If you go
› What: Celtic Woman› Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.› When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 2› Admission: $41, $61 and $101› Phone: 423-757-5580
Éabha (pronounced Ava) McMahon joined the Celtic Woman tour nearly three years ago and has traveled around the world since. Yet she says she feels as though she just started with the group of Irish performers.
"It has been the most incredible journey," she says.
McMahon and fellow performers Máiréad Carlin, Tara McNeil and Susan McFadden will be at the Tivoli Theatre on Wednesday night, May 2, as part of the "Homecoming" tour.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1990, McMahon stands out in the group because she grew up in an Irish-speaking household and has performed the Sean-nos style (unaccompanied, free rhythm) of singing since she was a child.
"In Ireland, most people speak English most of the time, but there are still pockets where people speak Irish. My mum speaks Irish, and I went to an Irish school as well."
She is proud that she is able to sing in her native tongue as part of the show.
"Not many people sing Sean-nos. I want the language to stay alive. It's so amazing putting that style of music out to the world."
McMahon has a solo career in addition to her work with Celtic Woman. She is currently working on a new album and says she hopes to have it out by the end of the summer. While she loves traditional Irish music, she also likes writing new songs.
'The biggest thing for me is storytelling," she says.
"If there is no story, I can't sing it. In Celtic Woman, the songs have really great stories. Songwriting for me is something that happens everyday. It's a part of me and always has been."
McMahon loves performing and traveling. She likes to get out and look for good coffee shops and see the local sites wherever she goes. She keeps a journal of the interesting things and places she visits. So what does she remember about her first visit to the Scenic City?
"I have been there. It's such a cool name. I remember thinking, 'I wish I could live there because it's such a cool name.'
"I also remember that the coffee was really good there. I take notes because my brother runs a coffee shop."
For more information: tivolichattanooga.com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6354.