Celtic Woman - A Christmas Celebration

Imagine lilting Celtic voices against rich orchestral arrangements and sparser settings enhanced with the traditional Irish sounds of uilleann pipes, harp, and ancient choral harmony. The result is a splendid variety of reverent but lively arrangements which wouldn't be out of place at a church, concert hall, or good old-fashioned Irish ceili.
Edited from an Amazon review.
Click here for Celtic Woman - A Christmas celebration.

And Winter Came

This seasonal offering from one of the world's most successful yet enigmatic artists was originally envisioned as a Christmas album,but evolved into a more general winter theme. That said, there are some lovely "Christmassy" tracks which are sure to be played over and over during the holidays.
Click here for And Winter Came.

Real Irish Christmas
Various Artists

For a non-traditional Christmas (yet very traditional Irish) recording, this CD offers a wide variety of moods - from serious and reflective to joyful and exuberant. The cover photo is particularly appealing and reminds this reviewer of the eager anticipation she once knew - oh, to have that feeling back again.
Click here for Real Irish Christmas.

To Warm The Winter's Night
Áine Minogue

...a spellbinding portrait of midwinter's moods and textures. Her harp is austere, never glissando-glossy or aimlessly lush. Familiar melodies such as "Noel Nouvelle" and "Greensleeves" are delivered gracefully, with gorgeous string and oboe support. Minogue's shy whisper of a soprano delivers a lulling Gaelic version of "Silent Night" and the ethereal "Darkest Midnight." Spun together with brief snatches of spoken narration, this is a tender holiday masterpiece. Scott Alarik, the Boston Globe.
To listen to a few excerpts, please click Warm Winter's Night Listen.
To buy the recording, please click To Warm a Winter's Night.

Frank Patterson At Christmas

Songs of Christmas
The Irish Rovers

One of Ireland's best-loved folk groups mixes traditional Irish holiday fare with more familiar carols and songs. Included are that wickedly funny Miss Fogarty's Christmas Cake" as well as the always-popular "Christmas in Killarney. A merry set of tunes, just try to sit still or not sing along when the lads break into "Christmas Caroling" with all the gusto of a good round of pints at the pub. Well worth a listen.
Click here for Songs of Christmas.

An Irish Christmas Carol
Danny O'Flaherty

If you've ever been to O'Flaherty's Pub in New Orleans, you'll be familiar with Danny and you should particularly enjoy this recording where he offers a lovely assortment of Irish songs for the season. Some we are familiar with - Curoo, Curoo, for example, but there are many here that are new to us.
Click here for An Irish Christmas Carol.

To Shorten The Winter
Tommy Sands

Here we have new material and old favorites, including a beautiful reading of Patrick Kavanagh's "A Christmas Childhood/A Call to Hope." Backed by Liam O'Flynn's haunting uilleann pipes and vocals by Dolores Keane, save for a couple of incongruities such as "Whiter Shade of Pale, it's an excellent seasonal recording.
Click here for To Shorten The Winter.