Meet Celtic Thunder, A Theatrical Irish Band Like No Other

Sharon Browne and Phil Coulter launched Celtic Thunder as a masculine response to the Celtic Woman initiative, with which Browne had previously been involved.

Their inaugural performance took place at The Helix in Dublin, in August 2007. Mirroring the approach taken with Celtic Woman, their Dublin show led to the production of a CD and DVD, released in March 2008, which quickly gained traction.

The ensemble embarked on tours across North America and consistently delivered fresh content. Their widespread appeal was confirmed when Billboard crowned them Top World Album Artist in 2008, 2009, and 2011.

Their fame even earned them the honor of leading the 2009 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City.

In their performances, the members showcase their talents through solo acts, group performances, and duets, such as this captivating rendition of The Sound of Silence by Colm Keegan and Keith Harkin.

The duo’s performance further showcased Celtic Thunder’s knack for selecting members with exceptional vocal talents.

The rendition of The Sound of Silence, featured in the group’s ninth TV special and included in the Mythology CD and DVD set (2013), captures the audience with its emotional depth, particularly as the orchestra intensifies the experience.

This piece was recorded at the Helix Theater in Dublin, marking a return to the group’s roots.

Curious about the ensemble’s harmony without the backing of an orchestra? Their acapella version of the 18th-century hymn, Amazing Grace, showcased in the Celtic Thunder Christmas DVD (2015), provides the answer.

Tragically, George Donaldson, a lead vocalist, passed away from a heart attack in March 2014, at 46. Known affectionately as Big George, his final solo in Amazing Grace serves as a poignant tribute to his legacy within the group.

Celtic Thunder’s journey in the music world is often viewed through two distinct phases by their most ardent followers: the era under Phil Coulter’s musical direction up until 2011, and the period that followed under the guidance of David Munro.

Munro, who took over as music director, was at the helm for the recordings of The Sound of Silence and Amazing Grace featured in the videos above. His debut project with the group was Mythology, which includes The Sound of Silence.

A certain aficionado noted under a review: “Mythology feels different because of the change in Musical Director to David Munro.

I’ve been a staunch supporter of Phil Coulter, the group’s former Musical Director and Composer. The magic and almost spiritual melody that came with Coulter’s direction were, in my opinion, unparalleled.”

Although both Coulter and Munro have their roots in classical training and have collaborated with notable artists like the Dubliners and Sinéad O’Connor, their career trajectories before joining Celtic Thunder were quite distinct. Munro made his mark in the realms of ballet and contemporary dance, while Coulter honed his craft in the pop sector.

Notably, Coulter’s partnership with Bill Martin resulted in worldwide hits such as Puppet on a String, Sandie Shaw’s Eurovision-winning track in 1967, along with several UK chart-toppers and hits through 1967 to 1976.

Regardless of which Celtic Thunder era one prefers, it’s clear from performances like The Sound of Silence and Amazing Grace that David Munro brings his own brand of exceptional talent to the group’s arrangements and direction.

Under his leadership, six Celtic Thunder albums have ascended to the top of the World Music Album charts on Billboard, iTunes, and Amazon. An incredible feat indeed.

For fans eager to dive deeper into Celtic Thunder’s music, you can follow their journey on their YouTube channel or follow them on Facebook.