Laura Mvula favourite among 12 finalists including Bowie and Arctic Monkeys

From quiet beginnings, the ‘Take Me to Church’ singer’s music, and its political nous, are growing in depth and stature

The Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas had many big names and big ideas but the true star was the big house itself

Sailing, hurling and the Carlow Arts Festival among the highlights of a sunny weekend

In last week’s music media mash-up in Austin, Texas, the big names mingled with the wild, the innocent, the dreamers and the deluded: Here’s 20 of the best