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Spend time in Ireland and you will soon appreciate how seriously they take their music. You will hear it wherever you go, in the streets, parks, pubs and clubs. My Irish friend once joked that every Irishman has been in a band at one time in their life and she wasn’t kidding! Irish people really seem to have been blessed with the gift of music.
With so many great hits it was tough to choose which ones to feature, but I’ve tried to include a good mix of old and new and a variety of genres from traditional Irish music to folk, celtic punk, rock and soul.
This playlist is perfect for an Irish road trip on the Emerald Isle as well as for reminiscing about your fantastic travel experiences when you return.
Whiskey in the Jar
Whiskey in the Jar is the tale of a highwayman, who, after robbing a military or government official, is betrayed by a woman he loves. This popular song is regularly sung in Irish pubs. If you prefer the traditional style Irish music, then go for the Dubliners version. I prefer the version by Thin Lizzy, the Irish rock that made this song popular in the ‘70’s, but others may prefer the Metallica version.
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinéad O’Connor
This song was originally written and composed by Prince, but Sinéad O’Connor made it famous with a new arrangement in 1990. I could listen to this song on repeat all day long, it’s so hauntingly beautiful.
Molly Malone (also known as Cockles and Mussels or In Dublin’s Fair City)
This popular song is set in Dublin, Ireland, and has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin City. The song tells the story of a fishmonger named Molly Malone who plied her trade on the streets of Dublin. She is typically represented as a hawker by day and part-time prostitute by night. You can visit the Molly Malone statue in Suffolk Street, Dublin. Her generous cleavage seems to attract handsy tourists and as a result her bosom has lost its bronze hue.
The Dubliners version:
The Fields of Athenry
The Fields of Athenry is an Irish folk ballad set during the Great Irish Famine. It’s about a man named Michael from Athenry in County Galway who has been sentenced to Botany Bay, Australia for stealing food for his starving family. Today it is a widely known and popular anthem for Irish sports supporters.
The Dubliners version:
The Irish Rover
The Irish Rover is an Irish folk song that tells a story about a large ship with a colourful crew and varied cargo. The verses grow successively more extravagant about the wonders of the great ship. Eventually, the seven-year voyage comes to a disastrous end after they lose their way in the fog and strike a rock, causing them to sink with most of the crew board – everyone except the singer, who in the last line of the song is revealed to be the lone survivor of The Irish Rover’s ill-fated final voyage. I recommend the version sung by Thin Lizzy and the Dubliners.
Drunken Lullabies – Flogging Molly
The Irish American Celtic punk band, Flogging Molly, sing this fantastic song Drunken Lullabies. It’s a great mix of modern punk with a traditional Irish feel and will definitely get you out of your seat and dancing.
I’m Shipping to Boston – Dropkick Murphy’s
Sung by American Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphy’s, this song was featured in the soundtrack of the movie The Departed.
Zombie – The Cranberries
The Cranberries is a famous Irish rock band from Limerick. Over the years they have produced many hits. Zombie is one of their most famous and is a protest song inspired by IRA bombings in Warrington, England.
Sunday Bloody Sunday – U2
Iconic Irish rock band U2 released this song in 1983 on their album War. It’s considered one of U2’s most overtly political songs. Its lyrics describe the horror felt by an observer of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It mainly focuses on the Bloody Sunday incident in Derry where British troops shot and killed unarmed civil rights protesters and bystanders who were there to rally against Operation Demetrius-related internment (imprisonment without trial), while at the same time rejecting hate and revenge. It’s one of the band’s most performed tracks.
Days Like This – Van Morrison
Van Morrison is a Northern Irish singer song writer. This song became the official anthem for the peace movement in Northern Ireland, with the track was used as the theme music for a TV ad promoting the cease fire in the country.
Take Me to the Church – Hozier
Hozier, is an Irish musician, singer and songwriter from County Wicklow. Take Me to the Church is a mid-tempo soul song, its lyrics detail Hozier’s frustration with the Catholic Church and its stance on homosexuality.
Runaway – The Corrs
The Corrs are an Irish band from Dundalk, County Louth that combine pop rock with traditional Irish music. The group consists of the very talented Corr siblings, Andrea (lead vocals, tin whistle); Sharon (violin, vocals); Caroline (drums, percussion, piano, bodhrán, vocals) and Jim (guitar, piano, keyboards, vocals).
Theme from Harry’s Game – Clannad
Clannad are an Irish band from Gweedore, County Donegal. Their music has been variously described as bordering on folk rock, traditional Irish, Celtic, and often incorporates elements of smooth jazz and Gregorian chant. The Theme from Harry’s Game song was initially written and composed for the TV production Harry’s Game, which depicted the troubles in Northern Ireland. The lyrics are in the Irish language.
The Coolea Jigs – Dervish
Dervish are a traditional Irish music group from County Sligo, Ireland. They represented Ireland in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007. The Coolea Jigs is a great example of traditional Irish music at its best.
Morning Nightcap – Lúnasa
Immerse yourself in traditional Irish music with this fantastic song by the popular band Lúnasa.
The Sunny Side of the Street & Fairytale of New York (featuring Kirsty McColl) – The Pogues
Fronted by Irish musician and singer Shane MacGowan, the Pogues is an iconic Celtic punk band. Deciding which Pogues song to feature on this list was no easy task so I slightly cheated by including my two favourites The Sunny Side of the Street and the wonderfully honest Christmas song Fairytale of New York which features Kirsty McColl.
Book of Days – Enya
Enya is an Irish singer, songwriter, musician and producer. Born into a musical family and raised in the Irish speaking area of Gweedore in County Donegal, Enya began her professional music career as a teenager when she joined her family’s Celtic band Clannad on keyboards and backing vocals. She later left to pursue a solo career. My favourites are her songs in Irish like this Book of Days.
The Boys Are Back in Town – Thin Lizzy
This beloved rock band was formed in Dublin, Ireland. The two founding members Brian Downey and Phil Lynott met in school. Their song The Boys Are Back in Town is frequently played at Irish Rugby matches and is a worldwide favourite for stag nights and boys nights out.
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