Perhaps I’m a bit of a Grinch, but I do get sick of the annual onslaught of overly familiar Christmas music that envelops at this time of year – from shopping malls to the car radio (at least the latter can be turned off). I do love Trans-Siberian Orchestra (“Carol of the Bells” gives me chills) and am partial to, well, the Boris Karloff classic “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch”; (Okay, I’ll also cop to the equally catchy duelling Snow Miser and Heat Miser tunes from the animated TV show “The Year Without Santa Claus.”)

However, without a doubt my favourite is “Christmas in Killarney.” Written in 1950 and performed by many artists over the years, from Bing Crosby to Canadians Anne Murray and the Barra MacNeils, my go-to is The Irish Rovers, their version taking shape in 2002.

So, check out the video, dream a little about spending the holidays in Ireland, and consider it my Christmas present to you. Merry Christmas! – Mike

Lyrics

[Chorus:] The holly green, the ivy green
The prettiest picture you’ve ever seen
Is Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home
It’s nice you know, to kiss your beau
while cuddling under the mistletoe
And Santa Claus, you know of course
Is one of the boys from home

The door is always open
The neighbors pay a call
And Father John, before he’s gone
Will bless the house and all
Our Hearts are light, our spirits bright
We’ll celebrate our joy tonight
It’s Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home

[Chorus]

We’ll decorate the Christmas tree
While all the family’s here
Around a roaring fire
We will raise a cup of cheer
There’s gifts to bring and songs to sing
And laughs to make the rafters ring
It’s Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home

[Chorus]

We’ll take the Horse and Sleigh
All across the fields of snow
Listening to the jingle bells
And everywhere we go
How grand it feels to click your heels
And dance away to the jigs and reels
It’s Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home

[Chorus]

The holly green, the ivy green
The prettiest picture you’ve ever seen
I’m handing you no blarney
No matter where you roam
It’s Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home