Undeniable Craft
Brendan Finan
Brendan Finan finds self-assurance and careful design in this new collection of Bill Whelan's orchestral works, released on the RTÉ Lyric FM label.
Pointing Towards the Future
Anna Murray
Belfast harper Úna Monaghan's new album is a surprising – sometimes startling – mix of traditional music material and electronics, writes Anna Murray.
Opera for Our Time
Adrian Smith
For its very first production, Irish National Opera presented Thomas Adès’ 'Powder Her Face', a story of female empowerment and upper-class complacency. Adrian Smith reviews.
Hear the Water
Julie Seagrave
Naomi Berrill's new album is an ode to sea, using cello and vocals to conjure up its sounds. Julie Seagrave – in her second review as part of the Journal of Music/Galway City Council Music Writer Mentoring Scheme – hears undercurrents, unexpected pulls and more.
Room for Everyone
Deirdre Clare
In the final review from our Journal of Music/Clare County Council Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, Deirdre Clare writes about the latest recording from one of Clare's most renowned traditional musicians.
Leaving Nothing Behind
Brendan Finan
Music by Simon O'Connor, John McLachlan, Piazzolla and the Conor Guilfoyle Octet – more variegated works would be hard to find, writes Brendan Finan about Kaleidoscope's spring event which took place earlier this month.
From the North Country
Alan Reid
The North Clare musical identity is brought to life with nuanced tunes from Florence Fahy – Alan Reid listens to the concertina player's debut album for his second review as part of our Journal of Music/Clare County Council Music Writer Mentoring Scheme.
Layers of Knowledge
Ruth Smith
In her second review as part of our Journal of Music/Clare County Council Music Writer Mentoring Scheme, Ruth Smith listens to An Tara's 'genre-curious' album 'Faha Rain'.
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From Broken Dream to Musical Healing
Adrian Scahill reviews 'Aisling Ghéar', a stark and unflinching new documentary on the concertina player Noel Hill. 
Love and Conflict at the NCH
It is a critical time for the RTÉ NSO, but it celebrated its 70th year with a diverse programme and impassioned performances, writes Adrian Smith.