About US
“More than just Irish songs, they are musically superior, and their banter between songs very entertaining.” – P. K.
The Kelly Girls have quickly gained recognition as one of the most entertaining Celtic Bands in New England. Rousing renditions of songs and tunes rooted in the Celtic traditions of Ireland, Scotland, Canada and America along with captivating harmonies and instrumentation lend to their signature sound.
“It’s the kind of repertoire and presentation that would work at a St. Patrick’s Day bash, a mellow folk coffeehouse, or a fine summer’s evening on a town green, where people just want to clap and sing along, even get up to dance.” – Sean Smith, Boston Irish Reporter
The Band has played many prestigious venues and festivals, and continues to garner media attention for both their traditional and original music. The Kelly Girls recently released their first album, “May You Always”, which has numerous collaborations with award-winning Canadian songwriter Nancy Beaudette – the group’s guitar, bouzouki and mandolin player. The compliment also includes Dublin native Aisling Keating on tin whistle, flute, bodhran, and ukulele, Bostonians Christine Hatch on banjo, guitar, and harmonica, and Melinda Kerwin on fiddle.
“What an incredible performance! The music stirred up so many emotions!” – K. Burgoyne
For The Kelly Girls, Celtic music is about storytelling, complete with varying degrees of instrumentation and lyrics. “We respect the historical compositions that we carry forward, we recognize that we are also part of a new generation of storytellers. We feel connected to our common humanity, and the thread of hope and dreams that weave us together, continue to connect us to each other.”
“This talented foursome packed the house!” – Merrimac Public Library
About the Girls
Aisling Keating – (Ashling)
Aisling Keating, born in Dublin, Ireland, grew up immersed in traditional Irish music and still returns often to play sessions with friends and family. A multi-instrumentalist on tin whistle, flute, bodhrán, and ukulele, she performs throughout the Boston area and beyond with The Kelly Girls.
Aisling has played with several Celtic and folk groups, founded and hosted The Groton Session (2006–2012), and helped produce concerts, workshops, and dances featuring touring Irish musicians. She has recorded with The Contra Banditos and Traditional Brew, and toured China in 2014 with The Boston Rovers.
Offstage, Aisling is a licensed massage therapist in Groton, MA, and enjoys sharing music and adventure with her family.
Christine Hatch – The show-biz bug bit Chris at a very young age! When she was 9 years old, the Circus came to town asking for volunteers to help set up the big top, and Chris was first in line! Years later she took center stage in the highly acclaimed “Hollywood Spectacular Stunt Show”, a wild-west comedy-action show, where Chris performed alongside professional Hollywood stunt men! The show crisscrossed the country playing the State Fair circuit. Today with guitar, pen and paper she is an award winning songwriter, performing throughout New England. Chris joins the Kelly Girls playing banjo, guitar and vocals
Nancy Beaudette, an award-winning singer-songwriter from Eastern Ontario, Canada, has performed internationally for over 30 years. Raised on French fiddle tunes and Celtic traditions, she began playing alongside her grandfather’s old-time fiddling.
Nancy has released eight full-length albums and earned numerous accolades, including a Canadian Gospel Music Award for Song of the Year, along with finalist honors in Kerrville New Folk, Mountain Stage, and other major competitions.
Nancy brings warmth and “kitchen party” spirit to The Kelly Girls, playing guitar, mandolin, and bouzouki.
Diane Collier
Diane has been a member of the NH Fiddle Ensemble for ten years and a member of the Board since inception. For 25 years she has run her own type design and development company specializing in non-Latin scripts. Diane works with Microsoft, other software companies and individual designers and calligraphers worldwide. It is type that brought her to “fiddling” after a conference in Dublin where she fell in love with the fiddle. After returning she bought a violin, found Ellen and the Ensemble and has not looked back. We are thrilled to welcome Diane to the band.