On May 3, 2015, at the Irish Center of Kansas City, Colm Keegan paused his solo tour for a moment that would forever remain etched in the hearts of Celtic Thunder fans. Joined by pianist Laura Durrant, Keegan dedicated a touching song to his late bandmate, George Donaldson — a man he called a friend, mentor, and “the heart of Celtic Thunder.”
The song he performed was originally written by George Donaldson himself as a tribute to Harry Chapin, but on this night, it came full circle. With emotion running thick in the room, Keegan turned the lyrics into a living memory — not of Chapin, but of George.
Sung with quiet reverence and deep emotion, the performance became more than a musical number. It was a heartfelt farewell. The simplicity of the setting, with Keegan’s sincere vocals and Durrant’s delicate piano, allowed the raw honesty of the moment to shine through.
Fans in the audience recalled being brought to tears, not just by the beauty of the song, but by the weight of the loss it honored. George Donaldson, who passed away in 2014, was a beloved member of Celtic Thunder — known for his grounding presence, gentle voice, and fierce love for his daughter Sarah.
In that intimate Kansas City venue, Colm Keegan gave George’s memory a voice once more. And in doing so, he reminded everyone there of the kind of music that never truly fades — music born from friendship, love, and the ache of goodbye.
