24 hrs of St. Patrick’s Day 24: “Alternative Ulster”

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m posting one of my favorite Irish songs every hour.

24: “Alternative Ulster” by Stiff Little Fingers

Finishing up St. Patrick’s Day with this uprising in music by Ireland’s premier punk rock band.

24 hrs of St. Patrick’s Day 23: “Bad”

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m posting one of my favorite Irish songs every hour.

23. “Bad” by U2

I couldn’t get through the day without posting a U2 song, even though I’ve never been a huge fan.  This song about heroin addicts in Dublin is a powerful example of their early work in the 1980s

 

24 hrs of St. Patrick’s Day 22: “Dónal Agus Mórag”

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m posting one of my favorite Irish songs every hour.

22. “Dónal Agus Mórag” by Altan

A beautiful and rousing Irish-language song about a wedding.

24 hrs of St. Patrick’s Day 21: “Don’t Call Me Early in the Morning”

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m posting one of my favorite Irish songs every hour.

21. “Don’t Call Me Early in the Morning” by Tommy Sands

This is basically my theme song.

 

24 hrs of St. Patrick’s Day 20: “Dreams”

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m posting one of my favorite Irish songs every hour.

20. “Dreams” by The Cranberries

The ethereal vocals of Dolores O’Riordan are one of the defining sounds of 90s alternative music.

24 hrs of St. Patrick’s Day 19: “The Drunken Piper”

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m posting one of my favorite Irish songs every hour.

19. “The Drunken Piper” by Natalie MacMaster w/ Cookie Rankin

Sure, this is a Scottish tune by way of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, but you’re three sheets to the wind by now and who can deny the fine fiddling , singing, and rhythm on display.

 

24 hrs of St. Patrick’s Day 18: “”Funky Céilí”

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m posting one of my favorite Irish songs every hour.

18. “Funky Céilí” by Black 47

Black 47 brought Celtic punk with a socialist-leaning political bent to New York, although they could still party.  Still one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen.

 

 

24 hrs of St. Patrick’s Day 17: “If I Should Fall From the Grace of God”

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m posting one of my favorite Irish songs every hour.

17. “If I Should Fall From the Grace of God” by The Pogues

The revolutionary band The Pogues blended punk rock rage with traditional Irish sounds to pretty much redefine Irish music. I could recommend several albums, but here’s one track that shows them at their best.

 

24 hrs of St. Patrick’s Day 16: “Marble Halls”

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m posting one of my favorite Irish songs every hour.

16. “Marble Halls” by Enya

Written by Irish composer Michael William Balfe for the 1843 opera The Bohemian Girl, the words to this tune appear in James Joyce’s works.

24 hrs of St. Patrick’s Day 15: “Missing You”

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I’m posting one of my favorite Irish songs every hour.

15. “Missing You” by Christy Moore

I could probably post 24 tunes by Christy Moore alone, but this plaintive cry of the Irish emigrant will have to suffice.