Is The Bells of Dublin a good place to start with The Chieftains?

Yes, The Bells of Dublin is recommended as a starting point for new The Chieftains listeners. A rich tapestry of traditional Irish folk tunes intertwined with seasonal carols, evoking warmth and nostalgia. The Bells of Dublin was released in 1991, marking The Chieftains' first foray into holiday music after a decade of acclaimed traditional Irish folk albums. This project came at a time when the band was solidifying their reputation as ambassadors of Irish music, following the success of albums like 'An Irish Evening' and 'Celtic Wedding'.

Who is The Bells of Dublin for?

The Bells of Dublin works well if you're into festive seasonal celebrations, warm, inviting background ambiance and short, engaging listening sessions.

How many songs are on The Bells of Dublin?

The Bells of Dublin has 23 tracks, running approximately 62 minutes.

The Bells of Dublin

The Chieftains · 1991

62 min · 23 tracks · folk music

A rich tapestry of traditional Irish folk tunes intertwined with seasonal carols, evoking warmth and nostalgia.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Bells of Dublin / Christmas Eve Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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The Rebel Jesus — This track stands out for its poignant lyrics that challenge the commercialization of Christmas, offering a reflective take on the holiday's true spirit.
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O Holy Night — The haunting arrangement showcases the group's ability to infuse a beloved classic with their unique instrumentation and vocal harmonies.
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Il est né / Ca Berger — This track highlights the blend of different cultural influences, seamlessly merging Irish and French traditions into a beautiful medley.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

festive seasonal celebrations
warm, inviting background ambiance
short, engaging listening sessions
rich instrumental textures
nostalgic holiday reflections

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Introduced holiday music, expanding their audience and popularity.
Themes: Irish holiday traditions· commercialization of Christmas· cultural fusion in music
Career context: The Bells of Dublin was released in 1991, marking The Chieftains' first foray into holiday music after a decade of acclaimed traditional Irish folk albums. This project came at a time when the band was solidifying their reputation as ambassadors of Irish music, following the success of albums like 'An Irish Evening' and 'Celtic Wedding'.
Stylistic neighbors: The Bothy Band· Altan· Lúnasa

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Tracklist

1 The Bells of Dublin / Christmas Eve Start here 3:05
2 Past Three O’Clock 2:09
3 St. Stephen’s Day Murders 3:24
4 Il est né / Ca Berger 5:20
5 Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil 3:44
6 I Saw Three Ships a Sailing 2:48
7 A Breton Carol 3:45
8 Carol Medley: O the Holly She Bears a Berry 1:57
9 Carol Medley: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 1:22
10 Carol Medley: The Boar’s Head 2:01
11 The Wexford Carol 3:23
12 The Rebel Jesus 3:47
13 Skyline Jig 1:56
14 O Holy Night 4:22
15 Medley: “The Wren! The Wren!”: The Arrival of the Wren Boys 1:00
16 Medley: “The Wren! The Wren!”: The Dingle Set—Dance 2:27
17 Medley: “The Wren! The Wren!”: The Wren in the Furze 2:15
18 Medley: “The Wren! The Wren!”: A Dance Duet—Reels 2:29
19 Medley: “The Wren! The Wren!”: Brafferton Village / Walsh’s Hornpipe 1:24
20 Medley: “The Wren! The Wren!”: The Farewell: The Piper Through the Meadow Strayed / This Is the Season to Be Merry 2:09
21 Medley: Once in Royal David’s City 2:27
22 Medley: Ding Dong Merrily on High 2:12
23 Medley: O Come All Ye Faithful 3:24