St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone, and what better time than now, after a long weekend of Irish-adjacent debauchery, to reflect on the best musical fruits that Ireland to offer. As I sit in Terminal 1 of Dublin Airport, I feel like I owe it to our fair-haired neighbors to help showcase some of Ireland’s greatest musicians beyond just U2 and Thin Lizzy.

Rory Gallagher

Rory Gallagher was a beloved Cork-based blues guitarist known for his fiery live sets, his dedication to his craft and his star-studded fan base. Eric Clapton called Gallagher “the man who got me back into the blues”, and legend has it that Jimi Hendrix called Gallagher the greatest guitarist of all time. As one of the first truly international acts from Ireland, Rory Gallagher paved the way for future Irish bands and became almost mythological in his homeland. If you’re a fan of classic blues rock, Rory Gallagher is an essential listen.

Altar of Plagues

Although much of the recent wave of trendy metal has moved away from the British Isles, Cork-based trio Altar of Plagues has made a name for themselves with their boundary-pushing breed of post-black metal. Signed to the influential experimental metal label Profound Lore Records, Altar of Plagues released the critically-acclaimed “Teethed God and Glory,” which became an instant contemporary classic by combining the grand atmospherics and linear songwriting that has defined much of post-2010 heavy music with the wintry fury of classic black metal. Altar of Plagues exemplify the current state of heavy music—break the rules, but remember your roots.

Van Morrison

Van Morrison is too good to be left off this list. Even though the Northern Irish songwriter is practically a household name for hits like “Brown Eyed Girl,” cult classic records like “Astral Weeks” and “Veedon Fleece” contain some of his best material despite getting a bit less airplay than the iconic “Moondance.” “Astral Weeks,” released in 1968, is an enveloping chamber folk masterpiece that layers swirling acoustic guitars with elements of jazz and soul in a way that’s as hypnotic as it is beautiful. Morrison’s timeless lyrics are both tender and abstract, and his voice dances about the music effortlessly.

My Bloody Valentine

To put it bluntly, My Bloody Valentine (not to be confused with Bullet for My Valentine) is one of the greatest bands of all time. Hailing from Dublin, these alternative rock pioneers singlehandedly invented the genre of shoegaze, a hazy synthesis of reverb-soaked indie pop and distorted rock psychedelia. Their 1991 studio album “Loveless” is widely regarded as one of the greatest records of all time and was “profoundly influential in the direction of ‘90s alternative rock.” My Bloody Valentine’s unique sound, recording methodology and high-decibel trance-inducing live shows continue to be a touchstone for rock music to this day. Please, for the love of all things music, listen to My Bloody Valentine.

The Pogues

While not technically from Ireland, The Pogues were wildly successful at injecting ’80s punk with a Celtic folk sound and soul. Shane MacGowan, the spiritual leader and lead vocalist of The Pogues, was English-born to Irish parents and had a deep admiration for Irish music and literature. Nowhere is this more evident than 1985’s “Rum Sodomy & the Lash,” a record laced with tributes to traditional Irish musicians and writers alike. Politicized punk performed with traditional Irish instruments like the tin whistle and cittern never sounded so good. From the album, “Dirty Old Town” is actually a cover of a song by famed ’60s Irish folk group The Dubliners, but The Pogues certainly do it justice.