Katie McMahon, the angelic lead singer from the Riverdance show will be coming back to The O’Shaughnessy with her enchanting Celtic Christmas show Saturday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. Single tickets are $24 and $22 and may be reserved by calling Ticketmaster at (651) 989-5151 or at The O’Shaughnessy Box office.

She will be joined by her talented traditional band (Karen Mueller, Ginna Watson & Michael Bissonnette), her singers and the Anam Mor Irish dance troupe. Together, they will take you on a delightful musical journey to Ireland, playing beautiful traditional Irish carols interspersed with lively Irish dancing and stories.

Katie McMahon is best known for her exquisite soaring soprano solo in the original Riverdance single, which topped the charts in Ireland for three months. Her voice was described by the Irish Times as “poetry, perfection and purity”. Before her work in Riverdance Katie, a born and bred Dubliner, was classically trained in voice and harp and studied Italian and Drama Studies in Trinity College. During a break from her studies, Katie joined the vocal group Anuna and is a featured soloist on their first two CDs.

Bill Whelan (Riverdance composer) heard her perform with Anuna and asked her to sing the solo in the interval piece at the Eurovision. This of course went on to become the hugely successful show Riverdance and Katie toured the world with them for five years as their lead vocalist. While touring in America, she met her husband Ben Craig and has made her home in Minnesota for the past four years.

During this time she has formed her own band and troupe of Irish dancers. They are in great demand all over the States and play Irish traditional music with a Classical edge. Two of the many celebrities who have enjoyed Katie's performances are President Clinton and Bono (U2), who pulled her aside afterwards and kindly told her that she had “an amazing voice”. She has released three critically acclaimed solo CDs After the Morning, Shine and Celtic Christmas which are available in the States and from her site.

In 2003 Katie was awarded best folk and acoustic artist by the Minnesota Music Academy.

In addition to her own touring schedule, Katie has just completed a month long tour of Asia with the acclaimed group Secret Garden.

After she completes her Christmas tour she will begin recording a new Lullaby CD. It will be a beautiful collection of lullabies from all over the world sure to sooth babies and adults to sleep.