Famous Guitar Players from Ireland

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Updated June 15, 2019 29.4K views19 items

List of famous guitar players from Ireland, listed alphabetically with photos of the guitarists when available. Ireland has produced some great guitar players over the years, including guitarists who specialize in rock, metal, jazz, folk, classical, acoustic and more. These are some of the best Irish guitar players to ever live, so if you're a native of Ireland and play guitar then this list should make you proud. If you're searching for a particular popular guitarist from Ireland then you can use the "search" box to find who you're looking for.

Guitarists include everything from Jim Corr to Ronnie Drew.

This list answers the questions, "Who are the greatest Irish guitarists?" and "Which guitar players are from Ireland?"

You can click on the names of these legendary guitarists of Ireland in order to get more information about each one. If you're a guitar player or just love music you can use this list of talented Irish guitar players to find some new artists or bands that you might really enjoy.
  • Rory Gallagher

    Rory Gallagher

    Dec. at 47 (1948-1995)
    • Nationality: Republic of Ireland
    • Birthplace: Republic of Ireland, Ballyshannon
    • Guitars Played: Gretsch PX6134 Corvette, 1960 Danelectro, coral electric sitar, Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster
    William Rory Gallagher ( GAL-ə-hər; 2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995) was an Irish blues and rock multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer. Born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, and brought up in Cork, Gallagher recorded solo albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, after forming the band Taste during the late 1960s. His albums have sold over 30 million copies worldwide.Gallagher received a liver transplant in 1995, but died of complications later that year in London at the age of 47.
  • Bono

    Bono

    Age: 63
    • Nationality: Republic of Ireland
    • Birthplace: Republic of Ireland, Dublin
    Paul David Hewson, KBE OL (born 10 May 1960), known by his stage name Bono (), is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician, venture capitalist, businessman, and philanthropist. He is best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. He attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his future wife, Alison Stewart, as well as schoolmates with whom he founded U2 in 1976. Bono soon established himself as a passionate frontman for the band through his expressive vocal style and grandiose gestures and songwriting. His lyrics are known for their social and political themes, and for their religious imagery inspired by his Christian beliefs. During U2's early years, Bono's lyrics contributed to the group's rebellious and spiritual tone. As the band matured, his lyrics became inspired more by personal experiences shared with the other members. As a member of U2, Bono has received 22 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bono is well known for his activism for social justice causes, both through U2 and as an individual. He is particularly active in campaigning for Africa, for which he co-founded DATA, EDUN, the ONE Campaign, and Product Red. In pursuit of these causes, he has participated in benefit concerts and met with influential politicians. Bono has been praised for his philanthropic efforts; he was granted an honorary knighthood by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom for "his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work", and has been made a Commandeur of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters). In 2005, Bono was named one of the Time Persons of the Year.Outside the band, he has recorded with numerous artists. He has collaborated with U2 bandmate the Edge on several projects, including: songs for Roy Orbison and Tina Turner; the soundtracks to the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark and a London stage adaptation of A Clockwork Orange; and the refurbishment of the Clarence Hotel in Dublin. He is Managing Director and a Managing Partner of the private equity firm Elevation Partners, which has invested in several companies.
  • Eric Bell

    Eric Bell

    Age: 76
    • Nationality: Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom
    • Birthplace: Belfast, United Kingdom
    Eric Robin Bell (born 3 September 1947 in East Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a Northern Irish rock and blues musician, best known as a founder member and the original guitarist of the rock group Thin Lizzy. After his time in Thin Lizzy, he briefly fronted his own group before joining The Noel Redding Band in the mid-1970s. He has since released several solo albums and performs regularly with a blues-based trio, the Eric Bell Band.
  • Luan Parle

    Luan Parle

    Age: 40
    • Nationality: Republic of Ireland
    Luan Parle is an Irish Singer/Songwriter / Producer. 'First Impressions' was Luan Parle’s début album release after signing to Anim Records at the age of 12 following an appearance on The Late Late Toy Show. In 2002 Luan signed to Sony Music Ireland. Her first single release was a Diane Warren penned cover titled 'When I See You Smile' followed by a self penned single 'More Than A Ghost'. Parle later went on to re-record the song changing the title to 'Ghost'. The song went on to become one of her most successful singles spending 12 weeks in the Irish Charts, peaking at no 10.Luan recorded 'Ghost' in her native language titled 'Taibhse' for a charity album which reached number 1 in the compilation Irish Album Charts. She has worked with some of the most successful songwriters & producers in the UK & US including Billy Steinberg, Chris Kimsey, Stephen Lironi, & Bill Bottrell. She joined James Blunt on his UK & Irish tour & opened for Elton John at The Hammersmith Apollo. Luan recorded an album with Grammy winning producer Bill Bottrell in Mendocino California. To date the album has yet to be released. She holds the Meteor Award Title for 'Best Irish Female' with other accolades including; 'Tatler Women Of The Year Award' & 'Big Buzz Award Most Stylish Female'.She was acclaimed as the best Irish female singer in February 2007, at the Meteor Music Awards.In 2010 Luan released 'The Full Circle' to critical acclaim. One of the tracks from the album 'Sexy Sita' featured on 'A Women's Heart Then & Now'. In 2012 'The Little Match Girl' a self penned number featured on RTE’s album release 'A Murray Christmas'. In 2013 'My Hero' a song written with Luan during one of her songwriting workshops with a group of Transition Year School Girls was released. The song went on to top the iTunes charts and reached no 7 in the Official Irish Charts.She is currently putting the final touches to her latest ep with release & tour dates being announced shortly. Parle is one of the directors of 'IASCA', Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers & Authors.
  • Gary Lightbody
    • Nationality: Northern Ireland
    • Birthplace: Bangor, United Kingdom
    Gareth John Lightbody (born 15 June 1976) is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist from Northern Ireland, best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol. He has also founded the musical supergroups the Reindeer Section and Tired Pony.
  • Anthony Drennan

    Anthony Drennan

    Age: 67
    • Nationality: Republic of Ireland
    Anthony "Anto" Drennan (born on 1 November 1958 in Luton England) is an Irish guitarist noted for his involvement with the Corrs, Genesis and Mike + the Mechanics among others. Drennan is from a musical family and was born in Luton, England: he and his family moved to Ireland while he was at a young age. He grew up in County Dublin and attended Kilmacud National School. Drennan became a touring lead guitarist for the Corrs from late 1995 and onwards. He was chosen as the touring second guitarist/bassist for Genesis on their 1998 Calling All Stations tour (replacing long-time live band member Daryl Stuermer). In 2010 he was hired as a member of the revived Mike + the Mechanics. He has also played with Clannad, Paul Brady, Moving Hearts, Chris Rea, Davy Spillane, the Liffey Light Orchestra, the Ronnie Drew Band and other well-known Irish bands and performers.