Celtic Women
The four members of the popular singing troupe tell Darragh McManus what Christmas means to them
Since they began 13 years ago, Celtic Woman has been one of the stand-out successes in Irish music. The group has sold a staggering 10 million CDs and DVDs, performed live to more than four million people in 23 countries, been nominated for Grammy awards and hit Number 1 in the Billboard World Music charts no less than six times. Their new album Ancient Land was released in October, featuring original compositions and classic songs such as ‘Mná na hÉireann’ and ‘Long Journey Home’. An accompanying TV special, fi lmed in Johnstown Castle in Co Wexford, will be broadcast to 90 million Americans over Christmas, after fi rst airing here on Virgin Media One on Sunday, December 16.
We spoke to Celtic Women Tara McNeill, Éabha McMahon, Mairéad Carlin and new member Megan Walsh about what Christmas means to them, their favourite Christmas fi lm, and what they hope is under the tree on the big day…
What does Christmas mean to you?
Tara: Christmas is a time for my whole family to get together. It’s definitely my favourite time of year! It involves eating a lot of food, na ps and Christmas movies. As we travel a lot, time with my family is so precious.
Éabha: Christmas is all about family in my house. We usually get home from our Christmas symphony tour a few days before, and from the moment we touch down in Dublin airport, Christmas has begun. My favourite part is the dinner. There’s lots of singing and storytelling and my Dad’s incredible food. It’s safe to say this is my favourite time of year.
Mairéad: Christmas is the most special time of year. For me it’s about being with family. Because we tour so much and won’t be home th is year till Christmas Eve, it’s also about relaxing, eating home-cooked food and taking time to see my loved ones.
Megan: Christmas to me means spending time with my family. It’s that time of year where no matter where everyone is in the world, we all make our way back.
What’s your earliest childhood memory of Christmas?
Tara: I remember crawling from my bedroom to the room that Santa had visited. I had to crawl under the piano so that I didn’t set off the alarm! And then Santa had left lots of presents so I was a very happy little girl. Éabha: My earliest memory is when I woke up in the night and heard Santa on the roof. I ran in and told my mum and dad and they told me to go back to sleep so that he could drop the presents down the chimney. I remember just feeling like there was magic all around me.
Mairéad: We have always had our ritual – since I was a young child I would run into my mum and dad’s room and jump on their bed to get up and open our presents. My dad would always go in first to turn on the Christmas lights and I would go in last – such a magical day.
Megan: Waking my whole family up at a crazy hour in the morning to go down and open our presents from Santa.
What’s your favourite Christmas film – and why?
Tara: I love so many Christmas movies, but I have to say that I really love watching Frozen every year. I’ll always be in tears at the end.And I know it’s not technically a Christmas movie, but there’s lots of snow!
Éabha: My favourite is The Grinch – it’s so funny.
Mairéad: Definitely Miracle on 34th Street. I just think that it’s the epitome of what Christmas is. I also love the score in that movie, Bruce Broughton is a legend. Megan: The original Santa Clause film with Tim Allen. It’s just such a nostalgic film for me, as my family gets together every year to watch it on Christmas Eve.
In general, do you think that Christmas has changed much since you were a child?
Tara: Christmas has pretty much stayed the same in our home, only the children have gotten much taller! We have our big Christmas dinner and Santa still comes. My brother will wake me up early and we’ll go see what Santa has left. Éabha: Over the years the Christmas traditions have stayed the same, but we have grown up and now it means so much more. I appreciate beingaround a table with all the people I love most in the world, so much.It’s not about gifts anymore, it’s about them.
Mairéad: This is the first year that my husband and I are spending Christmas together, just us. It’ll be my first time cooking the dinner so that’ll be interesting! Megan: For me Christmas has always been about family, so it hasn’t changed much since I was a child. What (or who!) would be your dream gift this Christmas Day? Tara: All I want this Christmas is to have my family together, safe and well. That’s the dream gift. And maybe a white Christmas…and a horse! Éabha: My dream gift this year would be to have my grandad back with us for one more Christmas. We miss his presence so much at the table. But we will raise a glass in his memory.
Mairéad: Time with my husband and my dog. That’s all I want.
Megan: A puppy!