We have a lot of incredible singers, many of whom have passed yet, if you were to mention their name to a young Irish child their legacy is so great there would be instant recognition. In fact, Irish nay, Celtic singing culture is so popular globally, there are even bands on the far side of the world who perform their interpretation.
For example the Derina Harvey Band from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are an extremely popular, Celtic Rock band heavily influenced by the Irish accent and musical sound.
Another excellent example of how far the Irish singing and musical influence has reached is the Dropkick Murphys, an American Celtic punk band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts. I honestly think most Irish and American people know the song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" just by the intro.
Irish Singers, Why Are They So Popular?
A lot of Irish people are decent singers. Music has historically been a major part of our culture, through the ages across the country (and the pond) as the Irish performed in bars and pubs, different styles of traditional music from different Irish regions began to blend.
The Emerald Isle has produced some of the world's most talented musicians and singers, spanning generations alongside every style and genre of music.
But Just Why Is Irish Music and Singing So Popular?
Irish music is played on the street. It is played in people’s houses. It is played in the pub. It is played on festival stages and in the glamour of TV studios.
Our traditional music and songs are centuries old but never seem outdated. Irish Music has the power to speak to anyone, anywhere. From Galway to Tenessee or Tokyo to Sydney.
Why?
It's actually really simple, Irish rock songs tell a story and Irish singers know how to tell a story filled with charm and emotion unlike anyone else.
Let's give an example of one of the best-known Irish stories and the charming men who told it.
The Dubliners' "Molly Malone" tells the tale of a fishmonger who sells "cockles and mussels” in the streets of Dublin. The song — which dates back to the 1800s — was even named the unofficial anthem of Dublin, where you can find a statue of Molly Malone herself!
As far as the most recognisable old Irish songs, many people across the world would say that 'The Fields of Athenry' holds the top spot. Pete St. John immortalised the town of Athenry in the song. It tells the story of a young man who is caught stealing corn from Lord Trevelyn during the Irish Famine and who is deported to Botany Bay in Australia as punishment for his crime.
Even to this day, it serves as an unofficial anthem to the millions of Irish abroad missing their homeland.
Up there with The Fields of Athenry, is Grace and its many renditions. Possibly one of the saddest songs ever written it just connects with the soul in a way few songs do, I mean, I'll put it this way, 'Grace' is like an Irish version of Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On'.
Grace has been sung by everyone from its original singer Jim McCann to many other talented Irish groups and pop artists such as The High Kings, The Wolfe Tones, The Dubliners, The Whistlin's Donkeys to Aoife Scott, Róisin O, Danny O'Reilly frontman of the Coronas and even couple of British singers have covered the song such as Nathan Carter and Sir Rod Stewart.
Grace was written in 1985 by Frank and Seán O’Meara, about a woman named Grace Evelyn Gifford Plunkett.
‘Grace’ was an Irish artist and an active Republican. In 1916, she married her fiancé Joseph Plunkett (one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising) in Kilmainham Gaol a couple of hours prior to his execution. The power of this song has been seen to bring many audiences to tears.
The Wolfe Tones and Irish Party Songs
So, The Wolfe Tones are Irish folk singers although, when the media chooses, they refer to them as a 'rebel band'.
The group started back in 1963, when three neighbouring children from the Dublin suburb of Inchicore, Brian, Noel, and Liam, started playing music together. In August 1964 Brian's brother Derek joined the band, and in November 1964 Tommy replaced Liam, creating the band's most recognizable line-up, which would last for nearly 37 years until January 2001.
The Wolfe Tones continue to tour, but as a three-piece band comprising Brian Warfield, Noel Nagle and Tommy Byrne, they will be playing a TUS Gaelic Grounds Limerick, Sat, 26 Aug 2023 and 2 dates at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2023 is set to take place in Mullingar from the 6th to 14th of August.
The Wolfe Tones are one of Ireland's most recognisable bands, and no matter where an Irish person is they will sing along. However, to request a song can be risky at times as the titles used to be appropriate but now with things getting increasingly censored, it can be difficult.
There have been many popular Irish bands over the years. Some, like U2 and The Cranberries, made it worldwide while other Irish rock bands like Aslan never managed to make it past the UK.
For example, the song Come Out, Ye Black and Tans (written by Dominic Behan).
The Black and Tans mentioned in this song was the nickname for the British constables that served in the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) during the Irish War of Independence. The constables were known for their brutality and other unlawful acts including arson, looting, attacks on civilians and unlawful evictions.
Other controversial ballad titles by the band include:
- Only Our Rivers Run Free
- The Impartial Police Force
- Some Say the Devil is Dead
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