The twelve bells of Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin, date back to 1738, and are rung twice every Sunday and also peal on special occasions such as the inauguration of the President. As a tradition the people of Dublin City gather in Christchurch Place to hear the bells ‘ring-in’ the new year. The bells of Dublin are part of the fabric of life in Dublin, as are their ‘voice’ sounds and patterns, and this has been incorporated into the opening piece, and made into an underlying theme for the proceedings. The Chieftains are joined by The Renaissance Singers Belfast, Elvis Costello, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Burgess Meredith, Marianne Faithfull, Nolwen Monjarret, The Voice Squad, Nanci Griffith, Jackson Browne, Rickie Lee Jones, and the Northumbrian Pipe playing of Kathryn Tickell and the accordion of Brendan Begley on various carols and Christmas airs for this album of special memories which brings together all the colours of the festive season. During recording, engineer Brian Masterson went as far as to climb the belfry of Christchurch with microphones to capture the tone of the bells accurately! Paddy was also given a lesson on how to use the traditional hand bells, kindly ??? The entire recording was filmed and is available on video. Track Listing The Bells of Dublin Past Three O’ Clock (with the Renaissance Singers) St. Stephen’s Day Murders (with Elvis Costello) Il Est Né/Ca Berger (with Kate and Anna McGarrigle) Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil (with Burgess Meredith) I Saw Three Ships a Sailing (with Marianne Faithfull) A Breton Carol (with Nolwen Monjarret) Carols Medley: O The Holly She Bears a Berry, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, The Boar’s Head The Wexford Carol (with Nanci Griffith) The Rebel Jesus (with Jackson Browne) Skyline Jig O Holy Night (with Rickie Lee Jones) Medley “The Wren! The Wren!”: The Arrival of the Wren Boys The Dingle Set – Dance The Wren in the Furze A Dance Duet – Reels Brafferton Village/Walsh’s Hornpipe Farewell: The Piper Through the Meadow Strayed This is the Season to be Merry Medley: Once in Royal David’s City Ding Dong Merrily on High O Come All Ye Faithful
