Irish folk music is a living tradition that is cultivated nightly in pubs around the country, usually more by the guests themselves than by professional groups. The majority of the songs still sung is very old. Two of the songs in this publication go back to the 17th century (The Star of the County Down, The Parting Glass) and three of the most well-known songs - Down by the Salley Gardens, Molly Malone and The Rose of Tralee - date back to the 19th century. The texts are often lyrical and are usually directed to the Lords of Creation, just right for a performance by a men's choir or ensemble. One of the most popular folk songs is Wild Rover, probably going back to the 16th century. It tells of a young man who returns to his native village after a long absence and is only served there by the landlady of the alehouse he formerly frequented regularly when he shows her the gold he acquired over the years. So that nothing stands in the way of a performance, all the pieces each are included in the booklet also as clear and compact photocopiable songsheets (voices TB without piano accompaniment) besides the full score (voices with piano accompaniment).