Traditional Irish Guitar Songs and Acoustic Folk Ballads

Traditional Irish songs have a unique way of blending storytelling, emotion, and melody.

traditional irish guitar songs

These timeless tunes have been passed down for generations, and they remain some of the most powerful and memorable songs you can play on acoustic guitar.

This section features heartfelt ballads, folk favourites, and narrative-driven classics that highlight the depth of Ireland’s musical heritage.

More Fun Irish Pub Songs To Sing
Songs By The Dubliners



Cademon's Call - Draw Me Nearer, Thankful
Celtic Thunder - A Bird Without Wings, Caledonia, Life Without You, Noreen, Scarlet Ribbons, The Edge Of The Moon, The Voyage
Charlie Robison - John O'Reilly
Christy Moore - Beeswing, Casey, Fairytale Of New York, Ordinary Man
Dennis Allen - Late Starters In Love
Dougie McLean - Ready For The Storm
Freddie White - The Parting Glass
Liam Clancy - Gypsy Rover
Loudon Wainwright III - Carrickfergus
Men Of The Deeps - Coal Dust In The Snow
Scullion - Driving, Eyelids Into Snow
Sean Kean - Home Away From Home
Steve Earle - The Galway Girl
The Clancy Brothers - Will Ye Go Lassie Go
The Furey's - The Old Man, When You Were Sweet Sixteen
The Johnstones - The Curragh Of Kildare
The Strawb - Part Of The Union
The Waterboys - And A Bang On The Ear
Tommy Makem - Mary Mack, Sound The Pibroch
Traditional - Dear Ole Donegal, Kelly The Boy From Kilanne, The Wild Colonial Boy

Cademon's Call

Draw Me Nearer ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Thankful ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Celtic Thunder

A Bird Without Wings ... info soon.

Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Caledonia ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Life Without You ... info soon.

 
Jump To Top

Noreen ... info soon.

 
Jump To Top

Scarlet Ribbons ... info soon.

 
Jump To Top

The Edge Of The Moon ... info soon.

 
Jump To Top

The Voyage ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Charlie Robison

John O'Reilly ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 
Jump To Top

Christy Moore

Beeswing ... info soon.

Full lesson, demo and chord sheet contained in the zip file below.

 
Jump To Top

Casey ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Fairytale Of New York ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Ordinary Man ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Dennis Allen

Late Starters In Love ... info soon


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Dougie McLean

Ready For The Storm ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Freddie White

The Parting Glass .... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Liam Clancy

Gypsy Rover was written by an Irish broadcaster by the name of Leo Maguire back in the 1950s and it made it into the 1954 film "The Black Knight".

Several artists including The Seekers, The Kingston Trio, The Highwaymen have recorded this song.

This one is played in started tuning with a capo on the 4th and playing a root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. Some picking required with the chords C, G7, Em, Am and an F.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Loudon Wainwright III

Carrickfergus ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Men Of The Deeps

Coal Dust In The Snow ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Scullion

Driving ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Eyelids Into Snow ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Sean Kean

Home Away From Home ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Steve Earle

The Galway Girl ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

The Clancy Brothers

Wiil Ye Go Lasssie Go ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

The Furey's

The Old Man ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

When You Were Sweet Sixteen ... info soon


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

The Johnstones

The Curragh Of Kildare ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

The Strawb

Part Of The Union ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics Unavailable

 

Jump To Top

The Waterboys

And A Bang On The Ear ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Tommy Maken

Mary Mack ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Sound The Pibroch ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics Unavailable

 

Jump To Top

Traditional

Dear Ole Donegal ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

Kelly The Boy From Killane ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

The Wild Colonial Boy ... info soon.


Chords & Lyrics

 

Jump To Top

These traditional Irish guitar songs offer a mix of emotion, history, and beautiful melodies. Each tutorial provides the chords, rhythm patterns, and tips you’ll need to capture the authentic folk sound. Explore the lessons, find new favourites, and enjoy the rich tradition of Irish acoustic music.

Home

Best Irish Guitar Songs

Centerd popup window on the screen
byline pic

Kirby Swinemar is an acoustic guitar instructor, performer and song arranger who has taught online for 21 years and created more than 4,000 original acoustic guitar lessons. He specialises in song-based acoustic guitar instruction, rhythm guitar techniques, and creating full-sounding solo arrangements that help beginner and intermediate players move beyond basic strumming. Explore his work at Kirby's Guitar Lessons and on YouTube. Even away from the camera, he's usually listening to classic songs and exploring new ways to turn them into practical, enjoyable acoustic arrangements for everyday players.

Centerd popup window on the screen