With its long music tradition transcending generations and genres, Ireland has everything from traditional anthems to dance tunes and grunge classics. Here, we'll explore 15 great Irish songs from various genres and artists.
Black Velvet Band – Traditional
“Black Velvet Band” is a timeless Irish folk song. It's a staple in pub sessions and folk gatherings.
It tells the story of a man enamoured with a black velvet band around her hair. Full of vivid storytelling and topped off with a catchy chorus, it's probably one of the most popular Irish folk songs ever.
Often played with a lively tempo, it's become a mainstay in Irish pubs, where patrons can raise their glass and join in on the chorus.
Famous Versions of Black Velvet Band
- The Dubliners
- The Irish Rovers
- The High Kings
- The Pogues
- The Wolfe Tones
Danny Boy – Traditional
Frederic Weatherly wrote the words as a poem in 1913, but it became an iconic Irish folk song when it was set to the Irish tune "Londonderry Air."
Despite being written by an Englishman, the song has since become a symbol of Irish heritage and is often performed at cultural events.
The lyrics are about a parent saying goodbye to their child. This beautiful song has been performed by many different artists, each bringing their own personal flair and interpretation.
Famous Versions of Danny Boy
- Celtic Woman
- John McDermott
- Sinéad O'Connor
- The Irish Tenors
- The Dubliners
Dirty Old Town – Traditional
This is a folk ballad written by Ewan MacColl in 1949. Describing the industrial landscape of Salford, England, it has since been adopted by traditional Irish folk bands and other artists.
It paints a picture of a gritty, industrial town with imagery of gasworks, canals, and smokey skies, making it a perfect anthem for Irish and British working-class communities.
Once it was adopted by groups like The Dubliners and The Pogues, its place as an Irish classic was cemented.
Famous Versions of Dirty Old Town
- The Dubliners
- The Pogues
- Rod Stewart
- Simple Minds
- The Clancy Brothers
Fairytale of New York – The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl
This song has long transcended its genre. It has become synonymous with Christmas as one of the most beloved Irish songs ever.
It was released in 1987 by The Pogues, featuring Kirsty MacColl. It is a bittersweet duet telling the story of two Irish immigrants in New York City.
The lyrics are raw and poetic, capturing the gritty reality of their situations. Many artists have covered the song.
Grace – Jim McCann
This Irish ballad covers the tragic love story of Grace Gifford and Joseph Plunkett.
It was written by Seán and Frank O'Meara in 1985 and is about the moments before Plunkett's execution at Kilmainham Gaol, just hours after he was married.
Jim McCann of The Dubliners popularised the song, and his deep, emotive voice brought it to life.
Many other artists have also performed versions of this powerful and haunting song.
I’ll Tell Me Ma – Traditional
This is a spirited and lively Irish folk song. It originated in the 19th century and is sometimes called "The Belle of Belfast City."
Its simplicity and infectious melody have made it popular in traditional Irish music sessions and ceilidhs across Ireland and around the world.
It's easy to sing along to and is often played with an upbeat tempo on traditional instruments like the fiddle, tin whistle, and bodhrán.
Famous Irish bands like The Dubliners and The Clancy Brothers were among the first to popularise the song, but later versions helped maintain the song's popularity.
Famous Versions of I’ll Tell Me Ma
- The Dubliners
- The Clancy Brothers
- The High Kings
- The Young Dubliners
- The Irish Rovers
Maniac 2000 - Mark McCabe
An iconic Irish dance anthem, it was released in 2000 by Mark McCabe and became a cultural phenomenon.
It combines Michael Sembello's Maniac with new lyrics and a dance beat. It shot to number one on the Irish charts and stayed there for 10 weeks.
A staple at clubs, parties, and even weddings, the infectious rhythm can't resist being sung and danced to by people of a certain age.
No Man's Land – Eric Bogle
Originally titled “No Man's Land”, this haunting Irish folk song is about the tragedy of war. It was written by Eric Bogle in 1976 about a soldier named Willie McBride who died in World War I.
The song is about the futility of war and is complete with evocative storytelling and a gentle melody.
The Fureys' version helped popularise the song and make it Irish folk canon, with later versions coming from groups like Dropkick Murphys, Celtic Thunder, and The High Kings.
Famous Versions of No Man's Land (The Green Fields of France)
- Eric Bogle
- The Fureys
- Dropkick Murphys
- Celtic Thunder
- The High Kings
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinéad O'Connor
Shifting gears dramatically, we have the classic Irish song Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinéad O'Connor.
This song was originally written by Prince for his 1985 side project, The Family. However, O'Connor's 1990 version made it a global hit.
The music video, which featured a close-up performance from Sinéad O'Connor, was raw and one of the most powerful in music history.
Other Irish artists, such as The Cranberries, Celtic Woman, and Christy Dignam from Aslan, have performed it in tribute to O'Connor.
Orinoco Flow (Sail Away) – Enya
Enya's Orinoco Flow (Sail Away), from her 1988 album Watermark, is one of the most recognized Irish songs ever.
With its ethereal sound, layered vocals, and new-age instrumentation (though Enya distances herself from that label), the song has a dreamlike atmosphere.
The track's distinctive blend of Celtic influences and modern soundscapes makes it a masterpiece of modern Irish music.
Raglan Road – Traditional
This Irish ballad is one of the most famous Irish songs ever. In 1946, Patrick Kavanagh wrote the lyrics as a poem, which was set to the traditional Irish melody "The Dawning of the Day".
Luke Kelly, one of Ireland's most famous singers, helped make it a more modern hit. Still, there are also versions by Van Morrison and The Chieftains with excellent folk and Celtic instrumentation. Sinéad O'Connor also made a version with her unique vocal style.
A beloved piece of traditional Irish music, this is frequently sung at various Irish musical events.
Famous Versions of Raglan Road
- Luke Kelly
- Van Morrison and The Chieftains
- Mark Knopfler
- Sinéad O'Connor
The Auld Triangle – Traditional
This Irish folk song was originally written by Brendan Behan for the play The Quare Fellow. Set in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin, it reflects on life behind bars from an inmate's perspective. The Auld Triangle is the metal triangle rung to wake prisoners each morning.
The Dubliners' version helped popularise the song and make it a staple of Irish traditional folk music. You can also find heavier and more upbeat versions courtesy of the American group Dropkick Murphys or even the punk-folk twist offered by The Pogues.
Famous Versions of The Auld Triangle
- The Dubliners
- Luke Kelly
- The Pogues
- Dropkick Murphys
- Glen Hansard
The Galway Girl – Steve Earle
This is a more modern Irish folk song. The American singer-songwriter Steve Earle initially wrote and performed the song, telling the tale of a chance encounter with a girl from Galway.
The Irish versions quickly became popular, staples of pub and folk music sessions. Understandably, the connection to Galway has made it a beloved anthem for celebrating Irish culture.
The Irish Rover – Traditional
This Irish folk song is about a sailing ship of the same name. With its humorous exaggeration, the song describes the ship with ample amounts of hyperbole.
The lively rhythm and infectious chorus have helped make it popular in pub sessions and other Irish celebrations.
One of the most famous versions is that by The Dubliners and The Pogues, and it is easily one of the most popular St. Patrick's Day songs.
Famous Versions of The Irish Rover
- The Dubliners
- The Pogues
- The Clancy Brothers
- The High Kings
- Dropkick Murphys
Zombie – The Cranberries
One of the best Irish songs ever written, Zombie by The Cranberries, is an anti-war anthem.
It was released on the band's 1994 album No Need to Argue and was inspired by the 1993 Warrington bombings that killed two children.
With the vocals of Dolores O'Riordan, one of Ireland's most famous female singers, and grunge-influenced guitar riffs, the song is full of raw emotion, anguish, and resilience.
The original version is iconic, but there have also been other wonderful versions by artists like Sinéad O'Connor and Kodaline.
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