Alright, Ireland is a tiny wee island on the outskirts of Europe, but we punch above our weight on almost every metric there is. Another equally valid truth is that we love to remind everyone else of this undesputable fact. As for pop and rock music, we've produced an absolute powerhouse of artists, and today we're taking the opportunity to list a whole load of them bands so we can sing their praises yet again... Though I betcha there's some below that also, as an Irish man or woman, will drive ya bleeding crazy. Bono, I'm looking at you.
U2
Formed in Dublin in the late 1970s, U2 grew from scrappy young rockers into one of the biggest bands in the world. Their anthemic sound, political and personal lyrics, and stadium-filling presence helped define what Irish rock could become.
The Cranberries
Emerging from Limerick around 1989, The Cranberries brought a haunting, ethereal blend of alternative rock tinged with Celtic melancholy. With the voice of lead singer Dolores O’Riordan and songs that tapped into longing, love, loss and identity, they remain a defining voice of 90s-era Irish music.
Thin Lizzy
Deeply rooted in Dublin’s rock scene of the 1970s, Thin Lizzy fused hard rock with Irish soul. Their twin-guitar harmonies and raw energy helped pave the way for heavier rock and metal — showing that Irish bands could compete with the best on the global stage.
Horslips
Horslips were trailblazers: in the 1970s they bridged traditional Irish folk music with electric rock to create Celtic rock. Albums steeped in Irish mythology, folk instrumentation, and rock sensibilities helped carve out a uniquely Irish sound that influenced generations.
The Chieftains
For those who want the soul of Ireland — the old tunes, pipes and fiddles — The Chieftains are essential. Since the early 1960s, they’ve been ambassadors for traditional Irish music worldwide, turning ancient airs into global classics and showing that Ireland’s folk heritage has timeless power.
The Pogues
With a volatile mix of punk energy and Irish tradition, The Pogues shook things up in the 1980s. Their gritty, passionate songs — often laced with humor, heartbreak, and rebellion — helped redefine what “Irish music” could sound like, breaking stereotypes and influencing a wave of Celtic-punk and folk-punk bands.
Hothouse Flowers
Formed in Dublin in the mid-1980s, Hothouse Flowers blended rock, soul, gospel and Irish roots into something uplifting and unique. Their songs — often heartfelt, sometimes joyous — brought a soulful, emotional dimension to Irish popular music, expanding what could come from the Emerald Isle.
The Corrs
A family band from County Louth, The Corrs hit global success in the 1990s with a polished mix of pop-rock and Celtic-influenced melodies. Their harmonies and crossover appeal made them many people’s entry point into Irish music — showing that Irishness can wear many musical faces.
The Frames
For something more intimate and raw, The Frames — Dublin’s long-running indie-rock/folk band — carve out a place all their own. Their lyrical honesty, subtle melodies, and rootsy influences make them a reminder that not all Irish greatness needs to be stadium-sized.
Dervish
Hailing from County Sligo and active since the late 1980s, Dervish brings traditional Irish folk into the modern age — with fiddle, bouzouki, flute, and raw, timeless melodies. For those wanting to feel connected to Ireland’s musical roots, Dervish remains a touchstone of authenticity and heart.
And that's it for now. This is the point where you get mad that we left something out, or that one of these doesn't deserve to be here. Well, you're probably right, but also absolutely wrong, so settle down lad. Get on the Shift app, or find us on social media, and let it rip there! Go on ya boya.
