Letterkenny teacher Anne Nicholls has relaunched her charity CD for Christmas 2020.

The Scoil Mhuire gan Smál teacher released a special album called Christmas Greetings from Letterkenny in 2019. Following the success of the release last year, Ms Nicholls’ CD is back on the shelves this month in the hope of raising more funds for St Colmcille’s Homeless Hostel.

This CD is available to buy in Oldtown Stores, Veritas, Tobins, Clark’s Newsagents, Arena 7, Tesco and all Kernan Group Stores.

A rich range of artists of all ages have contributed to the project, which was a labour of love for Ms Nicholls, with some tracks containing special personal memories.

The CD includes Anne’s original song “Leitir Ceanainn” which records the history of Letterkenny from its origins over 400 years ago. This track and video can be viewed on Youtube. Video by Kieran Kelly & John Ruddy Letterkenny Historical Society.

It also includes two tracks “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night” featuring the late Pat Nicholls. “Silent Night” was recorded in the Cathedral in 1995 and also features the Cathedral Boy’s Choir conducted by Frank Breslin and accompanied by Jacinta Clarke. “Oh Holy Night” was recorded in 1998 during a Christmas concert organised by Letterkenny Music and Drama Group.

The CD also features Sinéad Gibson of Arcanadh fame, her daughter Sadbh Breathnach singing “Child in a Manger Born” and her son Cormac Breathnach features on the traditional carol “Don Oíche Úd i mBeithil playing the Uilleann pipes. Aisling Cheevers and Anna Farren play violin and piano. Paul Gillespie’s cello playing adds so much to the tracks “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “The Christmas Song”. “Oíche Chiúin” is performed in Gaelic/French/Polish and English by pupils from Scoil Mhuire gan Smál as is the carol “Said the Night Wind”.

The Cover Photo of the Pole Star is by Peter Blake and the photos of Letterkenny on the inside cover are by Kieran Kelly.

More details are available on the Letterkenny Christmas CD -Anne Nicholls & guests Facebook page.