At every wedding in Ireland, you’re bound to hear several famous songs. Here are the ten songs you’re guaranteed to hear at every Irish wedding.
No one does a wedding like the Irish. A great Irish wedding is truly an experience to behold and one that can easily be the social event of one’s year. These ten songs you’ll hear at every Irish wedding are a huge part of the celebrations in themselves.
An Irish wedding is a unique experience; there is something about an Irish wedding that is different from a wedding in any other country. From celebrations that go through the night to hilarious speeches, the Irish wedding is full of memorable moments.
Another vital part of the Irish wedding tradition is, of course, the music. The Irish wedding playlist is unlike any other playlist you’ll find on Spotify.
The songs that you’ll hear at an Irish wedding are most likely a mix of rock, pop, showband tunes, Irish trad music, and everything and anything else in between.
10. Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
Who doesn’t love this Journey classic, a karaoke fan-favourite if ever there was one? Once this plays, we’re all just small-town girls, living in a lonely world!
9. Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex
‘Cotton Eye Joe’ by Rednex is a country classic that always brings out the inner cowboy and cowgirl in all guests in attendance.
Once this plays, you will be sure to witness many scenes of cheesy 90s line dancing in all its glory.
8. Galway Girl – Mundy
Who doesn’t love a bit of ‘Galway Girl’ to dance and sing to? ‘Galway Girl’ is an excellent tune to jive to, and it tends to be regularly played when the band wishes to cajole more people to the dancefloor. It’s a tune both parents and children can dance to.
7. Maniac 2000 – Mark McCabe
This belter always makes an appearance when the DJ takes over proceedings at the wedding reception. A tune that brings everyone to the floor to relieve memories of teenage discos, Lynx Africa, and broken promises.
6. Summer of ‘69 – Bryan Adams
This song is one that will keep everyone on the dance floor for another round. This classic rock ballad is one that’s sure to bring out all the air guitar enthusiasts.
However, you may never be able to share the dance floor with your family and relatives to this song when you find out it’s not about the actual year 1969 but something else entirely.
5. Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
This is another rock anthem that will bring everyone to the centre of the floor once the first few notes are played. A song that not only appeals to the older generation but is also cheesy enough to get the younger guests singing along and dancing too.
4. Mr. Brightside – The Killers
‘Mr. Brightside’ is another song that will pull people to the dance floor, arm in arm, to belt out the lyrics of this modern classic! We can hear it now, “Destiny is calling me!”.
You will already be in great spirits when this song comes on after hearing these hilarious jokes and lines used at every Irish wedding.
3. Wagon Wheel – Nathan Carter
‘Wagon Wheel’ has become a favourite in every Irish pub and every Irish wedding, especially at any country wedding. Everyone wants to be rocked to the classic, made popular by Nathan Carter.
2. Thunderstruck – AC/DC
There is something about this song that drives everyone to the floor. It’s certainly one of the songs you’ll hear at every Irish wedding.
This AC/DC classic usually tends to play towards the end of the night, and through the haze of smoke effects, you will be sure to see all manners of people descend onto the dancefloor with ties wrapped around their foreheads, enjoying the craic!
1. Rock The Boat – The Hues Corporation
Is there anything more traditional than doing rock the boat at an Irish wedding? Once it starts to play, young and old alike must plant themselves on the floor and form a line, and wave their arms back and forth to the beat, no excuses!
This is our number one pick for ten songs you will hear at every Irish wedding.
The next time you’re at an Irish wedding, keep an ear out for these songs. If we missed any popular ones, be sure to let us know! For more, check out 10 hilarious jokes and lines to use in an Irish wedding speech.
Other notable mention
Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O’Connor: It’s not an Irish wedding if you don’t hear a bit of Sinead O’Connor!
Shotgun, George Ezra: In more recent years, Irish people love to hear a bit of ‘Shotgun’ by George Ezra on their wedding day.
Rattlin’ Bod, The Irish Descendants: This is one of the Irish folk songs you’ll always hear at a certain point on the wedding night, and it’s always some craic!
The Rocky Road to Dublin, The High Kings: This song is absolutely guaranteed to get everyone up on the dance floor.
FAQs about songs you’ll hear at every Irish wedding
What kind of music is played at Irish weddings?
At Irish weddings, you’ll hear everything from traditional Irish music to pop, rock, and more. There’s a very good chance you’ll hear the ten songs listed above.
What song do Irish brides walk down the aisle to?
At more traditional weddings, Irish brides might walk down the aisle to the song ‘Spancil Hill’ by The Wolfe Tones. These days, brides tend to pick whichever song they would like to walk down the aisle to!
What is the most popular wedding song?
According to Spotify, the song that is added to most wedding playlists is ‘Marry You’ by Bruno Mars.
