Ceoltoiri (pronounced kyul-tory) means "musicians" in Irish Gaelic.  Ceoltoiri Celtic Ensemble grew out of the friendship between harper Sue Richards and hammered dulcimist Karen Ashbrook that developed over music sessions at the Irish Times in Washington, D.C. in the early 80ies.  Karen was living in West Virginia and would hitch a ride into town for the sessions and then stay over at Sue's.  Many a tune and late night conversations quickly turned into a performing duo.   They made their first recording "Celtic Lace" (Maggie's Music 203) just as English/Irish Gaelic singer and guitarist Connie McKenna joined the band.   The band was off and running with haunting ballads (yes, there were ghosts in some songs) and lacey instrumentals with the strings of all the instruments weaving together in a sparkling sound.  Maggie's Music picked up the group and they produced two more albums of instrumentals and vocals - "Silver Apples of the Moon" (MM202) and "Women of Ireland" (MM218).  Women of Ireland won the WAMMIE (Washington Area Music Award) for best Celtic recording of 1998.  Ceoltoiri 's appearances include NPR's All Things Considered, The Bethlehem World Music Fest, The White House, the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic. 

Sue's harp career led her to join the touring band Ensemble Galilei.  Currently, She performs with Ceoltoiri as a guest when available.  Connie and Karen are often joined by multi-instrumentalist Paul Oorts (accordion, bouzouki, mandolin).  In the Ceoltoiri Family Band line-up of the ensemble, Karen's son (and student of Sue Richards) Gabe Ashbrook Osborne joins the group on Celtic Harp and sometimes Connie's husband Max Sadtler adds electric bass to give the group a big sound!

"..superb, highly accomplished performers who know their music inside and out.. And then there's the group's sly sense of humour that sneaks up on the listener." 
                                                                                  -BALTIMORE SUN

"The instruments fit together like pieces in a puzzle...They know their genre, their instruments, including the voice, and their Celtic folklore and traditions."
                                                                                     -DIRTY LINEN