With the help of old friend and producer Karl Odlum (Ham Sandwich, The Frames, Fionn Regan et Al) Maria Byrne has written and recorded an original Christmas song ‘In This City’, set for release on 7th December.

This track is the follow up to her version of the Genesis classic ‘Follow You Follow Me’ as currently featured on the Bank of Ireland TV advert.

The charm and buzz from ‘Follow You Follow Me’ is in every Irish household right now by those who hear it.

And it is not just in Irish households, within the music industry from Uk and Ireland, recent accolades include high praise from Rte Radio 1’s John Creedon, BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens, XFM’s John Kennedy, and BBC Radio 2’s Janice Long and Bob Harris who all collectively said that Maria’s voice is as ‘Beautiful’ as it is ‘Captivating’. It continues on that trait on new single ‘In This City’.

Penned about the annual visit home for many Irish people living abroad, Maria Byrne manages to successfully set the scene to the nostalgic reconnection we make with old friends at this time of year.

"For me, I spent 12 years living in London and returning home every Christmas so I wanted to capture that feeling of familiarity and the romance of Ireland at Christmas time, like travelling back in time almost. That nostalgia the diaspora of Irish all know too well," Maria Byrne says.

Maria began her musical journey when she moved to London in 2006. In 2009, she released her debut EP ‘All You Need’. This was followed in 2012 with LP ‘Little Basement’ and a mini album ‘Back To You’ in 2014.

Maria’s songs have since made their way to national UK radio coverage thanks to Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2, Huw Stephens and Rob Da Bank on BBC Radio 1 and in Ireland Alison Curtis on Today FM and John Creedon on RTE Radio 1.

Maria cites inspiration from Irish musical heroes such as Bell X1, Mark Geary and Gemma Hayes as well as Americana/Folk heroes Gillian Welch and John Prine.