Órla Fallon facts for kids

Órla Fallon, born Órlagh Fallon on August 24, 1974, is a talented singer and songwriter from Ireland. She is well-known for being a founding member of the popular music group Celtic Woman and also sang with the choir Anúna.

Early Life and Musical Start

Growing Up in Ireland

Órla Fallon was born in a place called Knockananna in Ireland. From a young age, she loved music. She learned to play the harp and sing traditional Irish music. She often sings in the Irish language.

Learning and Performing

Órla studied at the Mater Dei Institute of Education in Dublin. She has had amazing opportunities to perform for important people. She has sung for the Pope and the President of Ireland. She has also performed at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Órla's Music Career

Joining Anúna

Órla's early career began when she auditioned for Michael McGlynn. She then joined the chamber choir Anúna. This group is known for its unique and beautiful vocal music.

First Albums

Her very first album, The Water is Wide, was released in Europe in 2000. It later came out in North America in 2006. In 2005, she also appeared on an album called Rubicon by The Duggans.

Becoming a Celtic Woman

In 2004, Órla sent a music demo to composer David Downes. He was creating a new music group called Celtic Woman. David was impressed by Órla's special singing voice. He asked her to be a part of the group, which was first planned as just a one-night show.

Órla agreed and became one of the first members of Celtic Woman. She sang and played the harp for the group.

Celtic Woman Albums and Tours

Órla was featured on several popular Celtic Woman albums. These included their first album, Celtic Woman, Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration, and Celtic Woman: A New Journey. She also appeared in the TV specials and DVDs that went along with these albums.

She toured with Celtic Woman many times. She traveled with them on their first North American Tour in 2005. She also joined them for the A New Journey tours in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Órla even wrote a song called Shooting Star and performed it during the Celtic Woman tours.

In 2009, Órla decided to leave Celtic Woman. She wanted to take a break and spend more time with her family. Another talented singer, Alex Sharpe, took her place in the group.

After Celtic Woman

Solo Music and TV Specials

After leaving Celtic Woman, Órla continued her solo career. In 2009, she released her second album, Distant Shore. This album included her song Shooting Star. Her third album, Music of Ireland: Welcome Home, followed in March 2010.

In December 2010, Órla had her own TV special called Órla Fallon's Celtic Christmas. This was a special moment because it was the first time a former Celtic Woman member had their own TV show. In this special, she sang her own songs and had guest singers. One guest was Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, another former Celtic Woman member. They sang a duet together. David Archuleta, a singer from American Idol, also joined her to sing Christmas songs.

More Albums

Órla released another album in March 2011 called Órla Fallon: My Land. This album also had a TV special to go with it. In 2012, she released Lullaby Time, an album of soothing songs. She has continued to release new music, including Sweet By and By in 2017, A Winter's Tale in 2019, Lore in 2020, and Abide with Me: Celtic Hymns and Songs of Faith in 2022.

Personal Life

Órla Fallon is married to John Comerford. They got married in 1997. They have a son named Freddie, who was born in 2012.

Discography

Solo Albums

• The Water is Wide (2000 EURO) (2006 U.S.)
• Distant Shore (September 2009)
• Music of Ireland: Welcome Home (March 2010)
• Winter, Fire & Snow: A Celtic Christmas Collection (September 2010)
• Órla Fallon's Celtic Christmas (November 2010)
• Órla Fallon: My Land (March 2011)
• Lullaby Time (2012)
• Sweet By and By (March 2017)
• A Winter's Tale (October 2019)
• Lore (July 2020)
• Abide with Me: Celtic Hymns and Songs of Faith (2022)

With Celtic Woman

• Celtic Woman (March 2005)
• Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration (October 2006)
• Celtic Woman: A New Journey (January 2007)
• Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey (October 2008)
• Celtic Woman: The Best of Christmas (November 2017)

Other Collaborations

• With Jim Brickman: Beautiful World (2009)
• With The Duggans: Rubicon (2005)