Ireland has produced a wide range of famous Irish musicians who have become some of the world’s most influential artists.

With such a varied selection of music legends to choose from, we’ve compiled a small list of some of our favourites:

The Cranberries, Limerick

Rising to mainstream fame in the early 1990s, The Cranberries are an alternative rock band. They confirmed in September 2018 they wouldn’t continue as a band, after Dolores O’Riordan passed away on January 2018. Band member Noel Hogan said: “the Cranberries was the four of us. We don’t want to do this without Dolores. So we’re going to leave it after this.”

The band was composed of Noel Hogan (backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitar), Niall Quinn (rhythm guitar and lead vocals), Mike Hogan (backing vocals and bass), Fergal Lawler (drums), and Dolores O’Riordan (lead vocals, keyboards, rhythm and lead guitars).

U2, Dublin

Music legend band U2 is composed of Bono (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), The Edge (backing vocals, lead guitar, and keyboards), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr (percussion and drums).

They formed in 1976, with their music style evolving from the original post-punk roots and eventually settling on today’s alternative rock. The band is one of the world’s best-selling, with over 170 million albums sold worldwide and 22 Grammy Awards (out of 47 nominations) under their belt.

Enya, County Donegal

Born Eithne Patricia Ní Bhraonáin, Enya is a Grammy-winning and Academy award-nominated singer. Watermark, released in 1988 and eight years after starting her musical career, was the album that brought her international fame.

Her folk melodies, voice-layering, ethereal reverberations, and synthesised backdrops compose her unique sound and voice. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range and has performed worldwide in 10 different languages.

The Corrs, Dundalk

This folk-pop band is composed of three sisters and a brother, with Andrea Corr (on in whistle and lead vocals), Caroline Corr (on bodhran, drums, backing vocals, and piano), Sharon Corr (on backing vocals and violin), and Jim Corr (on backing vocals, guitar, and keyboard).

They’ve sold over 55 million albums worldwide since rising to fame in the late 1990s.

Celtic Woman, Dublin

An all-women band, Celtic Woman is currently composed of the five vocalists Alex Sharpe, Lynn Hilary, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, Susan McFadden, and Máiréad Carlin, with the violinist Máiréad Nesbitt.

The band’s music ranges from modern music to traditional Celtic tunes. Their international success has awarded them the nickname “Riverdance for the voice.”

The Script, Dublin

Consisted of Danny O’Donoghue (on vocals and keyboard), Glen Power (on drums and bass), and Mark Sheehan (on guitar), The Script formed in 2007. The rock band often have their music featured in shows such as EastEnders, The Vampire Diaries, and 90210.

They’ve sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and won 2014’s Meteor Awards (Sing of the Year), Meteor Ireland Music Awards in 2009 and 2010, and World Music Awards.

Van Morrison, Belfast

Also known as Sir George Ivan “Van” Morrison, OBE, Van Morrison is a songwriter, singer, poet, author, and multi-instrumentalist Grammy-winning artist. He can play a wide range of instruments such as the saxophone, guitar, drums, harmonica, and keyboard.

He’s known for his characteristic growl (composed of a unique blend of Irish, folk, Celtic influences, blues, and more), being considered one of the most influential and unusual vocalists in rock ‘n’ roll history.

Known as ‘Van the Man’ by his fans, he’s released 40 albums since rising to fame in the mid-1960s.

From rock to folk music and much more, Ireland has given us many talented bands and solo artists who have produced some of the best songs in the world.