13 of the Best Irish Bands and Musicians in History

The evolution of music in Ireland has been evident since prehistoric times. In the Middle Ages, the churches introduced the world to Gregorian chant. But it was outside of these religious walls where the true traditional Irish music developed, with the introduction of Ireland's national symbol: the Irish harp. Irish traditional music started to gain global popularity in the 1960s, thanks to groups like The Dubliners, and later Van Morrison and Thin Lizzy. Check out our list (in no particular order) of the best Irish bands and musicians in history:

1. The Dubliners

After two of the last remaining founding members passed away in 2012, The Dubliners announced their retirement. They enjoyed a record career of 50 years – the longest surviving music group in Ireland. Not even an official ban from Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, could stop the music between 1967 and 1971! The Dubliners left a lasting legacy in Irish folk music and influenced bands like Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, and The Pogues. No wonder they were one of the most influential Irish bands of the 20th century!

2. U2

U2 is arguably Ireland’s most popular export. Except maybe for Guinness. Being the planet’s best-selling musical artists of all time means that the band have sold more than 170 million albums. Throw in 22 Grammy Awards – more than any other band, ever – and you might begin to understand the true colossal phenomenon that is U2. Oh, and not to mention that their 360° Tour is still the highest-grossing and most-attended concert tour in history. ‘Nuff said.

3. The Corrs

The Corrs is one of a very select few groups who’ve maintained the top two positions in the UK album charts at the same time. They did so with their 1995 release, Forgiven, Not Forgotten and their Talk on Corners album, which was released in 1997. The Corr siblings even received honorary MBEs for their contributions to music and charity in 2005.

4. Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy was one of Ireland’s first multiracial and multicultural rock ‘n’ roll bands. The group consisted of members from both the Protestant and Catholic communities – quite a thing back in the ‘70s. Lead singer and bass player, Phil Lynott was also Ireland’s first African to attain commercial success with rock ‘n’ roll music. Thin Lizzy will be remembered for their face-melting guitarists and for classics like "The Boys Are Back in Town", "Whiskey in the Jar", and "Jailbreak".

5. The Cranberries

Known for smash hits like "Linger", "Zombie", "Dreams", and "Ode to My Family", The Cranberries rose to fame in the ‘90s after grabbing the attention of MTV, while supporting Suede on their tour. Dolores O'Riordan and the boys from Limerick have sold more than 40 million albums across the globe, which makes them one of the most successful rock bands of the '90s.

6. Stiff Little Fingers

Stiff Little Fingers formed in 1977 in Belfast, during the peak of the Northern Ireland conflict. Considered by many as the Irish counterpart to the Clash, Stiff Little Fingers always matched their punk rock fury with superior song writing skills. And they are still going strong!

7. My Bloody Valentine

Regarded as the pioneers of shoegazing – a musical style known for elaborate guitar effects, obscured vocals, and indistinguishable mixtures of sound – My Bloody Valentine formed in 1983. They’ve been cited for influencing many artists like Billy Corgan, Trent Reznor, Courtney Love, Radiohead, and The Edge. Their 1991 release, Loveless was voted by Rolling Stone as one of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”

8. Ash

Being a band from Northern Ireland, Ash were never really comfortable with their Brit-pop association during the ‘90s. But regardless of musical movement, the band from Downpatrick has released seven studio albums since their formation in 1992. Most notably, their album 1977 was voted by NME as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

9. The Boomtown Rats

The Boomtown Rats are best known for their international hit “I Don't Like Mondays”, and the notable charity work of frontman, Bob Geldof. But it was their 1978 hit single, “Rat Trap”, that put the band on the map. It was the first rock song by an Irish band to get to number one in the UK, and the first from any Irish band to top the BBC’s official chart. It was also the first new wave song to get to number one.

10. Boyzone

When Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Stephen Gately, Keith Duffy, and Mikey Graham were chosen to be Ireland’s answer to Take That, little did they know that Boyzone would end up being one of the biggest-selling singles artists in the history of the British music charts. And it all started in 1993, after responding to a newspaper advert calling for auditions to form a new Irish boy band. Boyzone have released five studio albums, with a new one set for release in 2018 to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

11. Hothouse Flowers

Hothouse Flowers received a helping hand from U2’s Bono in 1986. He made it possible for the band to release their first single, "Love Don't Work This Way" on U2's record label. After releasing their 1988 début album, People, they made Irish music history by releasing the most successful début album ever. Within a week, it shot to number one in Ireland and later got to the number two spot in the UK. The band released their sixth and latest album, Let’s Do This Thing, in November 2016.

12. Sinéad O'Connor

Sinéad O'Connor released her captivating and Grammy-nominated début album, The Lion and the Cobra in 1987. But she shot to global superstardom with her 1990 rendition of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”. This single was taken from her album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, which won her the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance. Since starting her music career in 1986, Sinéad has released ten studio albums, written songs for films, collaborated with numerous artists, appeared at many charity and activism events, and has evoked a fair share of controversy.

13. Van Morrison

Van the Man has won six Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame AND the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also knighted last year for his accomplishments in music and his services to charity and tourism in Northern Ireland. Van Morrison started to gain attention in the mid-’60s after recording the classic, "Gloria", with Them. But it was, and still is his acclaimed solo career that has made him an Irish music icon. After releasing the hit single, "Brown Eyed Girl" in 1967, The Belfast Cowboy became a household name.