As part of Hot Press magazines ongoing online 75th birthday tribute to ‘Van the Man’ - widely considered to be Ireland’s greatest and most influential ever songwriter, singer and performer – and one of the outstanding figures in contemporary music over the past 50-plus years- John Spillane, amongst a host of stellar contributors like Bob Geldoff, Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, Gary Lightbody and The President of Ireland himself, will all perform covers of Van Morrison classics – see them for yourself on youtube.com/hotpressmagazine

Míde talks about how Mick's manager Sheena Keane brought about the whole concept. She also chats about the unusual means in which the single had to be written.

‘No Sound Ever Dies’ is the debut album from 90’s heroes Emperor of Ice Cream. Here Graham tells Dave about what it has been like working with old friends again and reveals the story behind the cover art and album title. Buy it on Bandcamp.comright now.

Cork doctor & Bandon resident Patrick Seigne, a consultant intensivist at CUH, talks about a charity cycle taking place on September 3rd and 4th with frontline healthcare workers cycling to Dublin from the 4 corners of Ireland over twodays. It’s in appreciation of the ongoing support of the Irish public for healthcare workers throughout the Covid19 pandemic who say they are uncomfortable being labelled ‘heroic’ and ‘frontline’ and want to turn the focus back on the patients and the supportingcharities that help the most vulnerable in society, specifically Alone (older people), Breakthrough Cancer Research (new cancer treatments), Aware (mental health) and ICUsteps (ICU patient aftercare support). The team has already raised more than half of the €100k target thanks to incredible support from corporate sponsors, including lead sponsor AerCap, gold sponsors Eli Lily and BNP Paribas, silver sponsors Pfizer and Gilead, and other supporters. To support the cause go to ICU4U.ie

Martin Fenton, whose sister Karen sadly lost her battle with Ovarian cancer three years ago, is cycling from their family home in Waterfall to Howth Road in Dublin where she lived prior to her passing. You can help with Martin's fundraising efforts for Cork’s CUH here https://www.ifundraise.ie/event/2511_martin-s-home-to-home-cycle-challenge.html

Kerri from Fitzpatrick's shop in Glounthaune, talks about her mother Geraldine's genius idea to produce a creativity book for all the smallies they were missing seeing during lockdown. The family affair included daughter Erin in Dubai andCarrig Printers too. Pick up a copy at Fitzpatrick's or Little Island and Glounthaune post offices all for the children's ward at CUH.

Knocknagree's Elly O' Keeffe, a recent contestant on The Voice UK speaks of her experience of the show, meeting Tom Jones, how nice everybody was and of how it has helped kick her on down the path of releasing music starting with currentsingle Gold. For more: Elly O' Keeffe Music on Facebook

Glanmire native Keelan Skillington talks of the ongoing preparations involved in taking on a marathon challenge – his first time running 42K - Friday September 4th. He tells Dave he is doing to this to raise funds for the Parkinson's associationof Ireland an organisation doing so much to help his grandad manage his condition. You can help him here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11389685_keelin-skillington-s-page.html

Crónán O’ Doibhlin tells Dave about UCC’s acquisition of The Great Book of Ireland, (Leabhar Mór na hÉireann) - ‘Ireland’s modern-day Book of Kells’ - a gallery of original modern Irish art, poetry, and musical compositions produced between 1989 and 1991 and all bound in one single volume. The book is one and a half times the size of The Book of Kells and required over 110 calfskins to complete. See the Alan Gilsenan directed documentary about the book on RTE 1 tonight Thursday 20th August at 10.10

Carrigaline/Cloyne man Conor Cahill speaks about his ‘Camino de Ireland’ which sees him walking from Malin to Mizen raising funds for the Ambo deaf project, a school in Ethiopia set up by Corkonians. You are invited to donate and guess the total number of steps he will take to win a €500 voucher from deaf enterprises or a midweek stay at the Emmet Hotel, Clonakilty. For more info visit https://www.edp-ambo.com/.