Country and Irish
tagStarted 1960sPeak 1970s-1980sLast big hit still activeFrom Ireland
Located in 1 route
Ireland's homegrown country: showband-rooted, warm baritone crooning over waltz and shuffle beats, with accordion, pedal steel and singalong choruses. Sentimental lyrics about emigration, home, lost love and country roads, pitched to dancehall and marquee crowds across rural Ireland and the Irish diaspora.
History
Born on Ireland's 1960s showband circuit, where bands reworked American country for local dancehalls. Larry Cunningham broke through with "Lovely Leitrim" (1965); Johnny McCauley wrote Irish-themed country for London expats (later cut by O'Donnell). Big Tom and the Mainliners became its kings, Philomena Begley its queen. Daniel O'Donnell and Nathan Carter carried it into arenas and TV.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Cunningham
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philomena_Begley
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_O%27Donnell
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Carter