A LARGE contingent from Hacketstown and Knockananna watched with pride at the weekend as a local girl held a packed audience at Dublin's Point Theatre in the palm of her hand as part of the hit show Celtic Woman.
Orla Fallon, Kilmacart, Hacketstown, featured as one of the lead vocalists in the show which has taken America by storm, and last Saturday night delighted an Irish audience.
At the Point on Saturday, Orla gave an amazing performance with many group and solo pieces. An incredibly professional show throughout, the vocalists and orchestra combined flawlessly, every note pitch perfect.
The show Celtic Woman was first broadcast in March 2005 in the US and within weeks the album Celtic Woman reached No. 1 in the World Music charts in America and on the Amazon charts.
Since it was first devised, the show has adapted and grown culminating in the thrilling performance on Saturday night.
Among the highlights of the show was Orla's solo song The Isle of Innisfree which also showcased her talent on the harp, while another piece was Orla's performance of her own song Shooting Star which she delivered with great feeling. The soloists received a standing ovation from the thousands in the audience on Saturday night - among them Orla's husband, John Comerford, proud parents John and Eileen, as well as her siblings and many relatives and friends.
Orla is extremely proud of her roots in Knockananna and Hacketstown and of the wonderful support she's enjoyed from her family and friends there. She was therefore delighted to see so many familiar faces at The Point last Saturday night.
Orla grew up in Knockananna until the family moved to Kilmacart, Hacketstown when she was 14 years old. Steeped in a musical background, Orla was performing at a young age and, right through her schooldays, competed in talent competitions in her native Knockananna.
Celtic Woman is now going global with plans for further tours in the US and a tour to Tokyo.