Country music has long been one of the most popular genres here in Ireland. If you can remember just a decade ago when Gareth Brook sold out five nights in the Cork Park stadium, you'll recall how big a deal this was, as it was something few artists are able to replicate. Then you've got the likes of Johnny Cash, whose albums can be found decorating the shelves of most households across the island. You throw in the Likes of Willy Nelson and Dolly Parton, and the country's appetite for the genre becomes crystal clear. Ireland wasn't just an importer of country music, and it has produced some of the most substantial names in the business.
In this article, we've compiled a list of the most famous Irish country singers to shed some light on some of our finest homegrown talent.
Daniel O’Donnell: The People’s Champion
If you’ve ever wandered into an Irish home during teatime television, chances are you’ve seen Daniel O’Donnell’s warm smile beaming from the screen. Daniel has somewhat of a cult following for his beautiful voice and the personality he possesses off stage.
“I never wanted a barrier between myself and the people who support me,” he once remarked, and you can definitely see from his shows. When you do attend a show of his, it really becomes more than a performance; it's the Daniel show.
As a country singer, he's got a record-breaking 40 albums and refuses to chase trends, crafting his own sound. Would you believe it if we told you that he’s actually the only artist to chart in the UK Albums Chart for 30 consecutive years? Not bad for a humble lad from Kincasslagh who once thought he might become a banker.
Nathan Carter: The Dance Hall Revivalist
If you've ever found yourself at a family wedding or on a night out in Coppers, then you're likely all too familiar with the effect that “Wagon Wheel" has on the Irish. This masterpiece is from country singer Nathan Carter, who we think you'll agree knows how to create an experience. He's often credited not just for lifting the Irish country scene but for revolutionising it.
When he first started out back in 2010, the general consensus was that country music was more for the older generation. But now, if you venture out to any dance hall across Ireland, you'll find it filled with fans of all ages, thanks to singers like himself.
Many of these country artists are also recognised among Ireland's most celebrated singers across all genres.
Philomena Begley: The Trailblazer
We couldn't discuss the most famous Irish country singers without giving Philomena Begley the recognition she deserves. Long before it was common for women to front country bands, Philomena was there touring relentlessly with the Old Cross Ceili Band and later her own Country Flavour outfit.
You could definitely say that she walked so that today's country women singers could run. Aside from the massive influence she has on generations of female Irish country singers, she had the pipes to back it up.
Her distinctive voice brought authenticity to every note and went down a treat no matter if she was performing in a local GAA club or across the pond in the home of country music.
Big Tom McBride: The Gentle Giant
This man's nickname says all you need to know about him. Tom McBride or "The King" was one of the biggest successes across small towns and rural communities of Ireland. This soft-spoken farmer from Monaghan wasn’t just a country singer; he was Irish country music.
If you weren't alive to hear his biggest hits when they first hit the radio, then your parents will be able to tell you all about the likes of “Four Country Roads” and “Gentle Mother”.
Of course, back then, we didn't have all the same channels of media that are around today. Radio and TV had a much bigger influence on what people listened to, and Tom McBride was close to unavoidable at the time, so it's a good job that his music and personality were so loved.
Margo O’Donnell: The Resilient Voice
This legend's journey in Irish country music began as a teenager, when she stood out for having an extraordinary voice. Now, you might think that the path to becoming a singer would be a walk in the park once you've got the voice, right? Well, she faced her fair share of challenges as a woman in a man's world. However, her perseverance and talent made her a role model both inside and outside of country music.
Margo was inducted into the Irish Country Music Hall of Fame during RTÉ’s Late Late Show Country Music Special. The award was presented by her brother, Daniel O’Donnell, making her the fourth inductee after Big Tom, Philomena Begley, and Daniel himself.
Her hits like “Bonny Irish Boy” and “The Anniversary Waltz” are a perfect example of how her voice conveyed both strength and vulnerability. Female country artists have made significant contributions; learn more in our article about the top Irish female vocalists.
Lisa McHugh: The Modern Traditionalist
Born in Glasgow to Irish parents, McHugh represents a new generation of artists who honour tradition while refusing to be constrained by it. You could say that it is this approach that makes her such an interesting country artist to listen to. She really pushed the boundaries and expanded the definition of what an Irish country artist can be.
She's one of those artists who is so much more than the music and has built herself to be quite the public figure, hosting her own television show and being quite the success on social media, too. Her awards do even more talking, it would seem, as she was the deserving winner of a number of Female Vocalist of the Year awards.
If you don't know where to start with her music, let us guide you. You can start with songs like “Apple Jack” and “Hillbilly Girl” which are both great examples of how she was so comfortable in her musical identity.
Foster & Allen: The Harmonious Duo
It's hard to believe that Ireland's biggest country duo never actually planned to become such stars; it all just sort of happened. The pair of Mick Foster and guitarist Tony Allen began performing together in 1975; they were nothing more than a couple of friends who enjoyed making music together. Who would have thought that they would go from playing gigs to selling millions of albums?
It's when you hear their harmonious blend of traditional Irish songs and country classics that their success starts to make perfect sense. After more than 45 years together, Foster & Allen have become more than just performers.
They’re cultural ambassadors who have introduced Irish music to audiences who might never have discovered it otherwise.
Susan McCann: The Storyteller
You don't need to be from Ireland to realise that when Susan McCann steps onto a stage, something magical happens. She has this way of taking you from any venue that she performs at to beside a crackling fireplace with the storytelling qualities she possesses.
Her crystal-clear vocals first gained national attention with her 1977 tribute “Big Tom Is Still The King.” Still, it was her ability to inhabit the characters in her songs that established her as a unique presence in Irish country music.
Susan was also inducted into the Irish Country Music Hall of Fame during RTÉ’s Late Late Show Country Music Special. The emotional ceremony featured tributes from fellow country legends Margo and Philomena Begley.
If you want to dive headfirst into the country singer's music, then we suggest you try out her signature “String of Diamonds". These country stars have often performed Ireland's most iconic songs, adding their unique twists.
Derek Ryan: The Songwriter’s Journey
Few musical transformations are as fascinating as Derek Ryan’s evolution from boy band pop star to one of Irish country music’s most respected singer-songwriters. His journey from the glossy world of D-Side to the heartland of country music isn’t just a career change – it’s a return to his roots and a testament to authentic artistic expression.
His impressive vocal range and piano skills are displayed to full effect in his energetic live performances, which attract fans across generations. “I want my shows to feel inclusive,” he says. “Country music at its best brings people together.” This philosophy has helped him build a devoted following that appreciates his respect for tradition while embracing his forward-thinking approach.
Cliona Hagan: The Rising Star
To round off our list of the most famous country singers in Ireland, we've got the incredibly talented Cliona Hagan. While some of our brightest artists unfortunately have to travel a little further afield to make a career for themselves, she is a home-grown talent and goes through a rather unconventional door, too.
Her singing career was actually accelerated by “The All Ireland Talent Show,” which got eyes from all over the country on her and her impressive vocal range. Trust us when we tell you that she's definitely worth checking out. You can start off with “Dance On” and “That Country Girl” and make your way through the rest of her albums from there.
From your listening, you'll begin to see why she got her Grammy consideration and deserved all the international attention that came with it. Some of these solo artists have roots in or collaborations with Ireland's greatest bands.
The Enduring Legacy of Irish Country Music
Despite the country's historic ties with country music, the revival that's gone on over the course of the last few years has been substantial. You'll notice how a few of the young heads, some of which you may not have been familiar with, have exploded onto the scene, not just here in Ireland, but across the world. If you're looking for some fresh-sounding music to get into, we definitely advise you to check out some of these names, wherever you stream your music.
Diving into the discography of any of the country singers mentioned in this article will not only give you some understanding of their inclusion on our list, but it will also leave you with a newfound appreciation for the genre as a whole. You should find yourself with a sense of reassurance that Irish country music is in safe hands, seeing the trajectory of where the island's singers are taking it.
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