What makes traditional music so special is the strong sense of community it builds. Musicians who don’t know each other at all often play together. It’s all about getting together socially and playing tunes, purely for the enjoyment of it.
Dr Sandra Joyce, Director of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
Irish ballads are central to Ireland's musical identity. They tell stories of love, loss, history, and everyday life. From traditional Irish ballads passed down through generations to modern Irish ballad songs topping the charts. Here are some of the noteworthy Irish ballads, and we've tried to include something for everyone, but feel free to let us know in the comments if there are any you'd like us to include.
| Song | Artist | Year Released | Peak Irish Chart Position | Awards / Recognition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fields of Gold | Mary Black | 1999 | Not charted as a single | Album Speaking with the Angel commercially successful in Ireland | |
| Crazy World | Aslan | 1993 | #4 | Hot Press Single of the Year (1993) | |
| When You're Gone | The Cranberries | 1996 | Top 30 | Featured on a multi-platinum Irish album | |
| I Never Loved You Anyway | The Corrs | 1997 | #1 | From Talk on Corners, one of Ireland’s best-selling albums | |
| My Love | Westlife | 2000 | #1 | Record of the Year (UK, 2000) | |
| Galway Girl | Sharon Shannon & Mundy | 2000 | #1 | One of the best-selling singles in Ireland (late 2000s) | |
| Óró | Sé do Bheatha ’Bhaile | The Wolfe Tones | Traditional | Not charted | Widely recognised Irish-language rebel song |
| Grace | The Dubliners | 1985 | Not charted | Considered a definitive modern Irish ballad | |
| Zombie | The Cranberries | 1994 | #1 | MTV Europe Music Award for Best Song (1995) | |
| New Day | LYRA | 2020 | No published peak | Recognised as a contemporary Irish ballad |
Fields of Gold – Mary Black
Mary Black is one of the most respected folk singers in Ireland. She's famous for her clear vocal style. She emerged from the Irish traditional scene towards the end of the last century. She brought Irish folk music to international audiences. Her work blends traditional musical influences and contemporary songwriting.
Irish ballads are narrative songs that tell stories of love, loss, history, or everyday life. They often focus on memorable characters, emotional moments, and straightforward storytelling rather than complex musical arrangements. Many traditional Irish ballads were passed down orally long before they were ever written or recorded.
“Fields of Gold" was recorded by Mary Black in 1999. It became one of the most recognisable songs. It was initially written by Sting, but her version became closely associated with Irish folk music. It features a gentle melody and reflective lyrics, which is why it's so popular for auditions and acoustic performances.
Crazy World – Aslan
Aslan is a Dublin band. They're famous for their songwriting and live performances. The group built a loyal following in the early 1990s thanks to their songs on working-class life and personal struggle. "Crazy World" was released in 1993.
people worldwide who claim Irish ancestry, which is likely why Irish music resonates so strongly.
It's one of the band's defining songs with reflective lyrics and a memorable chorus that propelled it to chart success. The song is regularly played on Irish radio and is popular for sing-alongs.
When You're Gone – The Cranberries
The Cranberries became internationally famous in the 1990s. Their blend of alternative Irish rock and melodic, emotional songs often explored grief, identity, and political conflict. Their sound helped them stand apart at the time.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean diam dolor, accumsan sed rutrum vel, Traditional Irish ballads are usually anonymous folk songs rooted in oral tradition and historical events. Modern Irish ballad songs are written by known artists and often blend folk storytelling with pop or rock influences. Both styles share a strong focus on lyrics and emotional connection.et leo.
“When You're Gone" is a profoundly personal ballad about the death of Dolores O'Riordan's grandfather. The song is one of the band's most intimate and reflective recordings. It's a beautiful and emotionally vulnerable track.
I Never Loved You Anyway – The Corrs
The Corrs are a family band from Dundalk. They found fame and international success in the late 1990s with their fusion of traditional music and pop. While traditional instruments are a defining feature of their songs, the arrangements often have more contemporary sensibilities.
“I Never Loved You Anyway” came out in 1997. It became one of the band's biggest hits in Ireland. The song is a mix of powerful choruses and confident pop lyrics. It's one of the most memorable breakup ballads of 90s Irish pop music.
My Love – Westlife
One of Ireland's most successful pop groups, Westlife is known for emotional ballads with strong vocal harmonies. Westlife was formed in the 1990s and quickly became hugely popular in both Ireland and the UK. Their music is often about love.
years of documented Irish musical tradition.
“My Love" was released in 2000. It was a number-one hit in Ireland. The song talks of homesickness and distance, making it good listening for any Irish people living abroad. It's one of the group's signature ballads.
Galway Girl – Sharon Shannon & Mundy
Sharon Shannon is a famous traditional Irish musician. She helped bring a lot of accordion-led Irish folk music to mainstream audiences. She's a singer-songwriter whose music often blends folk and pop. This collaboration helped introduce her to a younger audience at the time.
“Galway Girl” is a song written by Steve Earle that tells the story of romance in the west of Ireland. The Irish version quickly became popular for its upbeat tempo. It's understandably closely associated with the city of Galway and also pub music culture in Ireland.
Óró, Sé do Bheatha ’Bhaile – The Wolfe Tones
The Wolf Tones are famous for Irish rebel and folk songs. Their music has kept political and historical ballads in the public consciousness. The band has enjoyed sustained relevance since the 1960s.
“Óró, Sé do Bheatha ’Bhaile” is a traditional Irish-language song. It gained new meaning during the twentieth century. Patrick Pearse added verses to it to link it to Irish independence movements. This song is still played at commemorations and cultural events.
Grace – The Dubliners
The Dubliners played a key role in the 20th-century Irish folk music revival. Their raw performances helped bring songs to new audiences. They're still one of Ireland's most influential folk groups.
“Grace” is a song about Grace Gifford and Joseph Mary Plunkett during the Easter Rising. However, the song is about love and humanity more than politics. It's one of the most powerful modern Irish ballads.
Zombie – The Cranberries
Another from the Cranberries: a heavier ballad. "Zombie" was written in response to violence during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It's more aggressive than a traditional ballad, but the lyrical structure makes it an excellent addition for those looking for something a little different from the other ballads we've seen so far.
Irish ballads resonate internationally because their themes are universal. Emigration, homesickness, love, rebellion, and memory are experiences shared across cultures. This is why Irish ballads continue to be covered, re-recorded, and performed worldwide.
New Day – LYRA
LYRA is a modern generation of Irish songwriters who draw on emotional storytelling. Her work blends pop and introspective lyrics. "New Day" shows how contemporary Irish artists can continue the ballad tradition in modern contexts. Listen to hear how Irish ballads evolve while keeping their emotional core.
Of course, if you'd like to learn more about music, consider working with a private tutor on Superprof. Just search for the instrument you'd like to learn and start browsing the tutors' profiles. With many offering the first lesson for free, you can try a few before choosing the right one for you.
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