Kneecap’s Fenian Becomes Highest-Charting Irish Language Album in UK History

The West Belfast group Kneecap has achieved a historic milestone on the UK Albums Chart with the release of their second studio album, Fenian. Landing at Number Two during its first week of release, the record marks the highest chart position ever attained by an Irish language album in UK history.

Released on May 1, 2026, Fenian serves as the follow-up to the group’s debut album, Fine Art, which reached Number 42 in 2024. The new project features collaborations with Fawzi, Radie Peat, and Kae Tempest.

The album was kept from the top spot by The Essential Michael Jackson, a 2005 compilation that returned to Number One following the release of the biopic Michael.

Other notable movements in the charts include Melanie C, whose album Sweat reached Number Three, marking her highest ever solo album placing and the highest for any solo Spice Girls record. Kacey Musgraves entered the charts at Number Seven with Middle Of Nowhere.

Following the commercial success of the release, Kneecap announced via Instagram that they are donating all earnings from the sales of the album to three specific organizations. These include the Belfast-based Irish community groups Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich and Glór na Móna, as well as The Palestine Solidarity Campaign in London.

The band provided context for the album’s title, stating that it was inspired by warriors in Irish folklore. While the term Fenian was later utilized as a derogatory slur against the Irish, the group explained that they are reclaiming the word to describe those speaking truth to power.

The release of Fenian followed a period of significant legal scrutiny for band member Mo Chara, born Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh. Mo Chara had been charged after allegedly shouting Up Hamas, up Hezbollah and displaying a Hezbollah flag during a 2024 performance in London.

Kneecap consistently denied providing support to either organization, asserting that the footage from the event had been taken out of context. The group characterized the legal proceedings as a carnival of distraction, and Mo Chara maintained that he was unaware of the flag’s identity when he picked it up.

The charges against Mo Chara were dismissed in September 2025 due to technicalities regarding how the case was initiated. Although the Crown Prosecution Service filed an appeal in January 2026, two high court judges upheld the original decision to dismiss the charges on March 11, 2026.

In an interview with NME, Mo Chara discussed how these legal challenges influenced the creative process for the new record. He noted that the band thrives in chaos and felt it was necessary to address the situation on the album, as fans who had followed the events of the previous year would have been disappointed by its omission.

The promotional rollout for the album also faced obstacles. Band manager Daniel Lambert stated that Transport for London rejected the design of the Fenian posters, resulting in the materials being censored in London.

Despite the controversies, the album received critical acclaim, earning a four-and-a-half-star review from NME.

Put all the rage-bait headlines aside and what you’re left with is a solid, progressive and fearless album from a group that could just as easily be dicking around instead of making music that matters. In that sense at least, their day has come.

NME