Chris Newman & Máire Ní Chathasaigh

Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman

The “celebrated partnership” of a “brilliant English master of the acoustic guitar” (THE DAILY TELEGRAPH)  with “the doyenne of Irish harpers” (SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY) has presented its unique musical vision in twenty-four countries on five continents to venues ranging from the tiniest of village halls to palaces in Kyoto and Istanbul, London’s Barbican, Cologne's Philharmonie, and Town Halls from Sydney to Seattle.

“Riveting”

* * * * THE SCOTSMAN

“An eclecticism and spirit of adventure that is quite thrilling”
* * * THE TIMES

Chris is a “dazzling” (ACOUSTIC GUITAR) guitarist, who has toured and recorded with such luminaries of the folk and jazz worlds as Boys of the Lough and Stéphane Grappelli, and a composer and record producer, receiving a silver disc for producing the Top 10 hit ‘The Oldest Swinger in Town’. His most recent solo album, ‘Breaking Bach’, was "Dazzling... utterly breathtaking... a triumph” * * * * * FOLK WALES “A colossal achievement” * * * * RnR MAGAZINE  “A groundbreaking project... a magnificent tour-de-force” THE LIVING TRADITION * * * * THE SCOTSMAN.


Máire, steeped in the traditions of her native Co. Cork, is a recipient of Irish traditional music’s most prestigious award, Musician of the Year (Gradam Ceoil TG4 - Ceoltóir na Bliana) and a multiple All-Ireland winner; her 1985 solo album, 'The New Strung Harp’, was "a milestone in Irish harp music” (THE IRISH EXAMINER). “She is the great innovator of modern Irish harping, a player of outstanding technique and imagination” THE ROUGH GUIDE TO IRISH MUSIC “Máire is an absolute legend.” THE IRISH ECHO (USA)


Their performances are a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish music, hot jazz, bluegrass and baroque, spiced with striking new compositions, pieces from Chris’ groundbreaking solo album 'Breaking Bach’ - and what THE WEST AUSTRALIAN calls his "delightfully subversive wit”!

“In a class of their own”

* * * THE GUARDIAN

“Dazzling virtuosity” 

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

“This celebrated duo took the place by storm. Stately Carolan tunes, jazzy Django-ish numbers, dazzling Doc Watson style flat picking fliers, driving Irish dance tunes - this pair can nonchalantly do the lot. Guitar players applauded and went sadly home to burn their instruments!”
THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH

Watch… 

…a short concert specially-commissioned  by Harp Ireland for Harp Day, 2021 (filmed without an audience due to Covid restrictions)

TV & Video

TV performance of Máire’s compositions ‘The Chestnut Tree’, ‘Ríl an tSuaimhnis’ and “The Copper Hills of Beara’ at Gradam Ceoil TG4 award ceremony, Cork Opera House, Ireland 

Main stage performance of Chris’ swing jazz composition ‘Stroll On’ at Gate to Southwell Festival, England

Main stage performance of bluegrass tunes ‘Tell Her Lies and Feed Her Candy’ and ‘Old Joe Clarke' for Fylde Folk Festival

Main stage performance of ‘The Beeswing Hornpipe’ and ‘Wellington’s Reel’ at Fylde Folk Festival, England

TV performance of ‘Eleanor Plunkett’ for TG4’s ‘Geantraí na Nollag’ programme.

TV documentary in TG4 ’s ‘Sé mo Laoch’ series about Máire & her sister Nollaig

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