Back in April of 2017, I asked around 173,000 people on Instagram (see the original post) what was the best music to explore Ireland to.
Around 750 people commented, DM’d, emailed and even sent text messages… thanks, Mam…
My phone was hopping with notifications for about 3 days.
The result?
- A delightfully mixed bag of road trip bangers
- Heaps of tunes that you can cruise along Ireland’s never-ending dual carriageways to
- Just as many that you can chill to, as you meander along those narrow country lanes and gorgeous coastal roads.
Then came the 2018 update

Photo via the Lost Valley
When 2018 rocked in, we lashed out another post asking for more road trip music reccys.
And, once again, thousands of people replied.
The playlist thrived away thanks to a new influx of old and recent releases.
A much needed 2019 update

Photo by Luke Myers
As we’re now into the belly of 2019, it’s time for another update.
So, if you’ve a tune that you like to explore to and think it should be added to the playlist, pop the name of the song into the comments section at the end of this article.
It’ll take 2 seconds.
In the meantime, here’s the playlist. We’ll be updating it with recommendations regularly!
If you can’t click through to the playlist above, here’s the direct link.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
Karen Byron
Saturday 20th of April 2019
I love this playlist and not only is it a great Ireland road tripping playlist, but it’s a great sitting at my desk at work wishing I was back on the road in Ireland playlist. Introduced me to some new artists that I’ve gone on and listened to more of. And I was just scrolling through to see what’s been added and thinking I’d drop a line to suggest some Dermot Kennedy - specifically Power Over Me - and you’ve already added it! Thanks for all you do Keith!
Keith
Sunday 21st of April 2019
Hey Karen,
Thanks for the comments and the kind words.
Love a bit of Dermot Kennedy! Some serious tunes coming out of that lad.
Glad you're enjoying it!
Cheers,
Keith
CathalCostello
Monday 11th of September 2017
Celtic Symphony - wolftones Boxer goes to Stuttgart- Christy Moore Listened to them everytime we started on the road when we did our West Coast road trip in the US!
keith o'hara
Sunday 17th of September 2017
Cheers for the recommendation Cathal! I'm popping their name into YouTube as we speak!
Victoria Dunn
Wednesday 26th of April 2017
Using this as a guide for my family's trip. We're coming in from the US and driving Dublin to Galway for a week.
Keith
Thursday 22nd of November 2018
I know i'm a little (cough - a lot) late responding, but I hope the trip went well!