The boys of the NYPD choir start singing Galway Bay

The EPIC Museum in Dublin has brought together a group of retired police officers in New York to form the NYPD Choir in a moving and poignant tribute to Irish immigrants and the huge global Irish diaspora.

In one of the most popular and well known Chritsmas songs Fairytale of New York, The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan famously sings "The boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay, and the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day".

The line, and song, is so famous however it has now emerged that the NYPD choir never actually sang Galway Bay because there was never an NYPD choir.

The newly formed choir was joined by a local amateur choir in New York City where they gathered in a recording studio to finally sing Galway Bay. The group also recorded an accompanying video.

The boys of the NYPD choir are finally singing Galway Bay. Inspired by 'Fairytale of New York' we present a new twist in an EPIC emigrant story.https://t.co/Gcd7jRfxQs pic.twitter.com/KFy9rVwb5O

— EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum (@EPICMuseumCHQ) November 15, 2023

One of the retired NYPD officers John Behan spoke of the timeless Irish classic written by Irish emigrant Arthur Colahan.

"My grandfather used to play it at Christmas time, that was a song that he liked.

"He was a tough guy but he got soft when that music came on. He was a good man."

Aileesh Carew, CEO of EPIC 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.

"What better way to celebrate this than by giving life to that famous line in Fairytale of New York, 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."