The Dublin music is perhaps the city’s most-loved art form. It is everywhere in Dublin: on every corner of the street, in pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants, and in a lot of many venues.
The romance of the city is just irresistible. The image of fields of green grass dotted with sheep in contrast with stone walls close to the ocean and its merciless wind rings like a minor chord in a music that pulls at heart strings.
Here are some highly recommended music albums by Dublin bands. It is a good idea to have these CDs as most Dublin bands you will hear will not have record contracts.
Star Spangled Molly, by De Danann (1978)
Traditional Irish romp performed by one of the most popular groups in this genre: fiddle, rollicking accordion, banjo, bouzouki, bodhran, and vocals. “Molly Malone” is so popular that it has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin.
Boy, by U2 (1980)
You will feel the classic 1980s rebellion rock in this debut album from the world-renowned Irish rock band U2. This incredible Dublin music album includes the famed single, “I Will Follow.”
Live at the Point, by Christy Moore (1994)
This compilation is a classic Dublin traditional-meets-rock music from Irish songwriter/singer Christy Moore. It features music taken from concerts performed at The Point in Dublin, formerly a train depot-turned-music venue.
Set List, by The Frames (2004)
While The Frames enjoy a cult-like following, they have yet to make it to the American center stage. Enjoy this live release, which remains a somewhat undiscovered rock album. It is a good idea to share it with your friends. They will love it.
Má Bhíonn Tú Liom Bí Liom, Róisín Elsafty (2007)
This full-length solo debut album is a beautiful re-imagining of the traditional Dublin music performed mostly in Irish. Dónal Lunny produced the a capella and accompanied tracks. It feature world class musicians Graham Henderson, Máirtín Ó Connor, Siobhán Armstrong, Ronan Browne, and dancer Seosamh Ó Neachtain.
Once Soundtrack (2007)
Fall in love with the beautiful soundtrack of the critically-acclaimed Irish film, Once, starring Glen Hansard (of The Frames) and Markéta Irglová. Hansard and Irglová performed and composed all of the film’s original songs. The song, “Falling Slowly” won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song and the album received a Grammy nomination.
Classic Dublin songs to own
Here are some nice classic Dublin music to have:
“I Will Follow” by U2, “She’s So Modern” by The Boomtown Rats, “Revelate” by The Frames, “Finnegan’s Wake” by The Dubliners, “Whiskey in the Jar” by Thin Lizzy, “Seoithín Seó” by Róisín Elsafty, “Ride On” by Christy Moore, “You’re a Rose” by Fatima Mansions, “On the Evening of the Epiphany” by Barry McCormack, and “Tall Ships” by Adrian Crowley.