Molly Malone – Balade irlandaise is an album by French singer-songwriter Renaud, released on 23 November 2009 on EMI Records. It is a collection of traditional-style Irish folk songs translated into French, an idea that had been maturing in Renaud's mind for almost two decades. Renaud had previously used Irish influences in his 1991 album Marchand de Cailloux and did a low-key tour playing in Irish pubs in 1997. The album was recorded at the Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin. It was produced by Frenchman Thomas Davidson Noton and arranged and mixed by Irish musician Pete Briquette, formerly the bass player with The Boomtown Rats. Accompanying musicians includes Terry Woods of The Pogues and musicians from Steeleye Span.

After Renaud reestablished himself with Boucan d'Enfer (2002) and Rouge Sang (2006), a pair of critically acclaimed, chart-topping albums released after a long battle with depression and alcoholism that put his career on hold for several years, he took the chance to record Molly Malone: Balade Irlandaise, a collection of Irish folk songs adapted to French.  A longtime fan of Irish music, Renaud had wanted to record an album like this for years. In fact, one of his greatest hits, "La Ballade Nord-Irlandaise," is an Irish folk song, and in some ways, this album builds upon that performance. Molly Malone: Balade Irlandaise is impressively authentic, including Irish standards such as the traditional "Molly Malone" and the more recent "Willie McBride" (aka "The Green Fields of France"), along with quite a few obscurities and a new version of "La Ballade Nord-Irlandaise." Best of all, the musical instrumentation is Celtic in style. The opening song, "Vagabonds," is an instance of the album at its finest. Renaud sings in French but adopts something of an Irish accent, singing these songs as a true Irishman might sing them. ~ Jason Birchmeier 

Track Listing:

1. "Vagabonds" – 3:36

2. "Belfast Mill" – 3:40

3. "Johnston's Motor Car" – 2:32

4. "Je Reviendrai" – 3:32

5. "Adieu à Rhondda" – 2:53

6. "La Fille de Cavan" – 3:14

7. "Te Marie pas, Mary!" – 3:32

8. "À Carlingford" – 3:32

9. "La Ballade Nord-irlandaise" – 4:31

10. "Dubliners" – 4:16

11. "Willie McBride" – 7:33

12. "Incendie" – 3:38

13. "Molly Malone" – 2:54