Celtic Collections Ltd

Celtic Collections is an Irish independent record label founded in 1996, and based in Dublin, Ireland. Celtic Collections specialises in Irish traditional and Celtic music, and has built up a large catalogue of prestigious albums by Irish artists. Celtic Collections’ evolution over time has seen it grow to nurture and promote Irish artists, particularly outside Ireland. In May 2004 David Kavanagh’s Liffey Records purchased the Celtic Collections label. Irish music businessman and former manager of Clannad, David Kavanagh had, in 1993, set up the successful record label, Celtic Heartbeat, with Paul McGuinness, then manager of U2. Celtic Heartbeat capitalised on the resurgence of interest in Irish music, notably in America. Its first major success was an album based on the music from the phenomenally successful theatrical show, Riverdance. David Kavanagh’s marketing strategy included a thorough refurbishment of the way in which the label’s music – as well as the overall image of Irish music - was represented internationally. The label’s emphasis was on improving recording standards for an audience whose tastes were becoming more attuned & sophisticated. One of the most successful of releases under the new owners of Celtic Collections was Celtic Woman. From their debut release in 2005, Celtic Woman have gone on to sell over 10 million albums and DVDs and 4 million tickets worldwide, and have been nominated for a Grammy award in 2016. David Kavanagh continued to build the Celtic Collections catalogue and promote Irish music sales around the world. In 2008, Celtic Collections had signed another very successful music act – The High Kings, an Irish folk/ballad group that has gone on to achieve huge success across Ireland, the UK, Europe and America. In 2016, Janine Nallen joined Celtic Collections as CEO.