The Celtic Women’s ticket to success was found in the unlikeliest of places, Public Broadcasting.

In the fall of 2004, the Celtic Women recorded a performance at The Helix in Dublin, Ireland.  That performance aired on PBS in the United States in the spring of 2005.  The concert was an instant hit.

Within weeks, the group’s self-titled debut album reached #1 on Billboard's World Music chart.  It stayed there 81 weeks, 68 of which were consecutive.

In 2006, the group premiered another PBS special called “A New Journey: Live At Slane Castle.”  It aired on more than 90% of PBS Stations during their December pledge period.

Celtic Women are currently comprised of vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt.  Past members include Órla Fallon,
Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, Deirdre Shannon and Hayley Westenra.

The group was created in 2004 by composer and musical director David Downes and executive producer Dave Kavanagh.  Downes is known for his dance-inspired music and Kavanagh was the former manager of The Chieftains and Clannad.

The Celtic Women have released four albums, “Celtic Woman,” “Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration,” “Celtic Woman: A New Journey,” and “Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey.”  Apparently the women like the word “journey.”

The band has completed four successful U.S. tours and a number of world tours.  In 2009, the Celtic Women are embarking on their “Isle of Hope Tour” which will take them to several cities in North America.  

Some of the cities the Celtic Women will visit include Los Angeles, Mohegan Sun, Charlotte, Boston and Portland, Oregon.  Accompany the women on their tour is a 19-member ensemble and numerous costume changes.

As their name suggests, the Celtic Women sing traditional Irish folk music.  However, the majority of their set-list includes songs from the world of pop music.

The Celtic Women’s repertoire includes “Fields of Gold,” “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and “Orinoco Flow" (the Enya song mistakenly called “Sail Away”).

The band also sings several compositions by David Downes and Brendan Graham, most notably Graham’s big hit and the band’s favorite song, “You Raise Me Up.”   

In reference to other popular Irish acts, like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, the Celtic Women are often referred to as “Riverdance for the voice.”

Whether they are playing Irish folk music or pop music, the Celtic Women dazzle audiences the world over with their beautiful voices and their awe-inspiring live performances.  

And if they aren’t coming to a city near you, there’s always PBS.