There are some wonderful old, new and traditional Irish Christmas Songs.
And, while some of the more popular Christmas songs in Ireland were originally written by non-Irish musicians, plenty of the festive tunes below were.
In this guide, you’ll find a clatter of Irish songs with a lovely festive buzz to them to play during the Christmas season (along with a YouTube and Spotify playlist at the end).
The best Irish Christmas Songs
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Now, some Irish Christmas Songs (i.e. the Fairytale of New York) tend to grab all airtime during December.
However, there are heaps of lesser-known Christmas songs in Ireland that are worth kicking-back to.
1. Fairytale of New York
Arguably one of the most popular Irish Christmas Songs of all time, ‘Fairytale of New York‘ is known and loved the world over.
Released by The Pogues back in 1987, this enduring Christmas song has officially been voted “Best Christmas Song of All Time” by various Irish TV and magazine polls.
This lovely duet by Shane McGowan and Kirsty MacColl tells the love story of two Irish emigrants in New York and was written by band member Jim Finer.
2. The Wexford Carol
Believed to have been written as early as the 12th century, The Wexford Carol was written in Enniscorthy and is also known as the Enniscorthy Carol.
One of the more traditional Irish Christmas Songs, it tells the story of the birth of Jesus and the nativity.
It was made popular in the early 20th century by William Grattan Flood, organist at St Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy.
It was published in the Oxford Book of Carols and has lyrics in both English and Irish.
3. Christmas in Killarney
Photo by Brian Morrison via Ireland’s Content Pool
Christmas in Killarney may be a “golden oldie” but it retains its popularity since it was released back on 1950 by Dennis Day.
Written by American songwriters John Redmond, James Cavanaugh and Frank Weldon, there’s a lovely ‘olde worlde’ feel to this one.
Like many of the more popular Christmas songs in Ireland, this has been recorded by many artists including Bing Crosby (1951), the Irish Rovers (2002) and Northern Ireland folk band Rend Collective (2020).
4. Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil
This popular Irish song “Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil” means “That Night in Bethlehem”. The lively music has the rhythm of a traditional reel and some say it dates back to the 7th century AD.
The haunting lyrics have been recorded by Anne-Marie O’Farrell (1988), The Chieftains (1991) and by Celtic Woman on their 2006 album A Christmas Celebration.
This is a good tune to have playing in the background as you tuck into your Irish Christmas dinner!
5. Christmas the Way I Remember
One of the lesser known traditional Irish Christmas Songs is the brilliant ‘Christmas the Way I Remember’.
Featuring words by Darren Holden set to the Scottish Loch Lomond melody “Red is the Rose” this heartwarming Christmas song was released by High Kings in November 2019.
The sentimental refrain “I’m coming home…” makes this a classic song as it recalls Christmases past “the way I remember”.
Related read: Check out our guide to 13 of the most unique Irish Christmas traditions
6. Rebel Jesus
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One of the more upbeat Christmas songs in Ireland is Rebel Jesus written by Jackson Browne.
This has been recorded by many famous bands, not least The Chieftains who included it on their Christmas album Bells of Dublin.
It’s a catchy folk song citing Jesus as a social rebel fighting against injustice, but the words are seen by some as controversial.
7. Once in Royal David’s City
Written in 1848 as a poem by Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander, this popular traditional Christmas carol was set to music by composer Henry John Gantlet.
It was intended as a children’s hymn with colourful lyrics that tell the story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, the royal city of David.
It has been recorded many times including by Petula Clark, Jethro Tull and the choristers of Kings’ College Choir in Cambridge.
Related read: Check out our guide to 11 of the most interesting Irish Christmas facts
8. Curoo, Curoo
Curoo Curoo is also known as the “Carol of the Birds” as it mimics the song of the birds visiting the manger on that first Christmas Day.
It’s believed that it dates back to the 1800s and the original author is unknown.
It has become a traditional Christmas song, included in many repertoires by Irish singers such as The Clancy Brothers and Danny O’Flaherty.
9. Bells Over Belfast
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Bells Over Belfast is an Irish Christmas fold song written by George Millar and recorded by the Irish Rovers for their Songs of Christmas album released in 1999.
The song emphasizes “the rocky road that leads to peace” and the importance of finding peace and unity through the story of Christmas.
10. Whilst Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
One of the oldest and best Christmas songs is the classic carol “While Shepherds Watched their Flock by Night”.
It was written by Dublin-born Irish poet and hymnist Nahum Tate who became Poet Laureate in 1692.
The carol focuses on the shepherds visited by angles telling them of the birth of Christ.
11. The Holly Tree
The Holly Tree celebrates the traditional story of Christmas through the symbolic Holly Tree.
It was adapted by The Clancy Brothers from the much older folk carol “The Holly and the Ivy” and was included in their 1969 Christmas album so it’s been around for a while.
Irish Christmas playlists
Discover beyond the Irish Christmas music
If you’ve had your fill of Celtic Christmas songs and you want to learn more about Christmas in Ireland, read:
- 13 Irish Christmas traditions
- All about Christmas food in Ireland
Have any Gaelic Christmas songs that you’d like to recommend? Comment below!
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.