ is the soundtrack to their life together.

A special gig filled with international stars will celebrate the 60th birthday of Shane MacGowan.

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.

Singer Shane MacGowan was joined by family, friends and former neighbours as he said goodbye to his mother Therese at her funeral Mass yesterday. Mourners heard she passed on her own musical talent to her son.

The funeral of Therese MacGowan, the mother of Pogues singer Shane MacGowan, took place today in Tipperary.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

The mother of Pogues singer Shane MacGowan was killed in car crash in Co Tipperary yesterday afternoon.

Update 9.23pm: The mother of singer Shane MacGowan died in a road accident in co Tipperary today.

NOT another one. If you’re still trying to comprehend the idea that David Bowie was not, in fact, a star man made of star dust, but encased in a biodegradable meat sack like the rest of us, then the news of Prince will have felt like a great big purple slap, writes Suzanne Harrington. 

Damien Dempsey is from Donaghmede in Dublin, and his musical influences include traditional sean-nós, as well as his heroes, Bob Marley and Elvis Presley. Upcoming gigs include Cork Opera House, next Friday, April 1; and the National Opera House, Wexford, on April 2.

All the latest news from the world of music, film and entertainment.

I SPENT the last few days trading holiday stories with a friend of mine.

Journalist Lynn Barber tells Richard Fitzpatrick why interviewers shouldn’t be afraid to look stupid and how she asked Jimmy Savile ‘that question’

For fear we may never see his likes again, should we not seek a sample of Christy Moore’s DNA and put it in a time capsule?

GIG WISE: You may have missed the news released just before Christmas that Longitude will return to Marlay Park in Dublin on Jul 18-20, with confirmed acts including Disclosure and Ben Howard.

Writing exclusively for the Irish Examiner, Shane MacGowan recalls the festive seasons of his childhood in Tipperary and London.

Simon Pegg doesn't like being around drunk people – and says staying sober boosts creativity.

Shane MacGowan has given his famous Christmas ballad a festive soap-themed makeover to help struggling charities.

Pogues star Shane MacGowan is to make a cameo appearance in 'Coronation Street'.

Phil Chevron would have approved.

Phil Chevron, the guitarist for The Pogues, has died aged 56.

Next weekend’s concert at the Olympia honours the musician, says Ed Power

MUSIC NEWS: Co-operation between Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher would put the fall of the Berlin Wall in the shade, but the formerly feuding Brit-pop kings are rumoured to be working together.

U2 frontman Bono will lend his voice to the fundraising campaign for the medical bills of Aslan singer Christy Dignam — even though he will be in New York.

The professional challenge of a lifetime awaits the dentist willing to take it on.

With the director Stephen Spielberg ending up in a bidding war with his wife for one of the items at the charity auction, it was no wonder the event raised more than €250,000 towards the building of a hospice in Wicklow — and they are still counting.

While Hollywood star Daniel Day-Lewis, 55, claimed he had no idea how much last night’s charity premiere and party for his Lincoln movie would raise for the Wicklow Hospice Foundation, insiders said they believe it will generate a six-figure sum.

Dublin became a part of Hollywood yesterday when movie stars, directors, celebrities and fully paid-up members of the glitterati attended the European premiere of the new Steven Spielberg movie Lincoln in the city’s Savoy Cinema.

MUSIC NEWS: He hasn’t gone away, y’know.

Shane MacGowan was so drunk while filming the video for 'Fairytale of New York' that Matt Dillon had to hold him up.

Spider Stacey of The Pogues has revealed how the band had a bust-up with the cops when they were filming the video for ‘Fairytale Of New York’ in Manhattan.

MUSIC NEWS: Shane MacGowan has told the Quietus website that some of his best songs were written by ghosts.