Music Network series explores our beguiling musical landscape

We sometimes get the idea that Ireland and its music had scant influence or recognition in Europe during the years that led up to the legendary visit to Dublin in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, who bestowed on us “for ever and ever” all those heavenly hallelujahs. Alas, they seemed to have blotted out just about everything else musical that had been happening in Dublin – and indeed Cork – around that time.