Okay, please, please don’t get us wrong. We know that having a headline like “Irish Music to Listen to on St. Patrick’s Day That Isn’t The Pogues” sounds a little spicy. In truth, though, we love Shane MacGowan and The Pogues. Not only does their music absolutely rule, but they’ve become an integral, personal part of the holiday season for many families — be it St. Patrick’s Day or Christmas. But that’s just it, isn’t it? They’re the obvious pick. Lord knows The Pogues’ greatest hits were playing on loop during St. Patrick’s day at my house growing up. Yet, Ireland is home to countless artists who are worth your time, so let’s shake it up a little, shall we?
In an effort to help you diversify your St. Patrick’s Day playlist (and to make sure you don’t have to listen to “I’m Shipping up to Boston” 17 times in a 24-hour span), we’ve pulled together some of our favorite Irish artists and Irish music. Whether you’re looking for some good ol’ traditional Irish folk music like The Chieftains, a beloved Irish rock institution like U2, or modern Irish musical heroes like Fontaines D.C., we’ve got you covered.
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Grab a Guinness, make sure you’re wearing green, and stream some music from the Emerald Isle, why don’t ya? Better yet, grab some friends and get a singalong going — it’s really the respectful thing to do.
— Jonah Krueger
Check out our picks for traditional Irish tunes, beloved Irish rockers, and up-and-coming indie powerhouses below, and scroll to the bottom for the full playlist.
