Did you know that The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York was released 36 years ago?
It’s the quintessential Irish Christmas classic, a global anthem about Irish emigration that has over 405M listens on Spotify and 98M views on Youtube. ‘Fairytale of New York’ has been officially recognised (by PLL) as ‘the most played Christmas song of the 21st century’.
In the chorus, Shane MacGowan has a standout lyric on which most listeners join in: “…the boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay…”. While people all over the world belt out that line, very few realise there has never been an NYPD choir, so none have ever sang Galway Bay… until now.
As champions of Irish emigrants the world over, we decided to bring this famed line to life, to help tell the story behind Galway Bay, another timeless Irish classic, penned by another Irish emigrant Dr. Arthur Colahan as a tribute to his homeland and his brother. We assembled a handful of retired NYPD officers, who together with a local amateur choir, lent their voices to the beloved ‘Galway Bay’ in a Brooklyn recording studio.
This year, we brought our song on the road. We hit the streets in a NYPD squad car from the era in which Fairytale of New York was released, playing our breath-taking rendition of Galway Bay by The Boys of the NYPD Choir loud and proud for all to hear.
If you enjoy our breath-taking rendition of Galway Bay, please share it far and wide. For every view of our music video this year, we will be donating €1 to Dublin Simon Community – a cause that Shane MacGowan tirelessly fundraised for throughout his life.
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Share ‘Galway Bay’ and help the homeless this Christmas.
Shane MacGowan was more than a musical icon; he was a voice for love, loss, and social struggle. Following his sad passing in November 2023, his passion for helping others remains as inspiring as ever. MacGowan was a steadfast supporter of the Dublin Simon Community, a charity dedicated to preventing and addressing homelessness in Ireland. To honour his memory, we’re raising funds for this vital cause. For every view of our video featuring the NYPD choir singing Galway Bay, EPIC will donate €1 to the Dublin Simon Community, up to €5,000. Watch, share, and help make a difference this Christmas.
“My grandfather used to play it at Christmas time, that was a song that he liked. He was a tough guy but he got soft when that music came on. He was a good man.”
MEET THE MAN WHO WROTE GALWAY BAY
Galway Bay, a song of longing, remains enchanting, drawing visitors from across the globe to the City of the Tribes. However, the creator of this beloved song has sadly faded into obscurity within his cherished Galway.
Born in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Nicholas Arthur Colohan was eldest child of Professor Nicholas Colahan (1853–1930) and Elisabeth (Lizzie) Quinn of Limerick (born c.1866).
His family moved to Galway, and he grew up there. After completing his secondary education in Galway, he enrolled at University College Dublin in 1900, did an Arts degree then studied medicine. He began his medical career in the County Infirmary in Galway, and then moved to Holles Street maternity hospital. As the spectre of war loomed, he enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps and suffered severe effects from mustard gas exposure in India. Following the war, he established himself in Leicester, dedicating the remainder of his career to becoming a specialist in neurology.
Among his diverse interests, music held a special place, and he took pleasure in playing the piano. He crafted several original songs, including ‘Asthoreen Bawn,’ ‘The Kylemore Pass,’ and ‘The Claddagh Ring.’ His most renowned composition, ‘Galway Bay,’ emerged in 1927, and was popularised by Bing Crosby, becoming the biggest selling record of all time at one stage.
