Library Music Irish culture and customs

The Music Library

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A Celtic Christmas Sojourn

By passing over too-familiar Christmas songs in favor of less-well-known melodies, Brian O'Donovan, the host of the Celtic Sojourn radio show, has come up with that rarest of all holiday treats - a gift that both surprises and delights. Edited from a review by Michael Simmon.
Click here for A Celtic Christmas Sojourn

White Christmas
Bing Crosby

We include this classic because of our favorite cut - Christmas in Killarney. But the rest of the recording isn't half-bad! For all the Bing fans, we're just kidding - this is one of the best Christmas recordings ever.
Click here for White Christmas.

The Bells of Dublin
The Chieftains

We've owned The Bells of Dublin for about ten years and it remains one of our favorite Christmas recordings. The Chieftains are impeccable as always but, in addition to their traditional Irish sound, they team up with a group of contemporary vocalists; for the most part, the mix works well. In fact we like every cut except one.
See Review
Click here for The Bells of Dublin

The Darkest Midnight
by Noírin Ní Rain

The wonder and mystery of the Nativity are brought to life in this unique collection of holiday religious music from Ireland. Shifting from exuberance to rapture, from solemnity to celebration, Nóirín Ní Riain and the monks of Glenstal offer hymns and songs of praise to the sacred season. Sung in English, Latin, and Irish.
Click here for The Darkest Midnight.

Home for Christmas
The Irish Tenors

According to the 30 or more reviews we've read, if you own just one Irish Christmas recording, this should be it. Featuring Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and John McDermott, we are treated to both solo and trio performances of a dozen or more best loved holiday airs, sung in their trade-mark Irish tenor style. As one reviewer cleverly observed, if these three sang the phone book, she'd buy it!
See Review
Click here for Home for Xmas

On Christmas Night
Cherish The ladies

This is not only a top-notch Christmas album, but generally a top-notch Celtic album as well. Cherish the Ladies is undoubtedly one of the finest Irish groups in the world, not to mention one of the finest all-female groups! This album is a great collection of classic Christmas tunes, some common, some obscure, that will make for such a nice change come this holiday season. Amazon Review
Click here for On Christmas Night.

Fri, Sep 27, 2024

The Galway Hooker

This unique vessel, with its distinctive curved lines and bright red sails, originated in the village of Claddagh. During the 19th century, hookers supported a significant fishing industry and also carried goods, livestock and fuel. Seán Rainey is remembered for building the last of the original boats, the Truelight, for Martin Oliver who was to become the last king of the Claddagh; as king, he was entitled to white sails on his boat. Since the mid seventies, many of the old sailing craft which were on the verge of extinction have been lovingly restored and new ones have been built. During the summer months they can be seen at festivals such a Cruinniú na mBád - the Gathering of the Boats - in Kinvara.

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Can't Find it?!

Our Library is compiled from what we know and like. If you can't find what you're looking for read on.
• First: go to Amazon -
There's no escaping the fact that they are the largest catalog.
Note: There are multiple Amazons and they do not carry exactly the same items. Any one of the U.S., U.K. and Canada sites may not have the item but another Amazon will. Each site will ship anywhere in the world. Try them all before you give up.
Click here for Amazon.US.
Click here for Amazon.UK.
Click here for Amazon.Canada.
• Second: Amazon doesn't have it? Try BMG. They are one of the largest Music stores - period. Click here for BMG Music.
We recommend you search for artist or title words.
• Third: Still can't find It? Alright, try ALibris they are the place for 'books you never thought you'd find'. They now carry music (even vinyl). The prices vary, since they are offered from various sources.
Click here for ALibris.
• Fourth: Is it in print, at least?
Try Irish Music International, they'll go out of their way to obtain any item currently available.
Click for Irish Music International.
• Last: Nothing Worked?
E-Mail us, we'll give it a go. Click for Russ & Bridget.

This Web Site Bashed, Kicked & Glued together by Russ Haggerty.