John Doyle, long considered one of the most important guitarists in Irish and acoustic music worldwide, is now increasingly lauded for his singing and songwriting talents. On Friday, Sept. 19, this celebrated musician, joined by the talented Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary, touring as The Alt, will perform at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor.

Doyle went on the road as a pro at 16 with the group Chanting House, which he formed with Susan McKeown. That group eventually included such great players as Seamus Egan, Eileen Ivers and Donogh Hennessy.

Doyle went then formed the highly acclaimed super group, Solas, with Seamus Egan, John Williams, Karan Casey and Winifred Horan, which took the folk and Celtic music worlds by storm, in no small part due to Doyle’s powerhouse rhythmic guitar style and innovative arrangements.

As a member of the Grammy-nominated Solas, Doyle performed to sold out audiences nationally and internationally as well as appearing on many national TV and radio programs including NBC’s “The Today Show,” various programs for National Public Radio and Public Radio International, “A Prairie Home Companion,” “Mountain Stage,” “E-Town” and “World Café.”

Since leaving Solas, Doyle has gone on to perform and tour with other greats in the folk, Celtic and bluegrass worlds including Eileen Ivers, Tim O’Brien, Linda Thompson, Kate Rusby, Cathie Ryan and many others.

In recent years, Doyle has gained major prominence in the Celtic and Folk worlds in duos with Chicago fiddler Liz Carroll (their recording, "Double Play" received a 2010 Grammy nomination for "Best Traditional World Music Record"); as Karan Casey and John Doyle; as McGoldrick, McCusker and Doyle (with the greats Michael McGoldrick and John McCusker); and as one third of the stellar trio "The Teetotallers" with Martin Hayes and Kevin Crawford. The years 2008-2010 saw Doyle on the road with the legendary Joan Baez as her music director and guitarist.  

Doyle will be joined on stage by the internationally renowned musicians Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’Leary. Kennedy is an Irish singer and flute player with hauntingly beautiful vocals, adventurous instrumentation, and an imaginative mix of influences. Kennedy's singing and flute playing springs from the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland, and from the fathomless realms of her own imagination. A consummate performer with a buoyant personality, her music has been described as unique, evocative, and soul-satisfying.

O’Leary, the third member of this remarkable trio, on their inaugural tour, is a musician in his own right and one half of the group Murphy Beds. O’Leary started playing Irish music while growing up in Dublin through his friendship with the Mayock family, traditional musicians from County Mayo. When he moved to New York City in the early ’90s, he immersed himself in the city’s traditional music scene and traveled widely, performing with many of the great players in Irish music.

Tickets for The Alt concert are available through the Opera House at 207-633-5159 or by visiting the box office at 86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, Tuesday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Advance purchase tickets are $20. Tickets purchased on the day of the performance are $25. Tickets and information also available online at www.boothbayoperahouse.com. Doors for seating open at 7 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m.