The Best Irish Folk Music Groups You Need to Know About
Here are the best Irish folk music groups you need to know about. These talented musicians will transport you to the Emerald Isle with their traditional Irish tunes.
The Dubliners
Originating in 1962, The Dubliners was a folk music group from Dublin, Ireland. The group consisted of Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Ciarán Bourke, Ronnie Drew, and John Sheahan. The Dubliners was one of the most influential Irish folk music groups of all time and was responsible for popularizing Irish folk music around the world. They have released over 30 albums and have sold over 5 million records. Their songs “The Wild Rover” and “Whiskey in the Jar” are two of the most iconic Irish folk songs of all time.
The Clancy Brothers
The Clancy Brothers were an Irish folk music singing group, who rose to prominence in the United States during the folk music revival of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The oldest members of the group were brothers Pat and Tom Clancy from Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, Ireland; they were joined successively by brothers Bobby and Liam. All four were born into a musical family; their mother and father both played suburb Irish music on the fiddle and their uncles were in a well-known local band called The Garvey Ceili Band.
The group’s first album was released in 1959, entitled The Rising of the Moon, on Tradition Records. It was followed by a succession of successful albums on both sides of the Atlantic, including The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem (1961) and In Person (1962). They became one of the most popular acts on the international folk circuit, often appearing on television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show as well as performing at major events such as the Newport Folk Festival.
The Chieftains
Formed in Dublin in 1963, The Chieftains are perhaps the best-known Irish folk music group in the world. The band’s original lineup featured Paddy Moloney on uilleann pipes and tin whistle, Seán Keane on fiddle, and Michael Tubridy on flute and concertina. The group has undergone many lineup changes over the years, but Moloney has remained a constant member.
The Chieftains’ sound is rooted in the traditional music of Ireland, but they have also incorporated elements of other genres, including rock, jazz, and classical music. They have collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Van Morrison, Ry Cooder, Sting, The Rolling Stones, and Paul Simon. In 1995, they appeared in Mel Gibson’s film Braveheart.
The Chieftains have won multiple Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010. They have also been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Phonographic Industry.
Planxty
Planxty is an Irish folk group that was founded in the early 1970s by a group of musicians including Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Paul Brady, and Liam O’Flynn. The group’s name comes from a type of Irish traditional music called planxty, which is characterized by its use of the harp.
Planxty was one of the first Irish folk groups to achieve widespread popularity, and they have been credited with helping to revive interest in traditional Irish music. The group has released numerous albums and toured extensively throughout Ireland, Europe, and North America. They have been nominated for several Grammy Awards and have won numerous other awards throughout their career.
Planxty disbanded in the early 1980s but reunited in the 2000s for a series of reunion concerts. The group continues to perform occasionally, and their music remains popular among fans of Irish folk music.
The Pogues
The Pogues are an Irish folk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The group reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued to record and tour without him. The Pogues reformed in 2001 with a new line-up featuring original member Terry Woods alongside Jem Finer, Andrew Ranken, Spider Stacy, James Fearnley and Philip Chevron. MacGowan rejoined the band on a permanent basis in early 2010.
The Pogues have a unique blend of traditional Irish music with punk rock attitude and Energy. They are credited with helping to spark a renewed interest in Irish traditional music, and their musical style has influenced many other artists.
The Young Dubliners
The Young Dubliners are one of the most popular Irish folk music groups in the world. They have released 11 studio albums and have toured extensively throughout Europe, North America, and Australia. The members of the band are all from Dublin, Ireland and they have been playing together since 1988.Their music is a mix of traditional Irish folk songs and modern pop and rock tunes.
The band is made up of seven members: lead singer and guitarist Keith Roberts, bassist David Gavurin, drummer Chuck Sullivan, fiddle player Sarah Halligan, accordion player Oliver Healy, and banjo player Dermot Begley. They have all been playing together for over 20 years and have developed a strong following among fans of Irish folk music.
The Young Dubliners are one of the most popular Irish folk music groups in the world. They have released 11 studio albums and have toured extensively throughout Europe, North America, and Australia. The members of the band are all from Dublin, Ireland and they have been playing together since 1988.Their music is a mix of traditional Irish folk songs and modern pop and rock tunes.
The band is made up of seven members: lead singer and guitarist Keith Roberts, bassist David Gavurin, drummer Chuck Sullivan, fiddle player Sarah Halligan, accordion player Oliver Healy, and banjo player Dermot Begley. They have all been playing together for over 20 years and have developed a strong following among fans of Irish folk music.
