Hello All,

Firstly I'd like to wish all my friends a very happy and healthy 2013. 2012 was a very good year for me, touring Ireland, England, Europe and the US and promoting my new album 'Stories from the Steeples'. I'm very happy with the way the album turned out and delighted it was so well received.

The 24th of October saw the birth of our first grandchild, Bonnie O'Reilly. Needless to say the whole family are delighted with her! We rang in the New Year in Dingle as usual and it was lovely to have all the family there.

I've had quite a few emails from people wondering when and where I'll be performing next and I wanted to let everyone know that I've decided to take a break this year from touring but will however do the odd festival (keep an eye on the website for updates). Thanks to all the people who came out to my concerts or who bought the album this last year - it means a lot.

Music has been so good to me, I've loved touring the world for the last 30 years….I have made so many friends and have countless fond memories from different corners of the globe. So to my fans everywhere I'd like to thank you and let you know that I hope to get back again to all my favourite places in 2014, including Australia and Canada, for one last big tour - 'The Last Call'

Le gach dea-ghuí (with every good wish/prayer),

Mary

In a New Years message on her website in January Mary said: “Music has been so good to me, I've loved touring the world for the last 30 years….I have made so many friends and have countless fond memories from different corners of the globe. So to my fans everywhere I'd like to thank you and let you know that I hope to get back again to all my favourite places in 2014 for one last tour - 'The Last Call' "

We are now happy to announce the first part of The Last Call tour, starting in January 2014 in Germany. Visit the concerts page for a list of all the dates.

Woodsongs is crossing the pond and coming to Dublin on Thursday July 18. Tickets are only 10 euro (one ticket, two shows, one night available now at TicketMaster.ie) to celebrate world class Irish artists like Mary Black, Paul Brady plus a second show spotlighting bluegrass/traditional Irish folk music with We Banjo 3, Naill Toner (and more to be announced soon) in Ireland. We will be in the 1500 seat National Convention Center right on the river in Dublin.

The broadcast is heard on several stations across Ireland including Dublin City FM, Wednesdays at 11PM.

March 2014 will see two of Ireland’s musical icons share the stage in a special tour that will be sure to delight fans of both artists. Performing both separate sets and together in 15 dates across the UK, this unique concert is one not to be missed.

The lists of all tour dates can be found on the Concerts page.

Tickets will go on sale Friday 21 June, but for loyal Mary Black and Clannad fans pre-sales start Wednesday 19 June at 9am. Click here to go to the ticket site.

The Black Family (Shay, Michael, Mary, Martin, and Frances) are receiving an award from iBAM. iBAM is a gathering of the best Irish authors, artists and musicians from around the world, under one roof, for a weekend Irish cultural celebration. The iBAM! 2013 awardees, include actor Brendan Gleeson (Performing Arts), author Tim Pat Coogan (Literature), the Black Family (Music), artist Robert Ballagh (Visual Arts). The Awards Dinner will be held on Sat. October, 12th at the Erin Ballroom of the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox in Chicago. The Black Family will be giving a concert the following night.

On Saturday 7 December 2013, the Peter McVerry Trust Christmas Carol Concert will be held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. This will be hosted by Mr. Pat Kenny with guest speaker Fr. Peter McVerry SJ. The concert will feature Mary Black, Gardiner Street Gospel Choir and Ossia Youth Choir. For tickets please contact:

Peter McVerry Trust on 01 823 0776 or fundraising@pmvtrust.ie

Update: You can listen to this broadcast via this link

On 30 December, Mary will take us through her Joni Mitchell collection as the Canadian legend celebrates her 70th birthday this year. Mary has worked with Joni's producer in the past, and knows her music intimately. With classics from her album Blue, as well as some lesser know gems, Mary delves into arguably one of the world's best singer songwriters.

Black on Blue

RTE Radio 1, 30 December 2013, 2pm