Ireland has a rich musical heritage and has produced some of the world's most iconic voices. Though countless Irish female singers have left a mark on the world of music, here are 15 that you should consider listening to.
Andrea Corr
Andrea Corr is a famous Irish singer, songwriter, and musician. She is best known as the lead vocalist of The Corrs, one of the most successful Irish bands.
She was born in Dundalk, County Louth. She grew up in a musical family with her siblings (and bandmates) Sharon, Caroline, and Jim. They formed The Corrs in 1990 and blended pop, rock, and traditional Celtic music.
The Corrs' hits include "Breathless", "Runaway", and "What Can I Do", though Andrea went on to pursue a solo career in 2007, releasing the album Ten Feet High.
Cathy Davey
Cathy Davey is an Irish singer-songwriter. She was born in Dublin and began her career in the early 2000s.
Her debut album, Something Ilk, was released in 2004 and was full of lush melodies and introspective lyrics.
In 2007, her follow-up album Tales of Silversleeve was a critical and commercial success, with standout tracks like "Reuben", "Sing for Your Supper", and "Moving".
Her third album in 2010, The Nameless, debuted at number one in the Irish Albums Chart.
Dolores O’Riordan
Dolores O'Riordan was an Irish singer-songwriter best known as The Cranberries' singer.
She was born in Ballybricken, County Limerick, and joined The Cranberries in 1990. Her unique vocal style helped make the band recognisable around the world.
Their 1993 debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? included hits like "Linger" and "Dreams", and the follow-up No Need to Argue in 1994 included “Zombie”.
Her incredible combination of traditional Irish influences with rock and alternative helped make her one of modern music's most distinctive female Irish singers.
Her music and lyrics regularly centred on love, loss, and political unrest. She also had a solo career, with albums like Are You Listening? and No Baggage.
Her death in 2018 shocked musicians and fans worldwide, and she will be remembered as a symbol of strength and emotion in Irish music.
Eleanor McEvoy
Eleanor McEvoy is a famous Irish singer-songwriter who was born in Dublin.
Her first fame came with the song "Only a Woman's Heart," which was the title track for the best-selling 1992 compilation album of the same name. The album featured various female Irish singers.
Her musical style is a blend of folk, rock, and pop, and can be heard on her albums such as What's Following Me?, Love Must Be Tough, and Out There.
As one of the most respected female Irish folk singers, she's also known for the raw emotion of her live performances.
Enya
Enya, born Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin in Gweedore, County Donegal, is one of the most internationally successful Irish female singers of all time.
She's known for her ethereal vocal style and multi-layered sound. While she found success as a solo artist, her musical journey started with the family band Clannad.
Her breakthrough came with the 1988 album Watermark, which included the global Irish hit "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)". Later albums included Shepherd Moons, A Day Without Ran, and Amarantine.
Enya has sold over 75 million albums throughout her career, making her one of the best-selling solo artists of all time.
Gemma Hayes
Gemma Hayes is an Irish singer-songwriter from Ballyporeen, County Tipperary.
With her debut album, Night on My Side, in 2002, she earned critical acclaim and a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize. The album included standout tracks like "Back of My Hand" and "Let a Good Thing Go".
Her music is a blend of folk, rock, and indie pop. As a multi-instrumentalist, she's known for her captivating live performances.
Imelda May
Imelda May is known for her blend of rockabilly, blues, and jazz. She was born in Dublin and began her musical journey in local clubs.
Her breakout album Love Tattoo, released in 2008, featured the hit single "Johnny Got a Boom Boom", and the follow-up albums Mayhem in 2010 and Tribal in 2014 solidified her reputation as a vocalist and performer.
In recent years, her musical style has shifted more towards an acoustic-driven sound with the album Life. Love. Flesh. Blood. in 2017.
Lisa Hannigan
Lisa Hannigan was born in County Meath and is known as the vocal partner of the Irish singer Damien Rice. She contributed to his albums O and 9 in 2002 and 2006, respectively. Her haunting vocals can be heard on tracks like "Volcano" and "9 Crimes".
As a solo artist, she debuted with the album Sea Sew in 2008, featuring tracks like "Lille" and "I Don't Know", earning Mercury Prize and Choice Music Prize nominations.
Subsequent albums like Passenger (2011) and At Swim (2016) helped establish her as one of her generation's most talented female Irish singers.
Mary Black
Mary Black is one of the most respected female Irish folk singers. She's famous for her soulful voice and contributions to traditional and contemporary Irish music.
She was born in Dublin and began her career in the late 1970s with folk bands before her successful solo career.
Her 1983 debut album, Mary Black, helped launch a decades-long career. Other albums like No Frontiers and The Holy Ground are both celebrated and songs like “Song for Ireland”, “No Frontiers”, and “Only a Woman's Heart” are all recommended.
Mary Black helps bridge the gap between traditional Irish ballads and contemporary folk music.
Moya Brennan
Moya Brennan is a renowned Irish singer and songwriter. She's often called the "First Lady of Celtic Music".
She was born in Gweedore, County Donegal, and is known for being the lead singer of the legendary Irish folk band Clannad.
You can hear her voice on hits like “Theme from Harry's Game”, “In a Lifetime” (with Bono), and “I Will Find You”.
Her solo career began in 1992 with the release of Máire, where she showcased her versatility as a songwriter and a vocalist.
Albums like Perfect Time in 1998 and Two Horizons in 2003 feature genre-transcending emotive landscapes.
Orla Gartland
Orla Gartland is a rising star of Irish indie-pop music. Her sound includes catchy melodies, reflective storytelling, and unfiltered honesty.
Her debut album, Woman on the Internet, was released in 2021, nearly a decade after her debut EP Roots in 2013. It explored self-discovery, vulnerability, and empowerment.
Her distinctive voice can be heard on tracks like “More Like You”, “Pretending”, and “Zombie!”.
Róisín Murphy
Róisín Murphy is a singer from Arklow, County Wicklow. She emerged in the electronic duo Moloko with Mark Brydon. Hit songs included “Sing It Back”, “The Time Is Now”, and “Forever More”.
Moloko disbanded in 2003, and Murphy launched her solo career with Ruby Blue in 2005. Her following album, Overpowered, established her as one of the most creative Irish female singers in the electronic and dance music scene.
Her experimental sound blends electronic, disco, and avant-garde pop and recent releases feel retro yet futuristic.
Sinéad O’Connor
One of the most iconic Irish female singers of all time, Sinéad O'Connor first gained international recognition with her debut album, The Lion and the Cobra, in 1987.
Her second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, was released in 1990. Its astronomic hit, "Nothing Compares 2 U", was written by Prince.
Her musical style blended rock, pop, and traditional Irish music, and albums like "Am I Not Your Girl?" in 1992 and "Faith and Courage" in 2000 showcased her versatility as an artist.
She died on 26 July 2023.
Una Healy
Una Healy is an Irish singer-songwriter and television personality best known as a member of the girl group The Saturdays.
She was born in Thurles, County Tipperary, and began as a solo artist before joining The Saturdays in 2007. Her popular songs included "Up", "Ego", and "What About Us".
Catchy pop anthems and energetic performances made them one of the top-charting pop acts during the late 2000s and 2010s.
Healy started a solo career with a country-inspired album, The Waiting Game, in 2017 after The Saturdays went on hiatus. Popular solo tracks include “Stay My Love” and “Battlelines”, making her one of the leading female Irish country singers.
Wallis Bird
Wallis Bird is a singer-songwriter from Enniscorthy, County Wexford. Despite losing several fingers on her left hand, she took up music and developed a distinctive guitar technique.
Her 2007 debut album Spoons features her bold and soulful voice, particularly on tracks like “Blossoms in the Street” and “Counting to Sleep”.
Albums like 2009's New Boots and 2014's Architect are fine examples of her versatility as a songwriter, combining folk, rock, and pop.
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