Irish/ Celtic music - female songs

[Ruth Graham]

Hi,
I'm looking for up-tempo female songs with a traditional feel, that people can dance to. I'm in an Irish/Celtic band and we need more material for weddings and parties.
I like 'The Rankins' version of Marie's wedding - anything like that? I'd be really grateful for suggestions please

[shadow_archmagi]

Well, for Celtic music with Woman in it, you might start with Celtic Woman (http://www.celticwoman.com/)

[Tebryn]

Altan is a great band you should really look up.

[drakir_nosslin]

Something by Loreena McKennit perhaps? I think it got the right feel, though I'm no expert by far. Dunno if she's done anything upbeat enough to qualify for a wedding though.

[mangosta71]

Loreena McKennitt has a lot of music that could be appropriate in the right situation. It really depends on which part of the wedding you're providing music for. Also whether or not you plan on including the vocals/lyrics. And what instrumentation will you be using?

For the married couple's first dance, you probably want something fairly soft and flowing. La Serentissima would be good, though it has the potential to get boring if you don't pass the different parts around the group the way she does (ie, for one verse the harp has the melody, violin the next, then xylophone [though I think technically it's a marimba], etc), and you may want to slow it down a touch. After, when you want everyone up and dancing, an instrumental rendition of All Souls Night (maybe emphasizing the drum a little). Standing Stones also has a strong, driving rhythm.

[PhantomFox]

Well, for Celtic music with Woman in it, you might start with Celtic Woman (http://www.celticwoman.com/)

This. Very much so.