Music
19 Mar 21

Dermot Kennedy scores No.1 on Official Irish Albums Chart for a 25th week

A year-and-a-half after its release, Without Fear is back at No.1.

Our new Hot Press cover star Dermot Kennedy is at No.1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart this week – marking his 25th non-consecutive week at the top spot with his debut album, Without Fear.

In the last ten years, only Adele's 21 and Ed Sheeran's ÷ have spent more weeks at No.1 on the chart – at 35 weeks and 28 weeks, respectively.

Earlier this week, Dermot Kennedy also emerged as the biggest winner in the Hot Press Readers' Poll 2021. The Rathcoole native is triumphant in four categories – as well as winning the overall title of Best Polling Act.

Elsewhere on the chart, rapper Central Cee is this week's highest new entry, at No.3 with his debut mixtape, Wild West. Following her Grammy Award for Album of the Year – and her Best Album (International) win in the Hot Press Readers' Poll – Taylor Swift is back in the Top 10 with folklore, jumping 10 places to No.1o.

Following St. Patrick's Day, The Dubliners’ 50 Years has also soared to No.27.

On the Official Irish Singles Chart, meanwhile, Tiësto has claimed his first No.1 on the chart with 'The Business' – rising from No.2 last week. This week's highest new entry is KSI's 'Patience' featuring Yungblud and Polo G, at No. 8.

A year-and-a-half after the release of his chart-topping debut album, Without Fear, Dermot Kennedy has solidified his position as one of the most accomplished Irish artists of his generation – with four major wins in the Hot Press Readers’ Poll. From his current base in LA, he sat down with to discuss the state of Irish music (with special shout-outs to Tolü Makay, For Those I Love, Hozier and Mick Flannery); hanging out with CNN’s Donie; joining forces with Paul Mescal; looking up to Roy Keane; fate; mental health; and that all-important Album No.2...

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