Member Article

The Public House shares the EPIC untold story behind The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’.

Irish independent creative agency The Public House today launched their Christmas campaign for EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum featuring a choir of NYPD veterans, correcting a musical myth at the heart of The Pogues’ classic Fairytale of New York.

The most played Christmas song of the 21st century, ‘Fairytale of New York’ features the classic chorus “…the boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay…” - but there was never a NYPD choir, nor did they ever sing Galway Bay… until now.

So, 36 years after the initial Pogues’ record release, The Public House, in conjunction with Dublin-based EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, recruited a handpicked group of retired NYPD officers, joined by a local amateur choir, to gather in a recording studio in the heart of New York City to lend their voices to the beloved ‘Galway Bay’.

The result is a breathtaking rendition of Galway Bay - a timeless Irish song, penned by emigrant Dr. Arthur Colahan as a tribute to his homeland and his brother, complemented by a music video that Irish diaspora all over the world can resonate with.

The campaign is immortalised in a special limited edition 7“ vinyl and supported with social, digital, press, and OOH.

From December 1st until the end of January 2024, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum will be running a supporting exhibition titled, “They Gave The Walls A Talking - the Extraordinary Story of The Pogues and Shane MacGowan” developed in collaboration with Hot Press.

The campaign supports EPIC’s mission of recognising the vital contributions and monumental impact Irish people have made worldwide and to encourage the diaspora - many of who are in the United Sates - to return to their homeland and visit the museum.

The idea was the brainchild of The Public House founder and Executive Creative Director, Colin Hart.

Commenting on the piece, he said: “In theory, the Irish have no right to have had such an impact on the world, but you only need to listen to the talent and creativity in songs such as ‘Fairytale of New York’ to understand why it has. Rather than making a traditional ‘ad’ this December, we erred on the side of meaningful by building on Ireland’s greatest ever Christmas anthem, which just so happens to have multiple tales of emigration at its core.”

Aileesh Carew, CEO of EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum said:, “At EPIC, we take immense pride in highlighting the stories and accomplishments of Irish emigrants, demonstrating that Irish identity transcends the geographical boundaries of our island. With that in mind, what better way to celebrate this than by giving life to an Irish emigrant ballad, performed by retired NYPD officers, all of whom proudly share Irish heritage. This Christmas, we hope that the NYPD Choir’s rendition of ‘Galway Bay’ will be shared far and wide, both at home and abroad.”

The Public House is an award-winning strategic, creative and design agency with a clear philosophy that ‘boring doesn’t sell’. Their client roster includes some of Ireland’s most ambitious brands, including Irish Independent, Dunnes Stores, 48 Mobile and FBD Insurance.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Business News .