The 34 year old lock- who has 88 caps for Ireland- has signed a new two year deal with the IRFU, which will keep him at Thomond Park until 2016.
Meanwhile; Munster's Simon Zebo and Craig Gilroy of Ulster have both been added to the extended Ireland squad for the upcoming Six Nations campaign.
Keith Earls remains a doubt, though, after picking up a knee injury in Munster's win over Edinburgh yesterday.
He's having a scan on his knee today.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is hopeful that Tommy Bowe will be able to play the majority of the upcoming Six Nations campaign.
The Ulster winger has been out of action since last month, with a torn groin muscle.
But Schmidt says he should be fit by Ireland's third game of the campaign, which is against England at Twickenham:
