Two new Irish music books out just in time for Christmas

A labour of considerable love, Daragh O’Halloran’s Green Beat: The Forgotten Era Of Irish Rock painstakingly tracks down the members of often overlooked, but crucially important combos like Bluesville, The Caraveles, The Kingbees, Eire Apparent and Primal Scream faves The Count Five.
Along the way, we get to gawp at an adolescent Paul Brady, a moptop Rory Gallagher and – most shockingly – BP Fallon with a full head of hair.
No less fascinating is Leagues O’Toole’s The Humours Of Planxty, which picks up where his excellent TV documentary on the folk legends left off.
Crucially, he had access to all of the key members who talk candidly about the highs and lows of their momentous career.
It also makes for a great social history of an Ireland yet to be buoyed by U2 conquering the world and Ray Houghton sticking the ball in the England net.
If these aren’t in your stocking on December 25, find somebody else to spend Christmas with next year!