Celtic Woman Member Timeline

[CWazyTom]

Hey everyone,

I thought it would be a good idea if we put our vast knowledge together and came up with a Member Timeline for each of our beloved leading ladies and when they were with the group.

I know most of the information is documented out there, but right now, it's all over the place, buried deep within forum threads, wikipedia, and thousands of articles scattered across the Internet.

My end goal would be to have a simple, pretty chart, like the member timeline that exists on the Celtic Thunder wikipedia page:




My plan was to assemble sort of a written timeline / summary for each Celtic Woman member, then once everything is together, make a pretty chart. Maybe have a small profile pic or something of each leading lady next to their row on the timeline.

For purposes of a chart, I think accuracy to the month would be sufficient, although I'm a perfectionist and tend to like details, so I'll probably not be satisfied until I track down all the specific dates.

I'm hoping to get started on this project over the next couple of days depending on how things at work goes, but I'll let the rest of you have at it in the meantime.  

[CWazyTom]

Some quick notes before getting started:

• One of my references is Wikipedia.
• Here's one issue I've run into (and ran into before when editing Wikipedia): for references that point back to the CW website, like notices for new and departing members, aren't dated on the CW site (at least they don't appear to be now).
• The challenge is that it makes it difficult to prove the date if the citation hounds at Wikipedia come calling.
• So during this project, I'm also hoping to track down some other sources to back up the dates.
• That creates a further difficulty, since some of the "other sources" may have retrieved their info from wikipedia, since a lot of the time, other articles or wikis won't properly source their info. Even worse, some of the other sites are full or partial mirrors of wikipedia articles, making them cyclical sources. Sigh...
• I can't tell you how many arguments I've had with the citation hounds at Wikipedia. I honestly had to stop updating stuff because it was too much work to dig up citations they were happy with. But I digress...
• If you notice any potential mistakes, please point them out and if you have a source to back it up, even better! I'm thinking the Facebook page might have dates that can be referenced. It's just a pain to search Facebook, sometimes.

Another thing that may need discussion is what the criteria are for start / end dates?

• The date it was announced?
• The day a person first / last performed on tour or recorded a special?
• Some other "official" start date that was documented.

Now that I'm done rambling, here we go, starting with the current ladies...


Máiréad Nesbitt
September 15, 2004 - Aug 7, 2016

Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/maireadnesbittcelticviolinist/posts/1757393424539932:0
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10154398051527838:0


Éabha McMahon
Aug 11, 2015 - Present

She took over for Lisa Lambe.

Officially announced August 11:
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10153523201587838:0
http://www.celticwomanforum.com/index.php?topic=20597.0

Some sources state or imply she joined in July (I'm pretty sure she auditioned in July, but as for when she joined...)
http://onlineathens.com/mobile/2016-04-20/irish-heritage-comes-alive-voices-celtic-women
http://irishecho.com/2016/04/celtic-woman-lets-eabha-be-herself/
http://registerguard.com/rg/entertainment/34342101-67/celtic-woman-serves-as-ambassador-for-ireland-musically.html.csp

I'll go with August 11, 2015 as her official start date.


Mairéad Carlin
August 23, 2013 - Present

... It was reported on August 23, 2013, in any event (per Wikipedia and Celtic Woman Tour on Facebook).

She took over for Chloë.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Woman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A1ir%C3%A9ad_Carlin
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10151815603017838


Susan McFadden
January, 2012 - Present
Reported: January 5, 2012  (per Wikipedia and Celtic Woman Tour on Facebook)

She took over for Lisa Kelly.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Woman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_McFadden
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10150512607587838

[Celtic Chan]

I think that's a good idea, Tom!

As for Celtic Thunder, Ryan Kelly is my favorite and I liked to point out that he is the only member who has been there since the beginning!

[CWazyTom]

I think that's a good idea, Tom!

As for Celtic Thunder, Ryan Kelly is my favorite and I liked to point out that he is the only member who has been there since the beginning!

Yep, just like Mairead Nesbitt. The anchors, if you will.

Although Mairead's a bit more mobile. Lol.

[The Impatient New Yorker]

Neil was part of the CT band since the very beginning (August 2007) but was promoted to full member in time to record a few songs for their 2010 album "It's entertainment" Paul left November 28, 2010 and Damien left to enter the Glee project and officially announced is departure August 21, 2011. Emmett Cahill announced is departure on January 13, 2014 and rejoined the next tour, following Georges death on April 3 2014. On April 5 it was unofficially announced that Emmett o'Hanlon would be replacing Emmett Cahill. Damien was present for the 2015 very best of Celtic Thunder tour and the 2016 Australian tour. Keith Harkin announced his departure on April 26, 2016 and I guess he finished the Australian tour before leaving. Colm joined in 2012 and I think he announced his departure prior to the Australian tour but is set to return in 2017.

[CWazyTom]

Deirdre Shannon

July 20, 2005 - February 2006

She filled in for Méav during tours in 2005 while Méav was on pregnany leave. The original tour was a short one (July 20 - Oct 22, 2005 it appears). So connecting the dots, that's how I arrived at the estimate of July 20 as her start date. Deirdre left in 2006 when Méav returned.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Woman  ("Méav returned to the group in time to record A New Journey and tour for that album, coinciding with Deirdre's departure from the group in February 2006.")
http://www.dararecords.com/imn/celtic_woman_tour2005.html   (Tour dates, original US tour, 2005)

As always, if you notice anything that needs to be added or tweaked, let me know.

[CWazyTom]

Hayley Westenra

August 24, 2006 - June 2007

Alternated with Méav on Tour:
   Méav: Feb 14 - March 8, 2007
   Hayley: Mar 9 - Apr 5, 2007
   Méav: Apr 11 - May 3, 2007
   Hayley: May 4 - end of June, 2007   (end of the spring leg of the ANJ tour was June 29, 2007)

I think for the purposes of the member timeline chart, the line for the period of alternation (Feb 14 - June 2007) should be in a striped color just to differentiate it from normal tour involvement. It wasn't an interruption in membership as far as I'm concerned, just a period of odd scheduling.

I'm not sure what Hayley's official end date was, so if anyone has that info, please let me know. I believe that tour ended in June, so I assume her contract would have ended following the last show on that tour.

Sources:

Start date (Aug 24, 2006):
http://web.archive.org/web/20070223143839/http://www.celticwoman.com/viewSection.asp?idSection=211

Alternating tour dates for ANJ tour in 2007:
http://web.archive.org/web/20070223143932/http://www.celticwoman.com/viewSection.asp?idSection=218

Re: Spring Tour dates for ANJ in 2007 (specifically the last date of the tour), it was tough to find. I looked for hours in many places until finally I found this REALLY cool map with the dates (and all the locations on a map):
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=36.879621%2C-96.855469&spn=35.639576%2C59.765625&hl=en&z=4&msa=0&ie=UTF8&om=1&mid=1B3KyddqIi_yxKOM48_EW3G_EEbw

Other sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Woman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayley_Westenra



Órla Fallon

September 15, 2004 - Dec 9, 2008

Alex Sharpe took over for her.

Wikipedia says she left in 2009, but a number of other sources indicated she left in December 2008 (after "A Christmas Celebration"). Given that one of the articles about her leaving was dated December 10th, I'm inclined to believe that December 9, 2008 date that was posted on this forum is correct.

Sources:

Orla's departure (Dec 9, 2008):
http://www.celticwomanforum.com/index.php?topic=9345.45    (indicates Dec 9, 2008 was the date)
http://lovetrouble06.blogspot.ca/2008/12/orla-fallon-leaves-celtic-woman.html    (posted Dec 10, 2008)
http://www.orlasgarden.com/biography.html   (indicates she left "at the end of 2008)
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/OrlaFallon1    (indicates she left in December 2008, but doesn't specify an exact date)
http://orlafallon.com/?page_id=9    (indicates she left in December 2008, but doesn't specify an exact date)

[Kimberly AJ]

Don't forget Chloë Agnew. She's my VBIF as I get carried away by a spark of feelings.

[CWazyTom]

Don't forget Chloë Agnew. She's my VBIF as I get carried away by a spark of feelings.

I won't forget, I promise. 

[CWazyTom]

Chloë Agnew

September 15, 2004 - August 5, 2013

Mairead Carlin took over for her.

Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10151776948092838
http://www.celticwoman.com/chloe-statement/
http://lisakellyforum.net/index.php?topic=971.0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlo%C3%AB_Agnew
http://euler.math.uga.edu/wiki/index.php?title=Celtic_Woman


Lynn Hilary

Aug 17, 2007 - Nov. 12, 2010  (I think Lynn started touring at the start of the ANJ on Oct 10, 2007, but she was announced as a new member on August 17, 2007)
Feb 14, 2014 - June 8, 2014 (Emerald, in place of Lisa Lambe, announced Feb 14, 2014, but her first date back on tour was March 16, 2014)
Sept 3-7, 2014 (Emerald tour in Brazil)
Apr 8, 2015 - May 23, 2015 (10th Anniversary Tour)

Lynn originally took over for Méav.

Piecing the dates together for Lynn has been quite challenging. Did I miss anything?

Sources:
http://www.celticwomanforum.com/index.php?topic=1470.0   (announced as new member, Aug 17, 2007)
http://www.celticwomanfansiteforum.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1589&sid=7532add83f77ab909b7a5492504a5a6d
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Hilary  (Lynn's first tour with CW was the ANJ tour, which started on Oct 10, 2007)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Woman
http://www.celticwoman.com/lynns-message/

End of Lynn's first stint (at least when it was announced) was Nov 12, 2010:
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/169640543064007
http://www.celticwomanforum.com/index.php?topic=14676.0
http://www.celticwomanforum.com/index.php?topic=11653.0

2014 Emerald Tour:
https://www.facebook.com/CelticWomanFanPage/posts/10202210562239029   (notice that Lynn was back to replace Lisa in March for rest of Emerald tour)
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10152294199812838:0  (Lynn's first date back on tour, March 16, 2016)
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10152480850692838:0   (end of spring leg of Emerald Tour, June 8, 2014)
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10152878187617838:0   (end of Emerald tour, Nov 28, 2014)
http://celticwoman.com/emerald-world-tour-heads-brazil/

10th Anniversary Tour:
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10153423288177838:0   (source for date of last show of original 10th anniversary tour leg)
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10153320289292838:0   (source for date of Lynn's last show of 10th anniversary tour)
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10153167574377838:0  (tour lineups for 10th anniversary tour)

[The Impatient New Yorker]

Lynn went to Brazil with CW in September 2014 and left after that and Lisa L did the Christmas tour that year

[CWazyTom]

Good catch!

It was so brief I almost forgot about that.

It was just September 3-7, 2014 during the Emerald tour, right?

Source:
http://celticwoman.com/emerald-world-tour-heads-brazil/

Lynn went to Brazil with CW in September 2014 and left after that and Lisa L did the Christmas tour that year

[barb kantartzis]

Neil was part of the CT band since the very beginning (August 2007) but was promoted to full member in time to record a few songs for their 2010 album "It's entertainment" Paul left November 28, 2010 and Damien left to enter the Glee project and officially announced is departure August 21, 2011. Emmett Cahill announced is departure on January 13, 2014 and rejoined the next tour, following Georges death on April 3 2014. On April 5 it was unofficially announced that Emmett o'Hanlon would be replacing Emmett Cahill. Damien was present for the 2015 very best of Celtic Thunder tour and the 2016 Australian tour. Keith Harkin announced his departure on April 26, 2016 and I guess he finished the Australian tour before leaving. Colm joined in 2012 and I think he announced his departure prior to the Australian tour but is set to return in 2017.

Damo is back now

[CWazyTom]

Here's what I've got so far for Alex...

Alex Sharpe

Dec 2007 - May 26, 2010
May 3, 2015 - June 28, 2015

Originally substituted for Lisa Kelly while Lisa was on maternity leave (2008).
Then stepped in for Orla full time in 2009.

Note: I'm not certain if there was any official gap for Alex between when she was substituting for Lisa and when she took over full-time for Orla.

Left May 2010 (after the 1st leg of the Songs from the Heart tour).

Returned May 3, 2015 - June 28, 2015  (10th Anniversary Tour)

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Woman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Sharpe
http://web.archive.org/web/20100529154543/http://www.celticwoman.com/trellis/alex_message

End of Alex's first stint announced May 26, 2010:
https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/103076549740779
http://www.celticwomanforum.com/index.php?topic=11653.0

10th Anniversary Tour:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=904881029532876&id=212618112092508

[CWazyTom]

Méav

Sept 15, 2004 - July 19, 2005
Aug 23, 2006 - Aug 17, 2007
       During the 2007 ANJ tour, Méav was featured Apr 11 - May 3
Lynn took over for Meav.
Aug, 2012: "Home for Christmas" (album only)    (Thanks Tiffany )
Aug 7, 2013: "Home for Christmas" (special/DVD only)
Mar 6, 2015 - Apr 4, 2015 (10th Anniversary Tour, in place of Lynn)
Aug 2015: "Destiny" (album / special / DVD)

Notes about the dates used:

• 2005 - 2006, Méav was on mat leave (Deirdre filled in). If anyone has the date Deirdre officially took over for Méav in 2005, please let me know. *** For now, I used the day before Deirdre's start date (Deirdre started on July 20, 2005, based on that being the first date of the first US tour).
  
• I based Méav's return date in 2006 on when the ANJ special was recorded. If someone has a more accurate date, please let me know.
• In 2007, following the filming of Celtic Woman's Christmas DVD at the Helix, Dublin, Méav left Celtic Woman to concentrate on her solo career.
• Méav later featured as a guest soloist on the CW Christmas album Home for Christmas (the first time Méav had appeared with CW since she left the group in 2007).
• Méav was also featured on the subsequent CW PBS special, "Home for Christmas", which was recorded on 7 August 2013.
• I based Méav's start date for the 10th Anniversary Tour as March 6 based on her Wikipedia page. If anyone has further supporting evidence, that would be great.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Woman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9av_N%C3%AD_Mhaolchatha


First Stint:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Woman:_A_New_Journey (ANJ recorded Aug 23/24, 2006)

http://web.archive.org/web/20070223143932/http://www.celticwoman.com/viewSection.asp?idSection=218 (ANJ tour rotation for 2007)
   Meav: Feb 14 - March 8
   Hayley: Mar 9 - Apr 5
   Meav: Apr 11 - May 3
   Hayley: May 4 - June 29  (end of ANJ tour)

Meav's departure in 2007 (Aug 17):
http://www.celticwomanfansiteforum.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1589&sid=7532add83f77ab909b7a5492504a5a6d
http://www.celticwomanfansiteforum.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1596&sid=e6d81a9d77786ba85a28d587339e31a9
http://www.celticwomanforum.com/index.php?topic=9345.45  (Aug 17, 2007)

Home for Christmas album recorded in August, 2012:
https://www.facebook.com/CelticWomanFanPage/posts/487139037964851

Home for Christmas DVD was filmed / Recorded on August 7, 2013:
http://www.meav.com/meav-guests-with-celtic-woman/
... On the timeline, I'll probably just mark Meav as active for all of August 2013 (since one day doesn't show up well on an almost-12-year timeline).

10th Anniversary Tour:

https://www.facebook.com/celticwoman/posts/10153167574377838:0  (10th anniversary tour lineups)
   "Now" (posted March 19, 2015) through April 4th: Mairead Nesbitt, Mairead Carlin, Méav
   April 8th - May 2nd: Mairead Nesbitt, Susan, Mairead Carlin, Lynn
   May 3rd - May 22nd: Mairead Nesbitt, Susan, Lynn, Alex    (Alex subbed for Mairead Carlin)
   May 27th - June 28th: Mairead Nesbitt, Susan, Mairead Carlin, Alex    (Alex subbed for Lynn)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9av_N%C3%AD_Mhaolchatha
   Indicates Meav's start date for CW 10th Anniversary tour was March 6

Destiny:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Woman:_Destiny