Trad fusion group The Gloaming have been welcomed home by President Michael D Higgins as they returned to the National Concert Hall in Dublin on Monday night.

The band said that they felt privileged to entertain the President. Martin Hayes said: "Thank you for connecting with us. We sit around and play and nothing happens until you get here."

The Gloaming brings together five masters of modern music; steeped in traditional Irish music since birth, fiddlers Martin Hayes and Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh and sean-nós singer Iarla Ó Lionáird are joined by New York pianist Thomas Bartlett (Doveman), and Chicago-born guitarist Dennis Cahill.

The band have filled the National Concert Hall on 24 occasions. 

Pianist Bartlett said: "I try to imagine myself a 12-year-old, If someone had said to me lots of years from now, 25 years from now, your childhood hero called and asked you to start a band with him and once a year you will get to play in the most beautiful hall and the president always comes."

"It does not seem routine actually. What an absolute privilege, delight and honour it is to be here."

Much of the set on Monday night set focused on newer tracks from their just-released third album, The Gloaming 3, with the exception of pieces like Rolling Wave. 

The band complete their run at the NCH on Monday March 11.