AN Irish folksinger will kick off her 25-date tour with a Hampshire gig, including songs from her latest album.

Cara Dillon promises to captivate audiences across the country as she takes to smaller stages to perform songs from the critically-acclaimed album A Thousand Hearts, which was released in 2014.

The singer said she feels most comfortable in an intimate venue.

“Don’t get me wrong, It’s a thrill to perform on big stages but I absolutely love the moments when I can drift away from the audience and totally lose myself in a song...there’s nothing like it,” she said.

Cara will perform at The Haymarket in Basingstoke on Saturday, January 24, at 7.30pm, before touring the UK including dates in Salisbury, London and Liverpool.

Alongside her husband Sam, she recently raised £10,211 for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Bath’s Royal United Hospital.

As part of a project the couple helped auction a guitar signed by some of the biggest names in music, including Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and Winchester’s own Frank Turner.

Their twins were born at the hospital at just 26 weeks old.

The busy mum will tour throughout 2015 with her full band and as a trio.

A Thousand Hearts has topped the Celtic chart since its release in May 2014, and hopes to emulate the success of her fourth album Hill of Thieves, which won BBC Radio Two’s Folk Album of the Year in 2010.

Tickets for Cara Dillon at The Haymarket cost £21, or £19 for concessions. To book call the box office on 01256 844244, or go online at anvilarts.org.uk.