The Best of Irish Country Folk Music

The Best of Irish Country Folk Music is a website dedicated to celebrating the best of Irish country folk music. From the latest news and reviews to interviews and features, we aim to provide a comprehensive guide to the genre.

Irish Country Music

Irish country music is a genre of folk music that developed in the rural areas of Ireland. The music is a blend of traditional Irish music, Anglo-Irish music, and Scottish music. It is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, such as the fiddle, accordion, and bodhrán, as well as its traditional lyrical themes, such as love, loss, and emigration.

Origins

Irish country music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. It is generally preceded by the folk revival of the 1960s. The roots of the music are in traditional Irish folk music, although it has been influenced more recently by country and pop music from America and Britain.

The style is characterized by elements of both traditional Irish music and country music, as well as a strong influence from Celtic culture. The sound is typified by a twangy guitar, double bass, fiddles, accordions, and mandolins. It became popular in the mid-20th century when bands such as The Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners began to gain popularity in Ireland and abroad.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence in popularity of Irish country music, with artists such as Daniel O’Donnell, Nathan Carter, and Derek Ryan becoming some of the most popular names in the genre.

Traditional Instruments

The traditional music of Ireland is steeped in history and has undergone many changes over the centuries. It is only in recent years that the music has been commercialized and taken on a more international sound. The roots of Irish music can be traced back to the Celtic people who settled in Ireland around 500 BC. These early people were known for their love of music and their skill in playing a variety of instruments.

The most common traditional instruments used in Irish music are the fiddle, banjo, flute, accordion, tin whistle, and drums. The fiddle is by far the most popular instrument and is used in many different styles of music. The banjo is also a very popular instrument and is often used in bluegrass and country music. The flute and tin whistle are used primarily in folk music, while the accordion is used in both folk and traditional Irish music. Drums are usually only used in traditional Irish dance music.

Irish musicians have always been very creative in adapting existing musical traditions to their own style. This has led to the development of many unique hybrid genres such as Celtic rock, Celtic punk, and Celtic metal. These new genres have brought Irish music to a whole new audience and have helped to keep the tradition alive for future generations.

Popularity

Irish country music has been gaining popularity in recent years, both in Ireland and abroad. Dublin-based singer-songwriter Nathan Carter is one of the most successful artists in the genre, having topped the Irish charts with several of his albums. Carter’s music is heavily influenced by traditional Irish folk music, as well as country and pop.

Other popular Irish country artists include Dermot Hegarty, who has been described as the “Irish Ennio Morricone”, and Cliona Hagan, who recently won the prestigious Horizon Award at the 2019 UK Country Music Awards.

The popularity of Irish country music has also led to the rise of a number of festivals dedicated to the genre, such as the annual Tanderagee Music Festival and the Sligo Live Festival.

The Best of Irish Country Folk Music

Irish country folk music is some of the most beautiful and soulful music in the world. It has a rich history and heritage, and is an important part of Irish culture. The music is often very traditional and nostalgic, and can be both sad and joyful. It is usually very catchy and easy to sing along to. If you’re looking for some great Irish country folk music, you’ve come to the right place.

The Dubliners

One of the most renowned and influential Irish folk bands of all time, The Dubliners was founded in 1962 by a group of friends who all shared a love of traditional Irish music. The band went on to tour the world and released over 30 albums, many of which are considered classics of the genre. Featuring such iconic songs as “The Wild Rover” and “Whiskey in the Jar,” The Dubliners helped to bring Irish folk music to a global audience and influenced countless other musicians along the way.

The Clancy Brothers

The Clancy Brothers were an influential part of the Irish folk music revival and are credited with popularizing Irish folk music in the United States and inspiration Bob Dylan’s early work. They consisted of brothers Tom (1915–1990), Liam (1917–1986), Pat (1922–1998), and Louis Clancy (1924–1998). Bob Dylan once said of them, “The Clancy Brothers were almost like my idols.”

Planxty

Planxty is an Irish folk music band founded in the 1970s, occasionally credited as being “the most significant Irish band of the last 40 years”. The group’s line-up has included many of Ireland’s most well-known musicians including Liam O’Flynn, Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny, Christy Moore, Paul Brady and Matt Molloy.

The name “Planxty” is taken from a type of early music composition created by various British composers from the 14th to 17th centuries. In this context, it refers to a style of music which is underpinned by a basic chordal structure and played on instruments such as the lute or cittern.

The band was formed in October 1972 by Christy Moore, Dónal Lunny and Liam O’Flynn. They were soon joined by Andy Irvine and then Paul Brady (who replaced Brady after a few months). The group’s first album was released in 1973 and was followed by a number of successful albums and tours over the next few years.

Following Brady’s departure in 1979, Planxty continued as a four-piece until 1983 when they split up. The group reformed in 2007 with Irvine, Lunny and O’Flynn joined by Máire Ní Chathasaigh on fiddle and Niamh Parsons on vocals.

The Chieftains

The Chieftains are one of the most renowned and influential traditional Irish bands. They were founded in 1962 by Paddy Moloney, and have been performing and recording together for over 50 years. The Chieftains’ unique sound is based on their mastery of the traditional Irish musical idiom, and their innovative approach to arranging and performing folk music. They have collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned musicians, including Van Morrison, Sting, Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones, and many others. The Chieftains are true innovators in the world of traditional Irish music, and their influence can be heard in the work of many other artists.

The Pogues

The Pogues were a Celtic punk band formed in London in 1982, as a voice for the Irish diaspora in London. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s due to their amalgamation of traditional Irish music with punk rock attitude. They are credited with reviving interest in Irish folk music and Celtic rock. The Pogues experienced several line-up changes before disbanding in 1996 due to drug-related issues.

The band reformed in late 2001, and played sporadic live shows throughout the following decade without releasing any new material. A new album titled ‘Pogue Mahone’ was eventually released in 2017, produced by Steve Lillywhite. The album peaked at number 3 on the UK album charts and was warmly received by critics.

The Pogues have been cited as a huge influence by many artists, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Joe Strummer and Thom Yorke.