The Annual Comhaltas Tour of Britain Echoes of Erin starts its tour of Britain on Saturday, February 25th in Luton. For audiences in the UK the Echoes of Erin tours provide a fantastic showcase for all that is best in Irish traditional music, song and dance. Top class performers in all fields display the highest standards and regional styles that have become synonymous with these events down through the years. These are the same performers who have already thrilled audiences throughout the length and breadth of Ireland during the Comhaltas Irish Tour in October 2011. The 2012 Tour is sponsored by Tourism Ireland. Venues to be visited by the 2012 tour are as follows: Date | Location | Contact —-|——–|—- Sunday 19th February | Cultúrlann na hÉireann, Co. Dublin | Saturday 25th February | Holy Ghost Parish Centre, Luton | Sunday 26th February | Haringey Irish Centre, Tottenham | Monday 27th February | Milton Keynes Irish Centre, Milton Keynes | Milton Keynes Irish Centre: Tuesday 28th February | Slough Irish Club, Slough Wednesday 29th February | English Martyrs Catholic School, Leicester | Thursday 1st March | Leeds Irish Centre, Leeds | Friday 2nd March | Newcastle Upon Tyne | Irish Centre: Saturday 3rd March | Ashton-in-Makerfield, Artistes ==== The 2012 Tour will include the following talented traditional performers: Name | From | Instrument —-|——–|—- Christopher Maguire | Fermanagh | Button Accordion Mícheál O’Shea | Kerry | Singer/Dancer Karen Tracey | Kildare | Flute/Tin Whistle Jamie McKeogh | Offaly | Banjo Ciara McKeogh | Offaly | Fiddle Caoimhe Kerrins | Sligo | Fiddle/Tin Whistle Jason McGuinness | Sligo | Fiddle Aoife Ní Argáin | Dublin | Harp/Concertina Bairbre Uí Theighneáin | Laois | Singer Éanna Ó Cróinín | Meath | Uilleann Pipes Niamh Ní Chonaill | Dublin | Dancer Alan Walsh | Sligo | Dancer Aoibheann Murphy | Cork | Concertina Matthew Dean | Newcastle upon Tyne | Flute/Tin Whistle Kieran Leonard | Fermanagh | Bodhrán Dic Béimis | Cork | Fear a’ Tí Eddie Murphy | Limerick | Tour Manager McElligotts | Kerry | Sound