There are some fun ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, such as wearing green and decorating with Irish themed-decor, but if you're look for an authentic way to connect to the culture and heritage of Ireland, make sure you're listening to songs by Irish musicians or tunes inspired by the country come May 17.
Artists and genres on the docket range from Hozier (indie-rock) to The Pogues (Celtic-punk) to Ed Sheeran (pop) and everything in between. After scrolling, you may even be surprised at who made the list. So cheers to Ireland, and cheers to St. Patrick’s Day with these festive tunes.
1. "Streams of Whiskey" — The Pogues
The Pogues may be an unusual way to kick off a St. Paddy's Day playlist. The Celtic punk band is best known for "Fairytale of New York," a Christmas song rather than a St. Patrick's Day song — and one that takes place on the wrong side of the pond. However, "Streams of Whiskey" is the first song band member Shane MacGowan wrote for the group, making it an important one. The lyrics speak to a carefree lifestyle, full of drinking, trouble and a continual quest onward.
2. "Take Me to Church" — Hozier
Arguably Ireland's most famous modern musician, Hozier topped music charts in 2013 with his indie-rock and neo-folk hit, "Take Me to Church," a song about the suppression of sexuality in organized religion. The folk-influenced singer hails from Bray, Ireland, often incorporating Irish culture into his music.
3. "Jump Around" — House of Pain
Did you know House of Pain's "Jump Around" was filmed at the 1992 St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City? The Irish-American alternative rock group was formed in 1990 and released this chart-topping single in 1992. The song was so successful it went on to have a life of its own in films such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Happy Gilmore and The Rookie.
4. "This Town" — Niall Horan
Mullingar, Ireland-native Niall Horan debuted "This Town" in 2016 as his first solo single after he and fellow One Direction boyband members took an indefinite hiatus earlier that year. The pop, folk and country medley tune was inspired by Horan's hometown and the feeling of a first love.
5. "Teenage Kicks" — The Undertones
The punk classic, "Teenage Kicks," was written by John O'Neill, The Undertones' guitarist and songwriter, in the summer of 1977. It was the Northern Irish group's debut single, securing them a place on the punk scene and on a wall in their hometown of Belfast, Ireland via a mural.
6. "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" — The Script
Formed in Dublin in 2001, the pop-rock band The Script found a hit with their 2008 song, "The Man Who Can't Be Moved," which peaked at number two on the U.K. charts and was certified gold in the United States. The heartfelt song is about devotion, despite what tribulations might come or what others may think.
7. "Old Town" — Philip Lynott
Toward the end of the famed Irish group, Thin Lizzy's, career, frontman, Phil Lynott began to make solo music. His song, "Old Town," which debuted in 1982, was filmed on Ha'penny Bridge in Dublin. It was also the first song to be played on Dublin's Capital Radio 104.4 in 1989.
8. "Molly Malone" — The Dubliners
One of the most famous Irish tunes of all, The Dubliners' "Molly Malone" tells the tale of a fishmonger who sells "cockles and mussels” in the streets of Dublin. The song — which dates back to the 1800s — was even named the unofficial anthem of Dublin, where you can find a statue of Molly Malone herself.
9. "Dreams" — The Cranberries
If you're looking for a song that will make you feel hopeful — not always an easy task when putting together a playlist of Irish music — there's nothing more uplifting than The Cranberries' "Dreams." Or possibly "Linger." Hey, why not both?
10. "Finnegan's Wake" — The Clancy Brothers
If only all wakes could end the way Finnegan's did: An accident befalls Finnegan, causing all his family and friends to hold a memorial service, only to find out that whiskey can revive him and allow him to join the party. It's a rowdy drinking song, for sure.
11. "The Voice" — Eimear Quinn
While Ireland is famous for exporting crystal glasses and cable-knit sweaters, it should be equally well known for its output of Eurovision Song Contest winners. Until 2023, it was the country with the most Eurovision wins, bringing home the award seven times. (As of 2023, Sweden has tied it up. Will they break the tie in 2025?) It's been a while since they've been crowned champion, though: The most recent win was Eimear Quinn's "The Voice," which took the crown in 1996, capping off an incredible run that had Ireland winning four times in five years.
12. "Come Out, Ye Black and Tans" — Blaggards
This song is about the conflicts with the British constables (nicknamed the Black and Tans) during Ireland's War of Independence. This version has more of a rock edge to it, but it's been recorded many times in many styles by bands such as The Wolf Tones, Irish Descendants and Colm R. McGuinness — all of which have a rebellious spirit to them.
13. "Dirty Old Town" — The Pogues
"Dirty Old Town" was written by Englishman Ewan MacColl, who memorialized his hometown of Salford, near Manchester, England. (To this day, the Pogues' version of the song is the walk-on music for Salford City FC.) But the 1949 folk song is associated with many Irish artists, including The Dubliners and U2, and it's especially poignant to listen to after the death of Pogues' frontman Shane MacGowan in 2023.
14. "God Save Ireland" — The Wolfe Tones
This ditty is so jaunty it's easy to miss that it's actually a song that honors three rebel men known as the Manchester Martyrs. Afterward, the song was considered the unofficial anthem for Irish nationalists and the theme song for the Celtic Football Club.
15. "An Irish Pub Song" — The Rumjacks
The Celtic punk rock band may hail from Australia, but their viral hit pays homage to Irish-styled pubs throughout the world, making it the perfect soundtrack for any and all St. Paddy's Day celebrations.
16. "Grace" — Aoife Scott, Róisín O & Danny O'Reilly
This song is inspired by a real-life couple, Grace Gifford and Joseph Plunkett, who were married in 1916. While that may sound sweet and the melody lovely, it's actually a sad tale: Gifford married Plunkett in the prison chapel at Kilmainham Gaol just a few hours before he was executed for his participation in the Easter Rising.
17. "Drunken Lullabies" — Flogging Molly
This upbeat track from Irish-American punk band Flogging Molly will have you rocking out all day. Music critic Tom Semioli said it best when he wrote in a review, "After one listen, you'll probably wish you were Irish."
18. "Saints and Sinners" — Paddy Casey
Paddy Casey has been on the Irish music scene since he started busking on the streets of Galway at age 12, but this may be the song he's best known for. He even recorded a version of the song with the Dublin Gospel Choir.
19. “The Wind That Shakes the Barley/The Reel With the Beryle” — The Chieftains
While you can find many versions of this Irish ballad with lyrics — written by Robert Dwyer Joyce about a man going off to fight in the 1798 rebellion — this instrumental by The Chieftains might be a better way to go if you're looking for something with a more uplifting feel to it.
20. "Where the Streets Have No Name" — U2
Bono wrote this song about Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. The singer wanted to challenge the idea that a person’s religion and income could be guessed by the street they lived on, and instead encourage unity by forgetting about street names. (For more of U2 facing tough Irish history head-on, see "Sunday Bloody Sunday.")
21. "The Boys Are Back In Town" — Thin Lizzy
Guess who just got back today? This unlikely hit was part of the Irish hard-rock band's 1976 Jailbreak album, helping the band earn its first gold record. And yet, the band almost didn't include it on the album — the record company management had to tell them how catchy it was.
22. "The Irish Rover" — The Dubliners & The Pogues
For the band's 25th anniversary in 1987, The Dubliners thought it was the perfect time to collaborate with The Pogues for this Irish folk song. It has been sung by at least a dozen artists since its original release in 1960.
23. "Zombie" — The Cranberries
Lead singer Dolores O’Riordan was deeply affected by the 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington, and wrote it in memory of the two young victims — Johnathan Ball and Tim Parry. The song took the band in a different direction, protesting terrorism, and has become a widely recognized anthem.
24. "I'm Shipping up to Boston" — Dropkick Murphys
The 2006 Academy Award-winning Best Picture, The Departed, helped the band and song gain popularity. Considered Celtic punk, it sold more than a million digital copies and is certified double platinum.
25. "Raglan Road" — Luke Kelly
In 1966, famous poet Patrick Kavanagh approached singer Luke Kelly at a Dublin pub and asked if his love poem Raglan Road could be adapted into a song. It is set to the tune of “The Dawning of the Day,” a traditional Gaelic song.
26. "Alternative Ulster" — Stiff Little Fingers
This punk song is about being young in Belfast without much going on. Turn it up if you want to reconnect to those old feelings of youthful ennui.
27. "Nothing Compares 2 U" — Sinéad O'Connor
This song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 and stayed on the charts for 21 weeks, making it synonymous with Sinéad O'Connor in the United States. But O'Connor didn't create the song herself; it was written by Prince and first recorded by his protégé band, The Family. While theirs is also bluesy and heartfelt, if you listen to it, you can see why the heartbreaking version by O'Connor, who died in 2023, was the one that skyrocketed to the top.
28. "Seven Drunken Nights" — The Dubliners
What began as a spoken tale became widely known when The Dubliners shared it in 1967. It reached number one in Ireland and number seven in the U.K. The tongue-in-cheek song is about a man who comes home drunk night after night and notices different signs of his wife’s lover but chooses to believe her terrible excuses instead of facing the truth.
29. "Orinoco Flow" — Enya
No list of Irish songs would be complete without the ethereal voice of Irish singer Enya. While "Orinoco Flow" was written about a river in South America, it'll make you want to sail away to the Emerald Isle.
30. "Brown Eyed Girl" — Van Morrison
Considered a signature song of Irish music legend Van Morrison, the catchy tune hit number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. But its popularity didn’t stop several radio stations from banning it because of the line, “Making love in the green grass.”
31. "Take Back the City" — Snow Patrol
The city this Scottish/Irish indie rock band is referring to, in this case, is Belfast in Northern Ireland. But the song can also apply to anyone who has mixed feelings about their hometown.
32. "Whiskey in the Jar" — Thin Lizzy
Since the 1950s, a number of artists have performed this Irish song — most incongruously Metallica, who in 1999 won a Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy for their take on the tune.
33. "The Rocky Road to Dublin" — The High Kings
The High Kings’ folk music style brought to life the 19th century Irish song about a man who travels from Liverpool to his home in Ireland. Along the way, he comes across beautiful women, thieves and even spends time with pigs at sea.
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34. "Beautiful Day" — U2
You don’t have to be an Irish music aficionado, or even a dedicated U2 fan, to recognize this 2000 hit. The optimistic track won three Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. They helped skyrocket All That You Can't Leave Behind, the album it was featured on, to multi-platinum status.
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35. "Song for Ireland" — Luke Kelly
An ode to the beautiful hills of Ireland, Luke Kelly used his distinct voice to give the masses a song in 1985 they could forever sing with pride and joy.
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36. "The Blower's Daughter" — Damien Rice
Damien Rice left his first single for listeners to speculate who he was singing about, leading many to believe it's about his clarinet teacher's daughter. (Scandal!)
37. "The Long Black Veil" — Mick Jagger and The Chieftains
This country song isn't Irish in origin, and it's been reinterpreted in many styles, including folk, roots and rock. Mick Jagger and The Chieftains add an Irish twist to their version of the tale, about a man who is falsely accused of murder but refuses to give an alibi because it would get his married lover in trouble.
38. "Galway Girl" — Ed Sheeran
On St. Patrick's Day 2017, Sheeran announced his new song which was immediately loved, reaching number two on U.K. charts and number one on the Irish singles charts.
39. "C'est La Vie" — B*Witched
Although this '90s Irish girl group's debut single had a rocky start, the upbeat tune topped the charts throughout Europe and the U.S. In 2013, the singers admitted the song was actually about sex, but if you have little ones at your St. Paddy's Day party, the theme will probably go over their heads.
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40. "Danny Boy" — Elvis Presley
This mournful ballad has been heard around the world for over a century. After it was written in Great Britain, it made its way to Ireland and was brought across the pond by migrants coming to the States. The song has been played at several funerals, including, President JFK, Princess Diana and Elvis Presley's. (Too heavy? Try the version by the Muppets.)
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41. "Fisherman's Blues" — The Waterboys
If this tune from the Scottish/Irish band sounds familiar, you might have heard it in a movie such as Good Will Hunting, Waking Ned Devine or Dom Hemingway. Give it another spin, and see if it doesn't get stuck in your head.
42. "The Fields of Athenry" — Paddy Reilly
Set during the Irish Potato Famine, the song tells the tale of a man who is caught stealing food for his hungry family and is sent away to serve his punishment in a foreign land. Paddy Reilly wasn't the first artist to cover it, but his version was number four on the Irish charts for 72 weeks straight! You can often hear Irish sports fans singing the song at sports matches.
43. "Only Time" — Enya
Many may not know this song by its title, but Enya's angelic voice makes it hard to forget. The Irish singer's lyrics became a symbol of hope after the tragic 9/11 attacks and has even been featured on a Friends episode.
44. "The Foggy Dew" — The Chieftains & Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad O’Connor lent her voice for a mournful rendition of the traditional Irish ballad with The Chieftains. The song is about the Easter Rising of 1916 and encourages Irishmen to fight for their country.
45. "Riverdance" — Bill Whelan
It sounds like a cliché, but "Riverdance" still holds the record for the most weeks at the No. 1 spot on the Irish Singles Chart. It held steady for 18 weeks — the closest competitor, "Despacito," topped off at 15 weeks.
46. "Breathless" — The Corrs
The Corrs were a band known for blending pop-rock with traditional Irish sounds. "Breathless" is their biggest stateside hit, spending 20 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. If you want a mid-2000s flashback, you might remember it from the movie The Wedding Date.
47. "Carrickfergus" — Jim McCann
This beautiful folk song is about a far-away love, so listen with that special someone. The Loudon Wainwright III version of this was used in the finale of Boardwalk Empire.
48. "Try a Little Tenderness" — The Commitments
Sure, The Commitments aren't a real band — they're a movie band from the film of the same name, a story about an underdog group of musicians in Dublin that wants to perform soul music. As a result, the soundtrack has plenty of covers to choose from, including Mack Rice's "Mustang Sally," Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools" and this slow tune made famous by the Ray Noble Orchestra. To bring it full circle, many of the performers from the movie went on to have real careers in music.
49. "Four Green Fields" — Sarah Moore
This song is a tribute to Ireland's beauty, with the "four green fields" representing the country's four provinces. Some of the lyrics were inspired by Irish poet William Butler Yeats.
50. "The Auld Triangle" — The Inside Llewyn Davis Soundtrack
This song is said to be about life in Dublin's Mountjoy Prison and is a motto for fans of the Dublin Bohemian Football Club, which plays near the institution's grounds. Like many Irish songs, there have been a lot of interpretations over the years, but our favorite is featured in the film Inside Llewyn Davis. The Punch Brothers perform it acapella with Marcus Mumford and Justin Timberlake — who jumped in at the last minute to sing the bass part!
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Kate Franke (she/her) is an editorial assistant in the Hearst Lifestyle Group, covering for Woman's Day and Good Housekeeping. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!
