CHRISTMAS WITH THE CELTS
“FIRST THERE WAS RIVERDANCE, THEN CELTC WOMAN, AND NOW THE POPULAR PBS PLEDGE SHOW CHRISTMAS WITH THE CELTS WHICH IS TOURING ACROSS AMERICA” Kevin Crane, PBS
The original national PBS show Christmas with The Celts aired on over 200 PBS channels across the U.S., Canada and on the BBC in Ireland for three years. This successful TV show was the initial spark, which created a huge demand for the production bringing them into Performing Arts Centers, Theaters, and large casinos every year.
The first live performance of Christmas with The Celts was in front of a sold-out audience at the original Grand Ole Opry (voted top venue by Pollstar) the world-famous Ryman Auditorium.
Currently celebrating 14 years of successful national touring, Christmas with the Celts perform a wonderful combination of timeless ancient Irish Christmas Carols and lively Irish dance with modern contemporary songs but with Irish instrumentation. New Christmas hits, Celts originals and fresh Irish Dance tunes are added to the show each year so that no 2 years are the same. Always a pleasant surprise.
An Irish Christmas would not be complete without the unpredictable Irish jokes (craic) and banter that occurs between band members and the audience every year and the always crowd pleasing fiery Irish dancers.
The high-stepping spirited musical selections have audiences clapping along from the first lively renditions of popular contemporary Christmas classics. The show presents a perfect combination of modern Christmas hits, lively ancient Irish Carols, hilarious spontaneous humor, thrilling Irish dancing, a children’s choir and meaningful Christmas ballads with lush string arrangements giving audiences a most memorable interactive Christmas experience.
Show founder, and film score composer Ric Blair says, “You can't listen to Celtic music and not be happy. Christmas with the Celts isn’t just a concert; it is a spiritual experience of music and dance uniting communities. It’s about bringing young and old together. It is a music of the people. I think that is why this unique melding of modern Christmas hits and organic Celtic instrumentation continues to resonate and grow in popularity every year with audiences.”
Featuring guest singer Clare Cunningham
An Irish-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter, award-winning recording artist, and powerhouse vocalist whose mission extends far beyond the stage: to be a voice for the voiceless.
Rooted deeply in her Christian faith, Clare uses music, testimony, and ministry to bring hope to people navigating addiction, mental health struggles, trauma, identity, and some of life’s darkest seasons. Her desire is simple: to use the platform she has been given to make people feel seen, heard, valued, and never alone.
Musically, Clare is as difficult to place in one box as she is to forget. Her distinctive raspy, soulful voice moves effortlessly through Irish and Celtic music, folk/americana, country, rock, gospel, blues and inspirational music, reflecting both her heritage and an unusually diverse career. Her songwriting is honest and deeply personal, often exploring faith, redemption, resilience, mental and brain health, cultural identity, and the realities of overcoming adversity.
Born and raised in Collon, County Louth, Ireland, Clare built an international career before relocating to the United States in 2018. She previously fronted the Swedish all-female rock band Thundermother, signed to Warner Music Sweden, touring extensively and sharing stages with major names in rock.
Since establishing herself in Nashville, Clare has continued to build a career that spans genres and audiences. In March 2023, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut, sharing the stage with her childhood hero, Garth Brooks. That same evening, Steve Earle invited her to join him for a performance of “Galway Girl.”
Her career has brought numerous awards and nominations across independent, country, Christian, Americana, rock, and international music organizations, including being named Entertainer of the Year at the 2024 Josie Music Awards and Multi-Genre Artist of the Year in 2025, alongside recognition from the Inspirational Country Music Awards, World Entertainment Awards, Tennessee Songwriters Association International, and many others.
But for Clare, the accolades are secondary to the assignment.
A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, she is actively involved in discipleship, outreach ministry, recovery communities, veterans’ organizations, and work with underserved populations. She regularly uses both music and personal testimony to connect with people walking through addiction, trauma, homelessness, mental health challenges, and recovery. Her public platforms similarly reflect her commitment to the Gospel, mental health advocacy, and encouraging those who may feel overlooked or unable to speak for themselves.
