Return of The Cranberries

Hits like Linger, Dreams and Zombie made them one of the most successful Irish bands of the '90s, with success on both sides of the Atlantic.

Now, Limerick band The Cranberries are to reform after a six-year hiatus.

In a statement on their website on Friday, the group said they would be both touring and recording new material.

They said they "couldn't be happier to announce the news".

Dates in North America are expected before the end of the year, with concerts in Ireland and the rest of Europe to follow in 2010.

Before their break in 2003, the band had become one of the biggest Irish bands of recent times.

Their debut album Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can't We? and its follow-up No Need to Argue were multi-million selling records.

The announcement coincides with the release of new material by lead singer, Dolores O'Riordan.

She said on the band's website: "I've decided to reunite with my former band members in The Cranberries and we will be writing new songs and performing tracks off my new album as well as our greatest hits during the shows. I'd love to see you out there."