Our Town Foundation hosted a live concert by The Celtic Martins at the Hamburg Strand Theater on April 29. A family band from Newmanstown in Lebanon County, The Celtic Martins is an exciting, energetic group that features traditional Celtic music. Although the Celtic Martins play mostly Irish and American fiddle tunes, their show also includes several other instruments such as the Irish whistles, mandolin, bagpipes, accordion and percussion. Their show also includes Irish step dancing.
The Celtic Martins played their first public show in June of 2004 at a retirement community in Wernersville. Their interest in Celtic music came about when Emily saw Eileen Ivers perform on the Celtic fiddle at Albright chapel when she was young. It inspired Emily to want to learn to play the Celtic fiddle and led the family to the Celtic music they play today. The group quickly became a musical sensation, performing throughout the region at various fairs, festivals, and other venues.