Guitarist John Doyle in a pensive moment.

It was billed as a Christmas show. Think of it as a Christmas present.

Mick Moloney, with fiddler Athena Tergis and guitar great John Doyle, headlined at the Shanachie Pub in Ambler Thursday night. They were joined onstage, from time to time, by special guests, local fiddler Caitlin Finley and old-timey fiddle whiz Rafe Stefanini.  

There were just enough Christmas tunes along the lines of "The Holly and the Ivy," to satisfy those who were looking for an early dose of holiday merriment. Mixed in were some of the vintage tunes Mick Moloney typically champions—including a great little song about some fairly lethal Christmas cake—and, between Tergis and Doyle, there were enough musical pyrotechnics to rouse the denizens of the jammed dining room and bar.

We've posted some photos from this wonderful concert, which Shanachie co-owner Gerry Timlin suggested might become a tradition.

Check them out.

• View photo essay.
• View as slideshow. 

Watch a video of Mick and friends, including our own Caitlin Finley, play some Ed Reavy tunes.

You'll never complain about fruitcake again after you hear this tune about a certain Miss Fogarty and her Christmas cake. Watch the video here,