Why are the roundup videos, trends and lists at the end of every year so damn exciting? I can’t quite put my finger on it. We’ve already got Spotify’s Wrapped and still have to wait patiently for Google’s big look back at what people were searching throughout the year. We did just get access to YouTube’s top videos of 2017 in Ireland to look back at.
Here’s what made the list of most viewed videos in Ireland for 2017 and one that we’re shocked didn’t make the cut…
- The Conor McGregor Song
- Finbar Furey and Christy Dignam: Green Fields of France
- Sean and Conor Price's X-Factor Audition
- Coláiste Lurgan: Despacito - As Gaeilge
- Ed Sheeran: Carpool Karaoke
- The Last Jedi Trailer
- Melissa McCarthy Playing Sean Spicer
- Jimmy Kimmel Interviews Kerry Bat Family
- Honourable Mention
The Conor McGregor Song
As much as I’ve now grown to despise Conor McGregor – the person, Conor McGregor – the athlete is still incredible. This year he stood toe to toe with Floyd Mayweather for a lot longer than many thought he would. The event as a spectacle was fell just short of being a record-breaking pay-per-view event. So, regardless of McGregor being an arse, Mick Konstantin lived the dream after creating The Conor McGregor Song celebrating the career of the double UFC champion.
Konstantin was noticed by McGregor and treated to superstar levels of Las Vegas fame for the big fight. The song proved so popular it’s made this list twice with the videos below attracting over 10 million views:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kYFGuCc-58&list=RD2kYFGuCc-58
Finbar Furey and Christy Dignam: Green Fields of France
We love a good sing song. That’s probably why, even when we remove the videos from music labels, the top YouTube videos in Ireland are still heavily related to music. In a rare gem from RTÉ’s Late Late Show, Aslan frontman, Christy Dignam and Finbar Furey performed a belter rendition of the Green Fields of France. This clip brought in over 2 million YouTube views:
Sean and Conor Price’s X-Factor Audition
Brothers Sean and Conor Price, hailing from Blessington, Wicklow, left jaws firmly attached to the floor with their rendition of “All Along the Watchtower” on the X-Factor. Starting out their singing careers by busking on Dublin’s Grafton Street, they nailed this audition, even drawing rare compliments from Simon Cowell:
Coláiste Lurgan: Despacito – As Gaeilge
Coláiste Lurgan has a bit of a history for churning out YouTube sensations. Their formula is simple; take the trending YouTube hit of the year, translate it to Irish and upload it to YouTube with a load of kids having the craic. Sure enough, with nearly a million views, they’ve done it again:
Ed Sheeran: Carpool Karaoke
Could you imagine this scene? You’re just walking along the street, minding your own business when a massive SUV pulls up. The door opens, Ed Sheeran vomits 55 Malteasers onto the ground while James Corden laughs his ass off. Well, if you can’t imagine it, take a look:
We’re not going to include it in this list, but Harry Styles’ Carpool Karaoke also made the list.
The Last Jedi Trailer
Very much a late comer to the list, the Star Wars Last Jedi trailer racked up the views exceptionally quickly. This promises to be yet another incredible installment in the Star Wars series and rather emotionally, will be the last moments of Carrie Fischer to be captured on film:
Melissa McCarthy Playing Sean Spicer
Do you actually remember when Sean Spicer was one of the madest things about Trump’s presidency? Seems like a distant memory right now, eh? Well, let us never forget that for all the political madness in the US, that situation has produced some comedic gold. While Alec Baldwin nailed Trump, Melissa McCarthy’s take on a Segway-riding Sean Spicer is a great addition to this list of the most popular Irish YouTube clips of 2017:
Jimmy Kimmel Interviews Kerry Bat Family
Do you remember when we spotted Tadgh Fleming? Well, when one of Ireland’s funniest lads found a bat had wandered into his family kitchen, comedy ensued. Actually, it was so funny that US TV show host Jimmy Kimmel had the whole family on his show. Class.
Honourable Mention
That time a kid interrupted a TV interview…
You can also watch YouTube’s 2017 Rewind video below. Being honest, it’s a bit of a let-down versus previous years. Personally, I struggled to get half of the references. When was squidgy paint all the rage?