There’s good news for Thin Lizzy fans this week with confirmation that the hotpress-published Philomena Lynott and Jackie Hayden book, My Boy, is to be made into a major film.

While who’s taking on the Phil role is still a closely guarded secret, Felicia’s Journey actress Elaine Cassidy and Holly Hunter will play Philomena at the various stages of her life.

The movie – which starts shooting here in spring 2002 – is being directed by Andrew Shea whose previous credits include The Third Miracle, The Caveman’s Valentine and the Sundance Award-winning The Corndog which has been described as “the most original independent American film of the ’90s.”

The producer is Noel Pearson, the man behind the Oscar-grabbing My Left Foot, The Field and Dancing At Lughnasa.

In other Lizzy-related news, this week sees the release through Polygram of the 4-CD Vagabonds, Kings, Warriors, Angels box-set.

As well as taking in all of their hits and live favourites, it contains such rarities as their first Irish-only single, ‘The Farmer’, ‘Remembering Part 2’, ‘A Night In The Life Of A Blues Singer’ , ‘Sisters Of Mercy’, ‘Sugar Blues’ and ‘Song For Jimi’.

As if that wasn’t enough, Smiley Bolger has succeeded in finding a new venue for Southbound: Vibe For Philo XVI.

Running from 7pm till indecently late, the January 4th celebration of all things Lynott is now being held at The Submarine, Crumlin Cross, Dublin 12.

Tickets priced £12.60 are available from all the usual outlets. For more information on the line-up log on to vibeforphilo.cjb.net