The Wexford Carol (Irish: Carúl Loch Garman, Carúl Inis Córthaidh) is a traditional religious Irish Christmas carol originating from County Wexford, and specifically, Enniscorthy (whence its other name), and dating to the 12th century. The subject of the song is that of the nativity of Jesus Christ.
"The Wexford Carol," sometimes known by its first verse, "Good people all this Christmas time," is one of the oldest extant Christmas carols in the European tradition. The song achieved a renewed popularity due to the work of William Grattan Flood (1859 - 1928), who was organist and musical director at St. Aidan's Cathedral in Enniscorthy. He transcribed the carol from a local singer, and had it published in the Oxford Book of Carols, putting Enniscorthy into most carol books around the world.
Traditions abound concerning the song. For many years, it was felt that only men should sing it. It was only during the current revival of all things Irish that this has changed. Many popular female artists, such as Julie Andrews in 1966, and Loreena McKennitt in 1987, have recorded versions of the “Wexford Carol."
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