A Romantic Irish Evening or a Galentine’s Day Girls Night Out are in store for Valentine’s Day 2024, with Celtic Thunder star Emmet Cahill performing in the exquisite Colonnade Ballroom of the historic Omni Bedford Springs Resort. The Bedford County Chamber Foundation is hosting the internationally-renowned enor for the benefit concert event, supporting the organization’s educational programs.
“We could not be more thrilled to welcome Emmet Cahill to Bedford,” said Chamber President-CEO Kellie Goodman Shaffer, “We have been so blessed to have developed friendships with the Celtic Thunder artists, and we can’t wait to spend Valentine’s Day at the resort with such a special talent, and we know he will love Bedford.”
“Emmet Cahill is very talented. His voice is incredible,” added Amanda Burroughs, General Manager of the Omni Bedford Springs Resort. “It is also very exciting that this concert will be tailored to the Valentine’s holiday. I hope our guests and our community come to the resort to enjoy a relaxing evening of great music accompanied by delicious beverages and cuisine. Our restaurants, 1796 and Crystal Dining Room, will feature Valentines and pre-show menus to ensure everyone can make the most out of their evening.”
“The photos (of the resort) truly take you back in time,” said Cahill, speaking by phone from Jacksonville, Florida on his current Celtic Christmas solo tour. “The music that speaks to me never goes out of style, it is timeless, so this setting will be the perfect place to perform on Valentine’s Day.”
Emmet Cahill hails from Mullingar in County Westmeath in Ireland’s Midlands, the son of a sheep farmer and church music director. His musical journey began with a piano lesson when he was just five years old. By the time he turned seven, Emmet had begun professional voice training, and he went on to win a music scholarship for high school in Mullingar, where Emmet spent the next five years intensively studying and playing music. At school he furthered his studies in piano, organ, violin and vocal training, but singing was always his true calling. He continued his education at the prestigious Royal Irish Academy of Music where he received a university degree in Music Performance.
After being honored with the John McCormack Bursary and named the most promising young singer at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Celtic Thunder producer Sharon Browne came calling, and the rest, as they say, is history. Cahill has recorded and toured as a principal performer with the internationally-beloved Irish stage show since 2011.
“That opportunity opened so many doors for me,” said Cahill, “I have been honored to travel around the world representing Ireland, and sharing music that speaks to me. And beyond the music, the relationships I’ve made with people in communities have meant so much.”
Cahill is excited to share his love for Irish and American standards with the Bedford audience and plans to perform favorite songs from the Emerald Isle to the Great White Way.
“I think audiences want to be taken on a journey,” added Emmet, “so they can expect to hear standards that I’m known for like Danny Boy, but also Broadway favorites, like South Pacific’s Some Enchanted Evening or Maria from West Side Story.”
The program is the latest in a series of Chamber Foundation concert events, dating back to 2018, which have brought Celtic Thunder principals Ryan Kelly, Neil Byrne and Damian McGinty to Bedford County, all to rave reviews and sold-out venues. 2024 promises to be another year of extraordinary Irish concerts, with Neil Byrne returning to Clear Ridge Wedding & Event Venue Sunday April 28, and hopes to feature McGinty during the Christmas season.
“The Celtic Thunder fan base is a wonderful fit for Bedford County,” remarked Shaffer. “In addition to enjoying the wonderful music, the concert-goers, who have come from as many as eight different states, also love our historic downtowns, shopping and dining. It’s such a win-win.”
“Bedford has a community who truly enjoys arts and culture,” noted Burroughs. “To have a talent like Emmet Cahill perform in Bedford is an honor. Our community appreciates the level of talent that Celtic Thunder delivers in their performances, and I believe the artists appreciate all that Bedford has to offer. Our lush, green landscape must feel like a little slice of Ireland in Pennsylvania.”
Proceeds from the Irish Concert Series support the educational programs of the 501-c3 Bedford County Chamber Foundation, which cultivates the community leaders and workforce of the future through career exploration, literacy and leadership programs for students, pre-K through twelfth grades, as well as adults.
“All of the artists we’ve worked with are special in their own right,” added Shaffer, “but one thing they have in common is that they are kind, hard-working dreamers, and that’s what we want our students to be as well.”
The Romantic Irish Evening with Emmet Cahill begins with a VIP Meet & Greet. Those ticket holders are invited to enter the ballroom at 6:30pm for a 6:45pm chat and photos with Emmet, as well as first-choice in seating. General admission ticketholders may enter at 7:15pm for the 8pm concert with open seating. A cash bar will be offered in Constitution Hall.
The Omni Bedford Springs is providing a special room rate in conjunction with the event, with overnight accommodation starting at $149 per night. Guests may CLICK HERE TO RESERVE or call 1-800-THE-OMNI to reserve their room(s) for February 13-15 by referencing the “Emmet Cahill Concert.” Valentine’s Day dinner reservations may also be made by calling the resort.
Tickets for the concert range from $50-$100, available through the Chamber website CLICK HERE or by calling 814.623.2233. Corporate sponsorships are also available.
Watch our concert announcement: