Wexford's Michael Londra celebrates Emmy nomination for US Christmas special

Wexford-born singer, television presenter and producer Michael Londra is celebrating another major success in the United States after his Christmas television special received an Emmy nomination.

Londra, who has been based in the US for many years, announced the news saying it had come as a “lovely surprise”.

An Irish Christmas With Michael Londra, produced with Iowa PBS as part of its Studio 3 LIVE series, was recorded last year and brings together Irish music, Christmas favourites, storytelling and traditional musicians.

The programme has particularly strong links to Londra's home county.

It opens with The Wexford Carol with Londra telling the American audience about growing up in the south-east of Ireland and the influence Wexford's musical traditions had on him.

During the show, he describes Wexford as Ireland's “opera capital” and speaks about the international performers who travel to the town for the annual Opera Festival and the theatre where he learned to sing.

Londra thanked Iowa PBS following news of the nomination, praising the team involved in making the programme.

The nomination marks another milestone in a career which began in Londra's native Wexford before taking him to some of the biggest stages in the United States.

After pursuing singing professionally in his early 30s, he went on to become lead singer with Riverdance, performing on its US national tour and later in the Broadway production.

His appearances included performances at Radio City Music Hall in New York and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Londra is no stranger to Emmy recognition either.

His PBS concert special Beyond Celtic, which he co-produced in 2011, previously earned two Emmy nominations.

He has since become well known to American television audiences as the host of Ireland With Michael, a travel and music series showcasing Irish culture, heritage and destinations to viewers across the United States.

Wexford has featured prominently in that programme, with Londra continuing to promote his home county to audiences abroad. He was also named a Wexford Ambassador in 2012.

The latest Emmy recognition means a programme celebrating Irish Christmas traditions — and carrying a very distinct piece of Wexford with it — is now receiving industry recognition on the other side of the Atlantic.