It was the brainchild of Mick Moloney who wanted to showcase the brightest female musicians in America in what had been a male-dominated scene.

The group took its name from a traditional Irish jig called "Cherish the Ladies", and the series opened to sold-out concerts.

Joanie Madden was born in the Bronx, New York, to Irish parents and is an All-Ireland champion on the flute and whistle.

The group has been a launchpad for many of the top female musicians in Celtic music, including Eileen Ivers, Winifred Horan of Solas, Cathie Ryan[2] Heidi Talbot, Liz Knowles, Aoife Clancy, and Deirdre Connolly.

], the band have played in the finest concert halls and have performed in North and South America, the UK, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.