5 Spotify Playlists to Set the Mood for Your Irish Adventure
Music is a wonderful way to explore a different culture, and it’s also perfect for creating your own soundtrack for your vacation! Here are 5 of the Irish music playlists and albums that I recommend for getting you in mood for your trip to the Emerald Isle. The playlists also work well as music for your Irish road trip! Just imagine Irish folk music playing as you drive through the hills of Kerry on a misty morning. Perfection!
Road Trip Music Tip
Need a way to listen to music while on the road? I wanted to be sure that we could listen to music regardless of our rental car’s navigation system (or lack thereof), so I purchased the Anker Soundcore Mini.* We’ve had a larger Anker Bluetooth speaker for years, but I loved that this one was small enough to fit easily in a cupholder!
1.) Irish Folk
A unique mix of both modern and traditional takes on Irish folk music, this playlist was my favorite while preparing our trip to Ireland. It’s also a great one to find other artists you enjoy within the genre!
2.) This is The Dubliners
Get to know the band that made Irish folk music known around the world – The Dubliners! Their versions of Irish trad are often considered the “definitive” versions, and with just a listen, you’ll know why. The only downside? I can almost guarantee you’ll have “Molly Malone” stuck in your head as you’re trying to fall asleep.
3.) The Gloaming Radio
A contemporary Irish/American group (consisting of fiddles, piano, a traditional Irish singer, and guitar), The Gloaming has a uniquely modern take on traditional Irish music. I enjoyed their style mixed with other similar artists! This playlist feels like the perfect intersection of Celtic roots and modern Ireland.
4.) Headland by Kalos
Taking inspiration from maritime music and Celtic traditions, Kalos is a trio of musicians and singers of Scottish ancestry. While not strictly Irish, the melodies they create perfectly capture the feeling of driving the Wild Atlantic Way.
5.) The Blue Room by the Martin Hayes Quartet
Martin Hayes is considered one of the most greats of Irish traditional music. (He’s also a member of The Gloaming, shared above!) Together with Dennis Cahill (one of the most famous traditional Irish guitarists!), Liz Knowles, and Doug Wieselman, he created the Martin Hayes Quartet.
I love the depth of these arrangements! “Brennan’s Reel” was our favorite song from all of my curated Irish playlists and albums.
So there you have it! While some of the music might overlap a bit in genre, I loved finding interpretations of Irish folk music that also reflects modern Ireland. Try one of these playlists for your Irish road trip! There is something to be said for exploring the Irish countryside while listening to Irish trad.
