Celtic Woman Forum

The Cast => Mairead Carlin => Topic started by: CWazyTom on January 13, 2021, 07:40:51 AM

Title: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: CWazyTom on January 13, 2021, 07:40:51 AM
Mairead Carlin announced this morning that she was moving on from Celtic Woman.

I need some time to process this before I share my thoughts about what a massive difference she's made in my life.

I'm very grateful for the time she spent in Celtic Woman and that I got to meet her. I look forward to supporting her wherever her career leads her from here and I wish her the very best.

I don't expect Celtic Woman to announce a replacement anytime soon. If the shows in Ireland go ahead this year, we might find out a month or two before then who will be taking over for Mairead. Otherwise, we probably won't find out until December 2021 or January 2022.

Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: dbbii on January 13, 2021, 09:19:32 AM
It's hard to believe she has been part of the group for 8 years.  Didn't seem that long.

It will be interesting to see what the next chapter holds for her.  Everyone who is a "performer" is going to have a very rough road ahead.  Even if there are tours/shows, will people show up?  Do you find something else to do? 
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: Penny on January 13, 2021, 09:26:28 AM
I was really looking forward to seeing her in person in Killarney later this year. To say I’m shocked would be a bit of an understatement right now.

But still, I’ll support her regardless of the path she chooses to follow from here.

Edit: Just saw the statement about the cancellation of the tour this year. Maybe not “later this year” then.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: ShiningBright on January 13, 2021, 12:57:30 PM
Good for her, if she's happy that way. It's understandable—touring all the time, and for such a long time, must be very exhausting, and she's older now and married and all in all at a different point. And we can look forward to new personal music.

But I wonder, who will come after her, once CW can tour again (or record, which they could technically do anytime) and whether or not Chloe will stay, or if there'll be two new CWs. I mean, there's only two actual current members right now.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: ÊnioBR on January 13, 2021, 05:09:22 PM
Okay, I'm devastated by this news :(. I really like her at Celtic Woman, she had a perfect voice for the group and I have a very special affection because she was the only member of the Celtic woman who came twice to my country, I got really attached to her ... My God! What will become of Celtic Woman from now on? They will have to announce two new girls to the group at once! Mairead brought me a lot of joy because she was the only one in the current lineup who had contact with the "old age" of the emerald Celtic Woman Tour, Believe Tour ... and now we only have Megan and Tara, who will be the two new girls? Will Chole continue as a special guest until next year?
I don't know about you but I am very, very distressed with the current situation of Celtic Woman, please send me positive messages please...  :'( :'(
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: ShiningBright on January 14, 2021, 08:04:21 AM
Mairéad was also the last member chosen by David Downes. I wonder what kind of singers the new women will be. I mean, I don't doubt they'll be excellent. But in what way?
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: GlenS on January 14, 2021, 12:18:24 PM
1. They need 2 girls now to replace Eabha and Mairead  I'm sure now Chloe's contract is up

2 What I find funny is CW has not said a word about Mairead leavening yet Maybe they are hoping that she will change her mind

We will have to wait and see what goes I guess
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: ÊnioBR on January 14, 2021, 02:00:34 PM
Chole may be invited to return to the group as a permanent member, but I don't think she will accept it since she said several times that CW tours took a lot of time... Unless the Celtic Woman pay a good salary for it but I don't think it would last very long, I think until the end of the tour in 2022.

Regarding the CW's position on Mairead's departure ... this is quite strange, very strange after all, every time a member leaves the group they always warn for themselves, and I don't know what this "delay" on the part of the CW means. Maybe Mairead's decision came as a surprise to them, or maybe they still haven't said anything because they are preparing something to announce together, like a new member or something. I don't know... only time will tell us.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: Penny on January 14, 2021, 07:07:19 PM
2 What I find funny is CW has not said a word about Mairead leavening yet

I found this funny as well. I only started following their socials within the past year or so so I had no idea whether it was normal for the official Celtic Woman accounts to remain silent after a member makes a leaving announcement. I guess it’s not then.

Which makes me think something is going on with their management. But for that, only time will tell.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: Tracie on January 14, 2021, 11:32:32 PM
I will really miss Mairead with Celtic Woman. It's so hard to imagine the group without her and her stunning gorgeous voice. She's the only one who has been in every show that I've been to. Whenever shows can resume, it'll be so weird to not have her in it.

I'm looking forward to hearing the solo album that she's working on and hope to see her in solo shows in the future. I'm sure her new album will be amazing!

I agree, I also find it very odd that the official Celtic Woman social media accounts haven't said anything about this, especially since they have posted a couple of times since she made the announcement. Wonder what that's all about.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: CWazyTom on January 15, 2021, 11:22:10 PM
Mairead was one of the reasons I started going to shows. Her high notes in My Land and Westering Home were life-changing for me. She's the only one that was in every Celtic Woman show I've seen (all 23).

When I first met her, I was really excited, nervous, and grateful all at once. She's as perceptive and empathetic as she is knowledgeable and the first thing she asked me is if I was ok. I am now, thanks in large part to Mairead. Her voice has brought me joy. Her kind and thoughtful messages on social media brought me confidence and restored my self-esteem on several occasions. She was the life of the party on stage and I'll miss her adorable goofiness at the group concerts.

Celtic Woman has a long history of recruiting loveable and incredibly talented women. Whenever touring resumes, I'm sure they'll find someone with a gorgeous voice who I will immediately adore (or a former member I already adore, maybe Lynn). Nobody can ever replace Mairead. But the group will evolve and give us different reasons to love them. Just as Mairead has embraced change, so too must we.

Mairead has already been doing singing lessons and she has an album in the works. I'm grateful for the amazing years Mairead gave to Celtic Woman and all the ways that work inspired me. But I'm also glad she'll get to further explore her creativity and I'm excited for all the wonderful things she'll do on this next phase of her journey.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: rfcw on January 16, 2021, 01:20:41 PM
This departure is no surprise, well probably cause Mairead had stated she isn't leaving anytime soon and that to be a part of Celtic Woman is one of her biggest dreams and honor! I had thought that Eabha would of still be around but with CW it's unlikely how long they'd stay. I've been.in concert with every member aside from Deirdre and Hayley and have witness the first big changes with Lynn first appearing on Meav's Danny Boy and 180°degrees make us feel good with the change in fact be even more blown away. I have not seen Megan in concert only one I haven't. This has to be the third set generation era of complete new new circular members if no former member reunites back. I still miss Susan and Lisa Lambe returning a bit would be refreshing. Alex and Lynn may benefit now that Caranua is in the brinks those two deserve another DVD CD Special.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: Maloney on January 19, 2021, 02:24:21 PM
Always sad when a member leaves the fold.   MC has grown up, married, lost her father, and moved out of Ireland, but will always have a place in our hearts.
We wish her well and will follow her in her next next chapter.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: dbbii on January 19, 2021, 05:17:51 PM
The first time I met her was in Clearwater, Florida on 2/22/14.  I also did M&Gs on February 27, May 14 and June 5.  The most interesting was a Sneak & Greet in Charlestown, WV where they didn't push us too bad.  I was able to tell her this would be the 5th show this tour.  I said she was a worthy successor to those who had gone on before.  Plus, I was able to tell her we had something in common -- the same birthday (OK separated by a lot of years!). 
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: celtic4life on January 25, 2021, 05:46:56 PM
Anyone else think it's weird that it's been over a week and CW has not made the announcement on their socials?
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: CelticPrincess on January 25, 2021, 06:29:19 PM
Very weird. Especially since every time they post anything now someone asks about it. They usually post when a member leaves.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: Tracie on January 25, 2021, 07:46:27 PM
Anyone else think it's weird that it's been over a week and CW has not made the announcement on their socials?

Yes! I find it very weird and I can't stop myself from wondering if there's any certain meaning behind their lack of communication, or if they just completely dropped the ball there.  It also makes me wonder how many fans out there don't even know she left if they only follow the group on social media and don't follow each of the ladies individually.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: CelticPrincess on January 25, 2021, 08:18:04 PM
That's one of the main reasons I think it's weird. Even years after they left, and with the proper announcements, people kept posting on CW's page asking where Lisa Kelly and Chloe were. Mairead Carlin was there for eight years and has accumulated a fanbase! It's not like people aren't going to notice that she's not there when the next project happens!
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: Penny on January 29, 2021, 07:38:07 PM
I have noticed they removed her account @ from the official Celtic Woman account’s bio though. Although nevertheless, their lack of communication regarding Mairead Carlin’s departure is a bit worrying.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: dbbii on January 30, 2021, 11:57:52 AM
Does this lack of communication mean CW is over?  Two years of no shows.  This has to have an affect on both the performers and the overall corporate entity.  What's going to happen a year from now?  Will we still have to socially distance?  That will have an affect on the number of people in the theatre which affects the income.  The only way some of the venues are hanging on is due to federal money.  How long can that last?

Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: CWazyTom on January 30, 2021, 02:48:32 PM
Does this lack of communication mean CW is over?  Two years of no shows.  This has to have an affect on both the performers and the overall corporate entity.  What's going to happen a year from now?  Will we still have to socially distance?  That will have an affect on the number of people in the theatre which affects the income.  The only way some of the venues are hanging on is due to federal money.  How long can that last?

While I am certainly concerned about their future with such a long layoff and so much uncertainty in the year ahead, I try not to dwell on it too much. All I can do is find ways to support them and avoid negative thinking about things I can't control.

I don't want to be judgmental, especially since I can only assume the circumstances of the individual(s) posting for the group. They've been under heavy restrictions for close to a year, as have most of us. They've been through repeated lockdowns. That has to have an impact on mental health and if the people posting for CW haven't been through that before, they might not know how to handle it and be feeling really low. Depression (and anxiety) can affect motivation, mood, and behaviour significantly and becoming withdrawn is a common consequence. That doesn't change the fact that their communication should be better than it is, but the human aspect behind the account is something to keep in mind. We know it could be better, but we don't know why it is the way it is.

Not everyone is going to be good on social media. There is personality and skill involved. It's cheaper to do in-house than to contract it out to an agency, but I wonder if they've considered a volunteer who's passionate about the group and would be good at connecting with the fans through socials.

Ideally, I think official CW communications should be more frequent and should be connecting with fans on a more personal and emotional level. There are ways to come across as both professional and emotionally engaging at the same time.

I feel like a lot of fans don't follow the girls directly. That makes it even more important for the official communications to be active in engaging us on a deeply emotional level.

They should be acknowledging Mairead's departure and giving her heartfelt thanks for her years of wonderful work with the group and I should be crying when I read that post. If I'm not in tears, it's not done right, because Mairead has meant that much to me. How about a tribute video to her? What else are they doing right now? What about having a fan contest for the best tribute to Mairead (poems, videos, visual art, songs, etc)? There's lots of untapped potential.

They need to say something about the tour postponement, not just on socials, but through the venues / ticket-vendors to all ticket holders. Assuming people are going to find out on their own is a bad idea.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: dbbii on February 01, 2021, 09:40:53 AM
The pandemic has affected everyone -- some more than others.  From a corporate standpoint, what is an "essential" worker in your corporation?  A lot of companies have determined that a receptionist isn't critical.  There are lots of automated phone systems.  No one can get inside a building, so it's not a matter of greeting guests.  How critical is "social media administrator"?  Yes, it's an important marketing function, but, if there's nothing to market, that can get cut. Go back, I don't know, maybe 10 years ago.  How did we find out about shows then? 
.
My business more or less shut down about 10 months ago.  Do I fight to keep it alive or say the heck with it and collect Social Security? 
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: CelticSweater on February 02, 2021, 10:50:58 PM
Does this lack of communication mean CW is over?  Two years of no shows.  This has to have an affect on both the performers and the overall corporate entity.  What's going to happen a year from now?  Will we still have to socially distance?  That will have an affect on the number of people in the theatre which affects the income.  The only way some of the venues are hanging on is due to federal money.  How long can that last?

While I am certainly concerned about their future with such a long layoff and so much uncertainty in the year ahead, I try not to dwell on it too much. All I can do is find ways to support them and avoid negative thinking about things I can't control.

I don't want to be judgmental, especially since I can only assume the circumstances of the individual(s) posting for the group. They've been under heavy restrictions for close to a year, as have most of us. They've been through repeated lockdowns. That has to have an impact on mental health and if the people posting for CW haven't been through that before, they might not know how to handle it and be feeling really low. Depression (and anxiety) can affect motivation, mood, and behaviour significantly and becoming withdrawn is a common consequence. That doesn't change the fact that their communication should be better than it is, but the human aspect behind the account is something to keep in mind. We know it could be better, but we don't know why it is the way it is.

Not everyone is going to be good on social media. There is personality and skill involved. It's cheaper to do in-house than to contract it out to an agency, but I wonder if they've considered a volunteer who's passionate about the group and would be good at connecting with the fans through socials.

Ideally, I think official CW communications should be more frequent and should be connecting with fans on a more personal and emotional level. There are ways to come across as both professional and emotionally engaging at the same time.

I feel like a lot of fans don't follow the girls directly. That makes it even more important for the official communications to be active in engaging us on a deeply emotional level.

They should be acknowledging Mairead's departure and giving her heartfelt thanks for her years of wonderful work with the group and I should be crying when I read that post. If I'm not in tears, it's not done right, because Mairead has meant that much to me. How about a tribute video to her? What else are they doing right now? What about having a fan contest for the best tribute to Mairead (poems, videos, visual art, songs, etc)? There's lots of untapped potential.

They need to say something about the tour postponement, not just on socials, but through the venues / ticket-vendors to all ticket holders. Assuming people are going to find out on their own is a bad idea.

Tom, I agree 100% and I love your ideas as well. Maybe you should e-mail the Celtic Woman website about it and message them on social media.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: dbbii on February 03, 2021, 12:33:59 PM
I would tend to believe that no major corporation will outsource social media, especially to a volunteer.  Or, if they outsource it, they want to have strict control over it with significant financial penalties for posting "stupid" stuff.   While I am not making a political statement, keep in mind that our country is divided pretty close to 50/50.  Anything you say will offend about 1/2 the people who see it.
Title: Re: Mairead Carlin moving on from Celtic Woman
Post by: celtic4life on February 15, 2021, 01:19:38 PM
I wonder if CW is waiting to make an announcement about Mairéad when the new lady is selected. Could be due to COVID, the selection process is taking longer than normal. They could be having a new member join and will be making the announcement as one.