The Fairytale of New York
This song doesn’t just encapsulate one moment in time. Instead it captures just about everything I have loved and been loved by in this world.
I love Christmas. I love that there is one day of the year that you can wake up and you know the world is at peace – no traffic, no more shopping, no rushing – just friends, good food and happiness.
The USA has also been a distinguishing flavour of my life. A child of the 80′s and a generation communicated to through TV, I was heavily influenced by American culture – Sesame Street, The A-Team, Back to the Future, Gremlins and most recently Friends. This led to many memorable experiences in the US, from all night parties in Times Square to hold-ups in L.A.
I also fell in love with an American girl. I met her in Galway and for three months we drank and danced our time away to this very soundtrack.
If I needed any further connection to Ireland we announced our engagement to friends and relatives in the small town of Castlerea.
The Fairytale Of New York is my signature sound. When those first notes on the piano play out it doesn’t matter where I am or what I am doing. For those three minutes I am in Ireland, I am with my American fiancee, I am with my family, I am dancing, and by the fire is a glass of Jameson ready to celebrate Christmas. Slainte!
