The following are often-sung Irish folk ballads and folk songs. The songs are arranged by theme under the categories "Politics and soldiering" and "Non-political" and are not necessarily contemporary to the events to which they relate.

Songs may fit into more than one category, but where possible, are grouped uniquely to where is most appropriate.

Politics and soldiering

Anti-war and anti-recruiting

  • "Arthur McBride" – an anti-recruiting song from Donegal, probably originating during the 17th century.
  • "The Recruiting Sergeant" – song (to the tune of "The Peeler and the Goat") from the time of World War 1, popular among the Irish Volunteers of that period, written by Séamus O'Farrell in 1915, recorded by The Pogues.
  • "Mrs. McGrath" – popular among the Irish Volunteers, 1916 and Clannad.
  • "Follow me up to Carlow" – about Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne and the Second Desmond Rebellion against Elizabeth I of England, written in the 19th century by P.J. McCall
  • "Jackets Green" – written by poet Michael Scanlon about Patrick Sarsfield and the Flight of the Wild Geese Recorded by Mary O'Hara, the McPeake family (1960s) and Kathleen Behan (mother of Brendan, 1978) to the same melody as "The Mountains of Mourne."
  • "The Green Flag" – written by Young Irelander, Michael Joseph Barry about the Irish Confederate Wars.

18th century

  • "Clare's Dragoons" – written by Thomas Davis about one of the divisions of the Irish Brigades.
  • "" – written by Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill, it is a lament by the Gaelic goddess Éire for Bonnie Prince Charlie, who was then in exile.
  • "Gaol of Clonmel" (also known as the "Jail of Cluain Meala" (sung by Luke Kelly) and the "Convict of Clonmel") – translation by Jeremiah Joseph Callanan of the Irish-language "", a song from the time of the Whiteboys

1798 Rebellion

Songs relating to the Irish Rebellion of 1798 (though not necessarily contemporary):

  • "Bagenal Harvey's Farewell (Bagenal Harvey's Lament)" – song about rebel leader Bagenal Harvey
  • "Ballyshannon Lane" – about a battle between rebels and Hessians in 1798 in Wexford, written by Michael O'Brien, about 1896
  • "Billy Byrne of Ballymanus" – about one of the leaders of the rebellion
  • "Come All You Warriors (Father Murphy) – song written close to the time of the rebellion upon which later songs such as Boolavogue were based.
  • "Croppies Lie Down" – a Unionist or Orangeman's perspective on the rebels triumphant defeat
  • "The Man from God Knows Where" – poem by Florence Wilson (set to music by Tom Hickland of Five Hand Reel) about Thomas Russell, leader of the United Irishmen in Ulster, executed in Downpatrick in 1803
  • "The Rambler from Clare"
  • "Tone's Grave" – lament for Wolfe Tone, United Irish leader, the ballad is more commonly known as "Bodenstown Churchyard". Written by Thomas Davis, one of the leaders of Young Ireland movement.
  • "The West's Awake" – written by Thomas Davis.
  • "O'Donnell Abu" – written in 1843 by Michael Joseph MacCann (1824–1883), about Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell
  • "Ye Men of Sweet Liberties Hall" – written by Dubliner Zozimus (Michael Moran, 1794–1846)
  • "Bonny Light Horseman" – collected by Sam Henry and others, recorded by Frank Harte, Planxty, Dolores Keane & John Faulkner
  • "Eighteenth of June" – recorded by Frank Harte
  • "Grand Conversation on Napoleon"
  • "Granuaile" – recorded by Frank Harte
  • "Napoleon Bonaparte"
  • "Welcome Napoleon to Erin" – recorded by Frank Harte Not to be confused with the song of the same name by Brian Warfield which refers to the mutiny of the First Battalion of the regiment in response to the Irish war of independence.
  • "Gallipoli"
  • "Salonika" – there were two Cork songs with this title about the Irish serving in the British Army in the First World War, one for and one against. Jimmy Crowley collected the verses in his version from Mrs Ronayne of County Cork.

1916 Rising

  • "" – written in 1920 by Peadar Kearney, recorded by The Dubliners It was recorded in 1961 by Patricia Blake and by Tommy Drennan and the Monarchs in 1966.
  • "James Connolly" – written by Patrick Galvin about James Connolly, labour leader
  • "Dublin City 1913" – the struggle from 1913 to 1916, written by Donagh MacDonagh
  • "" – or "the Soldiers Song", Irish Volunteers anthem, since 1927 the national anthem of the Irish Free State/Republic of Ireland
  • "The Boys of Kilmichael" – ballad about the Kilmichael ambush of 1920
  • "The Boys of the County Cork" – written by Tom Murphy
  • "Some Say the Divil is Dead" – satirical song about the British Army
  • "The Station of Knocklong" – song about the rescue of Seán Hogan by his colleagues from the Third Tipperary Brigade with the assistance of the East Limerick Brigade, from a guarded train in May 1919.
  • "The Lonely Woods of Upton" - ballad about the Upton train ambush, a number one in the Irish Singles Chart for Seán Dunphy in 1969.
  • "The Valley of Knockanure – the name of several songs, one by Bryan MacMahon, about an incident in 1921
  • "Soldiers of '22" - written by Brian O'Higgins commemorating the Republican soldiers during the Irish Civil War
  • "Galtee Mountain Boy" – the original three verses were composed by Patsy Halloran, with a fourth verse later added by Christy Moore. The song has been recorded by many artists including Christy Moore, The Wolftones, and Paddy Reilly. The song tells the story of young volunteer who joined a flying column during the war of independence and was later captured and sentenced to die by Free Staters in the Civil War.
  • "Drumboe Martyrs" (or "Drumboe Castle") – written about a Civil War incident by Michael McGinley (1853–1940) of Ballybofey.
  • "The Old Alarm Clock" – song by Phil Kelly about the Sabotage Campaign (IRA) of 1939, to the tune of "The Garden Where the Praties Grow".
  • "Four Green Fields" – 1967 folk song, an allegory about partition by Tommy Makem
  • "The Ballad of Billy Reid" – song recorded by the Wolfe Tones, Shebeen, and others, about Provisional IRA member Billy Reid (killed in May 1971).
  • "The Ballad of Ed O'Brien" – song about Edward O'Brien who died in a bus explosion in London.
  • "The Ballad of Joe McCann" – song by Brian Moore ("Whoriskey") about the assassination of the Official IRA activist, performed by Belfast band Men of No Property.
  • "The Ballad of Joe McDonnell" – song about hunger striker Joe Mcdonnell, written by The Wolfe Tones.
  • "Ballad of Mairéad Farrell" – song by Seanchai & The Unity Squad about Mairéad Farrell and two IRA members killed in 1988 in Gibraltar by the SAS.
  • "Birmingham Six" – song about those wrongly accused of the Birmingham bombings in England in 1974.
  • "Bring Them Home" - song about sisters Dolours and Marian Price, Irish republicans imprisoned for the 1973 Old Bailey bombing.
  • "Freedom's Sons" – written by Tommy Makem.
  • "Gibraltar 3" – song by Andy O'Donnell, performed by the Fianna, in memory of the Gibraltar Three.
  • "Enniskillen – At The War Memorial" – song about the Enniskillen Remembrance Day bombing of 1987
  • "Fightin' Men of Crossmaglen" – about South Armagh republicans
  • "Give Me Your Hand" (Tabhair dom do Lámh) – words of reconciliation composed by Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones in 1974 to a 17th-century tune by Ruairí 'Dall' Ó Catháin
  • "The Island" – by Paul Brady
  • "The Lambeg Drummer"
  • "My Little Armalite – early 1970s militant republican song
  • "Loughall Martyrs" – song about 8 IRA men at Loughgall in 1987
  • "The Men Behind the Wire" – 1970s song about internment in Northern Ireland, composed by Paddy McGuigan of the Barleycorn
  • "Rock on Rockall – also known as "You'll get F'All from Rockall" – a satirical song from the Wolfe Tones, about Rockall, an Irish island disputed by Britain, Denmark and Iceland.
  • "Roll of Honour" – Republican song about the hunger strike of 1981 Written and performed by the Irish Brigade
  • "Rubber Bullets for the Ladies" – 1970s song about British security forces in Northern Ireland
  • "SAM Song" – song praising the Provisional IRA and their acquisition of surface to air missiles Written and performed by the Irish Brigade
  • "Say Hello to the Provos" – PIRA song
  • "There Were Roses" – song by Tommy Sands that portrays a tragic story of two friends
  • "The Town I Loved So Well" – 1980s song about the impact of The Troubles in Derry (Composer: Phil Coulter)
  • "Up the Rebels" – also known as "Teddy's Head" due to a line in the chorus, song about the partition of Ireland.
  • "The Winds Are Singing Freedom" – written by Tommy Makem
  • "McElwee's Farewell" (Farewell to Bellaghy) – Song about Thomas McElwee who participated and died in the 1981 hunger strike.
  • "The Man from the Daily Mail" – song composed during the troubles supporting Sinn Féin, to the air of "The Darlin' Girl from Clare"

Non-political

Miscellaneous and uncategorised

  • "The Dawning of the Day" – 19th-century song also known as ""
  • "" () – about an Irish aristocrat dispossessed of his land by the English in the 17th century.
  • "Donegal Danny" - about an Irish sailor who tells the tale of a fishing boat disaster in which he was the sole survivor.
  • "Down by the Sally Gardens" – based on a poem by W. B. Yeats, which in turn was based on a song he heard in his childhood.
  • "The Gypsy Maiden" – words and music by Dick Farrelly. Recorded by Sinead Stone & Gerard Farrelly and The Bards.
  • "The Hat My Father Wore" – written in the 19th century by Johnny Patterson
  • "Ride On" – a 1980s song most identified with singer Christy Moore; written by Jimmy McCarthy
  • "Castle of Dromore"

Work and industry

  • "Dan O'Hara" – written and recorded by Delia Murphy.
  • "Hot Asphalt" – song about Irish navvies in Britain. The original version was a humorous song. It was re-written with new words in 1959 by Ewan MacColl as part of his Radio Ballads. Recorded by The Dubliners and Frank Harte.
  • "McAlpine's Fusiliers" – song of the gangs of London navvies, written by Dominic Behan, made famous by The Dubliners.
  • "Paddy on the Railway" – a compilation of verses of Irish work songs sung in England and the USA.
  • "The Black Velvet Band" – Irish version of a broadside ballad dating back to the early 19th century
  • "The Blooming Flower of Grange" – a love song from County Wexford, recorded by Paul O'Reilly in Waterford in 2007.
  • "Easy and Slow" – a Dublin song of somewhat constant innuendo
  • "The Garden Where the Praties Grow" – written in the 19th century by Johnny Patterson
  • "Goodbye Johnny Dear" – written in the 19th century by Johnny Patterson
  • "The Holland Handkerchief" – an Irish version of The Suffolk Miracle (Child #272), sung by County Leitrim singer Mary McPartlan, Connie Dover and others
  • "I Am Stretched on Your Grave" – translation of a 17th-century Irish-language poem, "", first recorded by Philip King, later by Sinéad O'Connor.
  • "If I Were a Blackbird" – an old song recorded by Delia Murphy.
  • "The Lass of Aughrim" – an Irish version of Lord Gregory (Child #76), used by James Joyce in "The Dead"
  • "The Last Rose of Summer" – written in 1805 by Thomas Moore
  • "The Love Token" – an old song of true love recorded by sean nós singer MacDara Ó Conaola, among others.
  • "Love's Old Sweet Song" – published in 1884 by composer James Lynam Molloy and lyricist G. Clifton Bingham. Recorded by John McCormack (1927), Brendan O'Dowda, Richard Tauber and many others; sung by Molly Bloom in Ulysses.
  • "The Maid from Ballygow" – recorded by Paddy Berry in Waterford, 2007.
  • "Mary from Dungloe", namesake for the popular festival.
  • "The Mantle So Green" – also known as the Mantle of Green, a seminal broken token ballad.
  • "My Lagan Love" – words by Joseph Campbell (1879–1944) to a traditional air, recorded by Eileen Donaghy. Also arranged by Herbert Hughes.
  • The Moorlough Shore (Roud 2742) – 19th-century song recorded by Dolores Keane, Paddy Tunney, Boys of the Lough and others.
  • "My Singing Bird"
  • "" () – a macaronic love song, one of the most widely-sung Irish songs, recorded by dozens of artists both in Ireland and abroad.
  • "The Spinning Wheel" – written in the 19th century by John Francis Waller and recorded by Delia Murphy.
  • "Noreen Bawn" – a song, written and composed by Neil McBride from Creeslough, Donegal that was made famous by Bridie Gallagher and Ann Breen, recorded by Daniel O'Donnell.
  • "On Raglan Road" – Patrick Kavanagh poem to the 19th-century melody "The Dawning of the Day"
  • "The Old Rustic Bridge by the Mill" – written by Thomas P. Keenan from Castletownroche, recorded by Foster and Allen, among others
  • "The Rose of Inchicore" – written by Dublin singer/songwriter Mick Fitzgerald
  • "The Rose of Tralee" – a 19th-century County Kerry song credited to C. (or E.) Mordaunt Spencer with music by Charles William Glover
  • "Thank You Ma'am, Says Dan" – an old song recorded by Delia Murphy.
  • "The Whistling Gypsy" – composed by songwriter Leo Maguire in 1952 and first recorded in that year by Joe Lynch on the Glenside label, and by Rose Brennan for His Master's Voice in London, in October 1953.
  • "Mayo Moon" - written by Enda Mulloy in London and performed on The BibleCode Sundays' 2006 album "Boots or no Boots"
  • "Uncle Rat" - variation of Frog Went a-Courting

Places, emigration and travel

  • "Annaghdown" – recorded by Sinead Stone & Gerard Farrelly. Composed by Dick Farrelly.
  • "Are Ye Right There Michael" – comic 19th-century song about a slow train on a West Clare Railway that left the composer late for a concert (composer: Percy French)
  • "As I Roved Out" – there are several different songs by this name, recorded by the Clancy Brothers and Planxty, among others
  • "Back Home in Derry – by Bobby Sands
  • "Bantry Bay"
  • "Bridget Donoghue" – written in the 19th century by Johnny Patterson
  • "The Boys of Fairhill" - a popular Cork song, original version by Con Doyle, recorded by Jimmy Crowley.
  • "The Cruise of the Calabar" – by Arthur Griffith
  • "Daffodil Mulligan (Fresh Fish)" – written by Harry O'Donovan, music by Eva Brennan, about Biddy Mulligan's daughter.
  • "Days in Old Donegal"
  • "Down by the Liffeyside (Fish and Chips)" – written by Peadar Kearney
  • "The Emigrant's Letter" – written by Percy French
  • "From Clare to Here" – about emigration, by Ralph McTell
  • "Glanworth You're Calling Me Back Home" – a song about the village of Glanworth in County Cork, written in 2022 by Eddie Quinlan a native of Ballylegan.
  • "Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair" – a song of emigration written by Francie Mooney
  • "Goodbye Johnny Dear" – song made popular by Bridie Gallagher in 1950s
  • "Goodbye Mick (Leaving Tipperary)" – recorded by P.J. Murrihy and by Ryan's Fancy
  • "Gortnamona" – by Percy French (his favourite song)
  • "The Homes of Donegal" – written by local teacher Seán McBride (1902–1996) in 1955, first recorded by Charlie Magee (his brother-in-law) and later by Paul Brady
  • "Innishmeela" – by Percy French
  • "Limerick Is Beautiful"
  • "Moonlight in Mayo"
  • "Mountains of Pomeroy" – written by George Sigerson.
  • "Mursheen Durkin" – a traditional song collected by Colm Ó Lochlainn
  • "The Mountains of Mourne" – about Irish emigrants in London (Composer: Percy French)
  • "Thank God for America" – by the Wolfe Tones, a song about Irish emigration to North America.
  • "The Offaly Rover" - the Offaly anthem
  • "The Reason I Left Mullingar" written by Pat Cooksey, arrangement by Finbar Furey
  • "The Road to Ballybay" – by Percy French
  • "The Shamrock Shore" – several songs by this name, Roud Index no. 1419.
  • "Lock Hospital" (also known as "St. James Hospital" and "The Unfortunate Rake"), Irish version of a song also found in Britain and the USA (where it developed into "The Dying Cowboy" and "St. James Infirmary)"
  • "When I Mowed Pat Murphy's Meadow" – originally a poem by M. J. Devine whose people came from North Kerry. Recorded by the McNulty family in the US and was a hit for P. J. Murrihy in Ireland.
  • "Where the River Shannon Flows"
  • "The Zoological Gardens" – by Dominic Behan

Songs of the Travelling People

  • "The Blue Tar Road" – song by Liam Weldon
  • "Danny Farrell" – by Pete St John
  • "I'm a Rover Seldom Sober" – Irish version of "The Grey Cock" or "The Night Visit" (Child #248)
  • "Last of the Travelling People" – song by the Pecker Dunne
  • "Man of the Road" – Recorded by The Cafe Orchestra featuring singer Sinead Stone. Composed by Dick Farrelly.
  • "The Tinker's Lullaby" – song by the Pecker Dunne
  • "The Little Beggarman" – sung to the melody of the "Red-Haired Boy"
  • "The Bold Christy Ring" – song about Cork hurler Christy Ring to the tune of Bold Thady Quill
  • "The Contender" – song by Jimmy Macarthy about 1930s Irish boxer Jack Doyle, recorded by Christy Moore
  • "Donnelly and Cooper" – about a bare-knuckle boxing match at the Curragh of Kildare in 1815.
  • "Donnelly and Oliver" – Irish bare-knuckle boxer Dan Donnelly in 1819.
  • "The Fight on the Hill"
  • "The Galway Races"
  • "Cuchulainn's Son'- biographic song about Nickey Rackard the famous Wexford hurler written by Wexford author Tom Williams
  • "Nickey Rackard 'The Golden Sun' – another biographic song about Nickey Rackard
  • "A Song For Christy Ring" – another song about Cork hurler Christy Ring by Brian McNamara to the air of "Dear Old Skibbereen"

Humorous songs

  • "Arkle" – by Dominic Behan, about the race-horse Arkle
  • "Johnny Daddlum" – Irish version of the song known in the Roud Index as "the Crabfish"
  • "Nell Flaherty's Drake" – written (in Irish) by Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin (1748–1782), a translation of which by Frank O'Connor appeared in A Broadside, 1935. In Cork called "Ned Flaherty's Drake".
  • "The Peeler and the Goat" – an old song recorded by Delia Murphy.
  • "Shake Hands with Your Uncle Dan" – written in the 19th century by Johnny Patterson
  • "Weela Weela Walya" – an Irish children's version of "The Cruel Mother" (Child ballad #20)
  • "The Woman From Wexford" – the Irish version of "Eggs and Marrowbone"
  • "The Twangman" – written by Zozimus (Michael Moran, 1794–1846)

Drinking

  • "" (anglicized "Cruiskeen Lawn") - a song about a man who love to drink. The title translated to "a full jug".
  • "Dicey Riley" – a Dublin song about a woman who enjoys her little drop, with verses by Dominic Behan
  • "The Parting Glass" – a farewell song
  • "Seven Drunken Nights" – an Irish version of the Child ballad Our Goodman
  • "Whiskey in the Jar" – song about a highwayman betrayed, still very popular
  • "Whiskey You're The Devil" – a drinking song made popular by the Clancy Brothers
  • "The Wild Rover" to an air called "The French Musician"
  • "The Tipperary Christening"
  • "Waxies' Dargle" – about the annual outing to Ringsend by Dublin cobblers (waxies)

See also

  • Music of Ireland
  • Sean-nós singing
  • List of traditional Irish singers
  • List of folk songs by Roud number (Roud Folk Song Index)

References