Amazing 80s Irish Bands Everyone Should Listen To!

Updated On: April 30, 2024 by   Ciaran Connolly

Music is a huge part of Irish culture. Traditional Irish music, songs and tunes have been loved for generations and have stood the test of time. What’s more, Irish musicians have become increasingly popular all around the world for their singing, performing, songwriting and sometimes even Irish dancing!

Ireland has also dominated the international stage with some of the most famous rock bands of all times. The 80’s was a golden age for Irish music where classic Irish melodies merged with new sounds to create truly unique and memorable music. 

In this article we will explore the best 80s Irish bands! The history of rock music in Ireland is equally fascinating, as popular music evolved from lively showbands in the 60s to the introduction of rock and roll as well as punk. After reading this article we hope that you have some recommendations on who to add to your 80’s playlist as well as knowing a bit more about the artists behind the songs.

80s Irish Bands You Have to Listen To

1. U2
2. Thin Lizzy
3. The Pogues
4. Boomtown Rats
5. Aslan
6. The Saw Doctors

80s Irish Band #1: U2

No list of 80’s Irish Bands would be complete without including one of the most popular rock groups of all time. U2 achieved international praise following their performance at Live Aid in 1985. Legendary status was obtained soon after at the release of their fifth Album The Joshua Tree in 1987.

Formed in 1976, the group consisted of teenagers from a Dublin secondary school who wanted to form a band, eventually settling on the four members that have found decades of success at home and all around the world since: Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.

U2 released an impressive seven albums during the 1980’s so there is plenty to listen to:

• Boy (1980)
• October (1981)
• War (1983)
• Under A Blood Red Sky (1983)
• The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
• The Joshua Tree (1987)
• Rattle and Hum (1988)

Some iconic U2 songs from the 80’s to add to your 80’s playlist: With or Without You (1987), I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (1987) and Where The Streets Have No Name (1987). 

U2 are considered 80s icons while still remaining relevant throughout the years. In fact, they recently were the first band to perform in Las Vegas’s newest and most immersive music venue, the Sphere. 

80s Irish Band #2: Thin Lizzy

Thin Lizzy formed in Dublin in 1969, the Irish rock band are famous for incorporating many genres into their distinctive style of music. The group are known for their original hits such as “Dancing in the Moonlight” “The Boys Are Back In Town” and “Sarah” as well as their iconic covers of the traditional Irish ballads such as “Whiskey in the Jar”.

Thin Lizzy are considered one of the greatest Irish rock bands in the 70’s and 80’s. They are the perfect example of combining genres together, seamlessly melding Hard Rock with elements of traditional Irish music.

Thin Lizzy disbanded in 1983. Phil Lynott, the lead singer and bass player, passed away just three years later at the age of 36. 

80s Irish Band #3: The Pogues

Formed in 1982, the Pogues are another brilliant Irish band known for Celtic Punk music. This is a mix of traditional Irish folk music and punk. Lead singer Shane McGowan is famous for his songwriting skills and interpretations of classic Irish folk songs.

Some iconic The Pogues songs to add to your Irish 80s playlist: Dirty Old Town (1985), A Rainy Night In Soho (1985), A Pair of Brown Eyes (1985).

The Pogues also released Fairytale of New York featuring Kirsty MacColl in 1987 which is widely regarded as one of the most iconic Christmas songs of all time. 

80s Irish Band #4: The Boomtown Rats

The Boomtown Rats began their music career in 1975 in Dublin city. Released in 1979, I Don’t Like Mondays is arguably the band’s most famous hit. 

Lead singer Bob Geldof is also famous for forming Band Aid, a charity music group featuring some of the best artists and bands in Ireland and the UK in the 1980s. Geldof founded the charity in 1984 to raise money for those suffering from the famine in Ethiopia. 

The charity group released “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in the same year, with members from fellow Irish band U2 joining the group.

Geldolf also helped to organise Live Aid which took place in multiple venues in 1985 and featured performances from Queen and U2.

80s Irish Band #5: Aslan

Next up on our list of famous Irish bands is the rock group known as Aslan. Formed in 1982 in Dublin the original group was composed of five members, lead singer Christy Dignam as well as Joe Jewell, Tony McGuinness, Billy McGuinness and Alan Downey.

Aslan’s debut album “Feel No Shame” released in 1986 and went to #1 on the Irish charts.

Did you know? The band was named after the fictional lion in C.S. Lewis’s classic book series The Chronicles of Narnia which is coincidentally voiced by one of the most famous Irish actors of all time, Liam Neeson in the film adaptation. 

With numerous hits since the 80’s including This is (1986), Crazy World (1994) and Too Late for Hallelujah (2012) Aslan has remained an Irish favourite throughout the decades. 

80s Irish Band #6: The Saw Doctors

Formed in 1986 in Tuam Co. Galway, The Saw Doctors have found success internationally with numerous hit songs that celebrate the West of Ireland. The band wouldn’t release their first single “I Useta Love Her” until 1990, with their debut album “If This Is Rock, I Want My Old Job Back” releasing in 1991.

The Celtic rock band are known for their catchy melodies and for embracing the Irish humour in many comedic songs.

The Saw Doctors music is beloved across the country, particularly in the West of Ireland and around the world. You’ll often hear “The Green and Red of Mayo” and “N17” sung at Irish GAA matches by Mayo and Galway fans respectively. 

Irish 80’s playlist ideas:

Why has Irish music become so popular around the world?

There are many reasons that Irish music is so famous around the world. There is a distinct sound to traditional Irish music that makes it easy to recognise. Many Irish songs also explore universal themes that everyone can relate to. Another important reason is due to the Irish diaspora. Many Irish people left their home country in the past and settled abroad, bringing with them the love of traditional Irish music. Many traditional Irish songs were written about Irish people immigrating abroad. 

80s Irish Bands Conclusion:

We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article about our favourite Irish bands from the 80’s. It was difficult to narrow down our list for this blog so let us know if you think we missed a great band!

It is clear from this article that the 80s was an incredible decade for music in Ireland, from bands formed in previous years finding their unique sound, to some of the greatest Irish bands of all time beginning their career. 80s Irish music inspired many acts in the years to follow.