Ireland is the home to so many famous faces who have shaped plenty of industries, with music being one of the main successes from the nation. Ireland has impacted the world in many ways through sharing its culture and incredibly friendly tourist spots that offer an experience like no other. Not only this, but the nation hosts some of the most talented musicians and artists that the world has to offer, influencing the progression, development, and shifts in trends when it comes to music. So today, BoyleSports, the home of the starburst slot, will be taking a look at Ireland’s greatest musical exports of the 21st century.
Hozier
Hozier, real name Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, was born in Newcastle, Ireland, and has been a huge part of the music industry worldwide for over 15 years. The singer-songwriter has released countless classics, such as Too Sweet, Take Me To Church, and Work Song, as well as been nominated for some of the top awards in the world, including a Grammy. His influence doesn’t just stop at music; he has played a huge role in activism in Ireland, which has seen him be honoured with his own postage stamp.
The Cranberries
Despite no longer being together as of 2025, The Cranberries have been a massive influence on the music industry in the 21st century, despite taking a large break at the start of the 2000s. They saw a massive rise in popularity in the 2010s as a result of music streaming services, which saw songs like Zombie and Linger become viral on social media platforms in the 2020s. The messages within their lyrics and unique vocal style influenced a new era of Irish indie rock, forever cementing themselves as one of Ireland’s top bands.
Fontaines D.C.
An Irish band that has seen the most recent success is Fontaines D.C., who are currently taking over the world in 2025 after being nominated twice for a Grammy and once for the Mercury Prize. They came into the spotlight in 2020 and have not slowed down, releasing albums such as Skinty Fia and Romance, with some of their top singles being Starburster, I Love You, and Favourite. Fontaines D.C. are leaders of the punk revival in 2025, with powerful lyrics and putting their Dublin identity at the forefront of their personality.
U2
Possibly one of the most influential bands to have come from the nation, U2 have been in the spotlight for many years, ever since they formed in 1976. Despite being formed in the 70s, they still influenced the music industry well into the 21st century, most notably with their Vertigo Tour and the U2 360° Tour. U2 have produced some of the most recognisable songs in the industry, ones that are still being played today, including ‘One’, ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’, and ‘Beautiful Day’. They are a huge part of Irish music culture and have even played a large part in worldwide activism, led by lead singer and activist Bono.
The Script
The Dublin-based band, The Script, are one of the most commercially successful pop-rock acts of the 21st century. They have become one of Ireland’s top bands and have travelled the world with fans across each continent. Since they were founded in 2001, they have been on 7 world tours, dating to as recently as their Satellites World Tour spanning from 2024 to 2025. They have released numerous albums and singles that have featured high in the UK and worldwide charts, with some massive songs, such as ‘Hall of Fame’, ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’, and ‘Breakeven’.
Niall Horan
An artist who has thrived as both a band member and a solo artist is the world-recognisable Niall Horan. In his younger years, Horan was a star, ironically after failing to go far in the X-Factor competition, being paired up with Harry Styles, Zayne Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne, forming One Direction. The group survived long after their X-Factor run, becoming one of the biggest boy bands in the world, until ending in 2016 with all members going solo. Horan’s solo journey has been successful, spreading his Irish heritage around the world across 3 world tours, as well as featuring on American TV, and charting globally with releases including ‘Slow Hands’, ‘This Time’, and ‘Our Song’.
Sinead O’Connor
Although she may have experienced her prime in music in the late 80s and across the 90s, Sinead O’Connor is a massive part of Irish culture and a figure that will never be forgotten by the nation. She was nominated for 8 Grammy Awards, winning and refusing to claim 1 due to her boycott of the event. She has won countless awards in the music industry, even in the 21st century, being recognised as an inspiration to many, even after her death in 2023. She has achieved UK number ones in terms of singles and albums, spreading power through her lyrics and performances that shone a light on many global matters. She was a global inspiration and activist who is still spoken about today as being one of Ireland’s greatest ever musical exports.
