About Our Irish Wedding Bands
Irish wedding bands are one of the most requested acts on FixTheMusic.
Whether you're planning a traditional ceilidh, a St Patrick's Day celebration or simply want the energy and warmth that Irish folk music brings to a dance floor, there's an act on this page to suit.
Most Irish bands on FixTheMusic perform a mix of traditional folk and contemporary hits -- think Mumford & Sons, The Pogues and Christy Moore alongside modern crowd-pleasers. Many also offer ceilidh sets, making them ideal if you want to get every generation up and dancing.
Browse Our Irish Bands for Hire
How it works
Irish Wedding Band FAQs
What is an Irish wedding band?
An Irish wedding band typically performs a mix of traditional Celtic folk music and contemporary pop and rock covers. Many also offer ceilidh sets -- guided group dances that are a staple of Irish and Scottish weddings and work brilliantly as an icebreaker early in the evening.
What's the difference between an Irish band and a ceilidh band?
A ceilidh band specialises in traditional called dances, with a caller guiding guests through each dance. Irish bands tend to be more flexible -- many can do a ceilidh set as part of a broader evening of live music. If you want a full ceilidh with a caller, it's worth specifying this when you enquire.
Are Irish wedding bands suitable for non-Irish weddings?
Absolutely. Irish bands are popular at all kinds of weddings across the UK, not just those with Irish heritage. The energy, warmth and singalong quality of Irish folk music tends to go down well with guests of all ages and backgrounds.
You can see more of our UK folk bands for hire.
How much does an Irish wedding band cost in the UK?
Prices on FixTheMusic start from around £430 for a duo and range up to £4,500 for larger acts. Most four-piece Irish bands fall in the £800 to £1,500 range for a UK wedding.
Can Irish bands travel across the UK?
Yes. Most of the Irish bands on FixTheMusic are based in London, Manchester or the North of England and travel widely for weddings and events. Travel costs are usually included in the quote or added as a modest supplement depending on location.
What songs do Irish wedding bands typically play?
Most Irish wedding bands on FixTheMusic cover a mix of traditional Irish folk songs, Celtic classics and popular modern hits. Expect songs like Galway Girl, The Rattlin' Bog, Whiskey in the Jar and Teenage Kicks alongside contemporary crowd-pleasers. Many bands will also learn a specific song for your first dance with enough notice.
Do Irish wedding bands include a DJ set between performances?
Most do. The majority of bands on FixTheMusic provide background music or a DJ set during their breaks so there are no gaps in entertainment. It's worth confirming this when you enquire, as some bands charge a small supplement for a full DJ package.
How long do Irish wedding bands typically perform for?
Most bands offer two 45-minute to one-hour sets as standard, usually beginning after the wedding breakfast. Some bands are happy to extend their performance or add an earlier acoustic set during the drinks reception for an additional fee.
When should I book an Irish wedding band?
As early as possible -- popular Irish bands on FixTheMusic get booked up quickly, particularly around St Patrick's Day in March and during peak wedding season from May to September. Booking six to twelve months in advance is advisable for a Saturday wedding.
Can an Irish band perform at my wedding ceremony as well as the reception?
Yes. Many Irish bands offer acoustic or stripped-back sets suitable for the ceremony or drinks reception, in addition to their main evening performance. This is usually available as an add-on -- mention it when you enquire and the band can include it in their quote.
View Some of Our Professional Irish Bands Performing Live...
Reviews from local events in the UK
“We cannot praise The Blarneys enough. Their enthusiasm and professionalism shone through on the day. People who wouldn't ordinarily get up and dance were 'up there'! We had a good mix of Irish and English, young and old, all of whom were drawn in by the infectious sounds.”
“Hi Tristan, Just wanted to say thank you very much for playing on Friday. You really got everyone going on the floor! Best, George.”
“The night was superb, everyone we've spoken to said they had a brilliant time. Party went on until 5am. Thanks for everything, I'll be sure to recommend you guys to anyone who's having a wedding in the area!!. All the best and thanks again, John.”
“Absolutely perfect! Fantastic communication prior to our wedding then on the day itself they were amazing. So much fun and every guest commented on how good they were. Thank you for being the icing on the cake for our special day!”
“Awesome band - they played both pop/rock bangers as well as Irish music which was important to us. They knew what songs to play and when to get the crowd going. We had so many people compliment the live music and it really topped the end of a wonderful day - thank you so much.”
Booked Party Folk for a wedding at Thorpe Garden, Staffordshire, UK
“You were fab on Saturday night. We really enjoyed ourselves, though not quite sure how Mike got up with you to sing!!! Feedback from our friends and family (from Ireland) has been fantastic - venue, band, happy time had by all. We booked The Blarneys for our wedding because we wanted something a little different and we were absolutely delighted. A great bunch of guys who have a really mastered the art of creating an atmosphere without completely taking over.”
“Hello!!! Just a quick message to say thank you for playing at mine and Jimmy's wedding in Birmingham. It was a fab night and your music really got the crowd going!! All our guests commented on how fabulous you were!! My feet were killing the next day from all the dancing!! Thank you again. Kelly x”
“We just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for your superb work on Friday night. People were coming up to us saying 'this lot are fantastic...where did you find them??'. Everyone had a ball thanks in no small part to the brilliant atmosphere you guys created. Thanks again, we wouldn't hesitate to recommend you, feel free to put anyone our way who'd like to know what you're like! Sincerely hope to see you again in the future. Warm regards Eileen & Peter”
“Party Folk are fantastic. We hired them for our wedding and they kept the dance floor filled. Thanks for learning our first song and performing it. It was so special to us and meant a lot.”
“Amazing band everyone at the wedding loved them. Every single person was up dancing, thank you so much and apologies that I didn't get a chance to thank them personally before they left.”
“The Blarneys were absolutely brilliant from start to finish. They had the dance floor rocking from the beginning of their set until the end. All ages loved them, we wished they could have played for longer. Thank you for making our wedding so much fun that exactly what we wanted. Love, Claire and John.”
“These guys were just fab as entertainment for our wedding day. When you have a mix of young, old and young at heart, it’s so hard to please everyone, but please everyone they did. With their infectious beats, comedic interludes and toe-tapping tunes, Ben and co brought energy, fun and laughter to the dance floor. The dress code for guests was an optional touch of purple in memory of my mum, and I was really touched that they turned up in purple ties too. What lovely guys! We had a great time boogieing into the early hours as we added on a funky disco too. Thanks Fearless Folk! You’re Priceless!”