Ireland's Favorite Folk Song

Ireland’s Favorite Folk Song

In 2019, RTÉ undertook a unique cultural project: to identify Ireland’s Favorite Folk Song. This public contest and television series brought national attention to the depth and richness of Ireland’s folk music tradition. Spearheaded by singer Mary Black, the initiative combined expert curation with public participation, culminating in a vote that named On Raglan Road as the country’s most beloved folk song.

The Shortlist: Songs That Shaped a Nation

The heart of the project was a carefully curated shortlist of ten iconic Irish folk songs, chosen by a panel of musicians, folklorists, and cultural historians. These songs spanned centuries and themes, from rebellion and exile to love and longing. Each one carried a deep connection to Irish identity, with lyrics and melodies that had endured across generations.

The final ten songs included:
(click links below to hear a great version)

  1. On Raglan Road – Patrick Kavanagh’s poem set to the air of The Dawning of the Day, made famous by Luke Kelly.
  2. The Foggy Dew – A haunting ballad commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising.
  3. The Parting Glass – A traditional farewell song filled with warmth and melancholy.
  4. Danny Boy – Ireland’s best-known ballad, associated with emigration and loss.
  5. The Fields of Athenry – A modern classic about the Great Famine, exile, and enduring love.
  6. Óró Sé do Bheatha ‘Bhaile – A rebel song with Gaelic roots, invoking the return of a hero to Ireland.
  7. The Rocky Road to Dublin – A fast-paced tune detailing a lively, often comic journey from Ireland to England.
  8. Grace – A tragic love song set during the 1916 Rising, about Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford.
  9. The Green Fields of France – An anti-war ballad reflecting on the grave of a World War I soldier.
  10. Only Our Rivers Run Free – A 20th-century ballad reflecting on the longing for national freedom.

Each song was explored in a documentary episode, allowing viewers to delve into its history, meaning, and cultural impact. Through performances, interviews, and historical context, the series invited a national conversation about what these songs meant and why they continued to resonate.

The Winner: On Raglan Road
The public ultimately voted “On Raglan Road” as Ireland’s favorite folk song. Originally written as a poem by Patrick Kavanagh in the 1940s, the lyrics tell a story of unrequited love—quiet, restrained, and deeply emotional. Kavanagh later gave permission for the poem to be set to the traditional air Fáinne Geal an Lae (The Dawning of the Day), and it was famously brought to life by Luke Kelly of The Dubliners, whose heartfelt rendition is now iconic.

Unlike many of the other contenders, On Raglan Road does not speak of rebellion or emigration, but of a quiet, personal heartache. Its victory in the contest reflected the Irish public’s appreciation not only for national struggles, but for the emotional and poetic core of Irish folk music. It is a song about memory, regret, and beauty—delivered in plain but powerful language, with a melody that carries the ache of the words. Mary Black commented that she was “delighted” by the public’s choice, calling it a song of “such emotional honesty and poetic beauty.”

Conclusion
RTÉ’s Ireland’s Favorite Folk Song contest was a powerful reminder that Ireland’s folk music is not just part of its past—it is a living tradition, shaped by memory, feeling, and communal experience. The ten shortlisted songs offered a map of Ireland’s cultural soul, from ancient battles to quiet city streets. And the choice of On Raglan Road as the winner showed that, sometimes, the most powerful songs are not the loudest or most political, but the most human. In naming On Raglan Road their favorite, the Irish public affirmed the enduring power of music to express the deepest truths of love, loss, and identity.

Our Own Choice!

Since RTÉ has had their say, we at Carrick Mór thought it would be fun to open the floor to all Irish people, everywhere — and let you have yours.

This time, we’re going beyond folk to include every Irish song, from every genre. During the month of March, cast your vote and tell us your favorite Irish song of all time by using this simple survey.

In early April, we’ll share the results with everyone — and celebrate the soundtrack of Ireland together.

Back to Scéal Éireann