COUNTRY music star Derek Ryan has pulled off a massive coup, seeing off the challenge of huge international artists like Ed Sheeran and Sinead O’Connor to secure a number one album. Derek’s album The Simple Things reached number one in this week’s Irish charts – the first Carlow artist ever to have a number one album.

Derek is currently touring Dubai and Australia but: ‘Finally! I never thought I’d be toasting a no 1 album but here we are in Abu Dhabi #cheers #goodtimes #thesimplethings’.

“He’s just delighted; that’s a major feather in his cap to have a number one album,” said Derek’s father Pat. “To beat international stars like Ed Sheeran and Sinead O’Connor – it’s just great,” he added.

The 30-year-old Garryhill native is leading the way in a new, exciting awakening for country music in Ireland, firmly establishing himself as one of country’s leading lights. Derek is on the road all over Ireland up to four nights a week, attracting crowds in excess of 1,000 in most of the venues.

“There is a real surge in popularity for country music – we’d have people of all ages at the gigs and lots of young people,” Derek told The Nationalist  in an interview back in July.

“I would encourage people who haven’t been to country music gigs to come. You’ll be surprised!” he promised.