Irish Tenor Emmet Cahill Returns for St. Patrick’s Day Show

By Katie McFadden

Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling you to St. Francis de Sales Church, to see world renowned Irish tenor Emmet Cahill sing that song and more on St. Patrick’s Day.

On Sunday, March 17 at 3 p.m., Emmet Cahill, of Irish singing group Celtic Thunder, is making a stop in Rockaway once again as part of his 2024 solo tour. Cahill has been a member of PBS phenomenon Celtic Thunder for about 12 years and started doing solo acts around the world in between Celtic Thunder tours about eight years ago. The tenor from Mullingar, Ireland, made a sold-out solo concert debut at New York’s Carnegie Hall, to rave reviews, and recently had the pleasure of performing with the world acclaimed Tabernacle Choir and at New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral for dignitaries and world leaders. He’s performed with prestigious orchestras such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Pittsburgh Symphony, as well as sold out concerts in some of North America’s most famous music venues and has made several TV appearances.

So how did he wind up coming to Rockaway? Someone simply asked. “I was doing a concert down in Palm Beach, Florida and Keith Sullivan was at a concert, visiting his dad down there and he said ‘we have a huge Irish community in Belle Harbor, and they’d love what you do. Would you come do a concert?’” Cahill recalled. On March 11, 2023, Cahill made his first appearance at St. Francis de Sales, singing to a sold-out show.

And Rockaway gave him a big Irish welcome that made him feel at home. “It really felt like I had gone back to Ireland. People are so welcoming, they knew all the songs and honestly, there’s a real Irish community out there,” Cahill said. “It felt very much like I was part of the community for the day, which I really appreciated.” And of course, locals wouldn’t let him leave without a visit to a local pub. “I was brought to a pub around the corner. There was a big birthday party that I ended up joining. They treated me to cake and food. It was great. I was well looked after,” he said.

So this year, he’s doing it all again, bringing a special St. Patrick’s Day treat to Rockaway. “They asked me to come back again since this is a way to support the church and we felt doing it on St. Patrick’s Day would be the ideal time,” Cahill said. So on March 17 at 3 p.m., Cahill will be back at St. Francis de Sales, belting out your favorite Irish tunes from “Irish Eyes are Smiling” to “The Parting Glass” and of course, “Danny Boy.” “If I don’t sing ‘Danny Boy,’ I think people would ask for their money back. I know people are waiting all concert for me to sing that one. I try to keep people happy,” he said. He’ll also mix in some church songs like “Amazing Grace” and others. “I was raised on church music. My dad was a music minister, so that is a big part of my life,” Cahill said. And there may even be some Broadway tunes, as it wouldn’t be a New York show without them. “I might throw in some Broadway, like Phantom of the Opera. People love to hear me do that stuff,” Cahill said. And he encourages all to join in. “This will be a sing-along event,” he said.

Since Cahill was treated to such great hospitality last time, he’ll be paying it back with a post-concert meet and greet and gathering. “There will be a post-concert reception where I’ll be answering questions and available if anyone wants to take photos, plus there will be food and drinks. It’ll be a little St. Patrick’s Day party. It’s not just about the concert, everyone will be well looked after just like I was when I came there,” Cahill said.

Cahill encourages all to join in the fun. “It’ll be a big Irish party on St. Patrick’s Day, so come and join us,” he said.

Tickets to Emmet Cahill’s St. Patrick’s Day show at St. Francis de Sales are $60 and include the concert and post-show reception. Tickets can be purchased at EmmetCahill.com or at the St. Francis de Sales Rectory next to the church. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the show starts at 3 p.m. on March 17. St. Francis de Sales is located at 219 Beach 129th Street.