Amid the biting cold of a New York morning, Celtic Thunder opened the 247th St. Patrick’s Day Parade with a stunning live performance of “Caledonia.”
Dressed proudly in traditional kilts, the five-man Irish-Scottish vocal group turned an ordinary city street into a stage of pure emotion and cultural pride — no orchestra, no studio magic, just their powerful voices echoing through Manhattan.
The performance, filmed for a morning show ahead of the iconic parade, captured the spirit of Celtic unity and has since become one of the group’s most beloved live moments. Fans online still rave about the performance years later, calling it “unforgettable” and “filled with heart.”
One longtime viewer wrote, “I love Keith’s harmony voice. George’s voice holds the melody so well. This is beautiful.” Another commented, “Who cares where they’re from — Ireland, Scotland — they’re just fantastic and handsome as hell.” Many also noted the charm of young Damian McGinty, who lightheartedly said, “It’s so cold, people!” at the end of the song, adding a touch of humor to the heartfelt moment.
As one New Yorker recalled, “Only in New York does it NOT seem strange to see five Irish guys standing in the middle of the street singing!” Others remembered the crowd’s warmth despite the freezing temperatures: “I was there… it was FREEZING! And so were the guys!”
Their choice of song — “Caledonia” — could not have been more fitting. Written by Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean when he was just in his early twenties, Caledonia has become an unofficial anthem of Scotland. The song was born out of homesickness; MacLean composed it in just ten minutes on a beach in France while longing for his homeland. Over four decades later, its lyrics — “Caledonia, you’re calling me, and now I’m going home” — continue to stir deep emotion among Scots and Celts worldwide.
MacLean once described Caledonia as “a very honest, authentic love song for the place where I grew up,” explaining that its simplicity and sincerity are what make it resonate so powerfully. The tune has since been covered by countless artists, from Amy Macdonald and Paolo Nutini to Ronan Keating, and even featured in national campaigns and commercials.
Celtic Thunder’s rendition, however, remains one of the most heartfelt interpretations. Stripped of instrumentation, it showcases the raw harmony of their voices — a perfect tribute to the song’s message of belonging, love, and pride. Their performance symbolized unity across Celtic nations, with one fan perfectly summing it up: “It fills my heart with pride to see Celts united instead of divided… all Celts need to stand together as one people and one magnificent but diverse culture.”
As the cold wind swept through the streets of New York, Celtic Thunder reminded millions watching around the world that heritage, heart, and harmony can warm even the chilliest day.
