Getting to Know Celtic Thunder's Damian McGinty

Damian McGinty, the young heartthrob, was only 14 when Celtic Thunder performed at their first show, but he's definitely an equal in this group.

"Rounding out the group as the youngest member, Damian McGinty is [18] years old... As anyone who has seen the Celtic Thunder - The Show on PBS can tell you, it is hard to believe that such a huge voice could come from a boy that age!

"Damian, who also loves football (soccer) and acting, began singing at a young age, winning his first music competition at the age of six. 'Nothing really inspired me, I just fancied getting up and singing,' Damian says. ...

"Damian was involved at school in the recording of a ... CD, which raised $2000 for a local charity. However, it was winning a singing competition in 2006, where as his prize he recorded a 14-track CD, that truly set the track for Damian's singing career. ...

"...Damian was invited to audition as a singer for Celtic Thunder. 'They wrote me, saying they are interested in having me involved with this project, and that it would involve time out of school, in America,' says Damian. ... Damian's excitement and enthusiasm for Celtic Thunder is infectious...

"Damian was a bit concerned at first about being the youngest in the group. 'They're all kind of older, I'm just the young one, the wee one, but we're all equal really and have great fun,' he says. 'I thought it might have been harder for all five of us to get along, especially me because I'm the younger one, but it hasn't been a problem; it's all great.' ...

"Damian hopes people will spread the word about Celtic Thunder and enjoy the concerts. 'We want [people] to tell everyone they know, so word gets around about us,' he says. 'We want people to feel happy leaving, to feel better than they did coming in,'" [Excerpts from the Celtic Thunder Street Team's Damian McGinty Biography]

This lens was created as part of a series meant to provide a place to link new fans of Celtic Thunder to all the various spots online every Thunderhead should know about and visit! These lenses are fan-maintained, so please do not leave messages here for any of the talented people involved in Celtic Thunder... they will not see them here.

[Photography credit goes to Alan Arthur Katz]