Andrea Corr facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrea Corr MBE
Corr performing in Birmingham in 2024
Background information
Birth name	Andrea Jane Corr
Born	(1974-05-17) 17 May 1974 (age 51) Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland
Genres	Pop rock Celtic
Occupation(s)	Musician singer actress
Instruments	Vocals tin whistle mandolin piano ukulele
Years active	1990–present
Labels	Atlantic AC Records

Andrea Jane Corr (born on May 17, 1974) is a talented Irish musician and actress. She became famous in 1990 as the lead singer of the band The Corrs. She formed the group with her three older siblings: Caroline, Sharon, and Jim.

Besides singing, Andrea plays several instruments. She is skilled at the tin whistle, mandolin, ukulele, and piano. With The Corrs, she has released many successful albums. Andrea has also had a solo career, releasing her first album, Ten Feet High, in 2007. Her second solo album, Lifelines, released in 2011, featured cover songs that were special to her growing up.

Andrea Corr is also known for her charity work. She has performed at many concerts to raise money for good causes. These include helping children in Liberia and supporting victims of the Omagh bombing. She is also an ambassador for Nelson Mandela's "46664" campaign. This campaign helps raise awareness about AIDS in Africa. In 2005, she and her siblings were honored by Queen Elizabeth II. They received an honorary M.B.E. for their contributions to music and charity.

Andrea's Early Life

Andrea Corr grew up in Dundalk, Ireland. Her parents, Gerry and Jean Corr, were also musicians. They had their own band called Sound Affair. They often played songs by groups like ABBA and The Eagles in local pubs. They would sometimes bring their children along to these performances.

Andrea is the youngest of five children. Her parents encouraged her love for music from a young age. Andrea learned to play the tin whistle and her father taught her piano. As teenagers, she and her siblings would practice together. Andrea sang, Sharon played the violin, and Caroline and Jim played keyboards. Andrea also enjoyed acting in school plays at her school, Dun Lughaidh Convent.

Andrea's Music Career

Starting with The Corrs

Corr performing in Glastonbury in 1999

Corr performing in Vienna in 2016

In 1990, Andrea and her siblings officially formed The Corrs. Their big break came in 1991 when they auditioned for the movie The Commitments. Andrea even got a speaking role in the film! A music manager named John Hughes noticed their talent during the audition. He decided to become their manager.

The Corrs signed with Atlantic Records in 1995. They then traveled to North America to record their first album, Forgiven, Not Forgotten. This album featured Celtic-inspired songs and instrumental pieces. It became very popular in Ireland, Australia, Japan, and Spain. It sold millions of copies, making it a huge success for an Irish group.

After their first album, they released Talk on Corners in 1997 and In Blue in 2000. Talk on Corners became a hit after a remix version was released. In Blue had a more mainstream pop sound with electronic music. It quickly became a number one album in many countries.

During the making of In Blue, the Corr family faced a sad time. Their mother, Jean, passed away. Andrea and Caroline wrote a song called "No More Cry" for the album. They dedicated it to their father to help him through his grief.

In 2003, Andrea recorded "Time Enough For Tears" for the film In America. This song was later included on The Corrs' 2004 album, Borrowed Heaven. Both Borrowed Heaven and their 2005 album, Home, were dedicated to their late mother. Home featured many traditional Irish songs from their mother's songbook.

In 2015, Andrea confirmed that The Corrs were working on new music. Their sixth studio album, White Light, was released in November 2015. They followed this with a world tour. Their most recent album, Jupiter Calling, came out in 2017.

Andrea's Solo Music

While her siblings took a break to focus on their families, Andrea started her solo music career. Her first solo album, Ten Feet High, was released in June 2007. It was produced by Nellee Hooper, who had worked with famous artists like Gwen Stefani and Madonna. Bono from U2 was also involved as an executive producer.

Her first single from the album was "Shame on You". It was an upbeat pop song with a serious message about war. Critics liked the song, calling it "polished" and "uplifting."

In 2011, Andrea released her second solo album, Lifelines. This album was a collection of cover songs. It included songs by artists like John Lennon and Donna Summer. In 2020, she released an EP called Christmas Songs. It featured four classic Christmas songs and one new original song.

In 2025, Andrea appeared on the British TV show The Masked Singer. She performed as the character "Snail."

Andrea's Acting Roles

Andrea Corr began her acting career in 1991 in the film The Commitments. She played the role of Sharon Rabbitte. In 1996, she appeared in the film Evita, which starred Madonna. Andrea played Juan Peron's mistress and sang part of a song called "Hello and Goodbye." She also provided the singing voice for the character Kayley in the animated film Quest for Camelot in 1998.

Andrea continued acting in 2003, playing Anne in The Boys from County Clare. Although the film wasn't a big commercial success, Andrea won an award for Best Actress at the US Comedy Arts Festival. She was also nominated for Best Actress at the IFTA Awards. During The Corrs' break, she appeared in the films The Bridge (2005) and Broken Thread (2006).

She also performed on stage. In 2009, she played Christina in the play Dancing at Lughnasa in London. In 2010, she took on the main role in Jane Eyre at the Gate Theatre in Dublin.

Andrea's Book

In 2018, Andrea wrote and released a book called Barefoot Pilgrimage. In this book, she shares stories about her childhood and her family. She also writes about her experiences with The Corrs.

Andrea's Charity Work

Andrea Corr and her siblings have always been involved in charity. They have performed at many concerts to raise money for various causes. These include helping children, supporting hospitals, and aiding victims of the Omagh bombing. They also support The Prince's Trust.

The Corrs are ambassadors for Nelson Mandela's "46664" campaign. They performed live to help raise awareness about AIDS in Africa. In 2005, they were recognized for their charity work. Queen Elizabeth II made them Honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire.

In 2008, Andrea was part of a special song called "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew." This song was a tribute to Ronnie Drew, a member of the band The Dubliners. Many famous Irish musicians, including members of U2 and Sinéad O'Connor, performed on the song. All the money raised from the song went to The Irish Cancer Society.

Andrea also contributed to a tribute concert for Kirsty MacColl in 2010. She also wrote and sang the song "Oh Brother" for the album Music of Ireland – Welcome Home. In 2012, Andrea supported Kate Winslet's Golden Hat Foundation. She performed at "The American Christmas Carol" concert in Carnegie Hall to help raise money for the charity.

Andrea's Personal Life

Andrea Corr married Brett Desmond on August 21, 2009. Her sisters, Sharon and Caroline, sang at the wedding. Other musicians also performed. Andrea became a mother in 2012 when she welcomed her daughter. She then had a son in 2014.

Andrea's Music Albums

Andrea Corr has released several albums as a solo artist.

• Ten Feet High (2007)
• Lifelines (2011)
• The Christmas Album (2022)

She has also released an Extended Play (EP):

• Christmas Songs (2020)

Andrea has released several singles, including:

• "All I Have to Do Is Dream" (with Laurent Voulzy) (2006)
• "Shame on You" (2007)
• "Champagne from a Straw" (2007)
• "Tinseltown in the Rain" (2011)
• "Pale Blue Eyes" / "Blue Bayou" (2011)

Andrea's Film Roles

Andrea's Stage Roles