[Irish Folk Songs] Surprisingly Familiar Masterpieces and Standards of Ethnic Music

When you think of Irish folk songs, what tunes come to mind?

Many people may know “John Ryan’s Polka” as an Irish tune—the one used in the scene from the film Titanic where Jack and Rose dance in third class.

A hallmark of Irish folk music is the use of traditional instruments such as the uilleann pipes, a type of bagpipe, and the tin whistle.

Plenty of listeners are captivated by the nostalgic timbre of these sounds.

In this article, we’ll introduce classic Irish folk songs—from tracks that make you want to get up and dance to soothing melodies that bring you calm.