That’s why she’s glad to be returning home to Northern Ireland next week to play gigs in Derry and Donegal.

Cara’s back after taking some time off to spend with her children, but she says she’s all ready to go with two brand new concerts at Derry’s Millennium Forum and McGrory’s Culdaff on October 10 and 11 respectively.

“I’ve just made a new album and I’m excited about going back on tour,” Cara told ‘Foyle News.’

And although her new album isn’t officially out yet, it’s hoped it’ll be available to buy on the night of her Irish concerts.

“People will be able to get the album early, “ explained Cara. “I delighted about that.

“Three months ago we recorded the DVD ‘The Redcastle Sessions’ and that’s been doing well. The DVD was filmed around Derry and Donegal taking in fantastic scenery. It was a chance for us to record everything we’ve done to date. It was also a chance to come home and I loved finding places around home which were pertinent to the songs I was singing. A friend lent us a house in Donegal while we were making the DVD so it was a lot of fun. I spent a lot of time in Donegal when I was younger as we would holiday there quite a lot.”

But Cara’s not one to live life in the slow lane - just weeks before she prematurely gave birth to her sons in 2006, she performed for a worldwide audience of more than 300 million at the opening ceremony of the Ryder Cup in Ireland. “Without doubt that was one of the highlights of my life,” said Cara.

And life has got very different for Cara since the birth of her little boys.

Shock of their lives

Cara and her husband Sam got the shock of their lives when their twins decided to show up three months too early. In fact Cara went into labour while performing on stage.

It was an anxious time for the couple as they had to wait three months for the boys to leave hospital.

Cara explained: “Sam and I had planned to take a long break to prepare for the arrival of Noah and Colm but were knocked sideways by their early birth.

“Our whole world went into slow motion for several months while they were in hospital. It was an extremely difficult time for us all even after they were allowed to come home.

“It’s been such an incredible journey so far and it seems to get better and better with every step.

Working mother

“Like any working mother all I can do is try and stay ahead of the game.

“But the boys are fantastic. We took them to America recently and they coped fantastically.