This year's event will see a return visit to Castletown House, Co Kildare, seen by many as the spiritual home of the festival. Other noted venues include Killruddery House, Co Wicklow; the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin 2; Slane Castle, Co Meath; Fota House, Cork;

and Malahide Castle in north Co Dublin.

Among the new locations for 2006 will be the restored Number Six, Kildare Street, Dublin 2;

the Law Society, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7; and the Aula Maxima, University College Galway. Some of the celebrated musicians performing at these venues include Finnish pianist Antti Siirala, winner of several international piano competitions.

As this year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart, the composer's work will be celebrated throughout the event. Irish pianist John O'Conor will perform his acclaimed interpretations of Beethoven and Schubert in Dublin (14 June) and Cork (15 June) respectively.