Irish Christmas in America
A Captivating Show Featuring Top Irish Talent
Why you should see this show…
Special guest musicians, singers, and dancers from Ireland performing a spectacular Christmas program.
“Captivating” – Irish Music Magazine
“Lively and reflective…a powerful evocation of the season” – Folk Wax
“Irish Christmas in America admirably refuses to pander to the lowest common denominator. By doing so, they all convey the spirit of the season with uncommon taste and integrity.” – Irish Echo
“Full of exceptional music and dance, relaxed good humor, and interesting historical commentary, Irish Christmas in America is one of the few standouts. It was as relaxed and enjoyable as any Irish Christmas-themed concerts I’ve ever attended.” – Irish Echo
Celebrating its 19th year, this hugely popular holiday show brings a fascinating performance of music, song, dance, and stories of seasonal Irish traditions. Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, the long running show features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in humor and boundless energy.
Irish Christmas in America Bios
This family-friendly performance features lively instrumental tunes on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes, and harp, along with thrilling Irish old-style dancing from Samantha Harvey. In addition, evocative photographic images provide a backdrop to some of the rich historical traditions of Ireland. Take a memorable glimpse into the enchanting spirit of Christmas, as the finest traditional artists from Ireland, bring you on a fun-filled start to the holiday season.
The holiday show was first conceived in 2005 with past tours featuring such stellar guest vocalists as Niamh Farrell, Séamus & Méabh Begley, Teresa Horgan, Lumiere (Pauline Scanlon & Eilis Kennedy), Karan Casey, Cara Dillon, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Cathie Ryan and Michael Londra. Mac Diarmada enthuses about the program as a way to bring traditional and often unknown Irish customs to the States. “One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration,” says Mac Diarmada. “Music was a way that people stayed close to home.”
2024 Performers:
Oisín Mac Diarmada
PRODUCER, FIDDLE
A graduate in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin/RIAM, Oisín has been described by The Irish Echo’s Earle Hitchner as “one of the most gifted and creative traditional fiddlers playing today.” Founder of noted group Téada, Oisín is also a regular solo performer, having appeared as guest soloist with the Southern Georgia Symphony Orchestra (USA) and Würtembergische Philharmonie Orchestra (Germany) along with an extensive recording history.
Caitríona Sherlock
VOCALS
Caitríona Sherlock, a talented young singer from Monaghan, came to attention when winning All-Ireland titles for singing in 2013 & 2017. Since then, she has gone on to perform internationally with Choral Scholars of University College Dublin, appearing frequently alongside Ireland’s leading instrumentalists and orchestras. Caitríona brings to Irish Christmas in America a magical voice and stage presence, invoking the warmth and charm of an Irish Christmas evening.
Caoimhín Ó Fearghaíl
UILLEANN PIPES, FLUTE
Caoimhín Ó Fearghail was born in 1989 and comes from An Rinn in the Waterford Gaeltacht. He is self-taught on flute and guitar inspired by such diverse flute players as Matt Molloy, Mike Rafferty and Tom Doorley. Caoimhín is a graduate of UCC with an MA in Irish and has a keen interest in the songs of the Déise and their airs. He plays a concert pitch set of pipes made by Alain Froment for him.
He was recently chosen as Best Folk Instrumentalist at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards for 2021.
Samantha Harvey
DANCE, PIANO
Samantha Harvey is an award-winning step dancer, pianist and accordionist. She has performed throughout the world. Samantha performed in RTÉ’s Centenary 2016, broadcast live from the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin and with the Omaha & Nashville Symphony in A Celtic Journey.
Aaron Jones
CITTERN, VOCALS
Aaron has appeared on numerous recordings and continues to work regularly with some of the biggest names in traditional music, both as a performer, and more recently, as a producer.
He is a permament member of two bands: folk group Old Blind Dogs and a Scottish/German collaboration called Litha, with multi-instrumentalist and partner Claire Mann and the award winning German duo ‘Deitsch’. In addition he is a regular touring and recording member of the Kate Rusby band.
Emily Greaney
IRISH HARP, CONCERTINA
Emily Greaney, an accomplished harp, concertina and piano player, hails from County Galway. She has been playing music from a very young age and is a gifted set and sean-nós dancer. No stranger to the stage, Emily has previously toured with Janet Harbison’s, Irish Harp Orchestra, Joanie Madden and Celtic Flames. Emily is currently in her third year studying, Irish Music, at the Irish World Academy in the University of Limerick.
Dining Option
Our Concert Hall menu is fast to the table and allows you to dine right in your ticketed seat. Tableside food service will start 2 hours before showtime and the kitchen will close approximately halfway through the show. Tableside beverage service will continue throughout the concert.