Carmel Boyle is an Irish singer and composer of sacred and inspirational songs. Her songs are evocative and her voice has a pure angelic quality that exudes a healing energy that touching hearts. Her songs are inspired by her own spiritual journey, her Irish spiritual heritage and the writings of Christian mystics. She presents her songs in concert, conferences and retreat settings and is a popular facilitator of retreats in Ireland and the United States. Her many recordings, ranging from Celtic Prayers to the writings of St. Therese, explore the depths of the soul, open up the heart centre and lift the spirit. There is both a simplicity and depth that is most tangible to those who have an opportunity to enjoy a live performance of her unique singing experience that draws the listener into a sacred contemplative space and offers an invitation to join with her in refrains and chants that are simple and melodic. Her work is influenced by her belief that the expressive arts can be a doorway to Divine encounter and flows from her training in theology, spirituality and the expressive arts. Her public singing performances began at a young age when she accompanied herself on guitar while singing ballads and contemporary folk songs in talent contests and charity concerts. Following considerable success and winning national awards she continued to mature as a performer, singing for presidents, royalty, diplomats and tourists. She made her first recording with Gael Linn at the age of sixteen. Her interest in spiritual music began also at an early age in a local church where the post Vatican 11 new wave of folk music provided the perfect grounding for what was to become the most powerful genre for her talent as a spiritual animator. Although rooted in the Christian tradition she has the ability to speak to the universal mystical heart. She is co founder with Geraldine Holton of An Croí (The Heart) Wisdom Learning Community, which is a learning centre and a growing community of learning, based in her native town of Drogheda in Ireland’s spiritually potent Boyne Valley, which focuses on personal, professional and spiritual development with growing in wisdom at its core. Discography: We Will Remember (with reflections by Geraldine Holton) White Wings and Roses (based on poetry of St Therese) Celtic Dawn (based on Celtic prayers) Celtic Songs of Earth and Heaven (with Briege O Hare) Seeking Wholeness (songs of the spiritual journey) Close to You (Selection of some popular contemporary hymns) Valley of the Boyne (Selection of Irish ballads) Taste the Hidden Sweetness (letters of St. Clare with Briege O Hare) Dance with Me (Release date soon) Musical Influences Genre Categories : Sacred Nana Mouskouri Spiritual Inspirational Joan Baez Religious/Catholic Don McLean Irish / Celtic Lorenna McKennitt Contemporary Christian