The Wexford Carols

The Wexford Carols are Ireland’s greatest Christmas music—timeless, powerful, and deeply moving. For over 200 years they had not been performed as a unified body of work—until now. This is a rare opportunity to experience a lost treasure of Christmas music, brought back to life for a new generation.

In 1684 Luke Waddinge published A Smale Garland of Pious & Godly Songs. These poems, set to popular Irish & English tunes of the day, became the foundation for a tradition of carol singing in Co. Wexford. The singing of these carols from the penal times was given a new impetus by Fr. William Devereux who, in 1728, composed A New Garland Containing Songs for Christmas. These two collections and the famous Enniscorthy Carol form the core of the repertoire of carol singing in County Wexford.

The two Garlands contain English lyrics for 23 Christmas songs. Over the centuries many of the tunes had been lost with only six remaining in the traditional repertoire (as of 2014). Caitríona O’Leary found and reconstructed the original melodies and  has made two critically acclaimed  recordings of these carols;The Wexford Carols featuring Caitríona with Tom Jones, Rosanne Cash, Rhiannon Giddens and an all star band; and Strange Wonders, The Wexford Carols Vol. 2 with Caitríona and folk and classical stars including Seth Lakeman, John Smith, Olov Johannson, Alison Balsom, and the choir Stile Antico. The Wexford Carols album reached #1 on the Billboard charts.

The Wexford Carols Concert

The Wexford Carols offers a unique and uplifting concert experience for the Christmas season. This timeless collection of folk carols are melodious, beautiful and appealing to a wide audience. The Wexford Carols Concert can be performed in different variations depending on the venue.

These include a small ensemble of singers and a folk band or larger vocal and instrumental forces. Additionally arrangements are available for a local choir or chamber choir to be included to expand the concert. It would also be possible to invite special guest performers.

The Wexford Carols (Folk Ensemble)

Caitríona O’Leary, Singer, Director
Singer 2
Flute
Fiddle
Double Bass
Percussion

Can include local Choir or Chamber Choir

The Wexford Carols (Large Ensemble)

Caitríona O’Leary, Singer, Director
Singer 2
Singer 3
Singer 4
Guitar
Flute
Whistle
Uilleann Pipes
2 Fiddles
Double Bass
Percussion

Can include local Choir or Chamber Choir