Entitled Imeall – which means 'edge' – it will be produced in a limited edition run of just 3,000 copies – and is thus virtually guaranteed to sell-out, given the huge popularity in traditional and world music circles of Altan, with whom Mairéad has been singer since she co-founded the group in the early 1980s.

Altan have sold over a million records to date, produced numerous platinum and gold records and won countless awards for their music.

Mairéad began the solo recording project on her return to her native Donegal four years ago and in collaboration with Manus Lunny, bouzouki and guitar player with Capercaille, Mairéad engineered and co-produced the album – which has resulted in 14 tracks of songs and instrumental music, including three new songs written by Mairéad.

The album goes on sale on Friday 13 February.

A spokesperson adds:

"Imeall, which means edge, rim or threshold, features three newly composed songs, 'Mo Níon Ó', for her daughter Nia, 'A Óganaigh Óig', a love song from a woman's perspective in the Gaelic tradition and 'Imeall', which is inspired by where she is on her personal and musical journey.

"County Donegal and Gaoth Dobhair where Mairéad is from, is regarded as having a very distinctive style of fiddle music and is known in traditional music circles for its unusual tunes and the individuality of players. North-West Donegal is the largest Gaeltacht area in Ireland and possesses a rich source of traditional song and folklore."