The Yeats festival is much more than an attempt to cash in on the artistic brothers’ association with the area, writes Alan O’Riordan.

The Yeats festival is much more than an attempt to cash in on the artistic brothers’ association with the area, writes Alan O’Riordan.

WITHOUT striking too ghoulish a tone, perhaps it is fair to reflect that amid the brouhaha surrounding the death of Margaret Thatcher, an opportunity was lost.

MUSIC NEWS: Snow Patrol singer Gary Lightbody, below, is one of the busiest men in show business at the moment.

MUSIC NEWS: Pete Doherty’s latest attempts to deal with his addiction issues have ended in failure after he departed a rehab centre in Thailand.

Steve Wickham says: “I’m a working musician. So, for me, there is still nothing that beats playing live.“

TOMORROW, the Green Party celebrates. At a gathering in the Central Hotel in Dublin, members will raise a glass to 30-years-a-growing.

The Green Party is launching celebrations for its 30th birthday today.

ONE of Ireland’s greatest musical heroes, the late composer Seán Ó Riada, is to be commemorated with a festival in his adopted home of Cúil Aodha.

Legendary band The Waterboys will tomorrow kick-off a tour of intimate venues across the country.