Kingfishr achieves Christmas Number Ones in both single and album charts to end an historic year for homegrown talent

The Irish Recorded Music Association, the body responsible for managing the Irish charts, confirmed today that Kingfishr is set to achieve Christmas number ones in both the singles and albums charts.

Killeagh beats the Christmas classics

Killeagh, an ode by Kingfishr to the home village and GAA club of their guitarist Eoin Fitzgibbon, first reached number one in May of this year. A groundswell among the public saw a late surge to see the Limerick-based folk-trio once again at the top of the charts just in time for Christmas. In doing so, they have surpassed perennial juggernauts like Wham’s Last Christmas and Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You.

A first in Irish chart history

And for the first time in Irish Official Chart Company history, the two top album spots are set to be taken by Irish acts, in what has been a bumper year for homegrown talent.

Kingfishr’s album Halcyon takes the number one spot, with standout tracks including Diamonds & Roses and Shot in the Dark, alongside the aforementioned Killeagh.

Fellow critically acclaimed folk-trio, Amble, have the biggest selling and most streamed Irish album of the year, and take the Christmas number two spot, with their breakthrough Reverie. With tracks such as Lonely Island, Schoolyard Days and Mary’s Pub, the band has been building a steady and loyal following both in Ireland and internationally.

Still in the mix is the internationally acclaimed Fontaines DC, whose album Romance also makes it into the top ten on Christmas week.

“The best year of our lives”

Responding to the Christmas chart results, Kingfishr commented:

“It’s been the best year of our lives. We’ll never be able to thank people for what they’ve done for us. Dreams really do come true xxx.”

This ends what has been a phenomenal year for Irish talent, with a growing appreciation for homegrown artists among domestic audiences driving a vibrant music scene.