Programme 3
In tonight's programme Fil examines the extraordinary life of MARY O'HARA and performs "Seoladh na nGamhna" with guest musicians Steve Cooney and Laoise Kelly.

Including an interview with Mary herself, the programme also has contributions from Tommy Sands, her sister Joan O'Hara, broadcaster Ciaran MacMathuna and many others.

Mary O'Hara is a singer and harpist with an instantly recognizable, pure soprano voice, who achieved fame both sides of the Atlantic in the late 50s and early 1960s and influenced a generation of Irish female singers in the 70s .

Born in Sligo in 1935, she married the American poet Richard Selig at the age of 21 and moved to America with him where her star continued to grow. Sadly, Richard died only 15 months after their marriage, and while she continued to tour and record for nearly 4 years Mary eventually joined an English monastery in 1962 where she lived for 12 years.

Returning to performance in 1974 Mary's initial speedy rise to fame was repeated and in a matter of months she become one of the biggest international stars ever to come out of Ireland.
Mary's autobiography "The Scent of the Roses" is still available.