A very Merry Christmas from the Father Ted family–and from ours.
“Christmas in Killarney” isn’t the only Irish Christmas song there is. (And it’s really Irish American, written by three men—John Redmond, James Cavanaugh and Frank Weldon—in 1950.) We scoured the web for some interesting takes on Irish Christmas music, from the Dropkick Murphy’s to Moya Brennan to the Knocklyon Gospel Choir. We hope these YouTube videos will help make your spirits bright—they did wonders for ours.
To start off, a little Father Ted Christmas. There’s no music, but there are laughs, and it goes with the photo.
Then, download the John Byrne Band’s “St. Stephen’s Day” Christmas mp3, which will resonate with those of you born in Ireland and long to be home for the holidays
You can’t possibly be in a bad Christmas mood– Or feel like you’re the only one in the world with a wackadoodle family–after hearing the Dropkick Murphy’s “The Season’s Upon Us.” This one is brilliant! God bless you, every one.
“There’s mischief and mayhem and songs to be sung. . . .”
“Fairytale of New York.” This is arguably the most played Christmas song when two or more Irish people gather together. It’s funny and sad and features the late great Kristy MacColl with Shane McGowan and the Pogues and the City of New York Police Pipes and Drums.
“So happy Christmas, I love you baby, I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.”
Even if you’re not a fan of Windham Hill compilation albums—I think of them as something massage therapists play while kneading the stress out of you—you may still like this version of “The Wexford Carol.” It will at least be relaxing.
Not working for you? This version of “The Wexford Carol” by Moya Brennan from her “An Irish Christmas” CD may be what you’re looking for.
I love this in-studio performance by “Cherish the Ladies,” doing a medley of Christmas tunes with Michael Holland dancing. It reminds me of a house concert, the only way to hear music as far as I’m concerned. Lovely, ladies!
Enjoy a snippet of “Irish Christmas in America” with Teada, Grainne Hambley, and the amazing Brian Cunningham doing his sean nos dancing. I saw this show at the Irish Center a few years ago and it was amazing.
Hooray for Christmas Day, boys! A medley of hits from the Irish Rovers Christmas TV special, including “Grandma Got Run Over by a Raindeer” with Irish accents.
Myself, I prefer their version of “Merry Bloody Xmas,” Irish country style.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without “Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake,” this one by Mick Moloney, Athena Tergis, and John Doyle a few years ago at The Shanachie in Ambler.
Sing along with the chorus:
There were plums and prunes and cherries,
There were citrons and raisins and cinnamon, too
There was nutmeg, cloves and berries
And a crust that was nailed on with glue
There were caraway seeds in abundance
Such that work up a fine stomach ache
That could kill a man twice after eating a slice
Of Miss Fogarty’s Christmas cake.
Local harpist Ellen Tepper does a wonderful program of Christmas carols. Here she plays one by Irish composer Cornelius Lions.
A song by one of my favorite Irish singers, Don Stiffe, from his Christmas album, which I got as a gift this year (thank you, Lori Lander Murphy!).
A truly lovely original Christmas tune by the Knocklyon Gospel Choir of Knocklyon, a suburb of Dublin.
And bringing up the rear, a real treat: “Little Drummer Boy” performed by The Priests and Shane McGowan of The Pogues.
Pa-rum-pa-pa-pum!
