Under soft ocean skies and surrounded by devoted fans, one of the most touching moments of the 2017 Celtic Thunder Cruise unfolded as Neil Byrne, Ryan Kelly, and Damian McGinty came together to perform “The Garden.” On November 8, 2017, the song took on deeper meaning — not just for the audience, but for the performers themselves.
What made the moment extraordinary wasn’t just the music — it was the connection between them. Damian McGinty, who began his journey with Celtic Thunder at just 14, reunited with Byrne & Kelly not only as fellow performers but as lifelong friends who have grown, changed, and stayed close through the years. That history played out in every glance, every harmony, and every lyric shared on stage.
Their rendition of “The Garden,” a tender and introspective track from Byrne and Kelly’s repertoire, was filled with understated emotion and vocal warmth. Damian’s soft lead blended beautifully with Neil’s guitar and Ryan’s harmonies, creating a moment that felt more like a conversation among old friends than a performance.
Fans onboard later described the atmosphere as “magical” and “unexpectedly moving.” Some even said it was the highlight of the entire cruise — a performance that reminded them why they fell in love with Celtic Thunder in the first place.
Though the waves rolled quietly outside, inside the theater, voices and memories filled the space. It wasn’t just a reunion on stage. It was a homecoming in harmony.
