Celebrating 18 years
Holidays with an Irish twist
The hugely popular holiday show Irish Christmas in America brings a fascinating performance of music, song, dance and stories of seasonal Irish traditions.
Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, the hugely popular Irish Christmas in America show features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in humour and boundless energy.
This family-friendly performance features lively instrumental tunes on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes, harp and bouzouki, along with thrilling Irish dancing. 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 of 2023.
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.”
Christmas is emigration,” says Mac Diarmada. “Music was a way that people stayed close to home.”
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.
Gráinne Hambly
Irish harp, Concertina
Gráinne Hambly from County Mayo in the West of Ireland is an internationally recognised exponent of the Irish harp. In 1998 she completed a Masters Degree in Musicology at Queen’s University Belfast, for which her main research topic was music collections and the harp in 18th-century Ireland. Since then, Gráinne has toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States, giving concerts, workshops and masterclasses.
Seán Gavin
Uilleann pipes, Flute
Seán Gavin’s ornate and driving style on the flute and uilleann pipes reflects his lifelong immersion in traditional Irish music. He is a highly accomplished performer having toured extensively on three continents. Currently residing near Detroit MI, he remains firmly dedicated to playing and teaching traditional Irish music, reflected by his recent founding of the non-profit Irish Music Institute.
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 Symphony in A Celtic Journey.
Ticket Selection
Theatre Ticket
In-Person attended concert tickets, live from under the dome.