2018...
The year that gave us a bread shortage during Storm Emma, the Backstop, multiple slip-ups by Shane Ross, Fernando's brush with death at Ballybrack FC, Baby Shark do-do-do-do-do-do, Krispy Kreme queues, the heroic rescue of the Thai boys from a cave, a hosepipe ban during the summer heatwave, Shane Lynch's choice words on the Late Late - and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
We asked our listeners to give us their favourites of the year, and they answered in their thousands. So here's what the people of Ireland loved the most:
Gig of the Year – Ed Sheeran at Cork, Dublin & Galway
The ginger charmer played a phenomenal NINE Irish dates during his ‘Divide World Tour’ in the summer of 2018. He played 3 gigs in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, three in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, two in Pearse Stadium in Galway and one in Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast. His Phoenix Park concerts were also the biggest of the year in Ireland - drawing in 61,000 fans and making him a cool €14m.
Book of the Year – The Importance of Being Aisling
In 2017 we were first introduced to Aisling, the brainchild of Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen who was a country girl who was fond of a Pinot Greej and a few notions. In 2018, we fell in love with her all over again as The Importance of Being Aisling hit Irish book shelves in September. The future looks bright for Aisling as well with a third book and a film in the pipeline. #Aisling4TheAras
Man of the Year – Johnny Sexton
The 3rd of February 2018 will live long in the memory of Irish Rugby fans. The first game of the year and the one that launched the greatest year in Irish Rugby history. Losing 13-12 with 80 minutes on the clock, this man stepped up to immortalise himself into the Irish Rugby Hall of Fame! Johnny Sexton is your man of 2018 in a year that has seen him win Irish Rugby Player of the Year, World Rugby Player of the Year & Irish Sportsperson of the Year. Fair play Johnny!
Woman of the Year – Vicky Phelan
Out of all the 16 categories in our End of Year Listeners Poll this year, this remarkable lady received a bigger share of the votes than any of the other winners. In 2018, she has tirelessly campaigned for the rights of those with cervical cancer in Ireland and has received much admiration for her pursuit of proper treatment and holding the state agencies to account.
Song of the Year – Shotgun by George Ezra
First there was Budapest. Then came an even bigger song in Paradise and then this summer, we enjoyed George Ezra's biggest hit yet - Shotgun! The song spent 9 weeks on top of the Irish singles charts and helped him sell out his Malahide Castle gig next summer within minutes of going on sale. Altogether now ...
"I'll be riding shotgun underneath the hot sun feeling like a someone".
Album of the Year – Staying At Tamara’s by George Ezra
This record came out on March 23rd and still sits at Number 3 on the Irish Album charts. With massive hits like Hold My Girl, Paradise, Don’t Matter Now and of course, Shotgun, there's no surprise you voted it as your favourite. This isn't the end of Ireland’s love affair with George as thousands will head to his sold out gig in Malahide Castle in June 2019.
Irish Song of the Year – Nina Cried Power by Hozier
After a two-year hiatus, Hozier returned to the charts with this soulful and powerful number. He teamed up with gospel queen Mavis Staples for this take on a modern civil rights anthem which paid tribute to Nina Simone, James Brown, Staples and cemented Hozier as one of the best Irish songwriters this century.
Irish Moment of the Year AND Sports Moment of the Year – Ireland Beating The All Blacks
Saturday 17th November is a date that's cemented in Irish memories. The Ireland rugby team took to the pitch in the Aviva Stadium to try beat the almighty All Blacks on home soil for the first time in history. The magic came in the 47th minute when Jacob Stockdale put his name down in Irish rugby folklore. Our Irish rugby team are now ranked number two in the world with a decent shot at the World Cup in Japan next year.
Movie of the Year – A Star is Born
2018 saw a record number of musicals in cinemas with Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Bohemian Rhapsody and The Greatest Showman all up there but our listeners voted A Star Is Born as their number one. Starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, this was the fourth remake of the film and made over €5million at the Irish box office. It was also Bradley’s directorial debut and is tipped to be one of the big winners this awards season.
TV Show of the Year - Derry Girls
This was the breakout comedy of the year as a nation roared laughing at four excitable Derry Girls and one perplexed wee English fella. Lisa McGee's creation was loosely based on her own childhood during the troubles in Northern Ireland and The Derry Girls are set for an even bigger 2019 as season two hits our screens and they begin filming season three.
Awkward Irish Moment of the Year – The Presidential Election Race
Well who knew that was going to happen? Not one, not two, but three dragons threw their hat into the race, dog food was a major talking point, Bunty Twuntingdon McFluff had a go and at the end of it all, Miggledy is still in the Áras. Order restored.
Gift Grub of the Year – Shotgun Irish Rugby
After huge demand and hearing what the Spice Girls were raking in, the FOGs returned from their musical hiatus. Ronan 'ROG' O'Gara, Alan 'Quinny' Quinlan and Paul 'Paulie' O'Connell romped into the studio one morning with a brand new cover of George Ezra's Shotgun and set us up for the final game of the Guinness series against the All Blacks.
There were plenty to choose from but the FOGs' cover of Shotgun is your 'Gift Grub of the Year! 🤣@IanDempsey @GiftGrubMario https://t.co/XuRvsMlgJq pic.twitter.com/5NCwQVwP5p
— 🎅🼠Today FM 🎄 (@TodayFM) December 21, 2018
Word of the Year – Backstop
Our word of 2018 is one we have heard on pretty much every news bulletin this year. The backstop agreement, the backstop border, the backstop issue ... we're still not 100% sure what the backstop really is but one thing we do know is we'll still be hearing plenty about it in 2019.
Prediction for 2019 – The UK will remain in Europe
And after all that, they won't leave after all. Our listeners reckon this whole Brexit thing won't happen after all and that The UK will remain a part of the EU. Only time will tell...
Breakfast Show Moment of the Year – Ian’s 20th Anniversary Show
And finally, your Brekfast Show Moment of the Year was when we all celebrated Iano's 20th anniversary show with shoutouts from Donncha O'Callaghan, ROG (the real one) and Keith Duffy.
Happy Christmas and here's to more fun in 2019!
