The Best Irish Folk Music Songs

Looking for the best Irish folk music songs? Look no further! We’ve got a great selection of traditional and modern tunes for you to enjoy.

The Wild Rover- The Dubliners

The Wild Rover is a traditional Irish folk song about a wanderer who is tired of life on the road and decides to settle down. The song was popularized by the Dubliners in the 1960s and has been covered by many other artists since.

The Dubliners version of the song is up-tempo and upbeat, with an infectious sing-along chorus that will have you tapping your feet along in no time. The lyrics are straightforward and easy to follow, making this an ideal choice for a first time listener of Irish folk music. The Dubliners are one of the most iconic Irish bands of all time, and their rendition of The Wild Rover is sure to get you in the mood for some fun.

The Foggy Dew- Sinead O’Connor

“The Foggy Dew” is a traditional Irish folk song that was written in the early 20th century. The song is about the 1916 Easter Rising, when Irish nationalists staged an armed rebellion against British rule in Ireland. The uprising was crushed by the British army, and many of the rebel leaders were executed. “The Foggy Dew” is seen as a celebration of the sacrifice made by the rebels.

The song has been recorded by many artists, but it was Sinead O’Connor’s version that made it a worldwide hit in 1994. O’Connor’s version is a haunting ballad that features her ethereal voice backed by traditional Irish instruments.

The Parting Glass- The Pogues

The Parting Glass is a traditional Irish folk song, often sung as a farewell song. It is also known by other names such as “Goodbye and Farewell” or “Come Fill Up My Cup”. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including The Pogues, who included it on their 1988 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God.

The lyrics of the song are about a person who is drinking and reflecting on their life, both the good and the bad times. They express a hope that they will meet their friends again in another life. The Pogues’ version of the song is particularly poignant, as it was written as a farewell to their lead singer Shane MacGowan, who was leaving the band at the time.

The Parting Glass is one of the most popular Irish folk songs, and has been covered by many different artists over the years. If you’re looking for a beautiful rendition of this classic tune, look no further than The Pogues’ version.

The Irish Rover- The Dubliners

The Irish Rover is a song about a ship that was sailed by two men, one from Ireland and one from Scotland. The ship was called the Irish Rover and it was sailing from Liverpool to New York. The ship sank and the two men died.

Green Fields of France- Eric Bogle

This song is about the Battle of Fromelles which was a World War I battle that took place in northern France. The battle was fought by Australian and British troops against the Germans. The song is written from the perspective of a soldier who is killed in the battle and his body is never found.

The Galway Girl- Steve Earle

The Galway Girl is a song written by Steve Earle and recorded by Irish-American singer Shawn Mullins. It was released in 2000 as the lead single from his album Transcendental Blues. The song is about a young woman Earle met while he was visiting Galway, Ireland.

The Town I Loved So Well- Phil Coulter

This song is about the town of Derry in Northern Ireland. The town has been through a lot of turmoil over the years, but it is still a place that Coulter loves. The song reflects on the happy times that he had growing up there, and how he misses those times now that the town is in such a state of flux.

Carrickfergus- Van Morrison

Carrickfergus is a beautiful ballad written by Van Morrison and is one of the most popular Irish folk songs. It is about a man who is longing for his home in Carrickfergus, which is located in Northern Ireland. The lyrics are very nostalgic and longing for a time when things were simpler. The song has been covered by many different artists, but Van Morrison’s version is by far the most well known.

The Fields of Athenry- Pete St. John

“The Fields of Athenry” is a ballad written by Irish folk singer Pete St. John in the 1970s. The song is about the Great Famine of Ireland in the 1840s, and how one young man was forced to leave his home and his love behind to seek work and survival in another country.

“The Fields of Athenry” has become one of the most popular Irish folk songs of all time, and has been recorded by dozens of artists including Celtic Woman, Flogging Molly, Shane MacGowan, and even country singer Garth Brooks. The song has also been used in numerous movies and television shows set in Ireland, including “Brooklyn,” “The Departed,” and “Outlander.”

Danny Boy- Traditional

“Danny Boy” is a ballad set to an ancient Irish melody. The lyrics were written by English lawyer and lyricist Frederic Weatherly in 1910. They were originally written to be sung to the tune of “The Londonderry Air”, but over the years other tunes have been adapted to fit the lyrics as well.

The song is most closely associated with Ireland and the Irish diaspora, but it has also been adopted by many other people and cultures around the world. It is particularly popular in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States.

In Ireland, “Danny Boy” is often used as a tragic farewell or lament for loved ones who have died or emigrated. It is also sometimes used as a triumphant battle cry, particularly by Irish-American organizations such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians.