The Wexford Carol: quick facts
- Irish name: Carúl Loch Garman, also called the Enniscorthy Carol (Carúl Inis Córthaidh).
- From: Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
- Subject: the nativity, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
- How old: often said to be medieval; experts think it most likely dates from the 15th or 16th century.
- Made famous by: William Grattan Flood, who had it published in The Oxford Book of Carols in 1928.
Every Christmas, one Irish carol turns up on albums by cellists, choirs and country singers all over the world. It comes from a small town in Co. Wexford, and nobody knows exactly who wrote it.
Here is one of the best-loved recordings, by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and singer Alison Krauss.
Where the Wexford Carol comes from
The carol is linked to Enniscorthy, in Co. Wexford, where it was sung locally for generations. William Grattan Flood, the organist and musical director at St Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy, wrote it down from the singing of a local performer and had it published in The Oxford Book of Carols, edited by Percy Dearmer, Martin Shaw and Ralph Vaughan Williams. It came out in 1928, the year Flood died.
From there it travelled fast, into carol books and Christmas concerts around the world.
How old is it really?
You’ll often read that the Wexford Carol is 12th century. The evidence doesn’t really back that up. Based on its musical and lyrical style, it was most likely composed in the 15th or 16th century, and much of the English text Flood printed also appears in old carols collected in Castleton, Derbyshire. The haunting tune is the part most firmly tied to Wexford. Either way, it has been sung in Ireland for a very long time.
The versions worth hearing
Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss recorded it for Ma’s 2008 Christmas album Songs of Joy and Peace, and that version introduced it to a huge new audience. Celtic Woman have recorded it more than once; here is their 2025 version.
Wexford Carol FAQ
What is the Wexford Carol in Irish?
Carúl Loch Garman.
Where is the Wexford Carol from?
Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
How old is the Wexford Carol?
It is often called medieval, but experts think it most likely dates from the 15th or 16th century.
Who sang the Wexford Carol with Yo-Yo Ma?
Alison Krauss, on his 2008 album Songs of Joy and Peace.
More Irish Christmas
- The best Irish Christmas videos
- Irish Christmas blessings
- How to say Merry Christmas in Irish
- Irish Christmas traditions
- The best viral Irish videos of all time
Featured image: still from Yo-Yo Ma’s official YouTube channel.
Love this? Save it to your Pinterest board for later.
A little bit of Ireland in your inbox every Friday ☘️
The free Weekly Dose of Irish: an Irish joke, a Celtic symbol, an Irish fact, a poem and the week’s best articles in one short email. Join 9,600+ readers.
Free. One short email every Friday. Unsubscribe any time.