New Irish Christmas Songs 2023

Boygenius and Ye Vagabonds, ‘The Parting Glass’

Joining forces with Irish folk duo Ye Vagabonds, 6-time Grammy-nominated three-piece Boygenius lovingly pay tribute to the late Sinéad O’ Connor, with a cover rendition of ‘The Parting Glass.’ A traditional Scottish gathering song still popular in Ireland, ‘The Parting Glass’ is often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. The track was also recorded by Sinéad O'Connor in 2002, for her sixth studio album Sean-Nós Nua.

 

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The late singer features on the track’s cover art, which falls in line with Phoebe Bridgers’ annual tradition of releasing a charity cover in the lead up to Christmas. All proceeds from the track will be donated to the Aisling Project, as requested by the Sinéad O’Connor Estate. It's a beautifully melancholic and poignant musical ode to the life, music, and memory of one of Ireland’s greatest songwriters – the final hospitality to a beloved parting guest.

Niall Teague and Padraic Joyce, ‘Another Merry Christmas’

On the heels of touring their Grammy-nominated record What Will We Be, Galway-based folk duo Niall Teague and Padraic Joyce have teamed up with the Contempo Quartet and an all-star host of Irish talent, extending a stirring sentiment of seasonal good will with ‘Another Merry Christmas.’ It’s a gorgeously atmospheric wash of stately, Eleanor Rigby-esque cello, warm bass, folky acoustic guitar and lilting violin, as the new seasonal track sonically distils that familiarly wistful sense of yearning for the embrace of loved ones, and the joy of the yuletide season on dark winter nights.

Songwriting duo Niall Teague and Padraic Joyce. Photo: EmJcamera

"Another Merry Christmas is what we’re all hoping for," the duo reflect. Through the storms, wars, and grief, in our own lives and across the world, the thought of holding our nearest and dearest close whilst the snow falls softly amongst twinkling fairy lights never fails to sustain us through long, sometimes lonely winter nights..."

The Prongs, ‘Now Now Express’

Though technically not explicitly a Christmas song, post-punk rockers The Prongs ‘Now Now Express’ is palpably charged with icily penned Christmas atmospherics, as the band idiosyncratically croon about love hauntingly lost over the yuletide period and the festive weight that can bear down upon us all. The title track from the band’s debut CD The Now Now Express, it’s a moody, verbose cut of post-punk excellence, anchored by John Fleming’s evocative, seasonally themed lyrics and stirring instrumentals courtesy of Niall Toner Jr; all elevated by a delightfully existential music video, shot by Dave Clifford. Somehow the perfect anti-Christmas Christmas song, it’s a much-needed gift for those less festively inclined amongst us.

The Prongs

Scáth, ‘Misteltoe’

A festive offering from Westmeath-based singer-songwriter Scáth, ‘Mistletoe’ is a soaring yuletide power ballad – well worth a listen as the Christmas season well and truly gets under way. A wistful rumination on being in love during the Christmas period, it’s a refreshingly modern and atmospheric take on the Christmas song, complete with an electric guitar breakdown, plaintive piano and driving drums, as Scáth’s vocals build from tender to impressively powerhouse.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
Check out my original song "Mistletoe" on Spotify {and all other streaming services!}https://t.co/YZ03gOehYR#music #Christmas #Christmas2023 #December2023 #December6 pic.twitter.com/c8e5uCNQwQ

— Scáthmusicofficial (@scathmusicire) December 6, 2023

The High Kings, ‘Where I Belong at Christmas’

‘Tis the season and The High Kings are ringing it in with this new track. Darren Holden, the song's writer, shared: “This song is inspired by the huge amount of our families and friends who’ve made the long trip to a new life abroad. With the anticipation of what’s to come, goodbyes are said, hearts are broken and spirits ache. But through it all the dream is to make it home each year for Christmas, to celebrate with family and friends and see loved ones again. ‘Where I Belong at Christmas’ is a song that calls through that sadness to all Irish, to bond with their loved ones, stand proud and know that back home is always where you will belong”.

The High Kings

Villagers & Lisa Hannigan, 'Little Drummer Boy'

Dublin indie folksters Villagers have teamed up with the renowned Lisa Hannigan to put their own spin on the Christmas classic 'The Little Drummer Boy'.

Bringing their distinct sound to the track, frontman Conor O'Brien and Hannigan's voices blend together over a serene and atmospheric festive soundscape.

“Since I was a little boy this song by Katherine Kennicott Davis has captured my imagination more than any other Christmas carol," said O'Brien. "Such a dream to perform it alongside the incomparable voice of Lisa Hannigan.”

 

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KEHLI, 'This Christmas'

Rising Dublin KEHLI's festive track encapsulates the essence of what truly makes the holiday season – the people which surround us.

"‘This Christmas’ is a song about love and missing that one person you love at Christmas," she said on the release. "It's about realising that you could have absolutely everything in the world, all the presents, all the money and it still doesn't add up to spending Christmas with the one you love or your family or just anyone you feel fills your heart at Christmas time. Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas with their loved ones!"

KEHLI.

Aimée, ‘Grafton Street Lights’

A soaring pop ballad from Dubliner Aimée, ‘Grafton Street Lights’ channels the cosy winter spirit as we enter the festive season. A song that captures the feelings of longing and homesickness, she dreams about the lights of a busy Grafton Street in Dublin. Aimée delivers clean, emotive vocals over heartstring-tugging piano chords, taking cues from the likes of Christina Aguilera and P!nk.

 

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Kevin Herm Connolly, ‘As Long as It’s with You (Christmas Eve)’

As the big day gets closer and closer, singer-songwriter Kevin Herm Connolly’s latest track ‘As Long As It’s With You’ is a delightfully unconventional take on a Christmas song. With introspective yet playful indie-folk sonics that echo the likes of Tom Waits, Sufjan Stevens and Devendra Banhart, Connolly’s track is quirky and comedic, as he lyrically reflects on the many farcical familial woes of the festive season. “A lot of people have suggested I try writing a Christmas song over the years,” Connolly explains. "The idea was to write something with a timeless, kind of classic feel. Although, of course, I couldn’t help but mess with it a bit and take it somewhere closer to my lane...”

Kevin Herm Connolly.

New Rules, 'Might Ruin Christmas'

New Rules get in the festive spirit with their single ‘Might Ruin Christmas’, a fun, light-hearted banger sure to bring the Christmas conviviality. Their fresh take on the tune is unique, while retaining its catchiness. The English-Irish pop group double down the festivities, with the B-side being a cover of ‘Santa Claus is Coming To Town’.

New Rules at Dolans, Limerick, 1st of February 2023. Copyright Aoife Moloney/hotpress.com

Amble, ‘Mary’s Pub’

This calm Christmas tune is set in Dublin’s iconic Mary’s pub just off Grafton Street. Amble offers heartfelt lyrics and a beautiful vocal performance. Stripped back and simple, this song has the potential to be a classic. The track captures what it’s like to be in love at Christmas time. Although set in Dublin, the universal theme can take you anywhere in the world as the loving nature of it shines through. The beauty lies in the simplicity of this one. 

 

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Sadhbh Keane, 'Life At Christmas'

Sadhbh Keane is a sixteen-year-old singer-songwriter from Dublin releasing folk songs of remarkable breadth and maturity and ‘Life at Christmas’ is no exception. ‘Life at Christmas’ was born last Christmas when Keane was only fifteen years old. Keane said of the track: “I wrote this last December after realising the lack of humanity shown towards homelessness, especially during winter and Christmas time. It's a very special song to me.” A beautiful and compassionate track dealing with the never-ending Dublin housing crisis, and the people whose lives have been torn up in the wake of it, ‘Life At Christmas’ is an immediate and important track focusing on things that actually matter at this time of year. Featuring impassioned vocals and compelling lyrics, this guitar track is simple yet strong with a belter of a chorus ‘How many buckets do we have to fill so this stops happening?’.

Sadhbh Keane

Declan Sinnott and Evelyn Kallansee, 'Make for Joy'

Declan Sinnott, veteran guitar player of the Irish music scene who has worked alongside the likes of the Horslips, Christy Moore and Moving Hearts while also collaborating with the inimitable Mary Black for over 12 years, has released a new single 'Make For Joy' along with collaborator Evelyn Kallansee. 'Make for Joy' is the sophomore offering to their gentle and sentimental debut track 'Who Has Coloured You?' released earlier this year. 'Make for Joy', is a beautiful Autumnal-Winter song, which makes it perfect for your yuletide festivities. With a positive and uplifting energy, perfectly contrasting the dark weather and the Christmas cheer of December. 'Make for Joy' brings light to the darker days, at the turn of the year, an essential track that we all need as we head closer to Christmas day and prioritise the important things in life.

Declan Sinnott and Evelyn Kallansee

David Keenan & Evanne Kilgallon, ‘Christmas’ll Ruin me’

David Keenan is joined by his creative and romantic partner Evanne Kilgallon for this Christmas duet which raises money for the Dublin Simon Community. The song deals with real-life struggles that can accompany the holiday season. It explores anxiety, addiction stigma, and the pressures that come with conforming to consumerism around this time of year. In truth, it’s a hopeful and humorous tale with flashes of nudity and the important reminder that love and compassion for ourselves and each other is vital at Christmas. However, aside from all this, it makes for fun Christmas listening this December. Donations raised by the single will go to Dublin Simon Community which provides homeless, housing and treatment services to people facing the trauma and stress of homelessness in Ireland. You can donate to the Dublin Simon Community via the couple's idonate.ie page here.

David Keenan & Evanne Kilgallon (Photo Credit: Kate Lawlor)

Bren Berry, 'Winter Song'

Revelino's guitarist and backing vocalist Bren Berry has released a gorgeous new festive track; 'Winter Song'. The track is a majestic, swelling chime-fest. You can practically hear the icicles crash against the strings, as the warmth and tenderness in Bren's voice cuts through the frosty architecture of the guitars, making is perfect for a bit of festive listening.  Berry has said of the new track ‘Winter Song’ that it "just quickly blossomed into a very tender love song for my wife and a love letter to Dublin's Liberties. Especially The Iveagh Buildings where my Mother was from".

Bren Berry

Eleanor McEvoy, ‘South Anne Street - The Christmas Mix’

Having once made history when she composed ‘Only A Woman’s Heart,’ the title track of the best-selling Irish album in history, Eleanor McEvoy has proven time and again that hers is a flame that can’t be stamped out. The singer-songwriter delivers a festive treat with her new single ‘South Anne St (The Christmas Mix),’ marking the season with its enchanting melody paired with McEvoy’s personal lyricism.

The tune captures a chance encounter with a former flame on a Tuesday afternoon before Christmas, ensuing awkward conversations-turned-warm moments at McDaid’s pub on Harry Street. Grammy award-winning sound engineer Ciaran Byrne, known for his work with musical legends like U2, Ed Sheeran and The Pogues, also sprinkled his magic on the tune.

Eleanor McEvoy at Imro Venue Awards 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Laura Alden, ‘Wisconsin Winter’

Vulnerable and ethereal, Laura Alden has you hooked on every word with this wintertime ballad. Dancing on the line of indie-folk and pop, this track is reminiscent of Birdy and Gracie Abrams. She took to Instagram to describe writing the track, “I had the most fun writing it in my hometown in my mom's apartment & my new (very old) piano in Berlin and then producing the whole thing at home the way I love it most.”

 

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Kean Kavanagh, ‘Christmas Mode’

Fervent Irish singer-songwriter Kean Kavanagh returns from the release of his recent EP Wrestling Music with a new single, ‘Christmas Mode.’ The track arrives just in time for the festive song circuit, breathing a fresh new life into classic Christmas songs with its soulful sonics and mellow vocals. All proceeds from the song will go toward the Red Cross Gaza Emergency Fund.

Co-founder of Irish label Soft Boy Records, Kavanagh is known for being an imaginative, genre-bending storyteller, whose introspective projects have influenced the Irish music scene and led to him sharing the stage with such renowned acts as Loyle Carner and Lana Del Ray. ‘Christmas Mode’ is released along with a lo-fi performance video shot by Thomas Davis and follows a string of stellar live performances this year, including two October headline shows in Dublin and London as well as a slot at this year’s Cork Jazz Festival.

Photo by Ruth Hodder. Artwork design by Kevin Smith.

Larissa Tormey, ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’

The latest from Westmeath-based singer-songwriter Larissa Tormey, ‘In The Bleak Midwinter,’ sees the classically trained vocalist turn her hand to the classic Rossetti/Holst winter carol. A suitably powerhouse display of vocal capability, it’s an icy, melancholy-tinged new spin on a well-known classic, deftly reinterpreted with stirring shades of modern musical flair. Perfect listening for a chilly winter’s night.

Larissa Tormey, 'In The Bleak Midwinter'

Listen to our New Irish Chirstmas Songs playlist below!