"The playing is rich and intoxicating. Highlights? Too many to list." The Living Tradition & Irish Music Magazine on Brian McNamara

"This captivating solo harp CD shows Gráinne's absolute mastery of the Irish harp." Irish Herald on Gráinne Hambly

On this traditional Irish Music Network tour, three maestros go back to basics, exploring the ancient roots of Celtic music - geantraí, goltraí and suantraí - happy songs, laments and lullabies. One of the finest pipers of his generation, Brian McNamara has a profound musical understanding based on many years of academic research. In addition to extensive tours of the USA, Asia and Australia as musician and tutor he has produced a stream of world-class recordings including Leitrim's Hidden Treasure (voted Best Traditional Newcomer in 1998 by Irish Music Magazine), Fort of the Jewels and, most recently, Reed Only.

Fort of the Jewels featured the Mayo harpist Gráinne Hambly, who in addition to frequent tours with the Belfast Harp Orchestra, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Téada has also released three solo CDs, including the much-lauded Golden Lights and Green Shadows.

Dublin-born Éamon O'Donnchadha fell in love with sean nós on a trip to Connamara. Now singing in the style of that region, he is a three-time winner of the Corn Uí Riada, the most coveted prize in sean nós.

On Tour: Wednesday 14 May Dublin (Coach House, Dublin Castle, 8:00 p.m.); Thursday 15 May Cork (Triskel Arts Centre, 9:00 p.m.); Friday 16 May Listowel (St. John's Theatre and Arts Centre, 8:00 p.m.) Saturday 17 May Thurles (Source Arts Centre, 8:00 p.m.); Sunday 18 May Portlaoise (Dunamaise Arts Centre, 8:00 p.m.); Tuesday 20 May Waterford (Christ Church Cathedral, 8:00 p.m.); Wednesday 21 May Carrick-on-Shannon (The Dock Arts Centre, 8:30 p.m.); Thursday 22 May Castlebar (Linenhall Arts Centre, 8:00 p.m.); Friday 23 May Clifden (Church of Ireland, 8:00 p.m.); Saturday 24 May Virginia (Ramor Theatre, 8:30 p.m.).