Ireland’s rich musical heritage continues to evolve, producing a diverse array of talented singers who captivate audiences worldwide. There are so many unique sounds brewing up at the moment here on the Emerald Isle, and you can definitely see how previous generations have influenced those to come after them.
In this article, we're going to take a look at the most famous Irish singers and get a sense for what makes them so great. We hope to celebrate the Icons coming out of Ireland and flying the flag so proudly, as well as those who are currently entering their musical primes.
By the time you've finished this article, you'll have a newfound appreciation for the most famous Irish singers and plenty of additions to your playlist.
Let’s explore some Irish singers who have significantly contributed to the global music scene.
Bono
You'll struggle to come across a list of famous Irish singers without the mention of Bono, and with good reason! Bono is a name that almost transcends music, the level of fame that he achieved alongside his band U2 over the course of his career. Of course, all the great charity work and donations he made to humanitarian aid organisations over the years are another reason why his impact seemingly transcends his on-stage accomplishments.
Bono's nickname is based on a local hearing-aid store in Dublin, 'Bonavox'.
While this definitely added to his fame and earned him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination along the way, let's not lose sight of what got the light shining on him in the first place. Bono was the personification of a true rockstar and had the voice to go with it, too. There's no doubt that he's up there with the most famous Irish singers of all time.
Enya
You likely know her as her on-stage alias as opposed to her real name, but Eithne Ní Bhraonáin is another one of Ireland's claims to fame. She is known far beyond the borders of our Ireland for being one of the most angelic singers to make music. If you were to browse through her artist profile on Spotify, you'd see that she has song after song with hundreds of millions of plays on the platform alone. This level of fame also translates over to YouTube, where she's got similar numbers across most of her releases. Then there's the karaoke re-uploads that can be found for her intentional fanbase looking to sing along to her songs. She's known all over for her layered vocals and blending elements of Celtic, new age, and ambient music into something so beautiful and captivating.
Sinéad O’Connor
Before we get any further, now feels like a good time to mention that our list of the most famous Irish singers follows no particular order. Seeing as we're about to move on to the iconic Sinéad O’Connor, it might feel like anything outside of the top spot would be doing her a disservice. So, with that out of the way, let's talk more about the powerful voice and uncompromising attitude that burst onto the scene in the late 80s.
To this very day, her Spotify account receives over 5 million unique listeners each month, which is the entire population of the Republic of Ireland. While she may no longer be with us, this shows how her legacy lives on through her music. While her voice will always be remembered as one of the best, how she used the platform that it gave her is what separates her from many of the other mentions on our list. Discover the talented women who've shaped Irish music in our article on the best Irish female singers.
Hozier
Andrew Hozier-Byrne, or as you most likely know him Hozier, has become one of Ireland’s most internationally recognised singers in recent years. His inclusion on our list of the most famous Irish singers was a no-brainer, seeing as he's become a household name worldwide for his voice. There was a time when his breakout song “Take Me to Church” was unavoidable, but with his distinguished vocals, it never became stale like so many hit singles do.
It's understandable why this song garnered such international attention and earned him such a devoted global following. It's not all that often when an artist breaks through, bringing with them a unique blend of blues, rock, and folk influences. Time and time again, the talented singer seems to prove that he's far from a one-trick pony as he continues to evolve his sound while showing off those impressive vocals. His recent hit “Too Sweet” reached the top spot on the UK charts for two weeks, which only further cements him as one of the most famous Irish singers out there.
Elijah Hewson
Elijah Hewson is the lead singer of one of Ireland’s most thrilling rock exports, a band called Inhaler. Music lovers evidently value artists who truly have their own unique sound and style. While some artists might at times seem like a copy and paste of those who have come before them, and others who occupy the pop space, it's the artistic singers who tend to capture the most devoted fan bases. It also makes for an easier listen when you can jump from one album to the next and experience an entirely different sound. This is exactly what Elijah has been able to do through her vocals in Inhaler. So, if you want to see why she's achieved so much fame alongside one of the country's most exciting groups, then you'll definitely want to check her out. For country music enthusiasts, you may want to learn more about Ireland's top country singers and their contributions.
Dermot Kennedy
Dermot Kennedy is an absolute monster on the world stage, and his success can't be denied as he's definitely one of the most successful contemporary singer-songwriters out there. He definitely has his own sound, and if you like to take some time out of your day to get all up in your feel, then his music offers a great outlet for exactly that.
Every Irish singer has a dream of grabbing their own place on the island's music charts, even if just for a day. However, few do so in their debut album, something Kennedy managed to do with his debut “Without Fear”; he went a step further, topping charts worldwide. It's no wonder he's garnered such international appeal. Just how many singers out there can you find with the ability to blend folk, hip-hop, and electronic elements, all while pouring out such raw emotion with their voice?
Saoirse Miller
Saoirse Miller is your singer's favourite singer. She represents a new wave of Irish artists blending traditional elements with contemporary sounds. Despite her young age, she's no stranger to collaborating with fellow Irish talents and challenging herself to grow as a singer. If you're a fan of Irish music, then you may already be familiar with her from her features with Irish hip hop trio 'Low Kick' as well as D*MP.
If we were trying to put a label on her debut EP “Birds” for you, we'd probably describe it as an electroacoustic journey through themes of death, love and folklore. Throw it on yourself and see why she's become one of the most famous Irish singers for her unique approach to songwriting and production.
Niall Horan
You've probably been reading through this article with a growing question in the back of your mind. Where's Niall Horan? And rightly so, the level of fame that Niall has amassed over the course of his career is something only a small number of artists in the entire world have accomplished. Learn about the most iconic Irish songs that have captivated audiences worldwide.
If the name doesn't ring a bell with you, then his former boy band, 'One Direction', should freshen your memory! You might say it's impossible to follow up with what the group has managed to accomplish in just a short amount of time together. Well, since breaking out as a solo artist, he's not doing a bad job of it by any stretch of the imagination!
Spider
Spider is the first name on our list that we'll forgive you if you haven't heard of her before. And that's only because the singer wasn't always releasing music under this alias. Jennifer Irabor actually began releasing synth-pop under the name Jenn. The reason she has become so popular among singers and fans alike is that she has shown a tremendous amount of resilience in staying true to her sound and voice. She faced challenges with producers limiting her artistic expression, and ended up taking a small break. It was then that she returned under the name 'Spider' with her trademark alternative pop sound. She's just another example of how many of the most famous singers in Ireland have so much of their musical careers ahead of them!
Róisín Murphy
Finishing off our list on a strong note, we've got Wicklow's very own Róisín Murphy. It's not often you come across such a talented singer making waves in the electronic scene, so it's no wonder she's risen to fame as quickly as she has.
No matter whether you get your music on Soundcloud, Apple Music or Spotify, we implore you to stream albums like “Overpowered” and “Róisín Machine,” which blend disco, house, and art pop together with that incredible voice of hers. We're confident that once you're done listening, you'll not only understand the appeal, but you'll be the newest member of her cult following. Many of these celebrated artists have been part of Ireland's greatest bands throughout history.
Listening to the most famous Irish Singers
While much of Irish music is influenced by the nation's deep history, it's interesting to see how timeless the deeply rooted work of some of the country's best singers has been among their International fan bases. We also hope that after your reading, you find yourself with a sense of reassurance, seeing as many of the most famous singers are just getting started, bringing the country's influences to light with their fresh sounds and distinct voices. As these singers continue to push boundaries and explore new territories, they ensure that the country's musical legacy remains as dynamic as ever on the global stage.
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