Donegal-based musician Richard Gilpin releases new Christmas-themed gospel song

Donegal-based singer-songwriter Richard Gilpin has released a new Christmas-themed gospel song, 'A King Has Come'.

Recorded at Beltany Studio in Raphoe and co-produced with Darren Doherty, the track features contributions from drummer Gary Porter, keyboardist Manuel Peralta, and the Letterkenny Baptist Choir.

Richard revealed that the song first began to take shape during the Covid-19 lockdown as a quiet, reflective piece inspired by the familiar themes of love, joy and hope often associated with the Christmas season.

“During the lockdowns we all had so much time on our hands,” he said. “For me, that kind of unhurried time is essential for writing. When everything stops, songs have space to arrive. I started reflecting on what the Christmas period really means to me and so many others, and what struck me was how much the story is still about hope breaking through difficult times. Out of that came A King Has Come.”

The song, he adds, aims to give listeners a renewed way of engaging with one of the most well-known stories of the festive season.

“We wanted to offer people a fresh look at something so familiar,” said Richard. “There are countless Christmas songs, from the light-hearted and secular to the deeply traditional. What I hoped for was something that sits between those worlds - a song that’s joyful and uplifting, but also rooted in reflection. Christmas can be both celebration and contemplation, and musically we tried to capture that balance.”

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Originally from Belfast and now living in Raphoe, Richard has been active in the Irish music scene for more than 20 years. His debut album Beautiful Mistake (2002) received national attention, with follow-up projects 33 (2003) and Loose Ends (2007) expanding his presence on Irish and UK radio. His music blends elements of folk, gospel, and acoustic rock, and he continues to perform across Ireland and the UK.

A King Has Come by Richard Gilpin is available on all major streaming platforms, with a music video currently in production.