CHRISTMAS songs are as important to the festive season as say holly, brussels sprouts and reindeer and everybody has a preference.
Slade or Shane and Kirsty, Wizzard, or Wham, Bing or Boney M, whichever is your festive favourite, some singers can be credited with giving the world music that never grows old.
Now, two Westmeath musicians are joining the elite canon of performers to have created a Best Christmas Song!
‘Christmastime in Ireland in My Heart’ by contemporary Irish girl band, Celtic Chique has this week been voted Best Christmas Song by the listeners of Christmas FM.
Celtic Chique is made up of Aisling Cahill, Aoife Mulhern, Devyn O’Neill, Jordi O’Rourke, Marie Egan and Laura Ward and the girls have been together since 2012, releasing their first album in 2014.
Two members of the band, Marie Egan and Devyn O’Neill come from Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath. They are all members of Evolution Stage School and are aged between 16 and 19 years old.
The remainder of the band are also natives of the midlands, coming from Longford. The band performed in New York in January 2015 and have received rave reviews for their performances in the National Concert Hall, Dublin and the Console ‘Celebration of Light’ concerts.
‘Christmastime in Ireland in My Heart’ was written by Celtic Chique’s manager/producer Paul Hennessy.
“ I’m blown away by the reaction from people all over the world and I’ve received several messages from people saying the song really captures the emotion of Irish people around the world who travel home for Christmas and also those who can’t,” said Paul of his Christmas hit.
Castlepollard’s Marie Egan is also thrilled at the success of the song.
“It was such a surprise to win. It’s great that so many people are hearing the song and enjoying it,” she said.
The hit is now available from iTunes and Google Play and you can listen to Christmastime in Ireland in My Heart and all the runners up in this year’s Christmas FM song contest at http://christmasfm. com/songcontest/