;;Celtic Lady;; one of the largest Méav fansites on the web!

Submitted by Coleen Newkirk:
I was initially nervous meeting Méav because I have such respect and admiration for her as a singer. My nerves went away after I started talking to her. She made me feel very comfortable and at ease. What I remember most about Méav is her genuineness and sincerity. She is such a dear, wonderful lady.
See the picture of Coleen with Méav

Submitted by Mel:
5am: Friday, 4/20/07. I am at work, looking at the CWforum when I spy the announcement that CW would have a signing at Borders in Chicago. My mind started racing, and I hadn't even had my Friday Starbuck's yet.

Looked at Southwest, and yes, they had flights for Chicago. So kept thinking should I or shouldn't I. At this time it was time for my run to Starbuck's. Once I got back, I had rechecked Southwest, and booked my flight for Sat. Then reserved a car with Dollar.

Sat: 4/21/07: I did get to bed around 9pm the following night, but I woke up at midnight. So after laying there for like 3 and half hours, I finally got up and got ready to head out. I made a run to my local Walmart that is open 24hrs, to get Orlagh's CD, since hers was the only one I did not have, and YES they had it. I now had in my Celtic Woman tote bag, my poster in a tube, 5 solo CD's and my program from the Columbus show.

I arrived at the airport around 5am. My flight wasn't till 7:25A, but I am one of those rare women who likes getting to places early. Port Columbus doesn't have a Starbuck's, but the next best thing, Cup O' Joe's....so had my usual Mounds Bar (think a melted Mounds Bar with Expresso in it...yummmy).

Flight was uneventful, on time, and actually got into Chicago about 5 mins early. It was about a 45 min trip.

I picked up my Economy car at Dollar, which some how I ended up with a Dodge Nitro (SUV), but I wasn't complaining! I then headed out to Downtown Chicago. I had my Mapquest with me, which was very helpful. It took about 45 mins, since I did get a bit turned around when I first left the airport, but once going in the right direction, as actually a quick drive. About 4 miles from the downtown area, I just realized...I AM IN CHICAGO!...I had dreamed about this back on the 17th, could not for the life of me why I would dream about Wrigley Field, since never been to Chicago nor had any desire to, other than a stopover or plane switch at Midway. So I am going OMG, OMG again..and just thinking..is this not weird!

Anyways, made it to Downtown, with no problems, found it funny, that the exit I needed off I-94 was Ohio St..and the Borders is on Michigan, ROFL. Since Ohio and Michigan intersect, that was even funnier (you have to live in OHIO to understand). I found the Borders, now I had to find someplace to park. Finally found a small parking garage about 5 or 6 blocks away.

I never walked so fast in my life!. People kept looking at me..then realized it was because of my CW T-shirt! Got to Borders, and found the event was to be on the third floor. Went up and thought there would be a line already, this being at 8:25am...but nope. There was one guy, and a family of 3 with a little girl of around 8 or 9ys. So technically I was 3rd in line. I won't go into details about the guy, other than he is just there as an autograph hound. He hears Celebrity..and he goes a running. Least the family knew who CW was, the little girl did know some of the songs.

There were 3 chairs set up so we knew 3 would be there. The others in the line had already asked who would be there, and I was told that Lisa and Orlagh would not be there. Ahhhh, I was a bit disappointed, but as I kept looking out the windows, and the lovely sunny morning, warm temps on the rise, I had visions of Lisa out with her family at some park or zoo, maybe having a picnic even and thought...I rather have her enjoying a rare non travel day with her boys.

The girls would not be there till noon, so up to 11:30, there was only like 15 people in line. Then more showed up. The Signing was running a bit late, didn't start till like 10 or 15 mins late, so by noon, there were MAYBE 50 people. But finally, here They come!

Meav, Chloe and Mairead. 'Course barely could see Mairead over the shelving lol. Before they came out, one of the Borders employees, kept telling us that the Girls were only going to sign either CD's or the DVD's. But once they sat down, they were signing the CD's/DVD's and other items too.

What can I say...They all were beautiful. All 3 dressed in nice summery dresses, all dark colors. As usual I didn't pay that much attention to their attire lol. But of the 3, Chloe just was not only adorable but Gorgeous!! and SO nice!!! She saw the little girl and her face just lite up and she just start talking to the girl. It was so precious!

Chloe, Meav, and Mairead was the order in the seating. So Chloe was closest to me when I was trying to take pics. It was cute how Chloe would introduce herself to the others in front, but when it was my turn, I said.."Hi Chloe" letting her know I KNEW who she was. After Chloe signed my solo CD, I put down my poster, and she says "Oh, you get this at the show last night?" and I say "No, I bought it at the Columbus show, and that I just came up from Ohio just for the signing". She goes "ahhh...that's so wonderful" I then went on to talk about the Columbus show, thanking her for it, and how emotional I was during that show, since it was my first show. And she just gives me the most wonderful look..and says that she was glad I really enjoyed the show. Then it was Meav's turn. After she signs her sold CD, she gets the poster next and says kind of to me and to Chloe..."she is she(pointing at me) all out, with the tshirt, tote" and I just kind of smiled..and sure I blushed a bit. Meav was not at all what I had thought. She is almost shy. She talked, but not like Chloe or Mairead. I thought she would be very talkative. Then Mairead..what can I say...Mairead..is Mairead!. I think of the 3, she had the most Irish of the Irish accents. I loved how she would say my name! lol. I know I talked with her a little more, but by now I am just, I think...overwhelmed.

They were moving the line pretty good, so couldn't stand and take alot of pics afterward, since there wasn't alot of room. but I did get 3 sigs out of 6 on my poster, and 3 solo CD's signed, so it was still a trip worth while.
See pictures from the signing

Submitted by John:
I don’t know what to say about meeting this beautiful artist that I haven’t said or written at least a few times since; I’ve thought about it so much and so often since that it seems almost impossible that it happened only a little over a month ago. Others have shared their stories and the common thread seems to be that Meav is a woman of surpassing elegance and grace, of disarming charm, wit and intelligence. Her physical beauty is of such a magnitude as to be almost intimidating; her smile dazzles and beguiles, and yet both are over-shadowed by the light of the soul behind them; her queenly dignity and reserve eclipsed only by the expansive warmth and openness with which she welcomes you.

Others have said that when they first beheld the members, or a member, of Celtic Woman, it was like seeing or meeting an old friend. Even though these are artists we have respected, admired and loved enormously from afar, once “up close and personal,” we all seem pleasantly surprised to find that the emotional roots these ladies have planted in our lives with and through their music are, in fact, quite genuine. Myself, I was amazed at just how deeply and firmly they have burrowed into my heart and soul. Most importantly, I realized that this conquest was as much a triumph of personality as it was of performance; I realized in an instant, within the brief span of a warm, firm handshake, that the charm, the charisma, the integrity, the warmth and pure joy singing out from those recordings and stage shows were not fake; they were not forced or phony; they were not hallucinations or holograms: Here they were, made miraculously manifest in the most mundane setting imaginable.

I had vowed, if I couldn’t think of anything else to say, or didn’t have time to say anything else, I would say this. I would shake her hand, look her in the eyes and tell her, Meav, you have got the most beautiful voice I have ever heard in my life. I would tell her that no other singer, male or female, living or dead, has touched me and moved me as completely and profoundly as she has. I would thank her, thank her for sharing her gift with all us and for making life, (or at least my own, for sure), simply, a much lovelier place by doing so.

And I would tell her I love her. No, wait, rather magnanimously (and probably presumptuously, too) I would tell her we all love her. I don’t know if that sounds bold or banal to anyone who has never stood before a Celtic Woman, but let me tell you, when I stood before my Celtic Woman, I realized the statement is only one thing: It’s true. This woman has, these women all have, made an enormous impression on me, had such an incredible impact in my life, have filled each day since I discovered them with joy and beauty, peace and almost surreal serenity. Trust me, the word “Love” fits completely. In fact, it fits exactly the way Meav’s dignified, exotic, mystical, almost magical surname fits her: Perfectly!
See pictures from the story