Carrick-on-Suir musicians' cover single of Fairytale of New York raises funds for Christmas food appeal

A poster advertising the Fairytale of New York EP including the cover sketch of the New York skyline and Brooklyn Bridge. 

Three Carrick-on-Suir musicians have produced a charity single cover version of the Pogues’ famous Fairytale of New York to raise funds for a local Christmas food appeal. 

Gay Brazel and Maria O’Shea-Enright fill the shoes of Shane MacGowan and the late Kirsty MacColl to sing the vocals of the renowned Christmas song while Martin Murray plays the fiddle and whistle. 

The charity single was recorded at Gay Brazel’s LB Studios in Carrickbeg and was released on December 4.

 The EP cover features a beautiful sketch of New York’s skyline including Brooklyn Bridge. It was  drawn by Tommy Enright. 

All  proceeds from  sales of the single are going to Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club’s annual Christmas Food Appeal, which is being run in conjunction with the St Vincent de Paul in Carrick-on-Suir. 

The EP costs €5 and  is on sale in the Tudor Artisan Hub, Solero Viva Health Store, both located on Main Street in Carrick, and from O'K Cycles on William Street in Carrick.  

It is also available to download on Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club’s idonate page for its Christmas Food Appeal. 

Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club said its goal was  to raise €1,000 through the fundraiser to help finance the  annual Christmas Food Appeal. 

Lions Club President Brian White paid tribute to Gay Brazel, Maria O’Shea and Martin Murray for creating a fabulous cover version of this Christmas classic. 

“It’s a lovely gesture from the musicians; the idea came purely from them and they deserve praise for that,” he told The Nationalist.

He also thanked the local shops that have stocked the EP and all who have purchased the single. 

He said sales of Fairytale of New York are going extremely well and the single is expected to be sold out locally. 

 “People can also stream it online and there is quite a lot of interest outside the country in doing that.” 

Mr White pointed out that there is a big increase in people looking for assistance from the Carrick-on-Suir Lions Club and St Vincent de Paul Christmas food appeals this year so it was important to support the fundraising campaign.  

He said  the Lions  Club has already donated €10,000 to the St Vincent de Paul Society for its Christmas food appeal. 

Details on how to log onto Carrick Lions Club’s Christmas Food Appeal idonate page and how to download the Fairytale of New York EP  are available on the club’s Facebook page.