Irish singer-songwriter Méav Ni Mhaolchatha soared to fame as one of the original soloists with global sensation Celtic Woman. She joined the ensemble in 2004. She had previously sung in the Irish chamber choir Anúna. By 2008, she had left Celtic Woman to start a family. She was soon showcasing her glorious voice in very successful solo projects.

Méav reunited with Celtic Woman for a 10th anniversary tour and was subsequently named their vocal director. She served as co-arranger and featured guest vocalist on Celtic Woman's Grammy-nominated "Destiny" album, as well as the chart-topping "Voices of Angels."

The following is the feature we wrote after interviewing Méav in 2007.

Celtic Woman -- a beautiful musical journey.

Upon entering the theatre in which they're performing, you'll be transported to the mythic air of Eire. Ireland's heart and soul will course through you , as the shimmering sounds of Celtic Woman float through the venue.

Producer Sharon Browne and Musical Director David Downes originally assembled singers Chloë, Lisa, Méav, and Orla, along with energetic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt, for the "Celtic Woman" PBS special that first aired in 2005. It quickly turned into a global phenomenon, spawning wildly successfully DVDs, CDs and tours. All feature spellbinding solo turns by the vocalists, as well as breathtaking ensemble singing. EMI Manhattan has even issued solo albums by each of the singers.

Angel-voiced Méav Ni Mhaolchatha (usually billed simply by her first name), says the performers were gathered just a couple days before the special's taping. "I had worked with both Sharon and David on smaller projects and it certainly sounded exciting. But it all happened so quickly, to be honest, I wasn't sure the special would come together. It just seemed to click somehow.

"Some of the material in the show, we had sung as solo performers and in different lineups. But the group numbers were all new to us. We were just very lucky that the voices seemed to gel and that we all sort of hit it off together, as well. I suppose that's partly what kept it fresh, because we were all looking at each other, thinking, 'What line comes next?,' " she laughs.

The special was a huge success. The DVD went platinum. The CD has held the number one slot on the Billboard World Music Charts for a record-smashing 68 consecutive weeks. And live concerts have been selling out worldwide.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind," says Méav. "We couldn't anticipate that it would take off like this. But we've been having some fun along the way."

Like the CD/DVD, the "Celtic Woman" tour offers a mix of traditional Irish tunes, such as "Danny Boy," modern Irish fare, such as Enya's "Orinoco Row," and new compositions penned by Downes.

Méav enjoys blending traditional and contemporary elements. "That's part of what made me excited about getting involved with this show. David has a good knack for combining the two, which can be difficult. The traditional purists can be sort of horrified sometimes, when you decide to bring in synthesizers or even orchestral instruments.

"I can understand people wanting to hold onto the 'pure drop' as they call it. At the same time, music is always changing. It's organic. You often find, with traditional songs, that there were different versions from different places, because it's taken on a life of its own and„ new words have been attached or new ornamentation. You can't stifle music by keeping it under glass. As long as you have respect for the source and you treat it sensitively, it opens it up to a new audience."

For many North Americans, this music conjures up their own idyllic imagery of Ireland. "Initially, our hope was that it would appeal to a sort of romantic notion of an Ireland gone by. You can see the appeal for an American-Irish audience who maybe are pining for home. Of course, the Ireland of today is a lot different from the Ireland in a lot of our songs. But we've found as time has gone on, that our audience base has been quite a bit broader than we expected.

"Everything is so fast-paced now, people like to have some sense of escape. There's no harm in that. It's understandable that people want to step back, take it easy for a while and listen to music that they find calming."

The appeal also can be traced to an appreciation of roots. "It's probably true of folk music from anywhere. But maybe we held onto ours a bit more tightly, because we were an island nation and insulated from outside influence for quite a while. We didn't lose that connection with our folk music. Somehow that has a pull for people. And certainly the themes are universal -- lots of songs about missing home and love and loss. It doesn't really matter where you're from. You connect with that."

Celtic Woman touches audiences of all ages. "We've had kids and grannies and teenagers all turning up."

International success has resulted in the group being warmly embraced at home. "Ireland is known for being skeptical. I suppose it's difficult being a prophet in your own town, no matter where you are. But people are maybe unsure about the mixture, the crossover style of our music. Having seen that it's done well elsewhere, they're more open to listening to it.

"But it's very low key, still. It's very rare that anybody would stop you in the street. People let you do your own thing. So many people are musicians at home, it's not a big deal. Practically everybody you know will sing or play. It's just considered part of everyday life. So they don't make too much of a fuss about it."

Méav spent some time at home following the birth of her first child. Now 13 months old, her daughter is accompanying her on this tour. "We're lucky that it's a show that empowers women, so they're very accepting of having babies on the road. One of the other girls, Lisa, has two children.

"There have been a number of male groups -- Irish tenors and that type of thing -- that have done well. But there hasn't really been much of a focus on women in the same style that we're doing. So we've had some great feedback. It's really fun when young girls come up to you and say they've really gotten into singing or playing instruments, that we've given them a bit of a boost. That's the ultimate compliment, I guess."

This fall, Celtic Woman, who are working on a new CD and DVD, as well as a Christmas album, will tour Japan. Though Asians have less cultural connections to the music than North Americans, they have responded with overwhelming enthusiasm.

"We were very surprised. They have a category of music they call 'Healing Music.' They consider our music to be healing, which obviously is a nice compliment. It's a nicer tag that New Age or Crossover."

Méav has always sensed music's healing energy. "I find music to be such mysterious thing. It's hard not to sound corny talking about it. But it's amazing the power it has over people. It's such an international language. I find traveling with music opens doors you couldn't imagine being opened any other way.

"It's a way of communicating with people at some instinctive level. I don't know how it works. I suppose that's part of its appeal -- the mystery that surrounds it. It just has some beautiful effect on people and it's great to be able to sing for a living."

For the latest on this artist, visit www.meav.com.