Make the Ultimate St. Patrick's Day Playlist With These Festive Irish Songs

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To celebrate St. Patrick's Day is to celebrate life, really! While the Irish holiday is full of significant religious and cultural history, it's also a day that many people use to host fun parties that are full of green food, lots of green beer, and people in green clothes! Oh, and we definitely can't forget the fun St. Patrick's Day parades that take place every year, too. Anybody who decides to attend a St. Patrick's Day celebration knows that there's one other attribute that makes these festivities so great: the music! For this very reason, we decided to curate a perfect St. Paddy's playlist for you and your entourage.

You can't talk about Irish culture without bringing up its music! While there are plenty of songs and musical ballads that could be mentioned in a conversation like this, we're confident that the ones on this list surely do the job. If you feel like really jamming out in your green getup, rockstars U2 have got you covered with their beloved Irish music. You can also bet that The Cranberries make an appearance, because their song "Zombie" is a true Irish masterpiece! There are probably even a few songs on this list you didn't realize were by Irish artists, like The Script and Snow Patrol.

While we can't say for sure that adding these Irish songs to your St. Patrick's Day playlist will increase your luck, it definitely can't hurt!

Dirty Old Town

This old folk song was actually written by an Englishman, but is most popularly associated with Irish singers like The Pogues. Which version are you familiar with the most? Bonus points if you already knew both of 'em!

This Is a Rebel Song

This "rebel song" is sung by one of the most famous Irish rebels of all time: Sinéad O'Connor. It's a soft, beautiful song to play at the end of your evening.

Zombie

Activism never sounded so good. "Zombies" by The Cranberries is a powerful alternative rock anthem that addresses the violence and political unrest in Northern Ireland during the period of time known as the Troubles. With Dolores O'Riordan's haunting vocals and lyrics, the song serves as a poignant commentary on the impact of conflict and the yearning for peace.

Molly Malone

This Dubliners song is a cover of a historical song that dates back to the 1800s. It's also the unofficial anthem of Dublin! How's that for a history lesson?

Whiskey In The Jar

This popular Irish song has been covered by several artists, including the Dubliners and Metallica, who won a Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy for their cover of the tune in 1999.

Drunken Lullabies

You'll find yourself rocking out all day to the lively tunes of this Irish-American punk band, Flogging Molly. With its catchy rhythm and punk rock vigor, it's a spirited anthem for those ready to embrace a night of revelry and reflection just like the Irish would.

Irish Cousin

This one by Kirsty MacColl is all about remembering those loved ones who have passed on. While Kirsty MacColl sings about their Irish cousin, anyone who finds themselves missing someone will relate to this Irish classic.

Danny Boy

This moving ballad is actually a popular funeral song, so it may not be right for your St. Patrick's Day party—but it's an important part of Irish history. It definitely softens the mood, so keep that in mind when adding it to your playlist.

Alternative Ulster

"Is this the kind of place you wanna live? Is this where you wanna be?" Stiff Little Fingers decided to call for some serious change in their homeland, making it a song with a powerful meaning. Put this one on to really drive those spirits!

Finnegan's Wake

Whether you knew them before they were mainstream or not, Dropkick Murphys has long been a passionate Irish group. This tune shows the band's style: eclectic, eccentric, and rugged all at once.

The Rocky Road To Dublin

It might seem like every notable Irish singer and band has a rendition of this tune (which may or may not be true), but it really only adds to the icon status that it holds. The song in itself is adventurous, telling the story of a man's journey throughout the United Kingdom, ultimately seeing him return home to Ireland.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Whatever you think of this song when you first hear it, U2 wants to make one thing clear: This song is about peace. So, next time you play this aloud, take the sentiment with you!

Irish Rover

"We had five million hogs, we had six million dogs, and seven million barrels of porter." Yes, we know that the lyrics to this one seem a bit exaggerated—but who's to say that matters? It's a catchy hit, and we won't be caught on St. Patrick's Day without singing this at least once.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley/The Reel With the Beryle

If you feel the need to break out into an Irish jig after listening to this one, that might be for a reason. Paddy Moloney, the leader of this ensemble, was known for riling up crowds with his upbeat tunes, especially during live concerts. Play this hit in his memory on St. Patrick's Day!

Jump Around

"Jump Around" by the Irish-American group, House of Pain, may not particularly have anything to do with Ireland itself or St. Patrick's Day for that matter; however, it's played in many American versions of the celebration nonetheless. It clearly had to make this list!

Brown Eyed Girl

Arguably his most popular song, Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” is a timeless classic that captivates listeners with its nostalgic charm and melodic celebration of youthful romance.

Row in the Town, A (Erin Go Bragh)

Looking for a jaunty tune to express your Irish pride? "Erin Go Bragh" roughly translates to "Ireland forever!" Need we say more?

The Boys Are Back In Town

This tune is a favorite for celebrating long-awaited reunions and dancing in pubs. It never gets old, especially because it encapsulates the simple parts of the culture so well.

Take Me to Church

Some people don't realize that Hozier hails straight from County Wicklow, Ireland. See if you can catch his accent in this chart-topping hit!

The Wild Rover

If you want to ignite an epic St. Patrick's Day singalong, be sure to add "The Wild Rover" to your Irish songs playlist.

Galway Girl

While Ed Sheeran was born in England, he has a lot of love for Ireland. The singer dropped "Galway Girl" on St. Patrick's Day in 2017 and it became an instant hit.

I'm Shipping Up To Boston

You might recognize this song from the Oscar-winning film The Departed. It quickly gained popularity after the movie's debut and sold over a million digital copies.

C'est La Vie

If you can hear the B*Witched song without singing and dancing along, you're stronger than most! "C'est La Vie" is a pop-hit anytime of year, but especially on the Irish holiday.

Beautiful Day

You don't have to be a U2 fan to recognize their feel-good, Grammy-winning hit. It sure is a beautiful day, and you'll want to be expressing that on St. Patrick's Day.

Only Time

"Only Time" is a peaceful, almost entrancing piece that begins with harmonizing vocals accompanied by the plucking of string instruments. These beautiful lyrics helped many people heal after 9/11.

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