My five favourite Irish Christmas songs

From the 1 December onwards the radio airwaves will be thronged with Christmas songs. Some we love, some we hate, and some are just plain weird. 

Funnily enough, for a country that is celebrated for producing so many talented musicians, we haven't that many Christmas songs that are known well on an international scale.

However there are lots of little gems to be found, and here are my five favourite Irish Christmas songs.

1. The Pogues - Fairytale of New York

Yep, I thought I'd get the obvious one out of the way first. If you haven't heard Fairytale of New York before the there's a good chance you haven't heard of Christmas.

2. Dustin - Christmas Tree

It's taken many years, but I've finally forgiven Dustin for the 'Cavan's potholes are the size of lakes' line in his 32 counties song. 

Thankfully, having now moved on, I'm able to enjoy his Christmas Tree song again. God it's great!

3. Ryan Sheridan - Walking in the air

The Monaghan man is one of the most talented musicians in Ireland at the moment. Last year he recorded this great version of 'Walking in the air'.

Haven't heard it yet? Voilà... 

4. Dermot Morgan - Thank you very much Mister Eastwood

Another Monaghan man, Barry McGuigan, was a star of the boxing world in the mid-1980s. 

Irish comedian Dermot Morgan – better known as Father Ted – noticed how McGuigan continuously thanked his manager 'Mr Eastwood' after every bout. So the obvious thing to do would be to release a song called 'Thank you very much Mister Eastwood.'

It featured the Pope and Bob Geldolf, and it went to Christmas no.1 in Ireland in 1985.

5. Chris de Burgh - A spaceman came travelling

I will not have a bad word said about this. It's one of favourite Christm ... actually one of favourite songs of all time.

I have no idea why I love it so much, but I will not rest until every person in Ireland sings 'na na na na na na na na' in unison on Christmas night.

Honourable mention...

Zig and Zag - Christmas no.1

This didn't make my top 5 because it was a bit before my time. But anyone over the age of 25 will fondly remember it .... back Ray D'Arcy was young and trendy.

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