An Irish Christmas
Moya Brennan · 2005
45 min · 12 tracks · new age music
Ethereal vocals weave through traditional Irish melodies and seasonal hymns, creating a serene and reflective holiday atmosphere.
Top tracks — play these first
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Carol of the Bells Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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The Wexford Carol — This track highlights Brennan's haunting vocal delivery paired with traditional instrumentation, capturing the essence of Irish heritage while providing a contemplative mood.
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Do You Hear / Don Oíche ud i mBeithil — Melding English and Irish lyrics, this piece showcases Brennan's ability to bridge cultural divides through music, enhancing the album’s thematic depth.
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Oíche Chúin (Silent Night) — Brennan's interpretation offers a captivating blend of serenity and reverence, illustrating how traditional hymns can be reimagined through an Irish lens.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively combines traditional and new age elements, creating a cohesive and reflective holiday experience.
What we noticed
- Vocal arrangements often include layered harmonies, enhancing the ethereal quality of the music.
- Several tracks incorporate instrumental interludes that transition smoothly between vocal sections, maintaining a serene flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady festive listening experience
- warm nostalgic holiday vibes
- serene background for gatherings
- singsong atmosphere with family
- reflective moments of quiet joy
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer modern sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This holiday album popularized Celtic music during the season and expanded her audience.
- Career context
- Released in 2005, An Irish Christmas is Moya Brennan's first holiday album, following her successful tenure as the lead vocalist of Clannad. At this point in her career, she was transitioning into a solo artist, aiming to showcase her cultural roots through festive interpretations of well-loved carols.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Enya· Loreena McKennitt· Clannad
Tracklist
- 1 Carol of the Bells Start here 4:57
- 2 The Wexford Carol 3:36
- 3 Deck the Halls 3:44
- 4 Do You Hear / Don Oíche ud i mBeithil 4:18
- 5 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 3:33
- 6 Gabriel's Message 3:18
- 7 Joy to the World 3:22
- 8 I Still Believe 3:56
- 9 In the Bleak Midwinter 3:58
- 10 Love Came Down at Christmas 3:26
- 11 In Dulci Jubilo 3:45
- 12 Oíche Chúin (Silent Night) 3:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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