How to Write an Irish Folk Song – Ciaran Bartlett’s Hilarious Guide

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How to Write an Irish Folk Song – Irish folk music has a rich and emotional history, often filled with tales of struggle, rebellion, and heroic figures who stood against oppression. But if you’re looking to craft your own Irish folk song, comedian Ciaran Bartlett has provided a foolproof (and hilariously exaggerated) step-by-step guide. In his video, he breaks down the essential components of an authentic-sounding Irish folk song, adding his own brand of sharp wit and irreverence.

If you’ve ever wanted to strum a sorrowful tune while angrily reminiscing about British rule, grab your guitar and let’s dive in!

Step 1: Start With a Sad and Ominous Chord

How to Write an Irish Folk Song – No Irish folk song is complete without a haunting melody, and according to Ciaran, the perfect way to start is with an A minor chord. This chord carries the melancholy and defiance necessary for a proper Irish ballad.

But it’s not just about playing the chord—it’s about attacking it with raw emotion. As Bartlett hilariously puts it, you need to “thump the [expletive] out of that chord” like you’re about to charge into battle. Imagine yourself storming towards an army checkpoint, armed with nothing but a stolen Peugeot 306—that’s the energy you need!

Step 2: Pick a Year in the 1800s

Every great Irish folk song needs historical weight. So, pick a random year from the 19th century—a time when British rule was at its peak and the Irish were facing hardships. This instantly gives your song a sense of authenticity and makes it sound like it belongs in the folk canon.

Step 3: Mention Something the British Did

Irish folk music often contains themes of rebellion, injustice, and resistance against the British. Ciaran’s advice? Simply think of something the British did in history, repeat it dramatically, and you’ve already got the foundation of your song.

Step 4: Choose an Irish Folk Hero (And Shorten Their Name)

A true Irish folk song must include a heroic figure—someone who fought for the people, led rebellions, or even just tried to help by selling food. But instead of using their full name, shorten it to make it sound like you were mates with them.

For example:

• Michael Collins → Big Mickey Collins
• Daniel O’Connell → Big Don Connel

This small detail adds a personal touch, making it sound like you stood beside them in battle (or in a pub).

Step 5: Sing Like a Strangled Goose

Now that you’ve got your historical setting, your anti-British sentiment, and your folk hero, it’s time to deliver the song with the right vocals. According to Bartlett, an authentic Irish folk song should sound like a goose being strangled—but not just any goose!

It should be a “corn-fed goose from Cork that has been thrown in the microwave… alive.” In other words, sing with raw, unpolished emotion, as if every note is dragging up the pain of the Irish struggle.

Step 6: Put It All Together

Now, take all these elements and string them into a melodramatic, historically charged anthem. Here’s a perfect example from Ciaran’s improvised song:

“It was 18-40, Big Art Snugget,
The English brought the BL…
And Big Don Connel was selling chicken nuggets…
But the weather was Bing!”

(At this point, the performance collapses into laughter, which is also an important part of the Irish folk experience.)

Conclusion

How to Write an Irish Folk Song – Ciaran Bartlett’s tongue-in-cheek guide may be filled with exaggerated humor, but it hilariously captures the spirit of Irish folk music—a genre built on passion, history, and rebellion. Whether you’re actually writing a song or just looking for a laugh, his video is a perfect crash course in how to sound like a true Irish folk musician—minus the actual history degree.

So, grab your guitar, pick a tragic year, and belt out your sorrows like a microwaved goose. Sláinte! 🍻

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