I caught up for a chat with Mairead Carlin of Celtic Woman, when she was in Australia recently doing promotion for next year’s Celtic Woman’s tour; while she was here she was able to enjoy a tour of a different kind, one around Sydney Harbour and a cruise to the Sydney Opera House. The newest member of internationally renowned Irish band Celtic Woman is delighted at the opportunities, including travel, that her new role has found for her.
Mairead means ‘pearl’ and having spoken to her I can attest Mairead is a pearl both in talent and nature, her surname ‘Carlin’ which means little champion also describes the humility of this brilliant girl with the winning voice.
Mairead hails from Derry which was awarded the inaugural UK ‘City of culture’ title this year. It seems fitting that one of the ‘Celtic Woman’ who have done so much for Ireland’s worldwide cultural reputation should come from the UK’s most cultural city.
Mairead, although missing Derry where her family still reside, is finding the girls of Celtic Woman becoming her second family committed to taking care of each other.
How Mairead came about joining the group she describes as feeling so blessed to be a part of, is the stuff of fairytales.
Mairead had recorded an album called ‘Songwords’ which the girls of Celtic Woman happened to hear, they became enchanted by her voice, and so requested Mairead join them after previous member Chloe Agnew left to pursue solo interests.
Mairead says the girls success is because of their ability to ‘communicate, delivering songs honestly from the heart’.
Although the girls work so well together as a group we are reminded that each is an individual woman with their own particular skill and experience which they bring to the group.
For example, band member Susan Mcfadden comes from a background of musical theatre having performed at the West End in ‘Grease’ and ‘Legally Blonde’, another member Lisa Lambe, has a background in acting and a traditional musical background, while Mairead herself is classically trained and ‘folksy’.
In spite of their varied specialties Mairead says that the girls relish the opportunity for their musical styles to overlap and she and Lisa particularly, enjoy ‘ Americana’ and perform some of these songs at the concerts.
I asked Mairead what she would call her autobiography and she says her autobiography would be called’ Songbook’ because she is always on a quest to search for long lost songs and rescue these unique little gems from obscurity.
Like these long lost gems Mairead is a pearl herself but one that will never have to fear obscurity.
While waiting to see the girls in concert you can celebrate Christmas with the Celtic Woman with their new album ‘Home for Christmas’ out now.
You can see Mairead perform with Celtic Woman:
JANUARY 2014 TOUR DATES
Brisbane** Brisbane Entertainment Centre Sunday 12 January
Newcastle Newcastle Entertainment Centre Wednesday 15 January
Wollongong WIN Entertainment Centre Thursday 16 January
Sydney** Sydney Entertainment Centre* Friday 17 January
Canberra Royal Theatre Saturday 18 January
Melbourne** Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall Sunday 19 January
Melbourne** Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall Sunday 19 January
Adelaide** Adelaide Entertainment Centre- Theatre Tuesday 21 January
Perth** Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre Friday 24 January
Tickets are on sale now. Book at ticketek.com.au / 132 849
Paula Xiberras
