[2025] The Wonderful Irish: Popular Bands from Ireland
The music that comes from the historic nation of Ireland is incredibly captivating, and many music lovers probably feel intrigued the moment they see the word “Irish.”
There are even genres like Irish folk and Irish punk performed by musicians who aren’t Irish themselves, including Japanese artists.
In this article, we’re highlighting some of the outstanding rock bands and musical groups that Ireland has produced.
From world-famous bands to promising young acts, we’ll introduce a wide-ranging lineup!
Even if you’re a fan of Western music, you might discover that a band you like is actually Irish without realizing it.
Enjoy the read!
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[2025] The Wonderful Irish: Popular Bands from Ireland (21–30)
Whiskey in the JarThe Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band formed in Dublin in 1962 and cherished for many years.
They achieved international success with traditional street ballads and performances featuring Irish instruments.
This traditional Irish song, released in 1968, became their signature song.
Go Dig My GraveLankum
Lankum are a four-piece folk band from Dublin, Ireland, who originally performed as a sibling duo under the name Lynched.
Formed in 2000, they changed to their current name in 2016 as noted above.
Their distinctive, dark, and weighty sound is rooted in traditional Irish folk while incorporating elements of punk and drone.
They drew widespread attention with their 2019 album The Livelong Day, winning Ireland’s RTÉ Choice Music Prize for Album of the Year.
Their March 2023 release, False Lankum, earned high praise and a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize in the UK.
Blending tradition with innovation, their music suggests new possibilities for Irish folk.
[2025] The Wonderful Irish: Popular Bands from Ireland (31–40)
Observatory DestroyerThe Jimmy Cake
The Jimmy Cake is a nine-member music group that originally performed under the name Das Madman, beginning in the late 1990s in Dublin.
This track is included on their fourth album, Master, released in 2015.
EchoesGod Is An Astronaut
God Is an Astronaut is an Irish post-rock band formed in 2002 by brothers Niels and Torsten Kinsella.
This song is included on their fourth, self-titled album, released in 2008.
Love Like NicotineDark Room Notes
Dark Room Notes is an Irish electro-synthpop group.
They are known for a sound style characterized by a somewhat dark, introverted, and lyrical sensibility.
This song was released as a single in 2007.
The band disbanded in 2013.
Shining LightAsh
A song by the Northern Irish rock band Ash.
It was written about frontman Tim Wheeler’s ex-girlfriend, Audrey.
The track won Best Contemporary Song at the 2001 Ivor Novello Awards and Best Single at the 2002 Irish Music Awards.
Born to the FightWaylander
Waylander, formed in the early 1990s, is known for its unique sound that fuses traditional Celtic music with heavy metal.
They made their debut in April 1998 and drew attention with tracks like “Born to the Fight.” Their hallmark is the combination of Celtic instruments such as flute and bagpipes with heavy guitar riffs, complemented by lyrics inspired by Irish history and mythology.
They gained popularity at metal festivals across Europe, and their contribution to establishing the distinct genre of Celtic metal is significant.
It’s a highly recommended album for those drawn to the fusion of a weighty sound and richly ethnic melodies.