2023 Year In Review

2023 Year In Review

With 2023 approaching its closing moments, it's time to reflect on the year it has been.

This year began in disappointing fashion, with no Celtic Woman spring tour, making it the third time in four years there was no full spring tour.

Hannah departed Celtic Woman after only one year. She featured on the 2022 Christmas tour but did not appear on any album or DVD (thus far the only member of Celtic Woman to not feature on either media, since Deirdre appeared briefly in the documentary on The Greatest Journey DVD).

Megan also departed Celtic Woman to pursue her solo work.

Celtic Woman returned to The Helix in Dublin, the place it all began, to record a new PBS special to celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2024. The 20th Anniversary special featured the debut of Emma Warren and the return of Mairéad Carlin. It also featured a reunion with 4 of the original Celtic Woman members, including Méav, Chloë, Máiréad Nesbitt, and most shockingly: Lisa Kelly. The special began airing on PBS in the US in November and the album and DVD are scheduled to release in January 2024.

Celtic Woman embarked on their 2023 Christmas Symphony tour with 3 shows at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, a tour which concluding with a 2-night finale in Atlanta, Georgia.

Éabha's innaugural Celtic World Forum was held at the Irish Institute of Music and Song in Balbriggan, Ireland. She assembled an astonishing collection of talent, including Mairéad Carlin, Máiréad Nesbitt, Megan Walsh, Orla Fallon, Glenn & Ronan, and long-time Riverdance instrumentalist Tara Howley.

Éabha also put on a spin-off concert entitled Celtic World at Christmas, held at 700+ year old St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church in Galway. The concert included (among others) Megan, Susan, Glenn & Ronan, and Tara Howley.

Mairéad Carlin performed in Opry le Daniel and also held a solo concert in her hometown of Derry (or Londonderry, depending on your persuasion).

Alex performed 6 solo shows at the Cherry Peak ski resort in Richmond, Utah. She also toured with Jenny Oaks Baker in celebration of Christmas.

The Brave Collide (Chloë Agnew and Brian McGrane) made their official touring debut in New York. The Brave Collide also did several virtual concerts on StageIt.

Tara McNeill and her husband completed a brief tour featuring songs from their original album, Across the Atlantic.

Lisa Lambe launched a Patreon page, toured her show Nightvisiting in Europe, and performed the National Anthem at the Notre Dame vs Navy NCAA American college football match at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Megan performed as a guest in a number of concerts in Ireland.

2023 was a light year for music release. Here are some worth noting...

Éabha:
- Scéalta (4 track digital-only EP)

Máiréad Nesbitt:
- Celtic Spells (album, Máiréad Nesbitt)

Tara McNeill:
- Across the Atlantic (album, Tara McNeill)

Lisa Lambe:
- Lisa Lambe Live (5 track EP)

Rebecca Winckworth (singles):
- When I See You Again
- Sister's Love
- Young, Brave and Free
- Remember You're You

Sarah Rebecca (Gannon) (singles):
- City Is Mine
- Kwik-E-Mart
- Above in the Blue
- Dance With the Devil

Alex:
- Faith Of Our Fathers (with RootsTech) (single)
- Mother (with Kristina A Bishoff) (single)

Chloë:
- Ladies (with X Collective / Zapho)

CaraNua:
- Featured in a few songs of the Hogwarts Legacy video game original soundtrack, most prominently in the track Haven

There's plenty to look forward to in the New Year. 2024 heralds the release of the Celtic Woman 20th Anniversary CD and DVD, as well as the highly anticipated return of the Celtic Woman spring tour. Éabha's Celtic World Forum will be back for an encore. Máiréad Nesbitt has a few more west-coast Celtic Spells shows scheduled and will perform in the Rock Me Amadeus debut in January. Mairéad Carlin and Trinity are scheduled to perform a single show in Nebraska.

Here's to all the memories that await us in 2024 as we each pursue our passion of Celtic Woman, the production we love.

2023 Year In Review

With 2023 approaching its closing moments, it's time to reflect on the year it has been.

This year began in disappointing fashion, with no Celtic Woman spring tour, making it the third time in four years there was no full spring tour.

Thanks for that write up. It was a fun read.

Yeah, I thought 2023 was going to be pretty dry. Esp when we were all speculating the 20th anniversary concert itself would be in 2024.

It's been a busy end of 2023 & start of 2024. Non-stop since the Christmas tour, and the 20th anniversary tour about to start (something happening every month). I guess that's what a 'normal' year looks like for CW. No wonder a lot of the former members say they don't miss the touring.