The Public House Shares the EPIC Untold Story behind the Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’

Irish independent creative agency The Public House unveils their new Christmas campaign for EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum featuring a music track and accompanying music video, both 36 years in the making.

‘Fairytale of New York’ has been lauded as a global Irish emigration anthem, an undisputed Christmas classic, and “the most played Christmas song of the 21st century” according to PLL. In the chorus of the song, Shane MacGowan has a standout lyric on which most listeners join in: “...the boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay…”. Very few people are aware that there never was an NYPD choir, nor did they ever sing Galway Bay… until now.

As an ode to the Irish diaspora around the world, The Public House and EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum decided to create this choir, and have them sing Galway Bay, as the bells start ringing out for Christmastime. Galway Bay itself is another timeless Irish classic, penned by emigrant Dr. Arthur Colahan as a tribute to his homeland and his brother.

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 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.”

The musical elements of the campaign have been immortalised in a special limited edition 7” vinyl, and the campaign is supported with social, digital, press, and OOH. 

Fans of The Pogues’ will also be delighted to learn that 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 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.