Best music in 2025: Irish Times critics choose the albums and acts of the year
From CMAT to Chappell Roan, and Maria Somerville to Rosalía, women have ruled the industry this year
Soda Blonde
Event guide: Merchy Christmas, Kneecap and the other best things to go to in Ireland in the week ahead
December 13th-19th, 2025: The best movies, music, art and more coming your way this week
The Guide: Mary Poppins, The Magic Numbers and other events to see, shows to book and ones to catch before they end
December 7th-13th: The best movies, music, art and more coming your way this week
Faye O’Rourke’s Christmas: ‘I have a reputation for overdoing it. I splash out. It’s not in my control’
The powerhouse voice behind Soda Blonde tells of her soft spot for The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Guide: Galway International Arts Festival, Pillow Queens and other events to see, shows to book and ones to catch before they end
July 13th-19th: The best movies, music, art and more coming your way this week
Catherine Martin to attend SXSW events as Irish artists withdraw in solidarity with Gaza
A dozen Irish acts, including Kneecap, Soda Blonde and NewDad, will not perform due to festival’s links with US military
Irish artists, including Kneecap and Gavin James, pull out of SXSW festival in solidarity with Gaza
Musicians drop put of South by Southwest line-up as a result of US army’s sponsorship of arts festival in Austin, Texas
Faye O’Rourke of Soda Blonde: ‘I’m proud we haven’t compromised to make the albums we’re making’
The end of Little Green Cars left the band purple with music-industry bruises. Now they’re firmly in the driving seat
Soda Blonde: Dream Big - Dubliners return with a bolder, more forthright, more experimental affair
The quartet’s second album shakes off the shackles of their past guise, Little Green Cars
Stevie Appleby: ‘I didn’t pick up a guitar for two years after Little Green Cars broke up’
The folk-pop exile returns with a solo record after a low-profile hiatus since 2019
Soda Blonde – Small Talk: Artful, accessible and cinematic
Dublin group has produced a record of quality musicianship, clearheaded lyrics and a signature voice
Goodbye Little Green Cars, hello Soda Blonde
The announcement of the band’s split earlier this year came as a surprise to many – but now they’re back with a new name, new music and most of the original band
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices