The Most Famous Irish Band, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the band you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 24, 2024 08:03

In the rich tapestry of global music, Irish bands hold a special place, enchanting audiences with their distinctive blend of cultural heritage and modern musical flair. A clear ranking of these bands helps new fans navigate through the eclectic mix of sounds and histories, thus deepening their appreciation for the genre. By participating in voting for the top Irish bands, fans contribute to a collective celebration of musical achievements and ensure that their personal favorites get the recognition they deserve. This dynamic ranking not only fuels engaging discussions but also keeps the spirit of the Irish music scene alive and thriving.

Which Is the Most Famous Irish Band?

1

58
votes

U2

The legendary rock band from Dublin is undoubtedly the most famous Irish band of all time, known for their iconic hits like "With or Without You" and "Beautiful Day."
2

20
votes
Poudou99 · CC BY 3.0

The Cranberries

This alternative rock band from Limerick gained worldwide recognition with their haunting melodies and powerful vocals, especially with their hit song "Zombie."
The Cranberries is a famous Irish band that gained international recognition in the 1990s. They are known for their unique blend of alternative rock and pop elements, as well as the distinctive vocals of their lead singer, Dolores O'Riordan. The Cranberries' music often explores themes of love, loss, and societal issues, accompanied by melodic guitar riffs and impactful lyrics.

Genre: Alternative rock, pop rock

Years Active: 1989 - 2003, 2009 - 2019

Number of Studio Albums: 7

Most Famous Songs: Zombie, Linger, Dreams, Ode to My Family

Sales: Over 40 million records sold worldwide
3

30
votes
AVRO · CC BY-SA 3.0 nl

Thin Lizzy

This hard rock band from Dublin was known for their energetic live performances and influential sound, with hits like "The Boys Are Back in Town" and "Jailbreak."
Thin Lizzy is a renowned Irish rock band that gained international recognition in the 1970s. Known for their distinctive twin-guitar harmonies, catchy melodies, and soulful lyrics, Thin Lizzy became a significant influence on subsequent generations of rock musicians.

Formed: 1969

Origin: Dublin, Ireland

Genre: Hard rock, blues rock

Years Active: 1969-1984

Main Members: Phil Lynott, Brian Downey, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson, Gary Moore, Snowy White
4

20
votes
Jim McCann / · CC BY 2.5

The Dubliners

This traditional Irish folk band has been active since the 1960s, and is known for their classic songs like "The Wild Rover" and "Molly Malone."
The Dubliners is a legendary Irish folk band known for their traditional Irish music and iconic performances. They were formed in 1962 in Dublin, Ireland and have had a profound influence on the Irish music scene. The band's music resonates with the rich cultural heritage and spirit of Ireland, captivating audiences worldwide.

Formed: 1962

Genres: Irish folk, ballads

Origin: Dublin, Ireland

Active Years: 1962-2012

Notable Members: Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Ciarán Bourke, John Sheahan
The Dubliners in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Celtic band
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Irish folk singer
5

21
votes
Aaron Roe Fulkerson from San Diego, CA, US · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Pogues

This Celtic punk band from London, with Irish roots, gained fame for their raucous live shows and hits like "Fairytale of New York" and "Dirty Old Town."
The Pogues is a renowned Irish band known for their unique blend of punk rock and traditional Irish music. They emerged in the 1980s and have gained a significant following worldwide. The band's music is characterized by its energetic and melodic style, showcasing a mix of instruments like the tin whistle, accordion, banjo, and mandolin. The lyrics often reflect themes of Irish history, culture, social issues, and storytelling.

Genre: Celtic punk, Folk Rock

Formed: 1982

Origin: London, England, United Kingdom

Active Years: 1982-1996, 2001-2014

Record Label: Stiff Records, Warner Music Group
The Pogues in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Celtic band
6

8
votes
Pymouss · CC BY-SA 3.0

Sinead O'Connor

Sinead O'Connor

This singer-songwriter from Dublin gained international fame with her powerful voice and socially conscious lyrics, with hits like "Nothing Compares 2 U."
Sinead O'Connor is a well-known Irish singer-songwriter and musician. She gained international fame in the late 1980s with her album 'The Lion and the Cobra' and her hit single 'Nothing Compares 2 U'. O'Connor is known for her soulful vocals, emotional performances, and her unique blend of rock, folk, and traditional Irish music.

Genre: Rock, folk, Irish

Years Active: 1986-present

Origin: Dublin, Ireland

Debut Album: The Lion and the Cobra (1987)

Hit Singles: Nothing Compares 2 U, Mandinka, Troy
Sinead O'Connor in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Irish singer
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Irish folk singer
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous celebrity from Ireland
- Position 6 of 10 in Most beautiful woman in Ireland
7

10
votes
Art Siegel (artolog on flickr) · CC BY-SA 2.0

Van Morrison

Van Morrison

This singer-songwriter from Belfast is known for his unique blend of soul, blues, and rock music, and hits like "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Moondance."
Van Morrison is a legendary band known for their soulful blend of rock, blues, and folk music. With a career that spans several decades, they have released numerous critically acclaimed albums and have left an enduring impact on the music industry.

Genre: Rock, blues, and folk

Formation Year: 1964

Origin: Belfast, Northern Ireland

Active Years: 1964 - present

Number of Members: Varies
Van Morrison in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Irish singer
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous person in Northern Ireland
8

6
votes
Hozier

This singer-songwriter from County Wicklow gained worldwide recognition with his hit song "Take Me to Church" and his soulful blend of blues and folk music.
Hozier is a popular Irish band known for their soulful and bluesy sound. The band was formed by Andrew Hozier-Byrne, who is also the main songwriter and vocalist. Hozier gained international recognition with the release of their self-titled debut album in 2014.

Genre: Soul, blues, indie rock

Debut Album: Hozier (2014)

Hit Singles: Take Me to Church, Someone New, From Eden

Grammy Nominations: Song of the Year (Take Me to Church), Best Rock Song (Take Me to Church)

Collaborations: Annie Lennox, Mavis Staples, Wynton Marsalis
9

6
votes
desiii · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Corrs

This family band from Dundalk gained fame for their blend of traditional Irish music with pop influences, and hits like "Breathless" and "Runaway."
The Corrs is a popular Irish band that gained international recognition for their unique blend of pop rock and traditional Celtic music. They rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, largely thanks to their catchy melodies, beautiful harmonies, and accomplished instrumental skills.

Genre: Pop rock, Celtic

Active Years: 1990 - present

Origin: Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland

Debut Album: Forgiven, Not Forgotten (1995)

Total Albums: 7 studio albums
The Corrs in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Celtic band
10

12
votes
Enya

This singer-songwriter from County Donegal gained worldwide fame for her ethereal sound and New Age music, with hits like "Orinoco Flow" and "Only Time."
Enya is an Irish band known for its ethereal and atmospheric sound. Their music combines elements of new age, Celtic, and folk genres, creating a unique and enchanting musical experience. The band is particularly celebrated for their use of layered vocals, lush instrumentation, and haunting melodies that transport listeners to a dreamlike state. Enya's soundscapes often convey a sense of tranquility and mysticism.

Genre: New Age, Celtic, Folk

Vocals: Layered

Instrumentation: Lush

Melodies: Haunting

Mood: Ethereal, Atmospheric

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Ranking factors for famous band

Global recognition

The band should be widely recognized and appreciated around the world.
Sales figures

The number of albums sold and the chart positions of their songs can reflect how popular the band is.
Cultural impact

The band's influence on the music industry and the impact they've had on popular culture can also be considered.
Timelessness

The band's ability to maintain their popularity over time, and whether their music is still relevant today.
Musical legacy

The band's contribution to the advancement of music and their influence on future generations of artists.
Awards and accolades

The band's recognition and honors received can also be taken into account.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Irish band. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or band is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2310 views
195 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each band once every 24 hours. The rank of each band is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous irish band

Ireland has a rich musical heritage, with traditional Irish music being popular not only in Ireland but also around the world. However, when it comes to popular music, Irish bands have also made a significant impact on the global music scene. From rock to pop, Irish bands have produced some of the most iconic and influential music of recent times. When it comes to the most famous Irish bands, there are several contenders. U2 is perhaps the most well-known, with a career spanning over four decades and hits such as "With or Without You" and "One". The Cranberries, with their unique sound and the haunting vocals of the late Dolores O'Riordan, are another iconic Irish band. Other notable bands are Thin Lizzy, who pioneered the twin guitar sound and had hits such as "Whiskey in the Jar", and The Dubliners, who popularized traditional Irish music in the 60s and 70s. Choosing the most famous Irish band is subjective and depends on personal taste. However, these bands have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the music industry and continue to inspire new generations of musicians.