Méav Ní Mhaolchatha facts for kids

Méav Ní Mhaolchatha (pronounced MAYV nee WAYL-khuh-hah), often known simply as Méav, is a talented Irish singer and songwriter. She specializes in the traditional music of Ireland. Méav was one of the first singers in the famous group Celtic Woman. This group has sold over six million albums worldwide. Her own solo albums have also been very popular, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard World Music charts. She can sing in many languages, including English, Irish, French, Latin, Italian, and German.

Méav's Music Journey

Méav grew up in a musical family and started singing when she was very young. After studying law at Trinity College Dublin, she began her professional singing career.

Singing with Anúna

From 1994 to 1998, Méav was a member of Anúna, an Irish chamber choir. She recorded four albums with them. These included Omnis (1995) and Deep Dead Blue (1996). In 2006, a collection of her work with Anúna, called Celtic Dreams, was released. She also appeared with Anúna in the famous show Riverdance.

Solo Tours and Early Success

After Anúna, Méav toured the United States as a solo singer with the Irish RTÉ Concert Orchestra. She also toured South Africa with the show Lord of the Dance. In 1999, she released her first solo album, Méav. This album was a big success around the world. It led to concert tours in Japan and South Korea.

Joining Celtic Woman

Méav became very well-known when she helped start the group Celtic Woman in 2004. She appeared on three of their CDs: Celtic Woman, Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration, and Celtic Woman: A New Journey. In 2005, Méav took a break from the group to have her first daughter, Anna. Another singer, Deirdre Shannon, filled in for her during tours. Méav returned in 2006 to record A New Journey and toured with Celtic Woman in the US and Japan. She is also featured on the album Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey Essential Collection.

Focusing on Solo Work

In 2007, after filming a Christmas DVD with Celtic Woman, Méav decided to leave the group. She wanted to focus more on her solo singing career. She performed many solo concerts in the New England area of the USA.

Later Projects and Returns

In 2009, Méav performed in her hometown of Dublin to great reviews. She also welcomed her second daughter, Catherine. That same year, she recorded the song "Where the Sunbeams Play" for the Disney movie Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.

In 2010, Méav was a special guest at Órla Fallon's Celtic Christmas concert in Nashville. She sang duets and solo songs, and performed with other stars like David Archuleta and Vince Gill. She also participated in a world music concert in France called "Divinas."

Méav later appeared as a guest singer on the Celtic Woman Christmas album Home for Christmas in 2012. This was her first time with the group since 2007. She also appeared in the Home for Christmas TV special. In 2012, Méav was part of a TV special called Quest Beyond the Stars. She released a new solo album, The Calling, in 2013.

Méav rejoined Celtic Woman for a short time in 2015 for their 10th-anniversary tour. In 2018, she returned to Celtic Woman as their vocal director for their Homecoming album.

Méav's Personal Life

Méav is married to Tom Clinch, and they have two daughters. Their daughter, Catherine Clinch, won the Best Actress Award at the 2022 Irish Film & Television Awards. She won for her main role in the Irish-language film An Cailín Ciúin when she was just 12 years old.

Discography

Solo albums

With Celtic Woman

With Yulia and Rita