Dermot Kennedy Makes History as First Irish Solo Artist to Score Three Consecutive UK Number One Albums
Dublin singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy has made chart history this week, becoming the first Irish solo artist ever to achieve three consecutive number one albums in the United Kingdom, as confirmed by the Official Charts Company following the release of his third studio album, The Weight of the Woods.
The album, released on 3 April 2026, debuted at the top of the UK Albums Chart, following his previous number ones with Without Fear in 2019 and Sonder in 2022. The achievement cements Kennedy's status as one of the most commercially successful Irish artists of his generation on both sides of the Irish Sea.
The Album
The Weight of the Woods marks a return to a more folk-influenced sound for Kennedy, with themes of family, home, and Irishness running throughout. Inspired by walks in the forest near his home, the album was produced by Gabe Simon and has been described by critics as his most personal work to date. RTÉ published a profile of Kennedy on 10 April, noting that the album represents a significant artistic evolution from the polished pop of Sonder.
Kennedy began his career busking on Dublin's Grafton Street and later in Boston before signing with Universal Music Group in 2018. His debut album Without Fear not only topped the UK and Irish charts but also entered the Top 20 of the US Billboard Hot 200, signalling his international appeal from the outset.
Key Developments
The Official Charts Company confirmed the milestone on 7 April, with the album tracking strongly in its first week of sales. The achievement is particularly notable given the competitive nature of the UK albums market, where streaming has fragmented audiences and made sustained chart dominance increasingly difficult.
Kennedy's success also comes at a time of growing international recognition for Irish music more broadly, with artists including Hozier, Fontaines D.C., and CMAT all achieving significant UK chart success in recent years. The Irish music scene has rarely been more visible on the British charts.
Why It Matters
The record is a landmark moment for Irish music in the UK. No Irish solo artist — not Van Morrison, not Sinéad O'Connor, not Hozier — had previously achieved three consecutive UK number one albums. The achievement reflects both Kennedy's consistent quality and his ability to connect with British audiences who have embraced his emotionally direct songwriting style.
For Irish music fans in Northern Ireland and the Republic, the milestone is a source of considerable pride, demonstrating that homegrown talent can compete at the very highest level of the global music industry.
What's Next
Kennedy is expected to announce a major UK and Ireland tour in support of The Weight of the Woods in the coming weeks. Given the album's chart performance, demand for tickets is expected to be high. The singer has previously sold out arenas across the UK and Ireland, and his growing fanbase suggests this tour could be his biggest yet.
Details confirmed by the Official Charts Company and RTÉ Culture.
