Éabha McMahon

Éabha McMahon is an Irish singer and a member of the ensemble Celtic Woman.

Early life

Éabha was born in Dublin, Ireland.

Career

Éabha began her singing career at 9 years of age, when she was chosen by Veritas to record an album for the children’s book, Beo go Deo. She then began singing in the traditional sean nós style, taught by famous singers such as Máire Ní Choilm, Séamus Mac Mathúna, Moya Brennan, and Íde Mac Mathúna. Éabha went on to win the under-18 All Ireland Oireachtais final at the age of 15, she was reigning Leinster champion from the age of 13 to 17 in the Fleadh Ceoil, and five time Dublin champion in the Fairview Feis Ceoil age 14-18.

Éabha joined Anúna in 2007. In 2008 she recorded the PBS Holiday Special "Anúna : Christmas Memories", released that year on DVD and CD. In 2015 she featured as a soloist on the song "Fill, Fill a Rún" on the Anúna album "Revelation".

In 2015, Éabha headlined a sold out solo show in New York City, in aid of Kylemore Abbey. She is currently developing her first solo album which she will be releasing in 2016.

Celtic Woman

Celtic Woman is an all-female Irish musical ensemble conceived and created by David Kavanagh, Sharon Browne and David Downes, a former musical director of the Irish stage show Riverdance. In 2004, he recruited five Irish female musicians who had not previously performed together: vocalists Chloë Agnew, Órla Fallon, Lisa Kelly and Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt, and shaped them into the first line-up of the group that he named "Celtic Woman." Downes chose a repertoire that ranged from traditional Celtic tunes to modern songs.

The group's line-up has changed over the years; in 2009, the group consisted of Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt; Alex Sharpe left the group in May 2010. Eight albums have been released under the name "Celtic Woman:" Celtic Woman, Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration, Celtic Woman: A New Journey, Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey, Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart, Celtic Woman: Lullaby, Celtic Woman: Believe, Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas," "Celtic Woman: Emerald - Musical Gems. and Celtic Woman: Destiny. The group has undertaken a number of world tours. Cumulatively, albums by Celtic Woman have sold over 9 million records worldwide.

March 16

March 16 is the 75th day of the year (76th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 290 days remaining until the end of the year.

Events

Kylemore Abbey

Coordinates: 53°33′42″N 9°53′17″W / 53.56167°N 9.88806°W / 53.56167; -9.88806

Kylemore Abbey (Irish: Mainistir na Coille Móire) is a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The abbey was founded for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I. The current Mother Abbess of the Benedictine Community is Mary Margaret Funk.

History

Kylemore Castle was built as a private home for the family of Mitchell Henry, a wealthy doctor from London whose family was involved in textile manufacturing in Manchester, England. He moved to Ireland when he and his wife Margaret purchased the land around the Abbey. He became a politician, becoming an MP for County Galway from 1871 to 1885. The castle was designed by James Franklin Fuller, aided by Ussher Roberts. Construction first began in 1867, and took one hundred men four years to complete. The castle covered approximately 40,000 square feet (3,700 m²) and had over seventy rooms with a principal wall that was two to three feet thick. The facade measures 142 feet (43 m) in width and is made of granite brought from Dalkey by sea to Letterfrack and from limestone brought from Ballinasloe. There were 33 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 sitting rooms, a ballroom, billiard room, library, study, school room, smoking room, gun room and various offices and domestic staff residences for the butler, cook, housekeeper and other servants. Other buildings include a Gothic cathedral and family mausoleum containing the bodies of Margaret Henry, Mitchell Henry and a great grand-nephew.

Máiréad Carlin

Máiréad Carlin is an Irish singer and a member of the ensemble Celtic Woman.

Early life

Máiréad was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. “Derry, my hometown, is a very cultured and musical place, wherever you turn there’s always music...That was especially true in my family...We’d just sit around the fire, sing and drink tea”.

Career

Máiréad began her career at the age of 15 when she won the title role of 'The Rose' in BBC Talents 'Young Singers' competition in The Little Prince (opera) by Rachel Portman. Conducted by David Charles Abell the score was recorded by Sony Classical in Abbey Road Studios and aired on BBC Two and PBS in America. It was directed by American opera and theatre director Francesca Zambello

She trained in vocal performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. Upon graduating she was offered a scholarship to further her postgraduate studies in Musical Theatre at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music but turned it down when offered a deal with Decca Records. Máiréad continues to train with Mary Hammond and Simon Lee (conductor).