The Wolfe Tones kicked off their first sold-out night of a three-night run at Dublin’s 3Arena in a celebration of their remarkable career. Coming off an incredible stretch at Electric Picnic, where they drew some of the festival’s largest ever crowds, the band proved once again why their music continues to resonate across generations.
The crowd at the 3Arena was a true testament to the Wolfe Tones’ wide-reaching appeal. Fans of all ages packed the venue, with older generations who have followed the band for decades joined by younger fans. Many of the audience members would have recognized songs from their massive 32-song setlist, which included iconic numbers like Celtic Symphony, Grace, Let the People Sing, and The Streets of New York. These songs are not just fan favorites—they’re cultural touchstones that have helped shape Irish identity over the past six decades.
The band was supported by two standout acts: Catalpa, an Irish folk and ballad band who set the tone for the night with their authentic traditional sounds, and Ciaran Moran, who electrified the crowd with his new single “How Are You Man?”, which he performed live on the very day of its release drawing strong applause from the audience.
Catalpa photos:
Ciaran Moran photos:
The Wolfe Tones opened their set with My Heart is in Ireland, and as the night progressed, they performed a mix of their classic hits and deeper cuts, such as Uncle Nobby’s Steamboat and Broad Black Brimmer. The concert reached its emotional peak when the crowd joined in for A Nation Once Again, a song that has long symbolized Irish pride and rebellion.
These 3Arena shows are part of a broader celebration of the band’s legacy, and if the energy and passion displayed on this first night are any indication, The Wolfe Tones remain just as vital and influential as ever, drawing fans new and old into their unique brand of Irish balladry and rebellion.
The Wolf Tones photos & set-list:
Set-list:
My Heart Is in Ireland
Let the People Sing
Give Me Your Hand
Quare Things in Dublin
Uncle Nobby’s Steamboat
Play Video
The Streets of New York
The Teddy Bear’s Head
Joe McDonnell
Celtic Symphony
Sean South / Broad Black Brimmer / Big Strong Man / Rock on Rockall / Irish Eyes Are Smiling / Some Say the Devil is Dead
God Save Ireland
Come Out Ye Black and Tans
Grace
You’ll Never Beat the Irish
Hibernia
Foggy Dew (Charles O’Neill cover)
Oró, Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile > Padraic Pearse
The Boys of the Old Brigade
A Nation Once Again (Thomas Osborne Davis cover)
Goodbye to All Our Friends
Celtic Symphony
Margaret Skinnider (Sung by Brian Warfields’ Daughter)
James Connolly
Photos & Words – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography