While Ireland’s first reggae band was without doubt Zebra (1979-80), a number of pop and rock bands recorded songs with ska and reggae influences in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Some were absolutely awful, others mediocre, while a handful were just about listenable. This is an attempt to compile an accurate list of those records.
1969 was the year of the skinhead reggae explosion in England. Desmond Dekker & The Aces’s single ‘Israelites‘ reached the UK No. 1 spot in April. Other significant singles released that year included ‘Monkey Man‘ by Toots & The Maytals and Symarip’s ‘Skinhead Moonstomp‘ which was aimed specifically at the British reggae-loving skinhead audience.
That same year an Irish showband called The Fairways from Edenderry, Co. Offaly, on the go since 1966, released a novelty ska-influenced single “sung in a cod West Indies accent”. Titled ‘Yoko Ono’, after the Japanese artist who married John Lennon that year, the lyrics concern a man’s attempt to to find transport to bring him to a plantation where Yoko is waiting for him. The song opens with:
Mister, can you help me?
Can I get to Skaville?
Anyone going? My way
Anyone leaving? Today
In Dublin in the early 1970s, as revealed by Garry O’Neill in his book Where Were You?, skinheads danced to reggae in clubs called Bartons and Mothers, both on Parnell Street, and Two Ages on Burgh Quay. The scene also opened its own short-lived club, the Boot Inn, in a basement on Middle Abbey Street.
London-based Jamaican reggae band The Cimarons became the first international reggae act to play Ireland, playing their first Irish gig in the Exam Hall in Trinity College in April 1978. This was followed by the Macroom Festival in Cork in June of that year and further dates around the country in 1979. Journalist Kieran Flynn wrote in Magill magazine that:
Reggae has never been a particularly popular form of music in Ireland, but the Macroom audience response suggests that the Cimarons will be back here soon.
Eamonn over at Irishrock.org describes that Belfast-band Dirtywork (pre-Katmandu) released a “reggae version” of the ‘Rose of Tralee’ in 1976. You’ll have to make up your own mind about that.
Early 1979 saw the release of the debut album ‘Infammable Material‘ from Belfast punks Stiff Little Fingers. It included a punky reggae cover of Bob Marley’s ‘Johnny Was‘:
The Bogey Boys, pub-rock band from Dublin/Meath, released their debut album ‘Friday Night’ in October 1979. One song ‘Gunslinger’ was vaguely reggae-influenced.
1979 also saw the release of Ireland’s first real single. ‘Repression’ by Zebra which was brought out by Terri Hooley’s Belfast-based ‘Good Vibrations‘ label.
Con O’Leary ran the reggae Operator Sound System from 1979-83, playing venues like the TV Club and McGonagles. If you have anymore information, please get in touch.
A genuine Dublin-based Two-Tone band ‘The Mod-Ls‘ were on the go from 1979-80 but never recorded anything. Same with the Fast Skirts (1980-81), who played straight punk and straight reggae, whose personnel included two former Mod-L’s members.
The Mod-Ls (Irishrock.org)
The first incarnation (c.1980) of Dun Laoghaire group ‘Nine Out Of Ten Cats‘ was heavily reggae/funk influenced and they supported many visiting reggae acts to Dublin including Matumbi and Prince Far I. Their recorded material (1983 onwards) however was all post-punk.
In 1980, Dublin band The Resistors released a catchy new-wave Two-Tone influenced single called ‘Jeanie’ on their debut EP.
That same year The Boomtown Rats released ‘Banana Republic’ which had a tight ska-reggae hook and lyrically rallied against the ills of nationalist, conservative Ireland:
And I wonder do you wonder while you’re sleeping with your whore?
Sharing beds with history is like licking runnin’ sores
Forty shades of green yeah, sixty shades of red
Heroes going cheap these days, price a bullet in the head
Banana Republic, Septic Isle Sufferin’ in the screamin’ sea, sounds like dyin’
Everywhere I go, yeah everywhere I see
The black and blue uniforms, Police and Priests
The album version (below) is over a minute and a half longer than the single itself.
Bob Marley played Dalymount Park, Dublin in July 1980, bringing reggae to the Irish masses.
Irish showband The Magic Band (1974-81) from Galway released ‘I Am A Cannibal’ in 1981 which was described by Neil from rockroots.wordpress.com as a “pretty decent and annoyingly catchy reggae-pop tune with some nice musicianship”.
The same year Irish showband Sunshine released the single ‘Double Dealin, described by Eamonn at Irishrock.org as “pop with reggae/ska overtones”.
Also in 1981, Rascal released ‘Scrambled Reggae’ on EMI Records. Described as a “one off ska/2tone novelty single”, there is some audio available here but I haven’t heard the full version.
Galway pop group The Conquerors brought out a reggae-influenced b-side called ‘Getting Out’ in 1981.
Decisions Decisions from Dublin brought out their one and only pop-reggae single the same year. This is the b-side.
Cork’s Jimmy Crowley & The Electric Band recorded a reggae version of ‘Boys of Fair Hill’ which spent some time in the charts in 1981.
The Outfit, new-wave reggae from Limerick, released the first of their two singles in 1981. A-Side ‘El Salvador’ was a topical song about the Salvadoran Civil War.
The first single ‘Surprise Surprise’ by Belfast punk band Big Self was heavily reggae-influenced. This was also released in 1981.
1982 saw the formation of pop-reggae group Alien Comfort from Finglas who recorded a demo which hasn’t seen the light of day yet. They were active until 1984. Reggae-funksters Belsonic Sound from Cork started their careers in 1982 and ploughed on till 1993 releasing a string of singles from 1988 onwards.
Thurles pop-rock band Tweed (1972-84) released a reggae-influenced b-side ‘Horse’s Collar’ in 1983.
Street Talk from Dublin released their first single ‘1-2-3’ in 1983. It spent 10 weeks in the Irish charts. Eamon from Irishrock.org described the band as “new-wave pop-rock with reggae styling and a strong lead singer”.
1983 also saw the release of Limerick band’s The Outfit’s second single (Toytown/ A Sharp). If anyone has a MP3 of this, please drop me a mail.
Comedian Jon Kenny, former bassist and lead singer with Limerick group Gimik, released a surprisingly catchy reggae version of ‘Spancil Hill’ in 1984.
Though not an Irish group, Century Steel Band from Coventry recorded a reggae version of ‘The Fields of Athenry’ in 1985 which charted over here in the summer of 1986. They also toured Ireland extensively. The band recorded with Dublin group The Wilf Brothers in 1990.
The Blades, new wave soul from Dublin, dabbled with a reggae sound with ‘Talk About Listening’ from their 1985 album ‘The Last Man In Europe’.
Too Much For The Whiteman, from Tuam, started performing in 1985 and released three singles from 1989-90. None of which are online yet. The same year Keltic Posse formed and toured extensively until around 1994.
Postscript:
The late 1980s/early 1990s saw a major ska and skinhead revival with Irish bands Trenchtown (estd. 1988), The Jackmans aka Frères Jackman & the International Elevators (estd. 1989), The Gangsters (estd. 1992), The Service from Cork (estd. 1993) and others like The Umbrellas and The Officials.
There were also bands reggae bands ‘Kingsativa’ (1995 – 2005), ‘New Roots’, ‘Zero’, ‘Burning Illusion’ around this time as well but for most of them, there’s little or no information available online.
We look further into the above bands in part two of the piece.
If I’ve missed anyone, please get in touch.
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Donal
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Sam
Come Here To Me! 
What a brilliant post! Century Steel Band were so good live. Charlie the base player from The Selector, brought his dreadlocks Ireland for the duration and I see he is returning to Westport this summer.
Charlie hasn’t played with the Selecter since 1980 so I’m afraid you won’t be seeing him in Westport !
SLF again – the B side of Back to Front (an anti-racist skinhead single) had a cracking version of Mr Fire Coal Man. Was Common People a reggae tune originally? I have a feeling it was but don’t know who did it. It’s on their third or fourth LP. Apparently they’d already recorded it but let Paul Young release his version as a single, thinking it wouldn’t sell…
great post! check out too much for the whiteman here http://fanningsessions.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/too-much-for-the-whiteman/
Fascinating stuff. Definitely one of the most unique versions of “Fields of Athenry” I’ve ever heard.
Some horrible tunes mentioned above. Anyway Sam, Con O Leary was only a sidekick/helper to “The Operator” who was a guy called Liam Murray. The Operator were the first sound system built in Dublin. As you know I have been researching sound in Dublin and all will be revealed when I get around to it. The Operator also had a radio show on Radio Dublin but was not the first reggae DJ as that honour goes to Terri Hooley who had a radio show that went out of Dundalk as far as I remember.
Great article, Sam.
As a follow on to Saoirsesounds comment. There was also Man Ezeke broadcasting a reggae show on Corks pirate station ERI from around 83 onwards. He was also associated with Belsonic Sound. He would later turn up on BBC radio 1 7 years later http://www.radiorewind.co.uk/radio1/man_ezeke_page.htm
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[…] See on Scoop.it – Mod Scene WeeklyWhile Ireland’s first reggae band was without doubt Zebra (1979-80), a number of pop and rock bands recorded songs with ska and reggae influences in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Some were absolutely awful, others …See on comeheretome.com […]
[…] Irish Reggae & Ska : Recorded work (1960s-1980s) (Sam McGrath, ComeHereToMe) […]
Here’s a more recent collaboration, Ghetto Priest and RíRá – very tasty.
Dunno if these are still going but saw them playing a few years back in a Chinese restaurant / karaoke place in Capel St, brilliant gig – Madu:
Well researched piece. Someone just reminded me that The Pionners appeared on the Late Late Show in 1971, I presume they must’ve played a gig when here? And staying with the original Reggae/Irish link, here’s Dave Barker from Dave & Ansel Collins performing with Dublin band, Supertonic Sound Club at the BBC more recently: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FatiutcdLe0
…should’ve said ‘The Pioneers’ above. And here’s that link embedded…
Hi Sam..Really good article and I notice you posted something from the conquerors.. here’s another for your list..a Tuam Band called ‘Too much for the Whiteman’. After enjoying the squatter lifestyle in London, many returned to Tuam where a series of Bands were formed. Mostly influenced by punk and reggae. They released some great stuff and were a firm favorite of the great Larry Gogan..They also did support tours with the Waterboys, New Order and Something Happens!! I will post up a rehearsal of reunion from a few years ago, its really rough and doesn’t do the original the credit it deserves..
I don’t see Zebra’s track from Just For Kicks, the 1979 Hot Press Irish rock sampler, on youtube so i’ve just added it.
good piece well done.I think the first Irish ska band were called DYNAMO and came from GALWAY in about 1980.I dont know if they recorded but they did gig,Maybe some of the lads from TUAM punk band BLAZE X,THE FUSE,or TUAM oi band BLACK REVOLVER might remember them,they definitely did exist.STRANGE MOVEMENT the BRAY punk bands only release definitely had reggae style beat to
Dynamo played in the Magnet bar in early 1980. They disbanded and the Mod-ls took over for a few nights and then the Mod-ls got a Sunday night residency in McGonagles. They also played the Crofton, The Arc in Cork and were on the Late Late show in May 1980 playing “Limbo” from their 2 track demo recorded in Eamonn Andrews Studio. Check out irishrock.org and The Mod-ls Facebook page
thanks for that as was always wondering about them.would be great if that demo saw the light of day.BLACK REVOLVER were also apparantly an awesome oi band,from TUAM.
I have copies of the original demos but the quality is crap. I recently sent them to Pat James the DJ from that era who played McGonagles and now has a Sunday night show on Radio Nova. I could send them to you if you interested.
Yes, please do! matchgrams(at)gmail.com
that would be great Paul,as I am trying to put a book together on the punk,ska,and oi scene from 1976 to 1989.if you had spare tapes or pictures of them would be great as apart from Crackers and Dynamo can find no other ska bands at the time.My address is 58 ashington close,navan road dublin 7.I have some old punk and even oi tapes from the time and would be glad to facilitate you should you want them.would love to get in contact with DYNAMO to get pics of them!!Thanks again for yer offer
Never heard any more from Dynamo. They sold the van and went to England. All the details I have are on irishrock.org and the Mod-ls Facebook pages. I can send you mp3 copies of the Mod-ls demos.
that would be great ta.Wasnt into the mod scene but remember the commotions,the fontaines,and the mod l’s alright and would appreciate the recordings.
Hi Paul, any chance you fire me those mp3s too please? Must check out Pat James’ Nova show, shame the website only archives 2 hours out of the 3.
I have put a link to the Mod-ls demos on the Mod-ls Facebook page.
Try it here.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuuYa5hI-eUNDRYT3lJdE91RWc&usp=sharing
Greta stuff thenks a mill.wish the skinhead bands were as accessable!!
After The Outfit broke up in the early 80s the mantle of Limerick reggae was taken up by Rhythm Sector which featured some members of the disbanded Outfit. This is theur first song to be uploaded to youtube i think.
On Sat, Apr 26, 2014 at 1:52 PM, Come here to me! wrote:
> Gerry Molyneaux commented: “Greta stuff thenks a mill.wish the skinhead > bands were as accessable!! ” >
sorry my speeling not intact last piece.STRANGE MOVEMENTS the bray band released “DANCING IN THE GHETTO” on good vibers,definitely had a reggae style beat to it too.check it out,on GOOD VIBES.
“IRE” I am RASTA PAUL a Reggae DJ from the States and I played your selections on my show “REGGAE DOWN” to celebrate Saint Patricks’ Day this past Monday.
It was a great hit and the Irish/Jamaician Connection is awesome. Thanks for
providing such a great discography of your sounds. Listen in on Mondays EST(US)
6pm-8pm for my show on WXOJ-LP,103.3FM—STREAMING on http://www.valleyfreeradio.org——My best to all my Irish Brothers & Sistren-Bless Up.
Contact me at FaceBook-WXOJ-LPRastaPaulReggaeDown or rastapaul970@yahoo.com.
I think Belsonic Sound was the best reggae-influenced Irish band – http://fanningsessions.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/belsonic-sound-1986-session/#comment-12102
Just a note on the rumour of The Pioneers appearing on the late late show, that never happenned. I know it is mentioned in Micahel De konigh’s book on Trojan but the only supporting evidence he has is a hazy memory from one of the band members. Also Dotsie ,from Worries Outernational, has confirmed that his Dad has a record of every artist that appeared on the show and The Pioneers are not on the list. Interesting stuff here, never heard of Belsonic Sound
Celtic Reggae Revolution and Paddyrasta are recent additions to the Irish Reggae Vibe. https://www.youtube.com/user/paddyrasta 2004 and 2013 respectfully.
Sharon shannon also recorded this cracker with reggae producer Denis Bovell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehPuVegZn9I
Bréag from Belfast recorded this great track https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3urmLK8XRU
And not to forget the chieftans version of redemption song with Ziggy Marley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnJgIq48C9k
Donegal’s finest with a nice pop ska number https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiDarDMuAmo
I’m trying to put together a video/documentary of the Irish reggae/ska scene country wide from the start ( zebra I think ??? ) up until now I don’t want to leave any stone unturned , I’m looking for contacts and names of bands so I can research and try interweiw maybe get some of the tracks for the video … Any information would be greatly appreciated thanks
Hi Freddie. I was in a band called the Mod-ls who are name checked in the original article. I would be happy to help you out any way I can. Paul KIng.
There is a page in Irishrock .org and a Facebook page
http://www.irishrock.org/irodb/bands/mod-ls.html
Freddie have you considered putting a teaser eg on YouTube, we would certainly give it a plug..
Ok , very late to this thread, but I’ve just seen mention of Liam ‘The Operator’ who had a reggae show on Radio Dublin ( I thought it was BigD or ARD or something but my memory is so hazy). Anyway I remember him well as he used to pop in to the wonderful Exiles record shop in Dun Laoghaire where I had a part time ( dream) job in my mid teens . Lovely guy and probably the only man on town with dreads!!! I had a love of all things dub so we got on well… That would have been 81 !!!
Liam still lives in Dun Laoghaire, check the list online somewhere of former Radio Dublin presenters and you will see the operators name pop up.
guys check out the fantastic 2 tone pastiche ‘Save Me Im Drunk’ by Ballymena band Southbound Train from 1980. Its up on Youtube.
I recall some of the last recordings by Joe Higgs, released on an album called “The Godfather of Reggae”, were recorded in Dublin, by Donal Lunny with a Hothouse Flower or two in attendance.
New Reggae Band in Ireland Call “Bajjna” Their first Single called “Sweet Reggae released on May 7 2018 ”
Here is an another good tune from Bajjna – Singing Like Reggae Released on Jun 27, 2018 .They recently announced like more to come in 2019. Bless and Love
Absolutely Love this Dublin based Reggae Band.
Bajjna – “No no Trouble” released on 21 Jan 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIxbVgAHC00
Splendid article, just a heads up mate, the Mothers was in a lane between Abbey St. and Batchelors Walk and they played proper good music there Tony Tribe, Jimmy Cliff, early Bob Marley, Judge Dredd, Bob and Marcia etc. Barton’s was a bit more standard and bigger.
band called CRACKERS released a ska type single back in the early 80’s as a novelty release.
I was a founding member and Bass player with Drogheda band Trenchtown. We recorded a Fanning session, and various studio sessions and released a song on a British double compilation lp which also featured Bad Manners and Laurel Aitken. If you would like any info, recordings pics etc just give me a shout.
Here’s a video of that band Rascal (or the Rascals?) mentioned in the article
“Scrambled reggae” and a reggae version of Bread’s “Guitar Man”.
Bajjna – “Time Machine” released on 7 Nov 2019
Dublin, Ireland based Reggae Ska Band ( Album -Bajjna – One Humankind )
Available now on all digital platforms -Smart Links :https://bajjna.wordpress.com/
Bajjna – “No More Sin” released on 10 June 2020
As this is about derivation of Island riddims, there’s certainly more that can be added. Earliest definite I can now think of would be the final 45 by pop showband Mitch Mahon And The Editions. ‘Gods Children’, a Polydor record from 1972. My puter’s acting funky, so i can’t link it, but one can hear it’s a definite ‘try’ over on youtube. n Next one that comes to mind would be Sonny Condell. The flipside of his second solo 45 Down In The City, called ‘Roll On Forever’. A Mulligan 45 from 1977. A bunch of fusion guys are sidewindered into a soft skank, and they capture that well. Sonny might be though of as a singer songwriter or a progressive acoustic player, but his interest in reggae modes and rhythms abides in various other places in his catalogue too. n An acoustic lilting shows it through through ‘The Actor’ – Scullion’s White Side Of The Night LP, WEA records 1982. A couple of full electric band tracks follow. ‘Make A Move’ – Scullion’s Spin LP, Dara records 1985. Perhaps most overtly then ‘R.S.A. Republic Of South Africa’ – Mystery records 45, 1987. Of all these Sonny / Scullion tracks, the only ready online one I can find is ‘The Actor’. n I’m sure there’ll be more from the 80’s. Can’t think of any right now, but they’ll come round…..
One by Henry McCullough, from his first solo album, 1975. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t80pmzl0PEo
Thanks So Much Mi Irish Brother for Putting Together a Great History of Irish Reggae, will play Monday 03/13/23 on Mi Reggae Show -“REGGAE DOWN” ON WXOJ,103.3FM,
VALLEY FREE RADIO,NORTHAMPTON,MA.USA.. IT’S ON FROM 6-8PM EST, LIVE STREAMING ON VALLEYFREERADIO.ORG OR: TUNEINRADIOVFR.
MY TRIBUTE TO ST.PATRICKS DAY COMING UP THIS FRIDAY 03/17. – REGGAE, RASTAFARI, ONE LOVE, ONE WORLD,ONE PEOPLE-JAH RASTAFARI, JAH BLESS
RASTA PAUL, REGGAE DJ, VFR RADIO.– CX MI OUT PAULW.SCHWEIDFACEBOOK & rastapaul970@yahoo.com
CHEERS !——HAPPY ST.PATRICKS’ DAY———–.
Fantastic, Happy St Patrick’s Day