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Thread: Some Irish music for #StPatricksDay | Here’s a short history of Irish music that includes many of the composers & musicians who have rocked the world ☘️ (Hozier, Róisín Murphy, Macklemore & Phil Lynott) 
Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738) was a blind harpist & composer from the Nobber. He married in 1720 & settled down in Ireland’s cultural epicentre, Mohill, Leitrim. His Concerto is one of the most beautiful compositions:
Another of O’Carolan’s great works is A Farewell to Music:
John Field (1782-1837) was a Dubliner who made his home in Russia. He invented the nocturne & was influential on the development of Russian music. Nocturne No 7C:
Michael William Balfe (1808-1870) was born in Dublin & moved with his family to Wexford. He studied under Rossini in Rome. His most famous work was The Bohemian Girl (1843):
William Vincent Wallace (1812-65) was from a Mayo family but born in Waterford. His opera, Maritana (1845) is stirring stuff!
John Andrew Stevenson (1761-1833) is one of the most beloved composers in Irish history for his collaboration with Thomas Moore. His Last Rose of Summer is exquisite (here sung by Nina Simone):
Ina Boyle (1889-1967) was a Wicklow woman & prolific composer. Her best known work is the Magic Harp (1919)
Seán Ó Riada (1931-71) was the greatest Irish composer of the 20th C. His compositions for Mise Éire (1959) are a lyrical hymn to the Island:
Christy Moore (b1945) is from a musical Kildare family. (His brother is Luka Bloom). He’s considered by many to be Ireland’s greatest living musician:
Shaun Davey (b1948), a Belfastman, has created some of the most moving pieces of music in the canon. His Granuaile (1985) is a profound & moving work:
Rory Gallagher (1948-95) was born in Donegal & brought up in Cork. He is one of the most influential guitarists & a legend.
Phil Lynott (1949-86) grew up in Dublin with his grandparents - he is perhaps the most loved Irish singer & songwriter in the country.
Moya Brennan (b1952), from Donegal, was the lead singer of Clannad & became the global voice of Celtic music (with her sister, Enya):
Mary Black (b1955) & Dolores Keane (b1953) are two of the key Irish musicians in folk music. Follow Mary on @MaryBlackSinger Here are the two of them with Emmylou Harris:
Enya (b1961) is from a musical family in Donegal. Her ability to capture the zeitgeist & engage with her audience has resulted in her being one of the bestselling musicians globally of all time:
Sinéad O’Connor/Shuhada’ Davitt (b1966) is one of the most idiosyncratic Irish musicians. From Glenageary in the Dublin suburbs she has a restless spirit of enquiry:
Dolores O’Riordan (1971-2018) was the lead singer of the Cranberries & combined a Limerick lilt with a Celtic vibe & keening in her music:
Róisín Murphy (b1973) is one of the great Dance & Electro-Pop musicians. She came to prominence with Moloko. The Wicklow woman is a key figure of turn of the century dance music:
Let’s be honest you can never have enough of Róisín’s music (this time with Moloko):
Imelda May (b1974) is from the Liberties & famed for his Irish take on Rockabilly & Jazz. Follow the Dubliner on @ImeldaOfficial :
Macklemore (b1983) is an Irish-American rapper who is part of the global Irish diaspora which has influenced & been influenced by music from the Island. You can follow him on @macklemore
Laura Izibor (b1987) is a Dubliner whose music is R&B:
Hozier (b1990), from Wicklow, is one of the most well known musicians. His 2nd Album Wasteland, Baby! has just debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200. He’s @Hozier on here. Listen:
Penrose are a Dublin band breaking through at the moment - check them out on @penroseirl Here’s Sign On:
