Irish singer and songwriter Damian McGinty is set to perform in Bedford County as part of his Acoustic Moments Tour. The event will take place on July 19 at the Bedford Elks Country Club and is presented by the Bedford County Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Golden Eagle Inn and the Bedford Gazette.
McGinty, a native of Derry, Northern Ireland, gained an international following as a principal performer in Celtic Thunder at the age of 14. He has toured around the world with the Irish stage show and has also starred in a Hallmark Christmas movie and competed in two seasons of the popular TV show, Glee, after winning The Glee Project. Additionally, he will be competing in the finals of Dancing with the Stars in Ireland this weekend. McGinty’s most recent album, Moments, was released in November of last year and features songs that share his experiences in a way that warms the heart and lifts the spirit. His original music is a blend of pop, folk, and adult alternative contemporary with country influences and Irish roots.
Seating for the concert is limited, and tickets, including meet & greet and general admission options, are available for purchase via the Chamber website at BedfordCountyChamber.com or by phone at 814-623-2233. The tickets went on sale on Saint Patrick’s Day. “We are delighted to have the chance to host Damian McGinty,” said Chamber President-CEO Kellie Goodman Shaffer. “His talent is outshined only by his infectiously positive attitude, so he’s a perfect fit for an event supporting our education foundation. We can’t wait to welcome him to Bedford County.”
Tom Salmon, owner of the Golden Eagle Inn and Irish Pub in downtown Bedford, expressed his excitement for the event, saying, “We’re delighted to support the Damian McGinty visit to Bedford. We love Celtic Thunder, and we were big fans of Glee. But we also love the opportunity to continue the Irish connection in Bedford.” McGinty’s Acoustic Moments Tour will celebrate his most recent album as well as other originals and favorite songs from his repertoire. The concert promises to be an intimate event, with the possibility of behind-the-scenes insider scoops from his experiences on the dance floor.
“I really believe in the bigger the fear, the more the growth, so with Dancing with the Stars, for example, it was more scary than normal because I didn’t know if I could do it, but hard work has paid off,” said McGinty. Bedford County has previously welcomed two of McGinty’s Celtic Thunder co-stars, Ryan Kelly and Neil Byrne, who performed in front of sold-out concert crowds in 2018 and 2022. “I’ve heard so many good things about the people in Bedford,” said McGinty. “I love those (small town) places, and I genuinely can’t wait to come to Bedford.”
