NI's Music Heritage

For a ‘wee’ country, Northern Ireland has made a big impression on all musical genres. From the traditional harpists of the 17th century, classical talent of Sir James Galway, punk bands of the 1970s, to the current international success of Snow Patrol. Music is at the heart of the country, so wherever you go, you’ll be able to find sounds that will suit your tastes.

Many music historians credit the harp festivals of the 1700s as the beginning of recorded music in Northern Ireland. For years, musicians had travelled the land playing traditional songs, but it was only with the support of the aristocracy that the songs were written down by scholars and archived for the future. These songs are still played today, and have also been adapted through the years.

The folk and traditional music scenes are still very strong in Northern Ireland, and you won’t have to go far to hear traditional music being played for fun in pubs and live music venues.

If you’re a classical music fan, Northern Ireland can offer a symphony of options. Famous musicians like Sir James Galway, Barry Douglas and composer Phil Coulter have put Northern Ireland on the international music map, whilst The Ulster Orchestra has an international reputation for excellence.

Northern Ireland also has a strong pop tradition. Belfast-born Ruby Murray was one of the most successful female artists of the 1950s, and still holds the record for having the most hit records in the UK Top Twenty at any one time – 5 in one week in early 1955. Other female solo artists from Northern Ireland include Dana, winner of the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest, and Clodagh Rodgers, a popular singer and TV star of the late 60s. Derry’s Nadine Coyle shot to fame with girl-band Girls Aloud after winning a reality TV show ‘Popstars’ in 2002. With the band she has released 20 successful singles, and is now pursuing a solo career.

Van Morrison, a world-renowned songwriter, is perhaps Northern Ireland’s best-known musical export. He began his career in showbands, and found success with the band Them in the mid 60s. He had his first solo hit with ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ in 1967, and has since explored many different genres of music. His 1968 album ‘Astral Weeks’ is regarded by critics as one of the greatest albums ever recorded.

In the late 1970s, at the height of the Troubles, it was punk music that brought people from different communities together. Many touring bands left Belfast off their roster, and the streets of the city were often empty at night. Punk inspired bands like Stiff Little Fingers, Rudi, Outcasts, and The Undertones and helped to create a vibrant music scene in a once desolate city. While it has largely died out in other parts of the UK, there is still a strong punk scene in Belfast, and many of these bands still play live gigs today.

Bands like The 4 of Us, That Petrol Emotion, Rare, and The Adventures appeared during the 80s, but it was the success of Therapy? with their Mercury shortlisted album ‘Troublegum’ in the early 90s, that turned the spotlight back onto Northern Ireland.

Ash and Divine Comedy’s chart successes helped to pave the way for arguably the most successful Northern Irish band, Snow Patrol, who have now sold over 10 million records worldwide.