Comments

Irish Christmas carols

Dear friends
I'm from Belarus, the group where I'm singing is going to prepare the Irish Christman program. Could you recommend, please, any traditional (authentic) Irish Christmas carols that are really popular in Irland.
Thank you in advance.

# Posted on October 14th 2010 by taisa

Re: Irish Christmas carols

I don't know about popular in a general sense but the Wexford Carol gets aired a good bit around Christmas on national radio etc.

# Posted on October 14th 2010 by the wounded hussar

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Fairytale of New york ;)

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by banjo'd

Re: Irish Christmas carols

http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Mummers.html

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by EnDaC

Re: Irish Christmas carols

There is a wonderful minor key one whose name translates something like "That Night in Bethlehem." Gorgeous and haunting...

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by AlBrown

Re: Irish Christmas carols

This Voice Squad recording might be worth listening to: http://www.taramusic.com/sleevenotes/cd4013.htm
Wexford Carol here called Good People All.

O Holy Night etc. would be very popular in Ireland at Christmas, though not particularly 'traditional'.

There's a singer from Ulster - Co.Down area I think - she has an Irish name which escapes me at present (is it Pol somebody?). She published a big collection of traditional songs there a few years ago - I'm sure there'd be a good few carols in there. Maybe someone else can help.

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by the wounded hussar

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Also http://www.taramusic.com/sleevenotes/cd4004.htm for The Holly She Bears a Berry and The Coventry Carol on the one above - both 'English' traditional carols but grand for all that!

Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin is the singer. http://www.irishsong.com/news.html

and A Hidden Ulster is the book http://www.irishsong.com/hidden.html

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by the wounded hussar

Re: Irish Christmas carols

http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/1839

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by Kenny

Re: Irish Christmas carols

To add to Al Brown's post ,I know the tune he's referring to as Don Oiche úd i Mbeithil. As he says, it is a beautiful tune.

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by Gran Cassa

Re: Irish Christmas carols

For purely instrumental, try "Christmas Eve". For song, how about "The Wren"?

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by Fiddlechick7

Re: Irish Christmas carols

check out you tube,xmas carols in tralee,sung by students of ghael colaiste tralee..

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by spailpin

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Just as a matter of correction, there is no such school as 'ghael colaiste tralee'. There is, however, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí in Tralee, but I can find no Youtube link.

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by MacCruiskeen

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Taisa:
Good luck with your Christmas performance.
I checked your bio here, that is a very nice Youtube bit of your group, Ejrut playing.

I am curious, which member are you?

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by Piece

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Finola o Siochru is a lovely singer who has recorded a songcycle for the season that's in it.

http://www.osiochru.com/

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Kenny, Thanks for posting the link to that Dordon album, one of my favorites! And it gave me the name of the carol I was thinking of, since it is on the album, "Don Oiche Ud I MBeithil." I originally learned it from the whistle tutorial book that came with my first Clarke whistle.

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by AlBrown

Re: Irish Christmas carols

It's not all traditional Irish music, but maybe check out the Chieftains' "Bells of Dublin" album.

# Posted on October 15th 2010 by jasonb

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Valda Chamber Choir an acappella eight piece from Wexford, Ireland, do a beautiful job of the Enniscorthy Carol on their Christmas CD. It also includes the Coventry Carol.
OK so Coventry is in England, but there is a big population of Irish living there. Check out their website.

# Posted on October 16th 2010 by Free Reed

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Ah! the Bells of Dublin album has that wonderful juxtaposition of Piper Through the Meadow Straying and Deck the Halls. It is definitely worth looking into that combination.

# Posted on October 17th 2010 by cboody

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Play God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and then go into Morrison's Jig. Combine with your favorite carols to your usual repertoire. Instant Celtic Christmas show. Just add willing publican who will pay cash money with Jameson. Ta da.

# Posted on October 17th 2010 by SWFL Fiddler

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Frankie Gavins Shamrocks and Holly is great http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000000E5D/ref=m_art_li_1/102-3268271-7625700?v=glance&s=music

# Posted on October 17th 2010 by TC1959

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Thank everybody very much!!! it'll help us a lot! you are so friendly!!!

# Posted on October 17th 2010 by taisa

Re: Irish Christmas carols

The Crossing in Chicago has a Christmas album out with both trad and some original Christmas songs and tunes including "That Night n Bethlehem" in english.
You can find them here http://www.grrrrecords.com/fr_welcome.cfm with sound samples.

# Posted on October 17th 2010 by whitedwarf

Re: Irish Christmas carols

Thank everybody very much once more! You may see what we did! Happy New Year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=966FPh-jKqE

# Posted on January 3rd 2011 by taisa