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 Irish Music Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
 Irish Music Quizzes, Trivia

Irish Music Trivia

Irish Music Trivia Quizzes

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16 Irish Music quizzes and 200 Irish Music trivia questions.
1.
  Thoroughly Modern Traditional editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Traditional Irish Music in the 20th Century
Traditional Irish music is the indigenous music of the island. With the emergence of strong influences from Britain and the USA, the question is whether traditional music was still relevant & influential in the second half of the 20th century?
Average, 10 Qns, pollucci19, Jan 14 24
Average
pollucci19 gold member
Jan 14 24
111 plays
2.
  Danny Boy editor best quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
D'ye remember that most beloved of tunes, lads and lassies? Sing it wi' me, then!
Very Easy, 10 Qns, stuthehistoryguy, Nov 25 07
Very Easy
stuthehistoryguy gold member
7090 plays
3.
  Fifteen Irish Songs and Ballads   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
I've picked 15 Irish songs and ballads and will ask you different kinds of questions about them. Could be lyrics, title, or content. Good luck!
Average, 15 Qns, PearlQ19, Mar 21 07
Average
PearlQ19 gold member
1387 plays
4.
  Irish Rebel Songs   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
I like to hang out in bars, and Irish bars are the best, so it's natural that I've learned a few Irish rebel songs. See if you can identify these famous tunes.
Average, 15 Qns, daver852, Oct 25 09
Average
daver852 gold member
593 plays
5.
  Name That Dubliners Song   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I give you a couple of lines, you pick the song title. The common thread is that these have all been recorded by the Granddaddies of Irish folk - The Dubliners. Be warned, they start easy and get more obscure.
Average, 10 Qns, Ada_Doom, Oct 16 07
Average
Ada_Doom
670 plays
6.
  Groups and Singers from Ireland   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Ireland has produced quite a few groups and singers over the years. How much do you know about Irish artists and groups? The second quiz in this series. Take a look at "Groups and Singers from Scotland".
Average, 10 Qns, Lord_Digby, Oct 16 08
Average
Lord_Digby gold member
923 plays
7.
  The Devil Take the Women   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
What would St. Patrick's Day, or any night at the pub, be without some Irish drinking songs? See if you recognize these oft-sung ballads and shanties.
Average, 10 Qns, CmdrK, Mar 03 16
Average
CmdrK gold member
248 plays
8.
  Irish Bands and Artists    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Irish bands and artists feature heavily in music history. How well do you know your Irish music?
Average, 10 Qns, liamwalsh, May 10 20
Average
liamwalsh
May 10 20
251 plays
9.
  Irish Songs and Ballads editor best quiz   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
I will give you a few lines from the song, and you identify the song's title. The lyrics I give you will usually, but not always, be the first lines of the songs.
Difficult, 25 Qns, daver852, Jun 30 16
Difficult
daver852 gold member
2888 plays
10.
  Ireland In Song   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Songs about Ireland are known and sung throughout the world. How well do you know the places mentioned in those songs?
Average, 10 Qns, francisk, Apr 13 10
Average
francisk
1617 plays
trivia question Quick Question
"Twas on a dreary New Years' Eve, as shades of night fell down/A lorry load of volunteers approached the border town . . ."

From Quiz "Irish Songs and Ballads"




11.
  More Irish Songs and Ballads    
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
I will give you a few lines of the lyrics, and you tell me the name of the song. The lyrics will usually, but not always, be the the opening lines of the song or chorus.
Tough, 25 Qns, daver852, Nov 30 02
Tough
daver852 gold member
762 plays
12.
  Irish Folk Song Lyrics   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Hey, well I did this quiz listening to my CDs one night, so try it and have fun! I'll give you the lyrics and you tell me the song!
Average, 10 Qns, x-piper-x, Apr 17 07
Average
x-piper-x
769 plays
13.
  Irish Folk Songs    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Grab a pint, and take this quiz (and feel free to burst into song at any time!).
Tough, 10 Qns, astorian, Oct 12 03
Tough
astorian
969 plays
14.
  Irish '60s Beat    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
While The Beatles were spearheading the British Beat Boom in the '60s, there was an exciting beat-scene in Ireland. What do you know about Irish beat?
Difficult, 10 Qns, francisk, Dec 22 07
Difficult
francisk
396 plays
15.
  Modern Irish Songs and Artists - II    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Each question gives you a title. You have to choose the right Irish artist or band.
Average, 10 Qns, Vermic, Jun 27 01
Average
Vermic
785 plays
16.
  Irish '60s Music    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The 1960s was a vibrant, exciting time for music in Ireland. They say if you can remember anything about it, you weren't there! Let's see...
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, francisk, Mar 13 07
Very Difficult
francisk
437 plays
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Irish Music Trivia Questions

1. What was U2's first studio album, released in Oct 1980 in the UK?

From Quiz
Irish Bands and Artists

Answer: Boy

Recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, "Boy" included the track "I Will Follow". It reached number 52 in the UK album charts.

2. From which Irish song do these lyrics come? "Then Peggy O'Connor took up the job. 'Biddy', she says, 'You're wrong I'm sure.' / Biddy then gave her a belt on the gob and left her sprawling on the floor".

From Quiz The Devil Take the Women

Answer: Finnegan's Wake

"Finnegan's Wake" is a song about poor Tim Finnegan, a laborer who fell from a ladder and broke his skull. During his funeral wake at home a big fight began. Some liquor splashed on Tim, miraculously bringing him back to life. "Isn't it the truth, I tell ya, lots of fun at Finnegan's wake!"

3. Who are the Irish band that sang "Flying Without Wings"?

From Quiz Groups and Singers from Ireland

Answer: Westlife

"Flying Without Wings" was released in 1999. The single reached number one on both the UK and Irish charts. The band was signed on by Simon Cowell, one of the judges of the UK programmes, "Pop Idol" and "X Factor". The band is managed by Louis Walsh, who is also involved in the talent show "X Factor". Westlife have reached the number one position ten times in the UK, with chart toppers like, "If I Let You Go", "Fool Again", "My Love", "Uptown Girl" and "Queen of My Heart." The lineup of the band are, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Bryan McFadden.

4. "Where are the lads that stood with me when history was made. Oh Gradh Mo Chroi I long to be with" What song is this?

From Quiz Irish Folk Song Lyrics

Answer: The Boys Of The Old Brigade

This was a rebel song, written in commemoration of the 1916 Rebellion.

5. This group recorded Bonnie Dobson's song 'Morning Dew' and released it as a single. Their drummer Brian Downey subsequently tasted fame with 'Thin Lizzy'. What was the group's name?

From Quiz Irish '60s Beat

Answer: Sugarshack

"Morning Dew" is an apocalyptic folk-rock song written by Canadian Bonnie Dobson in 1962, that has become a standard. Fred Neil heard Dobson's song and re-arranged it to suit his own style. Tim Rose recorded the song in 1966, adding himself as co-writer. Through a loophole in US copyright law, Rose was able to claim royalties.

6. A famous drinking song is "A Bucket of Mountain Dew". How many geographical places are mentioned in the first stanza of the song?

From Quiz Fifteen Irish Songs and Ballads

Answer: 4

"Let grasses grow and waters flow in a free and easy way / But give me enough of the rare old stuff that's made near GALWAY BAY / And policemen all from DONEGAL, SLIGO and LEITRIM, too / We'll give them the slip and we'll take a sip of the rare old Mountain Dew!" Written by Samuel Lover (1797 - 1869), the song has made its way through numerous recordings. Sometimes the lyrics are changed to "REAL old Mountain Dew", not "RARE".

7. "Oh Danny Boy, the ____, the ____ are calling"

From Quiz Danny Boy

Answer: Pipes

Though solidly identified by many with Irish life and sentiment, the text of "Danny Boy" was written by English lawyer Frederick Weatherly in 1910 and set to the tune "Londonderry Air" in 1913. It is not unknown in the land of St. Patrick (Northern Ireland uses it as their anthem at the Commonwealth Games, and I recall a hearty crowd rendition of the song at Barry McGuigan's featherweight world title defense against American Bernard Taylor in Belfast), but it is most popular among North Americans of Irish descent.

8. Benno Haussmann from Hamburg was drummer with a Cork band. Which one?

From Quiz Irish '60s Music

Answer: The Regal Showband

Benno was tragically drowned in Cork harbour.

9. Denis Allen honoured an Irish city in song by calling it a "lady". Which city?

From Quiz Ireland In Song

Answer: Limerick

Limerick singer/songwriter Denis Allen wrote many popular songs including this one about his home town.

10. "Says Lloyd George to McPherson, I'll give you the sack/To uphold law and order you haven't the knack . . ."

From Quiz More Irish Songs and Ballads

Answer: The Bold Black and Tan

"I'll send over Greenwood, a much stronger man/And fill up the Green Isle with the Bold Black and Tan." Formed in 1920, the "Black and Tans" were an auxiliary branch of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC). Supposedly sent to Ireland to maintain order, they behaved like Slobodan Milosevic's death squads, shooting unarmed civilians (including children), burning and looting. But they proved no match for the Irish Republican Army's Flying Columns.

11. "Proudly the note of the trumpet is sounding/Loudly the war cries arise on the gale . . ."

From Quiz Irish Songs and Ballads

Answer: O'Donnell Abu

This song was written by Michael Joseph McCann. It is about Red Hugh O'Donnell (1573 - 1602), one of the leaders of a revolt against English rule in the 1590's. After the Irish were defeated at the Battle of Kinsale, O'Donnell fled to Spain, where he died in 1602, probably of poison. This song should have been Ireland's national anthem; however, when a vote was taken in 1926, it finished second to the lackluster "A Soldier's Song." The word "Abu" means "to the victory."

12. Popular in the 1960s, and famous for their Aran sweaters, The Clancy Brothers frequently sang with this other Irish artist. What was his name?

From Quiz Irish Bands and Artists

Answer: Tommy Makem

The Clancy brothers' mother heard of how cold it could be in New York and sent Aran jumpers for her sons and Tommy Makem to wear. After their first performance wearing them, their manager decided this would be their "look".

13. A cover version of "Whiskey in the Jar" was a 1972 top ten hit for what Irish band?

From Quiz Groups and Singers from Ireland

Answer: Thin Lizzy

Other well known songs from Thin Lizzy are, "The Boys Are Back in Town", "Waiting for an Alibi", "The Rocker" and "Jailbreak." The first album by the band was called "Thin Lizzy" released in 1971. The last album from the band was released in 1983, and was called "Thunder and Lightning." Phil Lynott, the lead singer of the band ,died in 1986 with heart failure.

14. "Going home in the rain, running up the dark lane, past the jail and down behind the fountain. Those were happy days in so many many ways" What song is this?

From Quiz Irish Folk Song Lyrics

Answer: The Town I Loved So Well

Funnily enough, this song wasn't about Dublin... it was about Derry.

15. Skid Row's bassist previously played in a group which included in its line-up Pat Nash, Brendan Bonass and Mojo. What was the group called?

From Quiz Irish '60s Beat

Answer: The Uptown Band

Members of The Uptown Band wrote and recorded the title music for the RTV pop show "Like Now". The band's first manager was Ted Carroll , who went on to co-manage Thin Lizzy. Mojo's real name is Dave Lennox.

16. What is the song "A Bunch of Thyme" really about?

From Quiz Fifteen Irish Songs and Ballads

Answer: loss of innocence/virginity

"Come all ye maidens young and fair / All you that are blooming in your prime / Always beware and keep your garden fair / Let no man steal away your thyme..." The author of this is unknown.

17. "From ____ to ____, and down the mountain side"

From Quiz Danny Boy

Answer: Glen

Though the text's authorship is established, the melody's origin still remains open to debate. Some credit the tune to Irish harpist "Blind" Rory Dall O'Cahan (1560?-1660?), but the tales of O'Cahan's composition are fraught with elements of the supernatural. The more musicologically inclined point out that the tune, with its broad range and other more modern characteristics, is more typical of 19th-century music than the older traditional styles, and subscribe to the hypothesis that the tune was written by fiddler Jimmy McCurry (or an acquaintance of his) shortly before its transcription by Jane Ross in 1851. Still others point to more abstract origins of the tune, such as Ross hearing it whistled by her brother and seeking out an elderly musician who knew the song. For a discussion of the tune's origins, see http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3826136

18. Which Dublin band changed their name to Dublin Corporation and moved to Canada?

From Quiz Irish '60s Music

Answer: The Pacific Showband

Seán Fagan and Peter Law were the band's main singers.

19. Bing Crosby's recording of this song about the sun going down on an Irish bay is known throughout the world. Which bay?

From Quiz Ireland In Song

Answer: Galway

The sunset across Galway Bay is a beautiful sight. "You will sit and watch the moonrise over Claddagh, And watch the sun go down on Galway Bay".

20. What happens to the narrator of "The Black Velvet Band"?

From Quiz Irish Folk Songs

Answer: He's sent to an Australian prison for robbery

The narrator claims that a beguiling Belfast prostitute stole a gentleman's watch and planted it on him (a likely story!).

21. "In nineteen hundred and sixteen/The forces of the Crown/To take the Orange, White and Green/Bombarded Dublin town . . ."

From Quiz More Irish Songs and Ballads

Answer: The Rifles of the IRA

"By '21 Britannia's Huns/Were forced to earn their pay/And the Black and Tan like lightning ran/From the rifles of the IRA." This sprited song mentions many Irish heroes, such as Tom Barry, Sean Treacy, and Dennis Lacey, who fought the Black and Tans in County Cork.

22. "It was down by Brannigan's corner, one morning I did stray/I met a fellow rebel, and to me he did say . . ."

From Quiz Irish Songs and Ballads

Answer: Johnson's Motor Car

"He had orders from our captain to assemble at Dunbar/But how were we to get there without a motor car?" This amusing song tells the story of how IRA men hijack an English doctor's automobile to carry out an operation during the Irish War of Independence.

23. Sean O'Riada, a prime driver of traditional Irish music in the mid-20th century, was influential in bringing which traditional Celtic instrument to the fore?

From Quiz Thoroughly Modern Traditional

Answer: Bodhran

Traditional Irish music was built around a mixture of ballads, laments and good old drinking songs. The music, itself, was made up of hornpipes, reels and jigs. To deliver the music a range of instruments were used. The accordion and the concertina were fairly common, as was the Irish fiddle, an instrument that had been played constantly since the 8th century. The bagpipes, which are commonly associated with Scotland, also have a long history in the Irish music scene. The bodhran is a circular framed drum, which Irish Music magazine editor Ronan Nola claims evolved from the tambourine during the mid-19th century. That said, the name has been seen in English documents that go as far back as the 17th century. On the other hand, the name bodhran means "drum", so it could have been any shape and this is not proof that the earlier mentions resemble the instrument that Nola proclaims. One of the points that Nola also puts forth as proof is that there is a distinct lack of notable Irish drummers recorded during those days. Sean O'Riada was an Irish composer who sought to revive traditional Irish music. To this end, his works married both traditional Irish music with modern sounds. He became a household name during the 1960s with his endeavours with the band known as Ceoltoir Chualann, a traditionalist music ensemble that included some members who would later form the formidable band, the Chieftains. Their collaborations were sparse but bright in texture, with an emphasis on traditional instruments. Whilst he also played the harpsichord, it was the bodhran that he felt was a vital piece and, as a result, he would play the instrument while holding centre stage. Sadly, O'Riada passed away in 1970 at the tender age of forty, however, his passion had inspired a new wave in roots revival and the bodhran became a vital instrument for acts such as Robin Morton in The Boys of Lough, Christy Moore in Planxty and Johnny McDonough from De Dannan.

24. The Cranberries became the first Irish band to have a song with over one billion hits on YouTube. Which single was this?

From Quiz Irish Bands and Artists

Answer: Zombie

"Zombie" was included on The Cranberries' second album "No Need to Argue" released in 1994. The single went to number one on the US charts and the album went to number six. Dolores O'Riordan, the band's lead singer, died on 15 January 2018.

25. The Wexford rebellion soon spread to the north and west of Ireland. "Oh, see the fleet-foot hosts of men, who speed with faces wan / From farmstead and from fisher's cot, along the banks of Bann." Who is the hero of this rousing song?

From Quiz Irish Rebel Songs

Answer: Roddy McCorley

Contrary to popular belief, the struggle for Irish independence has not been a sectarian conflict of Catholic versus Protestant. Many of Ireland's greatest heroes, including the subject of this song, were Protestant. Roddy McCorley was a member of the United Irishmen, a group that admitted members of all faiths. He took part in the fighting in the town of Antrim. He then remained on the run for two years until he was betrayed by an informer. He was executed on February 28, 1800. This song was written by a woman, Anna Johnston (1866 - 1902), who used the pen name Ethna Carberry. It has been recorded by countless artists, including Shane McGowan and the Popes.

26. Who sang "Fairytale of New York" ?

From Quiz Groups and Singers from Ireland

Answer: The Pogues

The leader singer of The Pogues was Shane MacGowan. The band was formed in 1982, and concentrated on playing traditional Irish music, although it had an element of Punk Rock included. The song "Fairytale of New York" was released in 1987 and featured Kirsty MacColl, an English singer from Corydon, South London. The track was a number one on the UK and Irish charts.

27. "Gra mo chroi mo bhuachaill in ceannasach, gra mo chroi gach la sa tseachtain e` gra mo chroi go deo in fhaid mhairfead e` gra mo chroi mo bhuachaill in deas" What song is this?

From Quiz Irish Folk Song Lyrics

Answer: Amhran Na Cuiginne

This bit of music, written in Irish, translates as: "love of my heart, my young man so confident, love of my heart, each day of the week is he, love of my heart for as long as life lasts is he, love of my life my young man so fine."

28. Their single "Three Jolly Little Dwarfs" was one of the best-ever Irish "psychedelic" singles and reached No.14 in the Irish charts. It and its follow-up 'You Can All Join In' are keenly sought by collectors worldwide. What is the name of the group?

From Quiz Irish '60s Beat

Answer: Orange Machine

Robin Crowley, Tommy Kinsella, Jimmy Greally and Ernie Durkan were the members of Orange Machine.

29. "The _______'s gone, and all the roses falling"

From Quiz Danny Boy

Answer: Summer

The union of "Londonderry Air" with "Danny Boy" began in 1912, when Margaret Weatherly heard the tune from Irish (or Australian) gold miners in Colorado. She acquired the sheet music and sent it to her brother-in-law Frederick Weatherly in Somerset, UK. Frederick, a working songwriter and radio personality in addition to a lawyer, paired the tune with his previously unsuccessful "Danny Boy" lyric, and the new fusion became a best-seller.

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Last Updated Mar 23 2024 5:44 AM
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