Best Irish Music Artists

U2

U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk and gradually evolved to incorporate elements of alternative rock, electronic, and pop music. Known for their anthemic sound and use... read more

Second best band ever. Definitely the best from Ireland. They have two of the best albums ever: The Joshua Tree and The Unforgettable Fire. Bono is a great vocalist, and everyone else is underrated. The Edge is one of the best guitarists - listen to Pride, Sunday Bloody Sunday, and Until The End Of The World. Clayton is one of the best bassists - listen to New Year's Day, Bullet The Blue Sky, and I Will Follow. Larry is a great drummer - listen to Sunday Bloody Sunday and Bullet The Blue Sky. Such a talented, creative band.

Sunday Bloody Sunday is a song that is so expressive. War and their Live Aid concert were perfect. The whole Joshua Tree album was massive.
Achtung Baby was marvelously unique. Beautiful Day is uplifting. Need more examples?

Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Their leader, Phil Lynott, was composer or co-composer of almost all of the band's songs and was the first black Irishman to achieve commercial success in the field of rock music.... read more

Thin Lizzy is so underrated. They are completely overshadowed by other artists!

They are another amazing band to have come from Ireland.

The Script

The Script is an Irish pop-rock band formed in 2001. The band consists of keyboardist and lead vocalist Danny O'Donoghue, guitarist and vocalist Mark Sheehan, and drummer Glen Power. They are known for their melodic sound and have released several successful albums and singles.

My first concert was one of theirs, and I still haven't been to a better one three years later. The only one even close to that good was another one of theirs. They are wonderful artists and people. They act from the heart and are an inspiration to many. Even though they're quite famous, they still stay close to their fans (The Script Family).

Absolutely underrated! I've been to many of their gigs, and the way they interact with the audience is unique! Not only are they brilliant musicians, but also the most humble and kind people I have ever met in the music business. Each of them is an absolute gem!

The Cranberries

The Cranberries are an Irish rock band who formed in Limerick in 1989. The band consists of lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan, and drummer Fergal Lawler. They rose to fame in the 1990s with hits such as Linger, Dreams, and Zombie.

It's disrespectful to put The Script before The Cranberries. Mostly, it's U2 at #1, who sold 175 million records worldwide, and The Cranberries at #2, who sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. When it comes to taste, Dolores O'Riordan is at the top, named top female artist of all time by Billboard's Alternative Songs. This says it all.

Those who knew the '90s cannot vote for anything other than The Cranberries. Away from commercial music and the "bling-bling" bands. Pure music.

Best Irish band ever. Probably a top 20 in rock history and the most underrated band ever. Why? There isn't an explanation.

Van Morrison

Sir George Ivan Morrison OBE is a Northern Irish singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and record producer. In 2016, he was knighted for services to the music industry and to tourism in Northern Ireland. Morrison is known for classic songs such as Brown Eyed Girl and the critically acclaimed album Astral... read more

Clannad

The Pogues

One of the absolute greatest bands out of Ireland, with the animosity and fusion of classic Irish folk with modern (at the time) rock. Truly a great band, not afraid to get in your face.

The grandfathers of Celtic punk have to be on this list.

Enya

Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin, known professionally as Enya, is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician, and producer. She is known for her unique sound that blends Celtic, folk, and ambient elements. Enya has sold over 75 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all... read more

She's too fantastic to be at 13. She's got to move to at least the top 5. Well, it's only a matter of time.

She transcends most other mere musicians, even the other Irish ones!

Are you kidding me? Enya at 21? She deserves to be in the top 5 at least.

Gary Moore

Robert William Gary Moore was a Northern Irish musician, celebrated as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso rock/blues guitarist. His solo career included the hit album Still Got the Blues (1990).

One of the finest musicians ever - his guitar can cry and speak. R.I.P. Gary.

Sinead O'Connor

Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor was an Irish singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra. She gained global recognition with her 1990 cover of Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U. Throughout her career, she was known for her powerful voice and outspoken... read more

Great person, singer, and writer. Can't not be here.

?

Niall Horan

Niall James Horan is an Irish singer-songwriter and guitarist, known as a member of the boy band One Direction. After the group went on hiatus, he launched a solo career with albums like Flicker (2017), Heartbreak Weather (2020), and The Show (2023). Horan has also served as a coach on The Voice.

Niall Horan is a singer from Mullingar. He once sang in the boyband One Direction, but he is now a solo artist.

?

Fangclub

A new grunge band consisting of Steven King (guitar, vocals), Kevin Keane (bass), and Dara Coleman (drums). Fantastic songs include Bullet Head and Vulture Culture. More people need to listen to them.

Rory Gallagher

William Rory Gallagher, born in 1948 and passed away in 1995, was an Irish blues and rock multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader.

He was known for his electrifying guitar work, slide playing, and intense live performances. Gallagher released more than a dozen solo albums and significantly... read more

The only guitarist who can be compared to Hendrix. The person who paved the way for all the other Irish musicians to come. The man who inspired Brian May, Johnny Marr, Slash, and The Edge. The man who got Clapton back into the blues. Rory is, without a doubt, the greatest Irish musician ever.

Amazing guitarist, musician, and person. He is my hero and deserves to be number one on every positive guitar list.

The first Irish superstar. The rest followed, but no one could play like Rory. Greatest guitarist ever.

The Dubliners

Westlife

Westlife were an Irish boy band formed in July 1998 and initially disbanded in June 2012. They were signed by Simon Cowell and managed by Louis Walsh, who helped shape their early success. The final line-up included Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan, and the group reunited in 2018... read more

Definitely one of the best groups to come from Ireland. Fourteen number-one hits. Well deserved.

The Undertones

Róisín Murphy

The Corrs

The Irish Simon and Garfunkel. They should be in the top 5.

The Corrs at number 25? The angelic voice of Andrea Corr must be higher.

Hozier

Andrew John Hozier‑Byrne, known mononymously as Hozier, is an Irish musician, singer, and songwriter. He rose to fame in 2013 with his debut single Take Me to Church, which became a global hit. Hozier has since released multiple critically acclaimed albums and is known for his soulful voice and poetic... read more

Listen to "From Eden" or "Like Real People Do" or basically any of his other songs. He's brilliant.

One of the best rising stars of 2015. Glad to see he didn't turn out to be a one-hit wonder.

An amazing artist with such a pure, beautiful voice. Fabulous!

Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol are a Northern Irish-Scottish rock band formed in 1994, originally from Dundee, Scotland, and later based in Northern Ireland. The band consists of Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly, Paul Wilson, Jonny Quinn, and Johnny McDaid. They achieved international success with their 2006 single Chasing... read more

Brilliant band with great lyrics and music as a whole. They should definitely be in the top ten at least.

The best love song of all time is Chasing Cars because it is happy and sad.

Kodaline

Kodaline is an Irish rock band. Originally known as 21 Demands, the band changed its name to Kodaline in 2012. They gained recognition with their debut single All I Want, which was featured in several television shows and films.

Kodaline is an amazing band! Their albums are so different from each other but still so good! In a Perfect World has melodious tunes, while Coming Up for Air has heavier songs. I can't wait for the new album! The singles show great promise!

If you're searching for good music, Kodaline is exactly what you're looking for. They're just way too underrated.

The best Irish band playing right now! "In a Perfect World" really is perfection!

The Answer

Boyzone

The Waterboys

They came in and went away like a bullet! Still listening 20 years later!

Dropkick Murphys

Dropkick Murphys are an American Celtic punk band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1996. They were initially signed to Hellcat Records and released five albums with the label. The band gained a strong local following through constant touring and their annual St. Patrick's Day shows.

Damien Rice

#34? I don't know what kind of music the world listens to, but this guy clearly deserves a slot in the top ten.

This guy is a living legend. He is so talented, just amazing!