President Michael D Higgins pays tribute to Grammy-winning singer John Prine

‘He always used local musicians as support acts for his concerts in Ireland’

Arty McGlynn obituary: Traditional music’s pioneering guitar man

The breadth of his musicianship led to collaborations with notable artists of the era

Sean O’Rourke keeps Christmas spirit alive but adds to his naughty list

RTÉ host gets to the heart of the childcare crisis , as O’Shea welcomes all book-lovers

Cork Folk Festival directors honoured for keeping festival going for 40 years

Jim Walsh and Hammy Hammond honoured for dedication

How Kathy Mattea got her groove – and voice – back

The country singer is back in form with a voice she reckons is now like a Ferrari

Arty McGlynn: Botera review – Going back to his eclectic musical roots

A rare and mighty force for good: memories of David Hammond

John Kelly on a film-maker whom Seamus Heaney called ‘a one-man peace process’

Matt Molloy & John Carty - Out of the Ashes album review: tunes with verve and vitality

MATT MOLLOY & JOHN CARTY WITH ARTY McGLYNN, BRIAN McGRATH & NOEL O’GRADYOut of the Ashes ****Racket Records

Gradam Ceoil Awards reveal a tradition in good health

The annual traditional music awards recognise individual talent in traditional music while also acknowledging that today’s stars are part of a greater coalition

We have lift-off: Irish cultural calendar 2015

A year of Yeats. The return of the Gathering. The zaniness of TedFest. The muckiness of the National Ploughing Championships. The musical magic of Electric Picnic. The spectacular scenery of Earagail Arts Festival. And much more. Consider yourself told