An event not to be missed in Ireland, celebrated every March 17, St. Patrick's Day is an opportunity to celebrate in green, but also to pay tribute to Irish music.
Famous for its stew, Irish coffee and potato farls,Ireland is also home to many musical treasures. The Green Isle was the birthplace of U2, the Cranberries and The Dubliners.
Here's a selection of 10 Irish artists and groups to (re)discover and celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style!
U2
U2 is certainly one of the most famous Irish bands in the world. Formed in Dublin in 1976, U2 is made up of the legendary Bono, The Edge,Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. With more than 200 million albums sold worldwide, U2 is a household name, thanks to such global hits as " Sunday Bloody Sunday ", " New Year's Day ", " Pride (In the Name of Love) ", " With or Without You ", " I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For ", " Where the Streets Have No Name ", " Desire ", " One", " Mysterious Ways ", " Beautiful Day " and " Vertigo ". Proof of their renown, U2 have won 22 Grammy Awards, and Rolling Stone magazine ranked them 22nd on its list of the 100 greatest artists of all time!
The Cranberries
The Cranberries, the leading band of the 90s, formed in 1989 around guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan, drummer Fergal Lawler and singer Niall Quinn, who was replaced by the late, great Dolores O'Riordan in 1990. The Limerick-based band soon won over fans with their catchy sounds and Dolores O'Riordan's Celtic-tinged vocals. While " Zombie " remains The Cranberries' most famous hit to this day, other songs such as " Linger ", " Dreams ", " Ode to My Family ", " Animal Instinct ", " Promises ", " Just my Imagination " and " Salvation " have also made the band famous. After a six-year break between 2003 and 2009, The Cranberries reformed, releasing"Roses" and"Something Else". The Cranberries ' comeback came to an end when Dolores O'Riordan drowned in London on January 15, 2018.
The Dubliners
A pioneering Irish folk band in Europe, The Dubliners are undoubtedly one of Ireland's most popular groups. Formed in 1962, The Dubliners made their mark with songs such as " Whiskey In the Jar ", covered by artists such as Metallica and Thin Lizzy. " The Irish Rover", " Molly Malone " and " Black Velvert Band " are also among The Dubliners' best-known songs. After 50 years of existence, the band split up in 2012, following the death of Barney McKenna, one of the founding members of The Dubliners.
Sinéad O'Connor
Her incredible voice is known the world over. Originally from Dublin, Sinéad O'Connor (renamed Shuhada' Sadaqat following her conversion to Islam in 2018) quickly made a name for herself in the industry with the release of"The Lion and the Cobra", her debut opus released in 1987 and marked by the single " Mandinka ". But it was in 1990 that Sinéad O'Connor exploded onto the scene, thanks to the sumptuous track"Nothing Compares 2 U", composed by Prince. Taken from"I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got", this album went on to sell 7 million copies worldwide!
Enya
Enya is another of the great Irish voices! Singer, songwriter and musician, Enya is even one of the world's best-selling artists! To date, Enya has released 10 opuses, all between 1987 and 2015. The singer is also known for performing songs related to J. R. R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings", such as " Lothlórien ", " May It Be " and " Aníron ".
Thin Lizzy
The Irish also know how to do hard rock justice! The proof is in the legendary Thin Lizzy. Formed in Dublin in 1969, the band made a name for itself with a cover of the Dubliners' hit " Whiskey in the Jar ". The arrival of guitarists Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham gave Thin Lizzy a new lease of life. Highlights include the 1976 album"Jailbreak", featuring the hit " The Boys Are Back in Town ", as well as"Bad Reputation" and"Chinatown".
The Corrs
Three sisters and a brother: such is the composition of the famous Irish band The Corrs. Formed in Dundalk in the early 90s, The Corrs have made a name for themselves with their Irish folk-influenced pop-rock style. Among their hits? " Runaway ", " Breathless ", " Radio ", " So Young " and " All the Love in the World ". In 2005, The Corrs announced a break in their career, before making a comeback 10 years later. And fans seemed to be waiting for them, as their opus released on this occasion, entitled"White Light", went gold in the UK in January 2016!
The Frames
The Frames are a benchmark in Irish rock. Founded by Glen Hansard in 1990, the group has been instrumental in the development of several other Irish rock bands in recent years, including Turn. Proof of their reputation, The Frames have toured with other prestigious Irish musicians, including Damien Rice. Glen Hansard finally launched his solo career in April 2006 with the release of"The Swell Season". Recently, Glen Hansard took part in the soundtrack of the film"Flag Day" directed by Sean Penn, alongside Eddie Vedder and Cat Power.
The Chieftains
Another legendary Irish band? The Chieftains! Founded in 1962, The Chieftains quickly won over the hearts of many fans with their focus on traditional Irish music. A Celtic music band par excellence, The Chieftains have played regularly at some of the biggest festivals in the genre (Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Guinness Irish Festival...). The group can also boast some " historic " concerts. In 1983, The Chieftains became the first Western band to play on the Great Wall of China. Proof of their renown is the fact that they have won six Grammy awards in the course of their long career!
Damien Rice
A discreet Irish singer-songwriter, Damien Rice is an outstanding musician. He is equally at home on piano, guitar, clarinet and percussion. His wide range of skills has produced a number of hits, including"The Blower's Daughter", released in 2004 on the opus"O" and chosen for the soundtrack of the film"Closer, entre adultes consentants". The"O" album became the first album to rank as the second best-selling album of all time in Ireland, behind U2. Damien Rice is also known for having collaborated for several years with his compatriot, singer Lisa Hannigan.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. There are many Irish artists to discover, including Van Morrison, Hozier, Lisa Hannigan, The Script and My Bloody Valentine.
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