Cathy Maguire

Cathy Maguire is an accomplished singer, songwriter, model and TV presenter who was born in Dundalk, County Louth, Republic of Ireland on 11 October 1981. At a very young age she became a child star. She recorded her first album at age twelve and after several listeners' requests, she was invited by Gerry Ryan to perform a live set on his radio program. This sparked a career that spanned numerous TV appearances and 3 albums by the time she was 17.[1]

Education

After her college education Maguire moved to the United States and went to work in Nashville as a songwriter. She released an album entitled Portrait on 17 April 2009, which was reviewed favorably by critics with Hot Press magazine awarding the album four stars out of five. The album was released by Celtic Collections, the label behind the phenomenally successful Celtic Woman. Three of the album's songs were co-written with Roger Cook (songwriter), of well-known song writing duo Cook and Greenaway. Maguire toured extensively with The High Kings, who are also on the Celtic Collection label. She opened for Martina McBride on her Irish 2009 tour.

Maguire holds a BA Hons Degree in Ethnomusicology and is studying for a master's degree. In 2006, Maguire signed to Dublin modeling agency, Morgan, exiting in 2010.

Cyber-bullying controversy

In 2006, Maguire became the victim of trolling by an anonymous blogger. The attacks attracted national media attention and sparked a national discussion on cyber-bullying spearheaded by The Times in London. Maguire took unprecedented legal action in previously uncharted legal waters and eventually the blog was shut down.[2]

Television and film projects

In 2010, Maguire moved to New York City where she is now based. In 2013 she hosted a music TV presentation called Ireland in Song which aired on PBS. She has also been commissioned by a well-known film house in New York to co-write a screenplay about traditional Irish music.

New albums

In December 2012, Maguire signed a deal with long-time mentor and friend, Hall of Fame inductee Cowboy Jack Clement. She is currently recording an album that is being produced by Clement in his Nashville, TN studios. The album was completed in May 2013 and was the last album Clement was to produce. It will be released in late 2014.

On 19 August 2013 Maguire also launched an Irish album entitled 'Ireland in Song' in New York City. The album is a companion piece to her PBS TV program of the same name and explores the top ten most famous Irish ballads including unique interpretations of Danny Boy, Molly Malone and Carrickfergus (song). In February 2014, Ireland In Song was nominated for Best New Irish Album award by The Irish Music Awards USA.

Awards And Accolades

In Nov 2013, Maguire was honored by the Louth Society of New York for outstanding ambassadorship of County Louth, Ireland, where she was born. She was subsequently the guest of Honor at the 107th Louth Society of New York Dinner, held in NYC and was the youngest recipient of the honor in its one hundred and seventh year history.

In 2014, Maguire was named by The Irish Echo newspaper in its Top 40 Under 40 Award. This hugely popular event is a celebration of leading Irish and Irish Americans who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of work before reaching the age of forty.

Maguire was also presented with the Irish Echo's People's Choice Award, which was voted on by members of the public, recording a record number of votes in the awards history.

References

  1. ↑ Cathy gets Nashville break to be cherished. The Argus (Dundalk) (2005).
  2. ↑ Dearbhail McDonald (2 April 2006). "Irish singer shuts up bloggers' tirade". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 May 2013.

External links

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