Famous Irish Lyricists & Songwriters

One of the best-known faces of Irish alternative rock, Dolores O’Riordan headed the band The Cranberries. Known for her international chartbusters such as Zombie, she later slipped into depression and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She died of accidental drowning due to intoxication at age 46 and was posthumously nominated for a Grammy.

Shane MacGowan is an Irish-English recording artist and vocalist. He is credited with co-founding popular bands, such as The Pogues and Shane MacGowan and the Popes. He is also known for his collaboration with artists like Sinéad O'Connor, Kirsty MacColl, and Nick Cave. In 2018, he was honored with the Ivor Novello Inspiration Award for creating inspiring music. 

Sinead O’Connor is an Irish singer and songwriter known for her controversial statements as much as for her work as a musician. Apart from releasing solo albums and singles, she has also collaborated with other artists and recorded songs for films. She often makes headlines for expressing views on subjects, such as women's rights, child abuse, sexuality, and organized religion.

Once the face of Irish boy band Westlife, Brian McFadden later went solo. Starting his career with live pop-RnB gigs in Dublin clubs, he later mastered soft rock, too. He was a judge on Australia's Got Talent and also participated in shows such as Dancing on Ice and The Jump.

David Howell Evans, better known as The Edge, is a musician and songwriter. He first gained fame as the keyboardist, lead guitarist, and backing vocalist of the rock band U2. He is known for his signature style of guitar playing. Besides music, he is an advocate for human rights and is involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors. 

Irish singer and musician Siobhan Fahey is best known as a founding member of the British/Irish girl group Bananarama. As part of the group, she delivered several top 10 hits. Later, she formed the musical act, Shakespears Sister, which went on to win an Ivor Novello Award. In her 60s now, she continues to be active in the music scene.

Irish singer Stephen Gately, who soared to fame in the 1990s with the globally popular band Boyzone, was born to working-class parents in Dublin. He later revealed he was gay, when a friend black-mailed he would reveal Gately’s sexuality. He died of a heart condition at age 33.

Andrea Corr is an Irish singer, musician, songwriter, actress, and author. She is part of the popular Celtic pop-rock and folk-rock group The Corrs, where she plays the ukulele, piano, and tin whistle apart from being the lead singer. Also a humanitarian, Andrea Corr takes part in several charitable activities to raise money for various causes.

Best known for his chartbusting singles such as Lost and Outnumbered, Irish singer Dermot Kennedy started his career with open mic shows in Dublin. Starting to play the guitar at age 10, he later studied classical music. He first major album, Without Fear, topped the UK charts.

Irish singer Imelda May, who has released chart-topping albums such as Love Tattoo, is also a talented multi-instrumentalist, well-versed in a wide range of instruments such as the guitar, the bodhrán, the tambourine. She also became a published poet with her volume A Lick and a Promise.

Una Healy initially rose to fame as part of the 5-member girl group The Saturdays. The Irish singer is the niece of country music star Declan Nerney. A talented swimmer, she gave up the sport at 13 to switch to music. She has also scored solo hits such as Stay My Love.  

Irish pop singer Kian Egan soared to fame as a member of the boy band Westlife. A skilled pianist, he is well-versed in other instruments, too. He has also coached contestants on The Voice of Ireland and was a regular presenter on This Morning's Hub. He is married to actor/singer Jodi Albert.

Once part of the popular Irish boy band Westlife, Nicky Byrne was initially a professional football player who was part of the Republic of Ireland junior team and the FA Youth Cup-winning team of Leeds United. He later also participated in shows such as Strictly Come Dancing.

Best known as part of the Irish family band The Corrs, singer Sharon Corr is equally talented in instruments such as the violin and the guitar. Born to musician parents, she began playing for orchestras as a child. She opened up about her social anxiety disorder through her solo album.

Keith Duffy is an Irish singer-songwriter, drummer, television and radio presenter, and actor. He is best known for his association with the now-defunct Irish boy band, Boyzone. Apart from being a celebrity, Keith Duffy has also been an awareness campaigner for autism. He also organizes fundraising events to benefit a charity organization called Irish Autism Action.

Once the face of the Irish pop group B*Witched, Edele Lynch also won Celebrity Apprentice Ireland in 2013. She reportedly lost all her investments in property and disappeared during the Celtic Tiger recession. She now lives in Manchester with her 3 children that she had with her former husband.

Apart from being a talented musician, associated with the pop band The Blizzards, Niall Breslin has also been a rugby player, a Gaelic footballer, and an award-winning author. He is one of Ireland’s best-known mental health advocates, too, with his own mental-health podcasts, and owns the charity A Lust For Life.