Essential Irish Songs for Your Wedding Celebration
Irish traditional music adds authentic charm to weddings. These songs span romantic ballads to lively dance tunes, perfect for different moments throughout your celebration. Here are the most requested Irish songs from wedding bands.
Ceremony Processional/Recessional
"She Moved Through the Fair" - Haunting and beautiful for processional. "The Foggy Dew" - Instrumental version creates atmosphere. "Wild Mountain Thyme" - Gentle and romantic. "Carrickfergus" - Classic Irish air. "Songbird" - Christie Moore version perfect for ceremony.
First Dance Favorites
"Crazy Love" - Van Morrison's timeless classic. "Into the Mystic" - Another Van Morrison gem. "The Voyage" - Christy Moore's wedding favorite. "Nancy Spain" - Beautiful Christy Moore ballad. "Brown Eyed Girl" - Upbeat alternative first dance.
Parent Dances
"Four Green Fields" - Makem and Clancy tradition. "The Town I Loved So Well" - Luke Kelly's emotional ballad. "Grace" - Jim McCann's historical love song. "Spancil Hill" - The Dubliners' nostalgic tune. "Danny Boy" - Classic for father-daughter dance.
Céilí Dancing Sets
"The Siege of Ennis" - Gets everyone on the floor. "The Walls of Limerick" - Easy for beginners. "The Waves of Tory" - Energetic and fun. "Stack of Barley" - Traditional favorite. "Bridge of Athlone" - Great for all ages.
Sing-Along Sessions
"Whiskey in the Jar" - Everyone knows this one. "The Wild Rover" - Guaranteed participation. "Black Velvet Band" - Story song favorite. "Seven Drunken Nights" - Comedy gold. "The Irish Rover" - The Pogues made it famous.
Late Night Energy
"Galway Girl" - Steve Earle or Mundy version. "The Rocky Road to Dublin" - High energy traditional. "Finnegan's Wake" - Lively and humorous. "All for Me Grog" - The Clancy Brothers classic. "Star of the County Down" - Fast version for dancing.
Modern Irish Classics
"The Auld Triangle" - The Dubliners standard. "Fairytale of New York" - The Pogues (December weddings). "On Raglan Road" - Luke Kelly's masterpiece. "Ride On" - Christy Moore's emotional ballad. "N17" - The Saw Doctors' emigrant anthem.
End of Night Songs
"The Parting Glass" - Traditional farewell. "Ireland's Call" - Unifying anthem. "The Fields of Athenry" - Everyone sings this. "Come Back to Erin" - Nostalgic finish. "The Night Visiting Song" - Gentle close.
Band Leader's Advice
"Mix traditional with contemporary throughout the night. Start gentle, build energy for céilí set mid-reception, include sing-alongs when crowd is merry, and end with something everyone knows. The Parting Glass as final song never fails." - Séamus, The Mixtape