Well, we've (finally) reached the end of 2020 and that means it's time for the results of the annual Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show End Of Year Poll.
Let's face it, 2020 has been.... a lot. What started out like any other year, turned into one of the strangest we've ever seen.
But, despite the fact that Covid-19 tried its very best to ruin our fun by keeping us at home, music got released, we watched lots of telly, read plenty of books and listened to some brilliant podcasts. Sport made a triumphant return and although we couldn't go and cheer our teams on, there are still victories that deserve to be applauded.
Social distancing, masks and hand sanitiser on tap might be the 'new normal' but we'd still like to celebrate the big moments of 2020.
So, in no particular order, here are the winners of 2020, as voted for by the listeners of The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show.
Man Of The Year: Tony Holohan
Well, it was a busy year for Tony Holohan, the Chief Medical Officer of Ireland. (Busy is a slight understatement!) Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tony has put the wellbeing of the Irish population first and has guided us through the darkest of days. Throughout 2020, he has given honest opinions and information on the state of the country and has provided vital advice based on our best interests. And for that, we say THANK YOU.
Woman Of The Year: Katie Taylor
Katie Taylor is an incredible sportswoman and role model. She is one of Ireland’s most successful athletes and her triumphs continued through 2020. In August, Ireland watched with bated breath, as Katie took on Delfine Persoon in their highly anticipated rematch. Katie was victorious, successfully defending her undisputed World Lightweight title. G’wan Katie!
Song Of The Year: Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
It’s fair to say that 2020 was year unlike any other, however, it still managed to deliver some musical bangers. The listeners of The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show have crowned the *insanely catchy* ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd, their Song Of The Year. The song even spawned a Tik Tok dance, which let’s be honest, we all attempted (badly).
@the.mcfarlandsYou asked for it... Here it is 📸 ##blindinglightschallenge ##blindinglights ##happyathome♬ Blinding Lights - MACDADDYZ
Irish Song Of The Year: Giants – Dermot Kennedy
Ah, what a year it has been for Dermo. Even though he hasn’t been able to gig in front of a crowd for months on end, the Rathcoole man’s career has gone from strength to strength in 2020. Released back in June, ‘Giants’ has been named Irish Song Of The Year and how can we forget this special moment?
Album Of The Year: Folklore – Taylor Swift
Tay -Tay went and surprised us all in 2020 by dropping a musical bombshell. Whilst most of us were whiling away lockdown in our tracksuit bottoms, Taylor Swift was squirreled away, writing some of her most beautiful material. Her eighth studio album ‘Folklore’ arrived (out of nowhere) in July and it was met by high praise from both fans and critics, bagging her a number of Grammy nominations including ‘Best Album’. Never mind the Grammys though, most importantly, it has been voted Album Of The Year by the listeners of the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show.
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Book Of The Year: Champagne Football – Mark Tighe and Paul Rowan
Well, some might say you couldn’t write the story of John Delaney, the FAI and all the excesses but…. Mark Tighe and Paul Rowan did just that. Bestseller ‘Champagne Football’ tracks the rise and fall of Delaney’s career and it was hugely popular in 2020, coming out on top in our poll.
TV Series Of The Year: Normal People
There’s no doubt about it – Normal People was the show of 2020. Based on Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name, the TV adaptation starring Paul Mescal as Connell and Daisy Edgar Jones as Marianne was a worldwide smash hit, even securing four Emmy award nominations. Connell’s O’Neill’s shorts and gold chain combo had everyone in a spin and the chemistry between himself and Marianne was *off the charts*. It was voted as your ‘TV Series Of The Year’……. and won by a landslide.
Irish Moment Of The Year: The Late Late Toy Show
The Late Late Toy Show has always been a staple of Irish television. Each year, it entertains adults and children alike and really marks the beginning of Christmas. However, this year, somehow, it was even more special. Toys, magic and momentous moments - what more could you want? It was voted 'Irish Moment Of The Year'.
Sports Moment Of The Year: Tipperary Winning Munster Crown
Sport took a hit in the first half of 2020 but made a triumphant return in the later half of the year. But, what was the sporting moment of the year? According to the listeners of the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, it was the momentous moment that Tipperary marked the centenary of Bloody Sunday to win the Munster SFC, for the first time since 1935.
Podcast Of The Year: The Two Johnnies
Podcasts were big business in 2020 and so, there was a a lot of competition in this category. However, the winning title goes to two lovable lads from Tipperary, a pair of messers, whose podcast is a constant in the top of the charts, week in, week out. It could only The Two Johnnies - Johnny B and Johnny Smacks.
Gift Grub Of The Year: The Shinners Take It All
Cast your mind back to a time before Covid-19. It may feel like 10 years ago at this stage but way back in February, we had the small matter of a general election and Sinn Fein celebrated a historic result, topping the polls. Gift Grub’s take on an ABBA classic has been voted as ‘Gift Grub Of The Year’.
Word Of The Year: Lockdown
There was a lot of competition in this category and not surprisingly, most of the contenders were ‘Covid’ related. But the title of ‘Word Of The Year’ goes to LOCKDOWN. Let’s hope it’s the last time we see it!
Covid Hero Of The Year: Frontline Workers
When it comes to the ‘Covid Hero Of The Year’ title, the accolade goes to one special group of people – the selfless frontline workers who turned up day after day and provided essential services for Ireland, throughout the toughest of circumstances. The nurses, the doctors, the healthcare workers, the cleaners, couriers, retail workers and any of those who continued to work and risk their own safety while the country was in lockdown.
Breakfast Show Moment Of The Year: Shaz Am
Every Tuesday morning, our researcher Shauna, who is the queen of Beat The Intro, goes head-to-head with a listener for a game of ‘Shaz AM’. It takes a special kind of listener to take her down and she was on a winning streak. Shaz remained unbeaten for 9 weeks, until Colin Hayes from Waterford took her down! And that moment, the moment she was knocked from her victorious perch was voted as the ‘Breakfast Show Moment Of The Year’ by you the listeners.
Hope for 2021: Hugs
2020 was a tough year. It brought sadness and loneliness to many and forced us to stay at home and stay indoors. Physical contact with others became a luxury we didn’t know we needed. But, being forced to stay socially distant from your parents, grandparents and loved ones was a harsh necessity. However, when asked what the hope for 2021 is, the overwhelming answer was HUGS!!!!
Thanks for all your votes and here's to hugs in 2021....
