Kingfishr Claims Christmas Number One with ‘Killeagh’

Limerick-based folk band Kingfishr has achieved a significant milestone this festive season by securing the Christmas number one spot in Ireland with their song ‘Killeagh’. According to the Irish Recorded Music Association, the group surpassed classic holiday hits such as Wham!’s ‘Last Christmas’ and Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ to claim the coveted position. Additionally, their album ‘Halcyon’ tops the Irish albums chart.

The song ‘Killeagh’, an homage to the hometown and GAA club of Kingfishr’s guitarist Eoin Fitzgibbon, initially reached number one in May and has since become Ireland’s most-streamed song on Spotify for the year. In response to their recent success, Kingfishr expressed their gratitude, stating, “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.”

Historic Achievements in Irish Music

This year marks a notable moment in Irish music history, as the top two spots on the Irish Official Chart are held by Irish acts for the first time. Following ‘Halcyon’ is the folk trio Amble with their album ‘Reverie’, which has emerged as the biggest-selling and most-streamed Irish album of the year. It features popular tracks such as ‘Lonely Island’, ‘Schoolyard Days’, and ‘Mary’s Pub’. The Dublin rock band Fontaines DC also makes an appearance in the top ten with their acclaimed album ‘Romance’.

In the UK, Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue has secured her first Christmas number one with her festive single ‘XMAS’. This year marks the first time in eight years that the top spot has not been held by either Wham! or LadBaby. The UK Official Charts announced that Minogue has made history as the first woman to have number one singles across four different decades: the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2020s.

Minogue expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s hard to put into words how special this feels. Being Christmas Number 1 really is the most wonderful gift. I’m so thankful to everyone who’s been listening and sharing the love and I’m wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!”

As the music industry celebrates these achievements, it is evident that both Kingfishr and Kylie Minogue have captured the hearts of listeners this holiday season. Their respective successes highlight a vibrant and evolving music scene in both Ireland and the UK, resonating with fans across generations.