The Mary Wallopers: The Dundalk Band Shaking Up Irish Folk Music

By Chris Kennedy | Published 10th Oct, 2026

The Mary Wallopers have become one of Ireland's most exciting folk bands, mixing traditional Irish ballads with punk attitude, sharp humour and plenty of mischief. Hailing from Dundalk, the group have built a huge following with their rowdy live shows, outspoken lyrics and a sound that owes as much to The Pogues as The Dubliners.

Formation

The Mary Wallopers formed in Dundalk in 2019, originally featuring brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy alongside their friend Seán McKenna. The Hendy brothers had previously made a name for themselves with political rap duo TPM. The group later expanded to include musicians such as Róisín Barrett, Finnian O'Connor and Ken Mooney, adding even more energy to their sound.

The Early Years

Before the bigger stages came calling, The Mary Wallopers were playing traditional Irish songs in local pubs, sometimes just to earn a few free drinks. Their debut EP, A Mouthful of The Mary Wallopers, arrived in 2019. When lockdown hit, the lads started livestreaming performances from a homemade pub in Dundalk, attracting fans well beyond Ireland.

Breakthrough

Those lockdown sessions helped put The Mary Wallopers on the map, but their reputation really took off when live music returned. Their chaotic, singalong performances became a major attraction at festivals, including Glastonbury. The release of Irish Rock N Roll in 2023 pushed things even further, bringing the band to a much wider audience.

The Singles

The Mary Wallopers have given plenty of old Irish songs a new lease of life. Fan favourites include Cod Liver Oil & The Orange Juice, Eileen Óg, Frost Is All Over and The Blarney Stone. Their version of The Holy Ground is another standout, while the original track The Juice showed the band weren't afraid to try something different.

The Albums

The band's self-titled debut album arrived in 2022, packed with traditional songs delivered in their own rough-and-ready style. They followed it with Irish Rock N Roll in 2023, mixing familiar ballads with original material. Their third album, Paddywhackery, landed in 2026, pushing their sound further while keeping that unmistakable Dundalk attitude.

Final Verdict

The Mary Wallopers have helped make traditional Irish folk music exciting for a whole new generation without losing any of its character. They're loud, funny, political and never afraid to stir things up. With their mix of old-school ballads and punk energy, they've carved out their own place in Irish music, and they're showing no signs of slowing down.

Photo Credit: Ridiculopathy / Wikimedia Commons / CC0