With St. Patrick's Day all but upon us once more, we thought it only fitting to assemble a list of songs we deem to be uniquely Irish for your listening pleasure.

Damien Dempsey - St. Patrick's Day

Fitting, no? Damo is the owner one of Ireland's most unique and powerful voices and walks the same trail as the likes of Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew - two of his most prominent musical heroes. He has been a fixture of Ireland's music scene for over a decade now and his brand of uncompromising, heartfelt lyrics (not to mention that voice) have earned him a loyal following both and home and abroad.

Big Crosby - When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Much like its cousin 'Danny Boy', 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling' is one of the songs most associated with Ireland. First published 101 years ago, it has been recorded on over 200 different occasions, including by Connie Francis and Roger Whittaker, but it's the Bing Crosby version that is our favourite.

Luke Kelly - The Night Visiting Song

This clip is particularly poignant, given that this was the last ever live performance by the great man before his untimely death in 1984. Kelly was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1980 after enduring bouts of headaches and forgetfulness but kept on performing right up until the end and, as you can see from the video, his voice stayed with him the entire time.

Dropkick Murphys - Shipping Up To Boston

Fans of the movie The Departed (which features it prominently) and of UFC fighter Forrest Griffin (who uses it as his walkout music) will no doubt be familiar with this song from Celtic-punk act Dropkick Murphys. Their Irish-infused punk has earned them a rake of fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

One Irish Rover - Van Morrison

It would be difficult to make a list of great Irish songs with adding Van The Man to the list. The Belfast native has one of the best and most pure voices ever to come from the island of Ireland and has also penned some of the finest ballads, such as 'One Irish Rover'.

The Pogues - Dirty Old Town

There are many versions of this particular song but we think that none resonates more than the version by Shane McGowan and The Pogues. The words just seem all that more real coming from the accented drawl of McGowan. If some songs were drawn by fate to be performed by certain signers, Shane McGowan's 'Dirty Old Town' was certainly one of them.

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