The Best of Folk Music in Ireland

The best of folk music in Ireland can be found here. From traditional ballads to more modern tunes, there is something for everyone.

Introducing Folk Music in Ireland

Folk music in Ireland is the traditional music of the Irish people. It has evolved over hundreds of years and is constantly changing. It is hard to define what Irish folk music is, but there are some common elements:
-It is usually passed down from generation to generation, either through families or through groups of friends.
-It often tells a story, or expresses the emotions of the singer.
-It is usually performed on acoustic instruments, such as guitars, fiddles, or flutes.

Irish folk music has influences from many other genres of music, such as Celtic music, English and Scottish folk music, and American country and bluegrass. This makes Irish folk music unique and interesting to listen to. If you want to experience the best of what Ireland has to offer, then you need to check out these five Folk musicians

The Best of Folk Music in Ireland

Ireland has a rich musical history, with folk music playing an important role in the country’s culture. Celtic music, Irish traditional music, and folk music all have their origins in Ireland. Folk music is an important part of Irish culture and has been passed down from generation to generation. There are many different types of folk music in Ireland, from ballads to reels and jigs.

The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem

The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were an Irish folk music group that was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. The group consisted of brothers Paddy, Tom, and Liam Clancy, and Tommy Makem. They were known for their close harmony singing, as well as their interpretations of traditional Irish songs. The group achieved international fame with their recordings of “The Rising of the Moon” and “The Wild Rover”, which were both hits in the United States. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were also instrumental in popularizing Irish folk music in the United States, and they influenced a new generation of folk musicians, including Bob Dylan.

Planxty

Planxty was an Irish folk music group founded in Dublin, Ireland, in October 1972, by 4 musicians: Andy Irvine, Liam O’Flynn, Dónal Lunny and Christy Moore. The group is widely regarded as being responsible for popularising the use of traditional Irish instruments such as the bouzouki and Uilleann pipes. They were one of the first groups to fuse traditional Irish music with contemporary rock and pop influences.

Thegroup’s first album Planxty was released in 1973. The album featured two of their most popular songs “The Blacksmith” and “As I Roved Out”. The album was very successful in Ireland and helped to bring traditional Irish music to a wider audience.

In 1974, the group released their second album Solas containing more traditional Irish tunes as well as some original compositions. One of the highlights of the album is Liam O’Flynn’s composition “King of the Fairies” which has become one of the most popular tunes played by traditional musicians.

The group’s third album The Well Below the Valley was released in 1975 and featured more original compositions than their previous albums. One of the most famous tracks on the album is Christy Moore’s “Ride On”, which has been covered by many other artists including Emmylou Harris and Mary Black.

After a successful tour of America in 1976, Planxty released their live album Live in Concert which was recorded during their tour. The album featured some of their most popular tracks including “The Blacksmith” and “King of the Fairies”.

In 1977, Dónal Lunny left Planxty to pursue a solo career but rejoined them for their final album After The Break which was released in 1979. After The Break saw the band moving away from their traditional roots towards a more commercial sound with synthesizers being used on some tracks such as Liam O’Flynn’s composition “The Huguenot Lovers”.

Planxty disbanded shortly after releasing After The Break but have occasionally reunited for tours and concerts since then. Despite only releasing five studio albums, they are widely regarded as one of the most influential groups in Irish music history.

The Dubliners

The Dubliners are one of the most iconic Irish folk bands of all time. Formed in 1962, the band is comprised of Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Ciaran Bourke, John Sheahan, and Paddy Reilly. The Dubliners have released over 30 albums and have toured extensively throughout Europe, the US, and Australia. They are best known for their signature songs “The Wild Rover” and “Whiskey in the Jar”.

The Evolution of Folk Music in Ireland

Folk music in Ireland has been around for centuries, and has undergone many changes throughout its history. The earliest forms of folk music were brought to Ireland by the Celts, and were later influence by Irish, English, and Scottish traditions. Today, folk music in Ireland is a blend of all of these influences, and is enjoyed by people of all ages.

The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem

The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were an influential Irish folk music duo, popularized in the United States during the folk music boom of the 1960s. The two men were founding members of The Clancy Brothers, a Irish folk group that was hugely successful in the 1950s and 1960s. After leaving the group, they formed a duo and released a series of albums that includes some of the most popular Irish folk songs ever recorded.

Planxty

Planxty is an Irish folk music band founded in the 1970s, and is considered one of the most influential groups in the history of traditional Irish music. The band’s name comes from a traditional Irish tune, “Planxty Irwin”, which was composed by the blind Irish harper Turlough O’Carolan.

The members of Planxty are:

-Andy Irvine: vocals, bouzouki, mandolin, tenor banjo, harmonica
-Donal Lunny: bouzouki, guitar, bodhrán
– Christy Moore: vocals, guitar, bodhrán
– Liam O’Flynn: uilleann pipes, tin whistles

The Dubliners

The Dubliners were an Irish folk band founded in 1962. The original lineup consisted of Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Ciaran Bourke, Ronnie Drew, and John Sheahan. The group is widely regarded as one of the most influential Irish bands of all time. They were known for their energetic live performances and for their signature sound, which blended traditional Irish folk music with contemporary folk rock.

The Dubliners achieved international success in the 1960s and 1970s with hits like “Whiskey in the Jar”, “Seven Drunken Nights”, and “Orange Blossom Special”. They continued to tour and record until Luke Kelly’s death in 1984. Following Kelly’s death, the Dubliners’ lineup changed several times, but the group continued to tour and release new music until 2012, when they announced their retirement.

The Dubliners were inducted into the Irish Music Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Folk Alliance International Hall of Fame in 2011.