Celtic Thunder is a new group and concert special featuring five Celtic male vocalists: Paul Byrom (age 28, Dublin, Ireland), George Donaldson (age 39, Glasgow, Scotland), Keith Harkin (age 20, Derry, Northern Ireland), Ryan Kelly (age 28, Moy in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland) and Damian McGinty (age 14, Derry, Northern Ireland). Taped August 2007 at the Helix in Dublin, the group’s debut performance is a celebration of Celtic heritage and men—their loves, attitudes, individuality, power and strength, throughout life’s journey.

From rousing ensemble numbers to solos showcasing each members’ vocal style and personality, Celtic Thunder performs powerful ballads, popular hits, and heartwarming songs of love and loss from across the Celtic music spectrum—Irish, Scottish, traditional and contemporary. Celtic Thunder creator/producer Sharon Browne teamed up with legendary Irish composer Phil Coulter (Elvis Presley’s “My Boy,” Sandie Shaw’s “Puppet on a String,” the now-classic Irish ballad “The Town I Loved So Well”), to audition men all over Ireland and Scotland for the group, and craft a representative set list. The eclectic mix of music includes traditional songs (“Mountains of Mourne,” “Come by the Hills,” “Love Thee Dearest”), pop classics (Paul Anka’s “Puppy Love,” the Eagles’ “Desperado,” The Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin”) and Coulter originals (Irish Rugby Football Union anthem “Ireland’s Call,” “The Old Man,” “Steal Away”), accompanied by The Celtic Concert Orchestra, a full band, bagpipes and monks. Choreography, dramatic lighting, visual effects, and a set resembling ancient stone steps and paths enhance the musical production.

Song list:

“Heartland” – Celtic Thunder (written by Phil Coulter)
“Mountains of Mourne” – Keith Harkin (traditional)
“Raggle Taggle Gypsy” – Celtic Thunder (traditional)
“Ride On” – Ryan Kelly (written by Jimmy MacCarthy)
“The Old Man” – George Donaldson (written by Phil Coulter)
“Love Thee Dearest” – Paul Byrom (traditional)
“Heartbreaker” – Ryan Kelly (written by Phil Coulter)
“Nights in White Satin” – Paul Byrom (written by Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues)
“Come by the Hills” – Damian McGinty (traditional)
“The Voyage” – George Donaldson (written by Johnny Duhan)
“The Island” – Keith Harkin (written by Paul Brady)
“Mull of Kintyre” – Celtic Thunder (written by Paul McCartney and Denny Laine of Wings)
“Puppy Love” – Damian McGinty (written by Paul Anka)
“Lauren & I” – Keith Harkin (written by Keith Harkin)
“Steal Away” – Celtic Thunder (written by Phil Coulter)
“My Boy” – George Donaldson (written by Phil Coulter)
“Desperado” – Ryan Kelly (written by Glenn Frey and Don Henley of the Eagles)
“Ireland's Call” – Celtic Thunder (written by Phil Coulter)
“That's A Woman” – Paul Byrom, Ryan Kelly and Zara Curtis (written by Phil Coulter)
“She” – Paul Byrom (written by Charles Aznavour and Herbert Kretzmer)
“Remember Me, Recuerde Me” – Paul Byrom (written by Phil Coulter)
“I Want to Know What Love Is” – Keith Harkin (written by Mick Jones of Foreigner)
“Caledonia” – Celtic Thunder (written by Dougie MacLean)