Leonard Cohen for The O2 and Odyssey

For those of you who have yet to hear the original – and best – version of ‘Hallelujah’ in a live setting, prepare yourself for an experience no X Factor wannabe can match, as Leonard Cohen confirms three Irish dates this July.

The 74-year-old last year earned rave reviews for June shows at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

The gigs marked part of an extensive world tour, which also took in London's O2 Arena – a show that was captured on tape for the just-released CD/DVD Live in London.

Cohen plays The O2, Dublin on July 19 & 20, stopping by Belfast the week after for a July 26 show at the Odyssey Arena.

Tickets for the Belfast date go on sale this Friday (April 3) at 9am, with the O2 shows on sale from Tuesday (April 7) at 9. They'll set you back somewhere between £75.00 and £90.00, or €90 and €125 respectively, and will be available from Ticketmaster and usual outlets nationwide.