At the start of the year they were a modestly-successful group saddled with a misleading folk/rock label, whose main asset was the presence of three spectacularly photogenic sisters.

Their fan-base in Britain consisted largely of misty-eyed Irish ex-pats and enthusiastic English converts to the Michael Flatley brand of Gaelic culture. But as 1999 looms, they are firmly established as Eire's biggest exports since U2.

'Talk On Corners' is the best-selling UK album of the year, hovering at or near the top of the charts for months and recently earning a fifth platinum disc for passing 1.5million units. Their current 27-date arena tour, which includes three nights at Birmingham NEC and four at Wembley, sold out within days, and this week they were confirmed as the headliners for the City In The Park concert in Nottingham next Spring.

Two of the key factors in this phenomenal rise were a support slot on Celine Dion's tour and the instant impact of their cover version of Fleetwood Mac's 'Dreams'. But the phenomenal pace of their progress was underlined at the NEC on Sunday when lead vocalist Andrea, trying to recollect those milestones, got herself into such a tongue-tied tangle that the band broke into the next number before she came back for a second, successful, stab at audience-communication.

By the time the tour winds back to Birmingham next Tuesday and again on January 23, practice will probably have made the patter perfect. But one rather hopes not, because for now they are delightfully free of the cloying slickness which affects so many bands in their neck of the woods.

In terms of musicianship, of course, they are models of polished professionalism, blending Californian-style soft-rock with the haunting airs and ceilidh reels of their homeland to create a distinctive, hugely engaging sound. Vocally, they are very strong, Sharon (violin) and Caroline (drums) combining with their sister in some classic harmonies. And brother Jim, as well as being highly accomplished on guitar and keyboards, radiates good-bloke charm - at one stage he demonstrated his lack of superstar pretensions when followed up a superb piano solo with a Les Dawson-style mangling of Scott Joplin's Entertainer.

No hint of superstar pretensions there! The only problem for The Corrs, in fact, is that they have come so far, so quickly that they've almost reached the point where the only way is down. But anyone who was at the NEC on Sunday will assure you that they've got what it takes to be around for years to come.

The Corrs return to the National Exhibition Centre on December 22 and January 23. The City In The Park concert at Wollaton Park, Nottingham is on Sunday, May 30. Gates open at noon and advance tickets are £25 plus booking fee from the usual agencies or by telephoning 0115 958 8484.

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