TWO new members this holiday season.

They deleted the pics of Tara & Emma at the bottom of the CW website (Tours & Tickets, Store, etc). 

There are four pics of the "CW model" right now.

The fact Caitríona & Ciara are announced as “new members”makes it sound like Emma & Tara are gone and not returning. Emma hasn’t been on stage since the 20 tour ended so a warning sign there

According to a TikTok comment, Emma has confirmed that she’s coming back after her maternity leave, which would presumably be up soon. Obviously, that’s not the most reliable source, but I can say that Emma has been singing a lot (gigs, especially at weddings) shown by her Instagram.

I can’t say anything for Tara, but Celtic Woman has done (from what I can tell) much more showing off of Caitríona than they have Ciara. Caitríona has been on their official social media speaking about the new album and has done similar promotional stuff to Mairéad and Muirgen. Maybe Ciara is just more private, but from what I’ve seen, she hasn’t done any such promotions. I believe Tara posted something about the album (which would make sense because she’s on it), but I cannot confirm as unfortunately, I do not currently have access to my Instagram.

It could be possible that Caitríona is staying but Emma comes back to replace another member…? I don’t think that’s the case, but Mairéad did just record a new solo album and maybe Muirgen would want to pursue opportunities elsewhere…? For all we know, they’re returning to the original four vocalists lineup, although I highly doubt that’s the case.

I could see Mairead C leaving after the Christmas tour if Emma comes back. Ronan is also a busy singer and Mairead might want to take a break from touring again and spend more time with her family.

Tara might also want to quit touring for a while with her child just being normal and Ciara could be with us for a little bit

They deleted the pics of Tara & Emma at the bottom of the CW website (Tours & Tickets, Store, etc). 

There are four pics of the "CW model" right now.

The fact Caitríona & Ciara are announced as “new members”makes it sound like Emma & Tara are gone and not returning. Emma hasn’t been on stage since the 20 tour ended so a warning sign there

According to a TikTok comment, Emma has confirmed that she’s coming back after her maternity leave, which would presumably be up soon. Obviously, that’s not the most reliable source, but I can say that Emma has been singing a lot (gigs, especially at weddings) shown by her Instagram.

I can’t say anything for Tara, but Celtic Woman has done (from what I can tell) much more showing off of Caitríona than they have Ciara. Caitríona has been on their official social media speaking about the new album and has done similar promotional stuff to Mairéad and Muirgen. Maybe Ciara is just more private, but from what I’ve seen, she hasn’t done any such promotions. I believe Tara posted something about the album (which would make sense because she’s on it), but I cannot confirm as unfortunately, I do not currently have access to my Instagram.

It could be possible that Caitríona is staying but Emma comes back to replace another member…? I don’t think that’s the case, but Mairéad did just record a new solo album and maybe Muirgen would want to pursue opportunities elsewhere…? For all we know, they’re returning to the original four vocalists lineup, although I highly doubt that’s the case.

@stars_at_dawn
Thanks for posting what you found on Emma. That's very interesting. Hmm...

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They deleted the pics of Tara & Emma at the bottom of the CW website (Tours & Tickets, Store, etc). 

There are four pics of the "CW model" right now.

The fact Caitríona & Ciara are announced as “new members”makes it sound like Emma & Tara are gone and not returning. Emma hasn’t been on stage since the 20 tour ended so a warning sign there

According to a TikTok comment, Emma has confirmed that she’s coming back after her maternity leave, which would presumably be up soon. Obviously, that’s not the most reliable source, but I can say that Emma has been singing a lot (gigs, especially at weddings) shown by her Instagram.

I can’t say anything for Tara, but Celtic Woman has done (from what I can tell) much more showing off of Caitríona than they have Ciara. Caitríona has been on their official social media speaking about the new album and has done similar promotional stuff to Mairéad and Muirgen. Maybe Ciara is just more private, but from what I’ve seen, she hasn’t done any such promotions. I believe Tara posted something about the album (which would make sense because she’s on it), but I cannot confirm as unfortunately, I do not currently have access to my Instagram.

It could be possible that Caitríona is staying but Emma comes back to replace another member…? I don’t think that’s the case, but Mairéad did just record a new solo album and maybe Muirgen would want to pursue opportunities elsewhere…? For all we know, they’re returning to the original four vocalists lineup, although I highly doubt that’s the case.

Some more context that I found:

Caitríona just left ANÚNA, strongly hinting at her joining Celtic Woman as a permanent member. However, BIIRD, the group Ciara’s a part of, is touring alongside Ed Sheeran in 2026 and as far as I know, there’s been no announcement of her leaving them. Of course, she could be a part of both groups, but that would be a very difficult commitment, and that combined with her not being advertised much makes me believe that she’s a temporary replacement for Tara and will leave in due time to continue what she’d been doing before, similar to how Deirdre Shannon replaced Méav when the latter was on maternity leave.

I did some more researching into Mairéad Carlin’s exact position, and although I am not certain, it appears as though she was only supposed to have rejoined Celtic Woman for the 20th anniversary album and tour. But she has been promoted as a full blown member, which calls that into question. Granted, Ciara was also promoted as a member, so, assuming I am correct in my hypothesis that her presence with Celtic Woman is temporary, Mairéad having been promoted in the same way doesn’t mean much.

Muirgen is also apparently releasing some solo music, so that could also hint at her leaving, but I’m doubtful that she’s leaving for now. If Caitríona is replacing someone other than Emma, her presence is most likely a premeditated thing, and given Mairéad’s current position, it does make more sense for her to be going.

(It almost sounds as though I want Mairéad to go 😭😭😭 I promise that is most definitely not the case, I love Mairéad, I’m simply weighing out the options!)

So assuming my ideas are in fact correct, this means that the 2026 (?) lineup would end up being Caitríona, Muirgen, Emma, and Tara.

Reading all this has me muzzled up as to whom and what will happen
I do see Emma returning, Muirgen isn't leaving anytime soon. For some reason I sense Mairead Carlin isn't going anywhere. As for Tara back oh we love her. This is making it look like the two newbies are temporary or temporary in this season. Let's remember when Orla left and Alex became a full time member even though it seemed they wanted her even if it meant alternating with Orla which never happened..

Reading all this has me muzzled up as to whom and what will happen
I do see Emma returning, Muirgen isn't leaving anytime soon. For some reason I sense Mairead Carlin isn't going anywhere. As for Tara back oh we love her. This is making it look like the two newbies are temporary or temporary in this season. Let's remember when Orla left and Alex became a full time member even though it seemed they wanted her even if it meant alternating with Orla which never happened..

Well, there have been instances of members being announced as temporary and eventually staying, such as Alex and Susan. I do agree that Ciara is a temporary replacement, but I’m not so sure about Caitríona because she just left ANÚNA. However, this could be a coincidence. Maybe she’s temporarily joining Celtic Woman to get a larger audience for a solo career?