A New Journey

‘I, being poor, have only my dreams.’ So wrote the great Irish poet William Butler Yeats. He might just as well have been writing of his country as of himself. Ireland, until relatively recently, was a poor nation, impeded by its tragic history and scarred by the painful memories of famine and mass emigration. Even when things were at their worst, however, the people of Ireland have always remained spirited and vivacious. Poetry, music and dance have long sustained the nation’s spirits through the frequently cruel circumstances of history.

Nowadays, of course, things have changed dramatically for the better. Ireland is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. Although it may no longer be poor, it nonetheless still has its dreams. Proof of this is A New Journey, the latest spectacular production from Celtic Woman, combining the elegiac lyricism of the country’s past with the vivaciousness and dynamism of its present. The five gifted soloists – four vocalists and one violinist – have come together with Composer and Musical Director David Downes to create a truly special musical experience – a ‘tour de force of talent’, according to the Boston Herald. Created in 2004 by David Downes (who worked as Musical Director on Riverdance) and Executive Producer Dave Kavanagh, Celtic Woman was an instant smash hit.


Celtic Woman: A New Journey is the second on-stage production by the group Celtic Woman. The show was filmed at Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland and featured Hayley Westenra as a new addition to the group.