Ireland's Damien Rice [ tickets ] makes a return visit to North America for a spring tour that touches down at theaters and clubs throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Rice's outing marks his second swing through the continent in support of his critically acclaimed debut album, "O." The set arrived in U.S. stores in June, well over a year after it surfaced in Rice's native Ireland.

In addition to widespread critical raves, "O" has garnered Rice a number of awards. This fall, the singer-songwriter picked up the third-annual Shortlist Music Prize, an honor determined by a panel of judges that included Tom Waits, Cameron Crowe, Dave Matthews, Erykah Badu, Flea, Tori Amos and Musiq.

Meanwhile, "O" received three nominations in the Meteor Ireland Music Awards, and was dubbed Best Album in the Hot Press Reader's Poll; in that same poll, Rice landed in the top five for Best Male Singer, Best Live Act, Best Songwriter and Best Single.

Before heading to North America in late March, Rice will mount a European tour that kicks off in early February.