Could Cavan have a new Christmas classic?

Multi-award-winning songwriter and producer Don Mescall has written what he hopes will become a modern Christmas classic - but he isn’t chasing the festive Number 1. Instead, the Belturbet based musician is asking people to share his new song, ‘Northern Star’, simply as an act of kindness.

“It’s free — just a gift,” says Mescall. “Everyone is selling something at Christmas, and I don’t want any part of that. This was something I felt was given to me. If people like it, I’d love for them to pass it on.”

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Recorded between his Quivvy Church home studio and the Townhall in Cavan Town, the song features the Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan Come Sing With Me Choir, alongside a group of acclaimed local musicians. The choir, directed by Claire Crehan, was established in 2022 to give young singers aged seven to 16 years the opportunity to grow in confidence and connect through music.

“I was taken by their joy and enthusiasm for music,” Mescall recalls. “When I wrote Northern Star, I knew their voices would bring the song to life.”

‘Northern Star’, published by Notting Hill Music, also features Cobhla Surlis (The Soloist 2019), James Shannon (guitar), Fiona McConnell (whistles and backing vocals), Cormac McCann (piano and arrangement), Angus MacAmhnaigh (cello), and Michele Busdraghi (string arrangements).

Mescall, who produced the song himself, describes Northern Star as a celebration of human kindness, love, and connection - “a timeless message” he feels is especially resonant around this time of year.

A full music video was also filmed at Quivvy Church with the choir by a local film crew and photographed by Dimitrijs Germanovs at Jago Studio.

The project was supported Creative Cavan at Cavan County Council.

“We had a wonderful day,” Mescall says, who thanked Jeff Stemes for also helping out behind the scenes on the day

Aggie from Latti Da Café meanwhile looked after the catering, with the kids treated to hot chocolate and cookies.

A series of teasers for ‘Northern Star’ has already begun appearing online, with the full video and track set for release on Friday, December 5. The song will also receive its first RTÉ play with Marty Whelan, and following that on regional stations. The track will not be available for download. Instead, Mescall is asking people to share it freely.

“Some people can find this time of year lonely,” he says. “Why not give the gift of song?”