Donegal singing sensation Deirdre Bonner is set for a visit to the Ardhowen Theatre this, Friday 9th May.

The award-winning Dungloe native is a Gaeltacht teacher by day in Fintown Secondary School but is best known here for singing a mixture of Irish and American folk music which has seen the success of two albums, 'Atlantic Bridges' and 'Remember When'.

As well as singing she plays the guitar, accordion and tin whistle.

"I have probably been singing seriously since 2006 but before that I would have been singing in various Fleadh Cheoil and Scor na nÓg competitions, and I am the All-Ireland champion in Gaelic singing (Seisiún an Oireachtais)."

Deirdre released her first album Atlantic Bridges in 2006 which featured a number of tracks including Raglan Road and Tennesse Waltz. The album was number one in the Irish Music magazine for five months.

Following on from this success, Deirdre travelled to Philadelphia in September 2006 where she participated in the Irish Philadelphia Folk Festival and having heard the album on the grapevine, she was requested to perform three days over there, and was a huge hit on all the Irish radio stations in Philadelphia and New York.

"I have been lucky to work with producer Johnny Scott who was the musical director for Van Morrison for over 15 years. He produced and arranged the album Atlantic Bridges and all the musicians are from Northern Ireland. Morgan Campbell chose the songs and I had the last say. I have also been very lucky to have songs from Leitrim's Charlie McGettigan and Darren Crossey from Armagh."

Deirdre explains that the album initially came about in a bid to raise funds, a total of £15,000 or The Hospice in Donegal and £2,500 for an oncology unit. The album was sent to various radio stations and was received warmly.

"Gerry Anderson picked up on it and like songs such as Nana and Papa's waltz. From that I was contacted by the BBC's to participate in the Blackstaff sessions and worked with the likes of Chip Taylor who had a big hit with 'Angel in the morning', and he is also the uncle of Angelina Jolie."

Deirdre picked up an award two months ago for her mini CD 'Remember When' when it had the most requests on a Limerick radio station.

Her influences she explains, are old mountain and original country music as well as big ballads.

Those attending Deirdre's Ardhowen show can look forward to first half dedicated to folk while the second part will be devoted to country. She will be accompanied on the night by Country Harmony and Morgan Campbell on five-string banjo and steel guitar.