Lúnasa, one of the most sought-after bands on the international Irish music scene arrives in Auckland on 31 May to prepare for their first tour of New Zealand.

The "Irish music dream team” as they are referred to in international media, will play four concerts on their inaugural visit to New Zealand.

Mike Considine of Noteable, Lúnasa’s promoter in New Zealand said “the New Zealand concert-goer has yet to experience such an unprecedented sound as Lúnasa.

The band's inventive arrangements and bass-driven grooves are steering Irish acoustic music into surprising new territory”.

On their first American tour, word of mouth alone led to sold out shows and rave reviews.

"A standing-room only crowd in New York confirmed Lúnasa's reputation"

quote New York Irish Voice.

"This is the hottest Irish acoustic group on the planet"

Lunasa have performed at the Hollywood Bowl, have toured as special guests of Mary Chapin Carpenter and worked with Academy Award winning actress, Holly Hunter on her theatre project "By The Bog of Cats".

In 2003 Lúnasa won the prestigious "Coup de Coeur Miroir" prize for their performances at the Quebec City Summer Festival July 2003.

Named after an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honor of the Irish god Lugh, patron of the arts, Lúnasa is a gathering of the top musical talents in Ireland.

Its members have helped form the backbone of some of the greatest Irish groups of the decade; Bassist Trevor Hutchinson, The Waterboys; Guitarist Donogh Hennessy, The Sharon Shannon Band.

Fiddler Sean Smyth is an All-Ireland champion who has played with Donal Lunny's Coolfin; Flautist and whistle player, Kevin Crawford, Moving Cloud; and, Uilleann piper Cillian Vallely (of the same talented musical family as brother Niall Vallely of Nomos). 

Lunasa will also appear at the Celtic Flute School in Nelson from 4 - 7 June where they will be teaching their respective instruments to New Zealand’s growing traditional music following.

New Plymouth - TSB Showplace, 1 June 7.30pm. $39 (service fee applies)  06 759 0021

Wellington - The Memorial Theatre, Victoria University, 2 June 8pm. $42 (service fee applies) 04 384 3840

Christchurch - The Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square, 3 June 8pm. $42 (service fee applies) 03 377 8899 On sale 9am 12 May. Book Ticketek.

Tickets for Nelson available through The Nelson School Music 03 548 9477   Nelson - The School of Music Auditorium, 5 June 8pm. www.ceolaneas.org