12 Irish Acts and Their Christmas Songs You NEED to Hear

One thing that screams December for me is Christmas music (and, of course, all of the Christmas gigs that they are sung at)! Instead of thousands of Irish music fans flocking to venues across the country this Christmas Season, we are stuck with just listening to new Christmas music from the comfort of our homes. To fill the void left by Christmas themed nights out surrounded by the good, the bad and the Irish Christmas songs, I decided to make a list of my favourite Christmas/December themed releases that dropped this year!

One thing is for certain: there is a recurring theme among all the artist’s songs and covers on this list: hoping we all get to spend some of this Christmas Season with some of our nearest and dearest! My picks are in alphabetical order and I would like to warn everyone to have a tissue at hand just in case any of these beautiful songs get to you. As always, you can find our playlist at the bottom of the post to listen to all of the songs that are available on Spotify! 

‘December’ 

– Craig Cooney ft. Rowlette

The first song on our list is by two of Ireland’s most promising up and coming artists in their chosen genres of music in my opinion! ‘December’ sums up perfectly what we all wish this month will truly be like! With how woeful this year has been, ‘December’ is the perfect visual representation of what Christmas is all about: family and friends. Rowlette’s (aka Sarah Keane) vocals are stunning in this chorus! The pair truly are a match made in musical heaven! This song reminded me how much I am looking forward to having all my immediate family all in one place for Christmas. My favourite lyrics of this one is the message I hope everyone takes to heart and celebrates this Christmas Season.  

“Heaven knows that this year has shown both the good and the bad. 

So let’s raise a glass! Merry Christmas” 

‘How I Know It’s Christmas’ 

– Hudson Taylor and RTE Concert Orchestra 

Anyone who is a fan of Hudson Taylor may be familiar with this Christmas song as it came out last Christmas however, Harry and Alfie released their recorded performance of this song with the RTE Concert in November . The RTE Orchestra adds a memozoring new element to the song and personally I love bopping also to this one! I’m a big fan of Alfie and Harry’s writing style; I usually have an issue putting into order my favourites of theirs after my top 3. Just know that ‘How I Know It’s Christmas’ is in my top 5 favourite Hudson Taylor songs that’s how much I love it! 

“I’m just so happy to have all my favourite people standing in the room.

That’s how I know it’s Christmas” 

‘Together At Christmas’ 

-Irish Women in Harmony

What happens when some of Ireland’s most promising and famous female artist’s team up with Children’s female choir? A match made in musical heaven! The song itself was penned by Ruthanne who put together iconic lines from other Christmas songs mashed together for the verses. Keep your ears peeled for the most adorable chorus! I still get goosebumps every time I hear it! I, personally, also bow down to all the women involved, they all sound angelic so make sure you check it out! 

“All I want for Christmas is you

In one more sleep, that’s when my dreams come true”

‘A Year To Forget But A Christmas To Remember’ 

-Keywest 

The Keywest guys decided to be the shining light on top of the Christmas Tree this year by drop an entire Christmas Album! A happy surprise for their fans and even better for those who adore Christmas music and are about to discover them! The album is called ‘A Year To Forget But A Christmas To Remember’ which I think you all will agree that it is very fitting after the year we all have had! The album is made up of covers of some well known Christmas songs. Two recommendations are ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘The Christmas Song’ as I enjoyed their versions of them.

“Well it goes like this: the fourth, the fifth

The minor fall, the major lift”

‘This Must Be Christmas’ 

-Kodaline 

This one I associate with my friend Kate because she is the biggest fan of Kodaline that I know. Warning on the music video for this one as ‘This Must Be Christmas’ made me the most emotional out of every song on the list with a music video! The lads from Kodaline did a truly amazing job as they took a step away from the overall sound that you would know them for. I also enjoyed the clever harmonizing moments in this one and the instrument choices! 

“Pour another whiskey for the road

‘Cause that’s the only spirit that I know”

‘You Make It Feel Like Christmas’ 

-Lea Hart

I’m ashamed to say this is the first song I have ever heard from Lea Hart and, by gosh, have I been missing out! She has an incredible voice with a unquie sound too. I really enjoyed this one as the story in this song is universal. You are going to think of someone who is important to you so get ready for those emotions. Happy to report a new fan here! 

“And even on your darkest nights. I know you’re gonna be alright. And if I could fill your room with lights. I would”

‘Winter Sun’ 

-Lorraine Nash

This name might be familiar with our readers as we featured Lorraine when she brought out her debut EP but, this time, she is back with her latest single ‘Winter Sun’. This song is more a winter take than a Christmas fuzzy song and I am here loving it! The one aspect of Lorraine’s music I adore is how visual her lyrics are. This song is going to take you on a journey and leave you feeling exactly how the artist is feeling during this song! Lorraine’s voice is at the strongest I have heard it in ‘Winter Sun’ and still has me in awe of her talent. 

“So don’t you come to me so bright and bold 

You promised me the world but you left it in the cold”

‘At Home With Luz Sessions’ 

-Luz 

If you are Apple Music user, you need to get onto Luz’s newest Christmas Treats. She dropped two originals (‘Christmas Morning’ and ‘Unconscious’) and a covers (‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’). ‘Christmas Morning’ is my second favourite Luz song of all time and I don’t care that it is a Christmas song first and foremost! Luz has such an incredible voice that, never fails to give me goosebumps! You need to check her out because, she is such a special talent. The harmony in this on is memorizing! 

“What if I showed up with no warning? Would you want me, want me, 

Want me to stay?”

‘The Magic of Christmas EP” 

– Lyra

A Christmas EP that you never know you needed in your life until you hear that first line of the first song being played! Lyra is another hidden treasure this country has on its long list of singers and I was incredibly surprised when she dropped ‘The Magic of Christmas’ EP. As the name suggests this EP is full of magic from the title track ‘The Magic of Christmas’ to the interesting cover choices she picked. My personal favourite is ‘Walking In The Air’ as I can still feel the chills her performance gave me when I think about it! 

“I’m holding very tight

I’m riding in the midnight blue

I’m finding I can fly so high above with you”

‘It’s Christmas (Come Home)’ 

Saarloos

The song that was worth the wait in my opinion. All the other songs on this list dropped before ‘It’s Christmas (Coming Home)’. This song reminded me all the reasons why I love Saarloos. The lads are incredibly talented but my favourite performances of theirs show off their harmonies and are extremely minimalist with only a few instruments in the background. Also, I have to give a shout out that this song was my Mam’s favourite on the list! 

“It’s Christmas time and you won’t be alone”

‘Last Christmas’ 

– Stephanie Rainey 

Last Christmas Stephanie Rainey sent this cover to some of her fans as a special gift at Christmas time and I am happy to report for this Christmas it is a gift for everyone’s ears! When it comes to covers I am always interested to see is what spin the artist puts on it. For me, the best thing Stephanie brings is her emotion and her overall sound. She didn’t try to be anything but herself leading to the cover being magical! 

“This year to save me from tears

I’ll give it to someone special”

‘It Will Be Lonely This Christmas’ 

 – The Academic 

Lastly, we have a cover from The Academic. Their cover of ‘It Will Be Lonely This Christmas’ is completely different to their usual sound and will leave you wanting more! I have the biggest soft spot for The Academic but would never have imagined them choosing this song as their Christmas cover! Well done all round to all the guys in the band but I have to pinpoint Criag’s voice suiting this song to a tee! 

“It’ll be lonely this Christmas

Without you to hold”

As always you can find the playlist below! Happy listening!