Irish music sensation Celtic Woman, who have topped charts and sold millions of concert tickets around the world, will be bringing their latest tour, Voice of Angels, to Ireland next month, and they said they're planning on bringing their A-game.
The Grammy-nominated group, consisting of Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Éabha McMahon and violinist Tara McNeill, are taking to the stage at Dublin's 3Arena on Saturday September 2, and they told RTÉ Entertainment that their homecoming gig will be particularly special for them.
Susan McFadden, who wed Anthony Byrne, the bagpiper for Celtic Woman last month, said: "It's great for all of us because we spend so much time on the road – we're away 10 months of the year on tour in really far away places. So it's really special to be able to come home and bring the show to Ireland, and our friends and our family can come and see what we're actually doing those 10 months of the year that we're away!"
Antrim-born musician and singer McNeill, who is the newest member of the group having joined in August 2015, said this will be a particularly special gig for her.
"My family haven't actually seen me in Celtic Woman yet, so what an awesome first time to see the show in the 3Arena!" she said. "So I've a lot of people coming down to see me which is great."
It's wiiiiindy! Had a great day filming in Westport for @BBCSoP @BBC . Thanks to @MaireadCarlin for the shot!! #violin @Celtic_Woman pic.twitter.com/OPUQg5Nliq
— Tara McNeill (@tara_mcneill) August 1, 2017
The quartet have already extensively travelled around the world performing their Voice of Angels tour, and McFadden said the stage production is "a well-oiled machine" at this stage.
"We've been doing this show for four months, but we've been working together as this foursome for a year so we're very much in tune with each other musically," she explained. "But you can't rest on your laurels either, you have to keep working on it too."
McNeill added: "But it's nice going to the 3Arena… We want it to be the best show we can give because it's our home-ground and it’s great that we feel so comfortable with this show."
Derry singer Mairéad Carlin, who is married to fellow musician Ronan Scolard, of the viral singing duo Glenn & Ronan, admitted that being away from home so much if the time is difficult, but luckily the group all look out for one another.
"We're genuine friends," she said. "We're away so much of the year so we don't get to see our families that often, so we've really become a family on the road and we support each other through everything, through the good times and the bad times."
The singer added that they're "very lucky" to get to realise their musical ambitions and "sing and travel the world."
"We're grateful for that", she added.
It's nearly time! We're super excited about our show tonight at @RedRocksCO ! #RedRocksCO #livenation #TourLife pic.twitter.com/lzufFDjdtJ
— Celtic_Woman (@Celtic_Woman) June 6, 2017
The multi-platinum selling all-female group have been in existence with various line-ups for the past 12 years. Last February, the current quartet were honoured with a Grammy nomination, which McFadden said has given the group a new lease of life.
She said: "It's [Celtic Woman] been going for 12 years so you're always going 'Ok it must be winding down now soon enough' and then the Grammy nomination happens and it gives it a whole new lease of life and a whole new direction for Celtic Woman.
"Doing things like the One Mic One Take session and doing Adele song covers, which we never would have done 10 years ago, and it's always being reinvigorated."
Celtic Woman play Dublin's 3Arena on Saturday September 2, tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
