Ancient Land

Ancient Land is the twelfth studio album and eleventh DVD by the group Celtic Woman.

Ancient Land
Studio album by Celtic Woman
Released	26 October 2018 (2018-10-26)
Recorded	July 2018
Studio	Real World Studios
Genre	Celtic, vocal
Label	Manhattan Records, Universal Music Group, world
Celtic Woman chronology
Homecoming – Live from Ireland (2018) Ancient Land (2018) The Magic of Christmas (2019)

Background

The album was recorded at Real World Studios, Herbert Place Studios, Beechpark Studios, and Jam Studios in July, 2018. The digital album was released on 28 September 2018 and the CD was released on 26 October 2018.[1][2][3][4][5]

The music was produced, arranged, and orchestrated by Gavin Murphy and includes a mixture of traditional Irish songs and contemporary arrangements. The lead performers are vocalists Máiréad Carlin, Éabha McMahon, and Megan Walsh as well as instrumentalist Tara McNeill. Celtic Woman: Ancient Land was Walsh's studio debut and live debut with the group.[6][7]

The PBS special and DVD were recorded at Johnstown Castle in County Wexford, Ireland on 13 and 14 September 2018, in front of an invited audience. It was the group's first outdoor special since Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart was recorded nine years prior.[8][9] The concert began airing on PBS in November, 2018.[10] The DVD was released 25 January 2019.[11]

The album and concert special were both dedicated to Dave Kavanagh, one of the founders of Celtic Woman, who died in April, 2018: "our founder, our leader, our guiding light. Sé mo laoch mo ghile mear."[5][12]

Album track listing

CD [13][14]

No.	Title	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"Ancient Land"	Máiréad Carlin, Éabha McMahon, Tara McNeill, Megan Walsh	2:43
2.	"Homeland"	Carlin, McMahon, McNeill, Walsh	4:19
3.	"Moorlough Shore"	McMahon	4:05
4.	"Follow Me"	Carlin, McMahon, McNeill, Walsh	3:38
5.	"County Down"	Carlin	3:43
6.	"Love & Honour"	McNeill	4:04
7.	"Mná na hÉireann (Women Of Ireland)"	Carlin, McMahon, McNeill, Walsh	4:00
8.	"Sive"	Carlin, McMahon, McNeill, Walsh	3:10
9.	"Shenandoah"	Walsh	4:07
10.	"Long Journey Home"	Carlin, McMahon, McNeill, Walsh	3:13
11.	"Tara's Tunes"	McNeill	4:14
12.	"Ae Fond Kiss"	Carlin	3:59
13.	"Faith's Song"	Walsh	4:03
14.	"Garden of Eden"	McMahon	3:23
15.	"Be Still"	Carlin, McMahon, Walsh	1:35
16.	"Going Home"	Carlin, McMahon, McNeill, Walsh	4:02
17.	"The Enchanted Way"	McNeill	2:51
18.	"Ballroom of Romance"	Carlin, McMahon, McNeill, Walsh	3:15
Total length:			64:28

Notes

• Tracks 17 and 18 were not available on the digital album, only on the physical CD.[15][16]
• Tracks 1,4,6,15,17 and 18 were original tracks written by Gavin Murphy.
• Tracks 4 and 18 were co-written by Méav Ní Mhaolchatha.
• Track 14 was written by Éabha McMahon and Ciarán Byrne.
• Track 15 was co-written by Johnny B Broderick.

Tour setlists

DVD

2018

Act 1

1. "Ancient Land"-(All)
2. "Homeland"-(All)
3. "The Moorlough Shore"-(Eabha)
4. "Ae Fond Kiss"-(Mairead)
5. "Amazing Grace"-(Eabha, Mairead, & Megan)
6. "Long Journey Home"-(All)
7. "Sive"-(All)
8. "Shenandoah"-(Megan)
9. "County Down"-(Mairead)
10. "Love & Honour"-(Tara)
11. "Ballroom of Romance"-(All) - Ceili dresses

●Intermission - Gown change

Act 2

1. "Follow me"-(All)
2. "Mná na hÉireann"-(All)
3. "Over the Rainbow"-(Mairead & Megan)
4. "Tara's Tunes"-(Tara)
5. "Danny Boy"-(All)
6. "Garden of Eden"-(Eabha)
7. "Faith's Song"-(Megan)
8. "Siuil A Ruin"-(Eabha & Tara)
9. "Be Still"-(Eabha, Mairead, & Megan)
10. "Going Home"-(All)
11. "The Enchanted Way"-(Tara)
12. "The Parting Glass"-(All)

Additional tour setlist

2019

Act 1

1. "Ancient Land"-(All)
2. "Homeland"-(All)
3. "Moorlough Shore"-(Eabha)
4. "Follow Me"-(All)
5. "Newgrange"-(Mairead)
6. "Sive"-(All)
7. "Fields Of Gold"-(Megan)
8. "Love & Honor"-(Tara)
9. "Amazing Grace"-(Eabha, Mairead, & Megan)
10. "Tara's Tunes"-(Tara)
11. "Danny Boy"-(All) - Ceili dresses
12. "Ballroom Of Romance"-(All)

● Intermission - Gown change

Act 2

1. "Long Journey Home"-(All)
2. "Faith’s Song"-(Megan)
3. "Mná na hÉireann"-(All)
4. "Orinoco Flow"(Eabha, Mairead, & Megan)
5. "Siuil A Run"-(Eabha & Tara)
6. "County Down"-(Mairead)
7. "Garden Of Eden"-(Eabha)
8. "Over the Rainbow"-(Mairead & Megan)
9. "The Enchanted Way"-(Tara)
10. "Bean Pháidín"-(All)
11. "The Kesh Inn” (instrumental)"-(All using instruments)
12. "Going Home"-(All)
13. "Parting Glass"-(All)

Album personnel

Per the liner notes[5]

Musicians

• Bill Shanley – guitars
• James Blennerhassett – bass guitar, double bass
• Paul Clarvis – drums, percussion
• Noel Eccles – percussion
• Liam Bradley – drums
• Alex Vann – mandolin bouzouki
• John O'Brien – Uilleann pipes, whistles
• Darragh Murphy – Uilleann pipes, whistles
• Cormac DeBarra – Irish harp
• Peter Browne – accordion
• Declan Aungier – accordion
• Anto Byrne – bagpipes
• Glenn Murphy – background vocals
• Ronan Scolard – background vocals
• Simon Morgan – background vocals
• Paul McGough – background vocals
• Daryn Crosbie – tap dancer
• Alan McGrath – tap dancer
• Gerald Peregrine – solo cello
• Gavin Murphy – piano, keyboards, programming, string arrangements

The Orchestra of Ireland

• Joe Csibi – orchestra contractor
• Ken Rice – leader
• Lynda O'Connor – violin
• Lydia J. Clarke – violin
• Anita Vedres – violin
• Cillian Brackin – violin
• Sylvia Roberts – violin
• Jane Hackett – violin
• Emily Thyne – violin
• Aoife Durnin – violin
• Aoife Dowdall – violin
• Paul O'Hanlon – violin
• Rachel Grimes – violin
• Leanne Melchoir – viola
• Adele Johnson – viola
• Karen Dervan – viola
• Carla Vedres – viola
• Anthony Mulholland – viola
• Gerald Peregrine – cello
• Martin Johnson – cello
• Una Ni Chanainn – cello
• Jane Huges – cello
• Anna Marcossi – cello

Tour, promotional and production

• Shane McDonnell – executive producer
• Gavin Murphy – producer, arranger
• Méav Ní Mhaolchatha – vocal director
• Tim Martin – recording
• Patrick Phillips – recording
• Oli Jacobs – recording
• Daire Winston – recording
• Michael Manning – recording
• PJ Ronan – recording
• Martin Quinn – recording
• Chris O'Brien – mixing
• Graham Murphy – mixing
• Chris O'Brien – mixing
• Andy Walters – mastering
• Caroline Nesbitt, Designedly Ltd. – sleeve design, art direction
• Kip Carroll – photography

TV special and DVD personnel

Celtic Woman Band

• Gavin Murphy - piano
• Darrah Murphy - uilleann pipes, whistles
• Ray Fean - drums
• Caitriona Frost - percussion
• Tommy Buckley - guitar
• Anthony Byrne - bagpipes
• Karl Nesbitt - mandolin, bouzouki, accordion

Celtic Woman Choir / Dancers

• Carl Maguire
• Alan McGrath
• James Greenan
• Colm Farrell

New Ross & District Pipe Band

• Denis New
• Pat Moloney
• Darragh Murphy
• Fionn McCarthy
• Matt Ryan
• Derek Furlong
• Robbie Donovan
• Brian MacMahon

Johnstown Voices Choir

• Jessica Kavanagh
• Hannah Devereux
• Catherine Devereux
• Gia Simmons
• Declan Wildes
• Mark Keegan
• Declan Murphy
• Cian Bates
• David McDonnell
• Cait Kavanagh
• Jonathan Blake
• Amy Richards

The Orchestra of Ireland

• Joe Csibi - orchestra fixer
• Lidia Jewloszewicz-Clarke - leader
• Annemarie Twomey Russell - violin 1
• Chris Quaid - violin 1
• Lucia McPartlin - violin 1
• Emily Redmond - violin 1
• Maria Ryan - violin 1
• Justyna Dabek - violin 2
• Emma Masterson - violin 2
• Sandra Mason - violin 2
• Siofra Grant - violin 2
• Amelia Dziedzic - violin 2
• Marie Louise Bowe - viola
• Annemarie McGahon - viola
• Feilimidh Nunan - viola
• Katherine Veeckman - viola
• Aoife Burke - cello
• Michelle Mason - cello
• Anna Marcossi - cello
• Yesult Cooper Stockdale - cello
• Sam Homfray - contrabass, bass guitar
• Clare McCague - harp

Tour, promotional and production

• Shane McDonnell - producer, set design
• Peter Brady - producer
• Paul McKay - director
• Gavin Murphy - musical director
• Méav Ní Mhaolchatha - vocal director
• Daryn Crosbie - choreographer
• Rhona Kelly - style director
• Jake Kennedy - production manager
• Terry Power - location manager
• Katie Conneely - production co-ordinator
• Catherine Richard - PA to producer
• Rosemary Hartigan - PA to production manager
• Grainne Kelly - production assistant
• Johnny McCullagh - lighting director
• Mark Hannah - assistant lighting director
• Dougie McConnon - lighting crew chief
• Gareth White - dimmer man
• Peter McGrath - moving light technician
• Jeffery Blake - lighting crew
• Michael McCormack - lighting crew
• Dave McCarthy - lighting crew
• Matt Deane - lighting crew
• Liam Rainsford - site crew
• Dmitry Smirnoff - site crew
• Mark Lappin - site crew
• Jason Robertson - site crew
• Michael Manning - sound engineer
• Leon O'Neill - monitor engineer
• Robert Mather - audio crew
• Xurxo Taz - audio crew
• Peter Boyle - set construction
• Jason Coogans - set construction
• Steve Wilson - set construction
• Dave Redmond - set construction
• George Hay - set painter
• Sett Neiland - tour manager
• Derek Flanagan - stage manager
• Anto Byrne - stage technician
• Aimee Murphy - hair & makeup
• Jennifer Rilly - hair & makeup
• Jodie McDonald - hair & make up assistant
• Yvane Bude - seamstress
• Louisa Parsons - wardrobe assistant
• Kieran Dorgan - rig supervisor
• Darius McGann - sound supervisor
• Lisa Casey - camera
• Michael Whelan - jib
• Mick O'Rourke - steadicam
• Eoin Coakley - vision supervisor
• Joe Hannafin - UHD recording
• Keith Brock - unit manager
• Bart Arnold - unit manager
• Deirdre Ryan - vision mixer
• Ann Mooney - director's PA
• Caoimhe Connolly - floor manager
• Chiara Provenzano - location assistant editor
• Richard Doyle - audience and b roll camera
• Peter Brady - production executive
• Clodagh Z. McCarthy - post production producer
• Sarah O'Carroll - post production producer
• Maura Murphy - post production producer
• Aaron Carroll - colourist
• John Phillipson - online editor
• Chris McLoughlin - graphics
• Mick Creedon - audio post production
• Martin Fanning - assistant editor
• Niamh Burke-Kennedy - assistant editor
• Julian Ulrichs - editor

Charts

Chart (2018–19)	Peak position
Irish Albums (IRMA)[17]	13
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[18]	100
US World Albums (Billboard)[19]	3

References

1. "Celtic Woman back in recording studio!". www.celticwoman.com. Celtic Woman. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
2. "Celtic Woman at Real World Studios". www.celticwoman.com. Celtic Woman. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
3. "Artwork & Tracklist for new Celtic Woman album revealed". www.celticwoman.com. Celtic Woman. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
4. Ancient Land by Celtic Woman, 28 September 2018, retrieved 9 October 2018
5. Celtic Woman Limited, Liner Notes, Celtic Woman: Ancient Land. Manhattan Records. 2018. CD.
6. "Celtic Woman to Release Latest Album 'Ancient Land'". www.imro.ie. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
7. "Celtic Woman welcome new member". www.celticwoman.com. Celtic Woman. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
8. "First Celtic Woman outdoor special in 9 years being filmed in Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford". www.celticwoman.com. Celtic Woman. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
9. "Celtic Woman to record concert at Johnstown Castle - Independent.ie". Independent.ie. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
10. "Celtic Woman - Ancient Land TV Special begins broadcasting 24th November on PBS stations in the USA". www.celticwoman.com. Celtic Woman. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
11. "Ancient Land CD/DVD Available to Pre-Order Now". www.celticwoman.com. Celtic Woman. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
12. McGreevy, Ronan (6 April 2018). "U2's first booking agent David Kavanagh has died aged 62". The Irish Times. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
13. "Celtic Woman". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
14. Ancient Land by Celtic Woman, 28 September 2018, retrieved 9 October 2018
15. "Celtic Woman". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
16. Celtic Woman, Ancient Land, retrieved 9 October 2018
17. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Celtic Woman". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
18. "Swisscharts.com – Celtic Woman – Ancient Land". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
19. "Celtic Woman Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard.