It’s been an amazing year for Irish music – from Hozier performing at The Grammys, to Gavin James touring with Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran and of course The Corrs making their highly-anticipated comeback.
With U2’s world tour making headlines all over the year, and Louis Walsh’s new boyband Hometown landing the number 1 spot, 2015 has showcased new talent as well as bringing back our old favourites.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite songs this year, take a look:
1. Gavin James
Bitter Pill
Gavin James has definitely been the musician to watch for 2015 so things can only get better next year.
The Dublin singer has had an incredible year after signing with Capitol Records in the US, supporting Sam Smith on tour and of course supporting Ed Sheeran at Croker.
He’s the friendlies guy in the music industry and his debut album has already smashed the Irish charts – this song in particular is our favourite.
2. The Corrs
Bring On The Night
It’s been an amazing few months for The Corrs – who made their official comeback after more than a decade.
Fans went crazy when the news broke that they would be releasing a new album, as well as a new single Bring On The Night.
The even did a secret gig in Dublin pub Doyles to mark the start of their music comeback.
3. Hozier
Jackie and Wilson
You can’t talk about Irish music without mentioning the one and only Hozier.
The Wicklow native has become an international star thanks to his first self-titled album.
He’s smashed charts all over the world with Take Me To Church, but this year Jackie and Wilson was on replay.
4. Hometown
The Night We Met
You really can’t underestimate the power of Louis Walsh.
The former X Factor judge showcased his new boyband Hometown over a year ago now and they’ve proved to be a huge hit in Ireland.
They’ve gained thousands of fans here and they’ll be focusing on the UK next – with songs like The Night We Met (written by Liam Payne) we can only see more success for these boys.
5. Sinead O’Connor
The Foggy Dew (Conor McGregor entrance)
She’s been making headlines for worrying reasons this year, but you can’t forget how amazing a singer Sinead O’Connor is.
She surprised everyone this year when she sang Conor McGregor’s entrance song The Foggy Dew.
We’ve missed you Sinead!
6. Jedward
Hell No
Always in our hearts – the amazing Jedward.
They never cease to amaze us with how catchy their songs are and Hell No was our favourite this year.
The video for Hell No showed off a new edgier look for the boys, and we loved it.
7. U2
Ordinary Love
2015 was definitely the year of U2.
The infamous Irish band took their iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE tour all around the world, and most recently performed in Paris with Eagles of Death Metal to honour the victims of the Paris terror attacks.
They’ve had great success this year but Ordinary Love was our favourite tune.
8. Markus Feehily
Butterfly
Markus Feehily debuted his first solo material in 2015.
His first single Love Is A Drug was a huge hit for the star, proving Westlife fans have followed him to his solo career.
But our favourite song off his debut album was Butterfly.
9. The Coronas
The Long Way
Another band to bring out an amazing album in 2015 was The Coronas.
This song is the title of the album too, and definitely gets the emotions going.
With gigs in Australia and Dubai this year we see big things for the guys in 2016.
10. One Direction
Drag Me Down, Infity and History
Okay, okay, we can’t actually pick one One Direction song because that would be impossible right?
Our favourite Mullingar man Niall Horan has hung up his singing boots for a while as One Direction go on hiatus, so we have to honour him by including three songs.
Ever since Zayn Malik left the world famous band we think their music got much better, so we’ve chosen three tracks off their latest album Made In The AM.
Can we just take a moment for their performance of History on The X Factor final? Brought a tear to the eye to be fair…
11. Kodaline
The One
It’s been an amazing year for Kodaline too.
From getting Courteney Cox to direct a music video to bringing out a new album Coming Up For Air, the Dublin lads also got to perform with Ed Sheeran at Croker (remember THAT proposal).
They’ve had some hit tunes this year but The One always gets us seriously emosh.
12. Molly Sterling
Playing With Numbers
It seems like ages ago now, but we selected Tipperary singer Molly Sterling to go to the Eurovision.
Playing With Numbers was written by Molly herself and produced by Greg French.
She didn’t make it to the Eurovision finals but we still loved this song.
13. Hudson Taylor
World Without You
Hudson Taylor are definitely the next big band to come out of Ireland.
Just last weekend they supported the Kodaline boys, and even did a duet with the band and Imelda May at the 3Arena.
They’ve had some great tunes in 2015 but World Without You was our favourite.
14. Keywest
All My Mistakes
This year Keywest released their new album Joyland – with some catchy tracks on the record.
They’ve become seriously popular this year, and still busk on Grafton Street every now and then.
There’s been some great tunes in 2015 but we love All My Mistakes.
15. Roisin O
If You Got Love
The little sister of The Coronas frontman Danny O’Reilly, Roisin O will be the one to watch in 2016.
I’ve always been a huge fan of her music and tipped her for success ever since I heard her first EP.
Now she’s playing at the Oscar Wilde Oscars bash in the new year and I’m guessing a record label in the US will pick her up in a heart beat.
16. Shane Filan and Nadine Coyle
I Could Be
Both Shane Filan and Nadine Coyle have a huge fan base, so bringing out a duet was a brilliant idea.
Shane has had success with his solo album and Nadine has been back in the spotlight after joining Michael Flatley’s show Dangerous Games.
This track I Could Be has already gone down a treat, and we hope to see more music from these two.
17. Hermitage Green
Jenny
We’ve always been a fan of Hermitage Green, but in 2015 we loved them that little bit more.
Their track Jenny is to thank for that – because it promoted the Yes vote for marriage equality in Ireland.
The video is cool, the song is catchy and we love the message behind it.
18. Liir
Cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit
Ireland’s newest girl band Liir came out with a bang in 2015.
Originally formed to enter the Eurosong competition, Leanne Moore, Michele McGrath and Kim Hayden have been working on their sound all year.
This is the first cover they’ve released and we love it – 2016 will be a huge year for these gals.
