Five Celtic Folk and Punk Bands That Kick Arse!

leprechaun As Saint Patrick’s Day comes upon us, I love to listen to Celtic/Irish music. A combination of folk and rock (at least in the groups I listen to) gets my feet stomping an my heart racing with these ancient tunes of the Emerald Isle. Here are five of my favorite Celtic bands of all time.

The Dubliners
For fifty years, the Dubliners have been entertaining audiences around the world. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, where they took their name, they have pioneered the Irish music scene outside of Ireland. While the group has changed its lineup over the years, the Dubliners are still going strong.

The Pogues
Influenced by the Dubliners and the Clash, the Pogues were the first to combine an Irish-punk sound. They have also inspired two other groups on this list. The Pogues, which gets its name from a Gaelic term for “kiss my arse”, is arguably the most successful Irish band of all.

The Chieftains
Almost as old as the Dubliners, the Chieftains are strictly a folk music band. The group is comprised of almost all of its original members. They are the first Celtic band to use the Uilleann pipes and have performed all over the world.

Flogging Molly
This Los Angeles-based, seven piece band combines punk music with the Irish folk into a unique sound. They’ve been performing together since 1997. They include Johnny Cash and the Clash as their influences.

Dropkick Murphys
An Irish-American Celtic punk band based out of Boston. They blend traditional Celtic music with punk rock to create hard-hitting music they call Celtic punk. Their music has been performed in movies like “The Departed” and are very politically active, supporting the working class and union causes.