“Whiskey in the Jar” doesn’t have a single known writer; it’s a traditional Irish folk song that likely dates back a few centuries, so the original author is unknown.

Quick Scoop

So who “wrote” it?

  • The song is considered traditional Irish , meaning it was passed down orally rather than credited to one songwriter.
  • Folk researchers and historians suggest it may go back to the 17th–18th century, evolving over time as singers altered lyrics and place names.
  • Because of that long oral history, there is no definitive, documented original author.

Why do some people say Thin Lizzy or Metallica?

  • Thin Lizzy made a famous rock version in the early 1970s, arranging the traditional song for their style, but they did not compose the original tune or story.
  • Metallica later covered Thin Lizzy’s rock arrangement, which is why many younger listeners associate the song with them, not with its folk roots.
  • In folk and rock discographies, the song is usually credited as “traditional; arranged by” the performing artist.

A tiny bit of story flavor

  • The lyrics tell the tale of a highwayman (outlaw robber) who holds up an officer, then gets betrayed by a woman he loves.
  • Place names and character names change between versions (Cork, Kerry, different women’s names), which is a hallmark of a song that’s been reworked by many singers over generations.

TL;DR: If you’re asking “who wrote Whiskey in the Jar,” the most accurate answer is: it’s a traditional Irish ballad with no single known author, later arranged and popularized by artists like The Dubliners, Thin Lizzy, and Metallica.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.