Jailbreaks, Roman Holiday's and Brown Eyes: Songs from the Emerald Isle

I've done Manchester, Liverpool and London. Ireland seemed like the next logical place to go. The home of Guinness, Roy Keane, St Patrick and some brilliant music.

Irish bands old and new have been in heavy rotation on my playlist over the last few months. Here's a few of my favourite songs by bands from across the Irish Sea. Expect some classics as well as some brilliant new music. 

So here goes. 

1. The Pogues- Thousands are Sailing 

The Pogues have a few songs that could have made this list, but this one is a masterpiece. Written by Philip Chevron, and featuring on their 1988 album ' If I Should Fall from Grace with God'. It explores the themes of emigration, longing, national identity and the struggles that millions faced. Reflecting on the historical waves of Irish emigration, particularly during and after the Great Famine of the mid-19th century, as well as later economic hardships that drove millions of Irish people to seek better lives abroad, especially in the United States. The title evokes the vast numbers who left their homeland in search of hope and opportunity, often enduring great hardship and loss. Tying the hopeful optimism with the bittersweet reality of leaving behind home. Heartfelt and beautiful sung by a band who famously wore their hearts on their sleeves. The song is firmly an Irish one with a real Celtic folk feel infused with a punky nature that made The Pogues stand out. Masterpiece is a term that often get's thrown about, but this song has earned that acolade.

2. Thin Lizzy- Whiskey in the Jar

Thin Lizzy are one of the most famous bands from Ireland, and they have countless songs that could make this list. This one isn't the only one that does. With 'Whiskey in the Jar' the band take an old Irish folk song from the 17th Century, and provide a harder more rock indebted sound. The song tells the story of a highwayman who robs a wealthy figure, often a soldier or a tax collector, only to be betrayed by his lover. The narrative of betrayal and tragedy is central to many folk tales, resonating with themes of rebellion and loss. 

They turned an old Irish song into something much bigger, it became a breakout hit for the band reaching number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and topping the Irish charts. Despite its success, Phil Lynott reportedly had mixed feelings about the track, viewing it as somewhat unrepresentative of the band's overall sound and direction. Nevertheless it is a fan favourite and is arguably the definite version of the song. 

3. Fontaines DC- Favourite

A more recent release next. This song is less than a year old but it is one of the best songs by any band in recent memory. I proclaimed 'Favourite' as the song of the year in 2024. It's a song that see's the band looking back, describing it as “this never-ending sound to it, a continuous cycle from euphoria to sadness, two worlds spinning forever” backed up by a riff reminiscent of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven".

It's one of those songs that will continue to stick around, it's timeless. Written by a band operating at the peak of their powers about something universal to us. 

Fontaines DC are arguably the best band in the world at the minute, and this is their best work. Like those before them, they have beautifully managed to combine the melancholic with the anthemic. 

It's spectacular.

4. U2- Red Hill Mining Town

I may get some stick for this one. However, the album this song features on, 1987's 'The Joshua Tree' is one of the greatest collections of songs ever put on record. I could have chosen 'Where the Streets Have no Name' or 'With Or Without You'. This song though is one of the albums more understated tracks, written after the UK miners' strike of 1984-1985. A major industrial conflict that saw coal miners protesting against the policies of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s government. The strike highlighted the devastating effects of economic decline on mining communities, particularly in areas like Wales and Northern England. 

U2 used this backdrop to create a narrative about the toll such struggles take on individuals, families, and relationships.
Bono described "Red Hill Mining Town" as focusing on the emotional and personal dimensions of the crisis, rather than its political implications. The lyrics explore how economic hardship can strain love and family bonds, portraying the resilience and vulnerability of those trying to hold their lives together amidst adversity.

Its one of the bands most personal moments, backed up by soaring instrumentation. One of my favourite songs of the 1980s.

5. NewDad- Where I Go

NewDad are a relatively recent addition to my playlists, I only found the Galway band at the back end of 2024. However their debut album 'Madra' has been on repeat since then. There was a number of songs I could have picked from that record. From the opener 'Angel' to the exceptional closing track 'Madra'. 

'Where I Go' makes this list though, it's a brilliant song that sounds like it has been recorded by a band five or six albums in. ‘Madra’ is the sound of a band who have reckoned with where they come from and used it to map out where they’re going.

To say this is a brilliant shoegaze song doesn't do it justice. It's a song that can't be piegon holed into a genre. It's an anthem that doesn't pull an punches. With themes from shame and self-doubt through bullying, mental-health issues, self-harm and general dysfunction, Dawson’s dreamlike ghostly vocals sweeten the anguish. 

NewDad are going to be around for a long time. Give this song and the bands debut record a listen. I promise you won't be disappointed.

6. Inhaler- Who's Your Money On (Plastic House)

Like Father, like Son. When your dad is the frontman of one of the biggest bands to ever do it. You've certainly had quite the musical education. Elijah Hewson, son of Bono and his mates Robert Keating on bass, Ryan McMahon on drums and Josh Jenkinson on guitar released a debut album in 2021. Their third is on the way next month. 

They don't sound like U2 though, 'Who's Your Money On' is firmly the sound of Inhaler, with some nods to other 80s bands in particular New Order with the synth indebted style, but they also are by products of their childhoods, this song has Franz Ferdinand like grooves and dare I say it an almost Oasis like chorus. 

It's raw and emotive, and very catchy. Inhaler were writing songs for arenas on their debut album. They knew where they wanted to be, and weren't afraid of telling people.

7. Thin Lizzy- Cowboy Song

Similarly to 'Whiskey in the Jar', 'Cowboy Song' is a dynamic blend of rock and storytelling. Beginning as almost a ballad before turning into an explosive anthem driven by twin-guitar harmonies from Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson.

The song’s structure mirrors its narrative arc, starting introspectively before bursting into a powerful, galloping rhythm that evokes the image of a cowboy riding across an open plain. The energetic instrumentation and soaring melody perfectly capture the adventurous and emotional spirit of the lyrics.

The song is a fan favourite and was a staple of the bands live sets, a perfect example of Phil Lynott's storytelling and the bands brilliant instrumentation. "Cowboy Song" is a quintessential Thin Lizzy track that exemplifies the band’s strengths: Lynott’s poetic lyrics, the dual-guitar attack, and a seamless blend of storytelling and hard rock. Its ability to transport listeners to a cinematic world 

8. Fontaines DC- I Love You

With this song Fontaines wrote a powerful and searing letter to themselves and to the youth of Ireland. Addressing the bands worries, and the state of a nation. Pinpointing the failings of the unelected coalition of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael that has formed the current Irish government since 2020, as well as nodding to Ireland’s growing housing issues and high rates of youth suicide. “Flowers read like broadsheets / Every young man wants to die”.

It's a swirling angry affair that does not just tackle the current climate, the band talk about the historical atrocites in decades past including the decades of tragic brutality at the Tuam Mother and Baby Home in Galway”. 

The band do not shy away from the difficult subjects, but also highlight their sadness about moving away from their home. Fontaines really went to the next level on this song, its written from a place of anger but also a place of sadness. Describing the song as being Written from the perspective of an Irishman abroad who is “enjoying great personal success and a sense of cultural pride”, the subject “simultaneously metabolises deep disappointment, and swirling anger, at the current political climate as well as the country’s grimmest historical atrocities."

One of the best songs of recent memory. 

9. The Cranberries- Dreams

Many would have picked 'Zombie' or even 'Linger' here but 'Dreams' has always been The Cranberries song that gripped me the most. It's more melodic and atmospheric than the others combining elements of pop and shoegaze with their alternative rock roots. This combination creates a dream like soumd, with soaring and soft vocals backed up by jangly guitars. Inter playing with each other to create this dream like quality.

'Dreams' was the first single released by The Cranberries, marking the beginning of their rise to international fame. Though initially modest in its chart performance, it became a sleeper hit, gaining popularity as the band’s profile grew.

In more recent years the song was used as the theme to the sitcom 'Derry Girls. The shows finale uses the song to complete the journey of the girls, and shows real life footage related to The Good Friday agreement, the ending of the show was an emotional one, and it was sound tracked by this song.

"Dreams" is firmly ingrained in Irish culture.

10. Sinéad. O Connor- Nothing Compares 2 U

Although not written by her, it was written by Prince and recorded by his band The Family. Sinéad firmly made the song hers. The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 and stayed on the charts for 21 weeks. This version was vastly different to the original. The stripped-down production, featuring simple piano and strings, places the focus squarely on O’Connor’s voice and the song’s emotional weight.

For many this is the definitive version of the song. O Connor's voice is perfect for the lyrics. Each line hits the listener and really resonates. 

One of the greatest covers ever, and well deserving of a place on this list. 

So there you go. There's a few of my favourite songs from Ireland. 

Thank you for reading x 

Jack