As Ireland gets ready to celebrate its national day tomorrow on St Patricks Day , you can be rest assured that traditional Irish music will be heard from every pub from Dublin to Galway. The land of saints and scholars has always had a rich musical history. From the trad tales of
Christy Moore and The Dubliners , through to rich female voices like
Sinead O'Connor , Mary Black and Imelda May.
Right up to globe conquering artists such as
U2, The Cranberries , The Script , Snow Patrol and Hozier.
Here are just 10 essential Irish classics for St Patricks Day.
1. A Womans Heart - Eleanor McAvoy & Mary Black
As Irish as Tayto crisps and Guinness , in the summer of 1992 , the compilation album
A Womans Heart and its stunning title track became a national phenomenon. Featuring the likes of Frances Black , Dolores Keane and Sharon Shannon , the album became one the biggest selling in Irish history. Its title track , an Irish anthem.
2
. Aslan -Crazy World
An everyman anthem from one of Ireland's most popular bands , Aslan's Crazy World , is a bona fide and timeless Irish classic. Released in 1993 , Christy Dignam and co's enduring anthem has been sung loudly in packed venues the length and breadth of Ireland.
3. Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
The bould Sinead. Love her or hate her , Sinead O'Connor is an Irish icon. Whether its her music , so often not written about , or her many legendary appearances on The Late Late Show , Sinead O'Connor will forever be remembered for THAT song.
And what a song. And what a video. This song conquered the world in 1990 , a rousing heratbreak anthem penned by Prince. Twenty five years on , O'Connor is still an enduring figure in Irish music , but this stone cold classic and "all the flowers that you planted Mama ", has transcended torn pictures of Popes and tabloid headlines , and remains timeless.
4, Damien Rice - The Blowers Daughter
Irish music was going through a particularly stunning homegrown renaissance , when Damien Rice released the acclaimed and commercially successful O. Along with the likes of Damien Dempsey , Mundy , David Kitt and Gemma Hayes , he was leading a new generation of heart on their sleeve Irish singer songwriters.
The Blowers Daughter captured the public imagination more than most though. From Rice's delicate vocals to Lisa Hannigan's beautiful and ethereal part towards the end , its been covered by many an aspiring troubadour.
5. The Saw Doctors - To Win Just Once
Much like Aslan , Galwegian journeymen The Saw Doctors are another of Ireland;s most beloved and enduring bands. Even though this particular track only peaked at No.24 in comparison to the much loved Number 1 I Useta Love Her , its everyman appeal and defiant chorus are quintessentially Irish.
6. The Commitments -Destination Anywhere
Quite simply the greatest Irish movie ever made. 1991 was the year of The Commitments. Alan Parkers big screen version of Roddy Doyle's classic novel and its accompanying soundtrack were a national phenomenon. A bright young cast that featured future Oscar winner and The Frames frontman Glen Hansard and the unmistakable voice of Maria Doyle Kennedy. There were many gems to be enjoyed from Barrytown's finest but the upbeat Destination Anywhere is probably most fondly remembered
7. The Cranberries -Linger
Linericks The Cranberries followed in the footsteps of U2 in the mid nineties by breaking America and conquering the world. Dolores O'Riordan was an instant star and their first two albums Everybody Else is Doing It , So Why Cant We and No Need To Argue became huge successes. Their locomotive like success stuttered to a halt before the 90's were out , but circa 1993 , The Cranberries were everywhere. And so was Linger. It became a staple of Irish radio alongside other memorable tracks such as Zombie and Ode To My Family.
8. The Corrs - Runaway
The Dundalk siblings found domestic success in 1995 with debut album Forgiven Not Forgotten. However it wasn't until 1998 when second album Talk On Corners hit Number 1 in the UK and sold by the truckload. They would claim their only UK Number 1 single in 2000 with Breathless before ducking out of the limelight after their last studio album almost a decade ago. Sharon has released two solo albums and been a judge of the Irish version of The Voice.
Andrea , the pin up of the group also released a solo album with little success whilst drummer Caroline has raised a family and brother Jim has become more known for his love of conspiracy theories.
Runaway first hit the airways in 1995 and became a UK hit 4 years later. It was infectious if inoffensive Celtic Pop which The Corrs did so well.
9. U2 - Beautiful Day
You can hardly compile a list of classic Irish hits without the country's biggest export musically , the mighty U
This time around its 2000's Beautiful Day. Whilst 1997's Pop was a hit and miss affair as well as that huge lemon , their 2000 comeback was vintage U2. The album All That You Cant Leave Behind ushered in a glorious new era for U2 , that was capped off in 2001with two sold out shows at Slane Castle
10. Hozier - Take Me To Church
The most recent track on this list. Yet it feels like its been around forever. Wicklow man Hoziers stunning two fingers to Catholic Church oppression has taken both the US and UK by far. First hitting the Irish charts in October 2013 , the song is one of the finest songs to come out of Ireland in years. And though it may have long since been overplayed
