Hi Everyone....
Firstly, sorry for the delay in getting this latest blog to you.
It has been very busy for us and the countdown is on for the last leg of our tour.
I want to say firstly that all our thoughts, hearts, music and prayers are with all the people on the Air France flight and their families. A very good friend of ours, Eithne Walls and two of her friends were on that flight. We are thinking of them and their families every day.
We had a week off to recharge and have since done shows in Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Savannah, Charlotte and Roanoke.
It is always lovely to get back to Savannah, it has such an atmosphere, beautiful places to go eat and browse with such gorgeous architecture.
There is also a lovely tune called The City of Savannah, it's very fitting for the place as it's very beautiful.
We are now going into five back to back concerts in different cities every night so it is quite busy and also the end of the tour is in sight.
It has been a great one and the audiences have been phenomenal.
I want to say a huge thank you to all our fans for your support, and for all your generous gifts throughout the tour, especially for our birthdays.
You were far too generous, and the gifts have and will be put to great use!
Every tour I have met so many young musicians and this tour has been no exception.
I have met so many budding violinists/ fiddlers and it really is an honor to be, in some way, a source of encouragement and inspiration to them. I have to say, the honor is all mine, and it makes everything worthwhile to see that and to bring happiness into peoples' lives.
Thank you also for the concern about my knee, it is fine and holding up pretty well!
I am privileged to be doing what I love to do and I know we all feel the same about that no matter how tired we become. We never lose sight of our audiences and we love performing for you all every night!
One of my birthday gifts this year is a bow from the maireadnesbittforum!
I'm hoping to play with this bow in the encore at our last two concerts in Colorado.
That's the plan anyway, I do have to get used to it first as I am so attached to my bow that I use all the time, but I'll see how I get on coming up to those dates!
I will be blogging again before the end of the tour so will keep you posted!
Thank you all again and will see you all before the end of the tour!
Le grá,
Máiréad.
Hope you're able to get some rest between and after the shows today. I'll be seeing you in Portsmouth, finally. Slainte! ~Tom
ReplyDeleteHi Mairead!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the update! It means allot to so many of us from your forum. It's funny because I was remembring yesterday about the first time a group of us met you in Toronto about 3 years ago. That was such a special time and one that many of us will cherish for as long as we live. Brian and I never forgot how kind and sweet you were! How I miss those days! You have done such great things with your talents and I'm particulary fond of hearing how you have inspired so many young musicians along your path in life. That is such a marvelous thing!
I Just wanted you to know that you also inspired this older musician as well! Because of you, I picked up the violin again after 40 years! I had started taking lessons again. Music has always been such a huge part of my life. I also play the guitar and piano. I may never grace any great concert halls, but I'm happy with simply enjoying the music experience and finding a way to express my own creativity. There is a saying that says "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" ~ Berthold Auerbach. It's so true...
We get caught up in the everyday grind of life and sometimes allow petty little things, people or circumstances to get in the way of what is really important in this world. For me anyway, music helps me to refocus on the good things in life. Just know that you have played an instrumental part (figuratively and literally) in providing a special place for your fans to find relief from the everyday grind of life.
I am so happy to hear that you are making good use of the "bow from the maireadnesbitforum"! You are such a delight! Thank you for keeping us up to date! Just know that all the members of your forum will continue to support you. Because of you, we have developed a great little community! You not only inspire the young musicians, but so many more people then you probably ever realized.
I'm sitting here with a few tears in my eyes right now feeling very thankful and grateful for so many wonderful things in my life! Thankful for each day that God has blessed me with, for family and great friends. Even though we all communicate through blogs and forums, there is a sense of community and belonging that we feel. Be proud that you have played a part in that Mairead and know that your forum friends will continue to support you as always.
I'm glad to hear that your knee is on the mend! You're a trooper!
Thank you again for brightening my day today! Your post did my heart much good.
Blessings to you always,
Jenny Fedei
06-06-09
ReplyDeleteBless you Mairead, your friends were all wondering how you were doing.
And as such, some of us are all just worrywarts. Because we believe that one of your deepest concerns, is how well you perform for us at all these wonderful shows. And we know you give your all.
One of our, (Your friends & fans) deepest concerns, has always been of how much hard work it must be.
Well, to hear the above, is wonderful news to me. "Hugs."
Hopefully, Glenn, A.K.A. The Rotten Rebel will see you in Denver, at the beginning of July, to show you a sneak preview of the finished portrait, which you so graciously gave me permission to do for the charity you back. "Oxfam Unwrapped".
I hope I will have the honor of handing you one of the only copies that will ever be made.
It has been my pleasure, privilege, and my great honor.
To have your permission to do something like this. If ever you need me for another project like this, just get word to me and I'll get right on it. It has been such a blast.
All my best wishes to you Dear Lady. Hopefully see you in Denver.
Sincerely, and respectfully yours,
Glenn, A.K.A. The Rotten Rebel
New Moderator, on your Forum.
Hello Máiréad,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that your knee is doing better.
I'm also sorry to hear about the Air France tragedy and for your loss.
Please be safe and travel well.
Tom
PS, I wish you well at Red Rocks
Hey Mairead! I saw you in Charlotte and I loved the new songs! We hope to see you again soon!
ReplyDeleteHi Máiréad, I am glad to hear that you are enjoying the beautiful places you are stopping. I am sorry to hear about Eithne Walls as she was a close friend of yours, I know that must have been hard to hear that sad news. I will have everyone in my prayers and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIt is such an honor be know such a wonderful person as yourself. You have inspired so many and give so much of yourself to your fans. It is always a pleasure to be able to support you as a solo artist and as a group member of Celtic Woman.
I will be at the last 2 shows of the tour in Colorado and am looking forward to seeing you all again.
Take care and stay safe on the rest leg of the tour.
Destiny
Máiréad forum moderator
Dear Mairead,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time amidst your very busy schedule to post a new blog. It means a lot to so many when you do that.
Firstly, glad to hear the knee is holding up. It looks very securely wrapped and you seem to be moving about without a problem. You sacrifice so much to do what you love to do and share it with us. You don't need to sacrifice a knee though!!! We in your forum as always have you in our prayers for your health, success, and safe travels.
We appreciate you so much and hope that when you see those familiar fiddler crossing signs that you'll know how truly loved you are by so many.
Thank you so much for what you said about the bow. It would be an honor to everyone in your forum each time you use it. It would be the highest honor indeed to have forum folks see you use it in a show let alone the finale at Red Rocks. We'll be there up close and perhaps we can get Rachel to allow us to take a picture of you using it during the finale if that does come about. The thought alone is most kind and we thank you so much.
Just saw you at the matinee in Raleigh and headed to the evening show as well. More shows in the next few days too. Everyone did so well in spite of a show just last night. It is almost at an end for this tour and finally some time to rest up.
Thank you so much for your kindness to me and especially to your forum. We love you pixie dust! God's blessings and see you soon.
Scott and your forum
Hello Mairead!
ReplyDeleteI think your great on the violin! Do you remeber me, because I am the girl you met after the show on June 2. My name was Liddy. I have a blog too. I was wondering if you could check it out.
It is cald
liddylulu-liddy.blogspot.com.
You are the one who inspired me to play the violin. I have been playing for a year.
Happy Birthday. Lots of HUGs.
ReplyDeletePlease come back to Idaho soon. Ive been to every concert so far. Tell all the girls "Happy Birthday" for me. My birthday is today and I know Chloe's is June 9th.
Love You & Be Safe :)
-Diana
Good to hear from you. Also, glad to hear your knee is doing fine. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Air France flight also.
ReplyDeleteTake care, and best wishes to all of you on the rest of your tour. It's been a pleasure to see and hear.
-Emily/Bluefire
Hi Mairead!
ReplyDeleteIt's the first time I'm writing to you. I just have found that you have a blog few days ago -.-'
I'm trully sorry for your lost on the Air France tragedy :/
Well, talking about something a little more happy, you are a inspiration for me too. I play violin about five years, and try to do my best, even with a not so good one ^^
You are today, the half reason of me not stop my studies xD
Keep playing and dancing the best you can, like you always do
Brazilian kisses from your brazilian fan
Raquel xxx
Mairead,
ReplyDeleteWhen we learned of the presence of the Trinity College graduates aboard the ill-fated Air France flight and of Ms. Walls in particular, we feared you, Lisa and perhaps others with Celtic Woman would be among those aggrieved by her passing. How tragic for a life of talent and accomplishment to be cut short in this manner.
We on your fan forum are delighted to hear that you like our Incredibow gift! We had hoped to give you something appropriate and yet useful. Our fiddling members suggested this gift and the rest of us enthusiastically went with it! We would be honored to see you use it on a number, whether during this tour or another.
Many of your forum fans, myself included, will be blessed to see you on this remaining leg of the tour. Jim Allen and I will be front row in Lexington, KY and Nashville, TN, along with other dedicated fans from your forum. We look forward to seeing you and to marvel, as always, at your outstanding performances!
John Mann/Starman
A Maireadfanforum Moderator
Dearest Máiréad,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the wonderful back to back performances today in Raleigh, you are always a blessing to me and my family. It just thrilled Heather when you pointed your bow at her. I am glad your knee is better but please don't over do it, your well being is most important to your fans.
Take care of yourself, you are in our prayers.
le grá go deo
Phillip
..... well done blog post Máiréad....perfect and in timing....
ReplyDeleteDear Mairead,
ReplyDeleteThank you, as always, for keeping in touch with your fans through this blog.
I extend to you my sympathies on the Air France tragedy. It must be so heartbreaking for the passengers' family and friends.
I'm looking forward to seeing you again near the end of the tour! With my last show being in Chicago, it's been entirely too long ;o)
Take care of yourself,
Kelli
I'm not really a "budding" violinist, but I am a young one. I was honored to dedicate The Butterfly to you when I played it at my school concert last Wednesday. Playing that tune meant so much to me. Please continue to inspire me with your music! And please, come back to Oakland or the Bay Area (California) so I can see you again. Meeting you back in May was one of the high points of my life.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about Eithne, Jane, and Aisling. My heart goes out to their families and friends like you, who will never forget them.
Mairead,
ReplyDeleteGood you have no knee problems and rested with more energy for the remaining shows. And you like the bow from you friends at Maireadnesbitt forum.
Slainte,
Craig
Mairead,
ReplyDeleteWords cannot say how much you have changed my life. You are truly an inspiration. I hope you have a wonderful wrap up of the tour and that your knee will fully recover. I am deeply saden by the AirFrance tragedy, all aboard and their famalies have been in my prayers.
Blessings and Hugs to you!
Marie "Flora" Peterson
Our condolences for the loss of your friend. we have taken up a collection for your charity, Oxfam, that will be donted as a memorial to Eithne on your behalf and that of your forum.
ReplyDeleteThank you again so much for the kind mention of your bow. It would be a great honor to see you use that at Red Rocks.
Now, please take it easy as best you can and know your entire forum stands beside you to raise you up. Hope the flowers and our Wolf Trap group fed you plenty of pixie dust. See you again soon in Nashville and hopefully at the meet & greet. God's blessings.
Scott and your forum.
Dear Mairead,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful new blog. Thanks also for the great performances recently in Raleigh, Portsmouth, and Wolf Trap. Thank you also for he attentiveness to your forum members and myself.
We are right there beside you at every concert and in every challenge you face. You are an inspiration and have more strength and character than anyone I've known.
God bless you and we'll see you in Nashville. You remain as always in my prayers and that of many others. All the best.
Scott
Dear Máiréad,
ReplyDeleteSome days we awake and our world has changed. An acquaintance of mine flies the A330 for Air France, thankfully he was not aboard this flight. Thus it becomes a purely professional interest as what happened. Others are not so lucky and must live the loss of a friend or loved one. Very sorry to hear you had a friend on that flight and my sincerest thoughts go out to you, their friends and her family.
Take care of your knee! Don't over do it!
Enjoy the rest of your US tour. I hope you sometime soon will grace the stage in the Netherlands, only preferably not the HMH.
groetjes,
Hans
It's so wonderful to hear from you again! I'm glad you are feeling great and having a good time on the tour. I hope you're break was awesome, and have tons of fun on the last leg of the tour!
ReplyDeleteBe safe and enjoy yourself!!!
It was great seeing you all (ya'll) in Savannah! I agree that it is a beautiful city with lots of good food and seeing Celtic Woman was icing on the cake!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the memories.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteWe are Isabel and José António, a Portuguese couple living in Lisbon.
We absolutely love the way you play and dance through the scores! It is funny, we always thoguht of you as a sort of musical "Tinker bell" and now you are paying the main violin for the Disney Movie!
All the best!
If you want, check our blog in English. Newsletter from Lisbon. That would be great!
Cheers and all the best
O, America a very touchy song
ReplyDeleteI don't know whats more swollen my throath (hearing)or my feet by the warm weather here.
Raining up good cd love to hear it
every time i hear it giving the sametime a smile on my face
Your music brings such joy to our lives. It is our hope that we can visit you in Ireland.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Hey Mairead,
ReplyDeleteI made this picture awhile back for you, I hope you like it. :D
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb211/celticfan1973/MairaedGreen.jpg
Mairaed, I can't tell you how many times I have listened to O America. America has needed a song like this for some time. It portrays America with the strength and beauty that she posseses. At a time when so many in the Government seem to be appologizing for America, I think your song is a much needed uplifting song. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Mairead!
ReplyDeleteI saw you in Charlotte, NC on June 2. I was the girl you met after the show named Liddy. You are the won who inspired me to play violin. I have been playing for a year now. I would love it if you came on my blog and give me some tips. It's called
liddylulu-liddy.blogspot.com
your number one fan,
Liddy
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete