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Author: Sophie Ford

The IMRO Live Music Awards 2026 Shortlist is Here

Written by Sophie Ford on . Posted in Featured, Industry News.

We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the IMRO Live Music Awards 2026.

These awards recognise the venues, festivals and promoters that sustain Ireland’s live music scene, with this year’s shortlist reflecting the strength and diversity of talent across the country.

This year, we have teamed up with The Louise Duffy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 to reward regional winners with a live outside broadcast from their venue.

The awards will take place at the Guinness Storehouse on 21st April, hosted by Tom Dunne and Rachel Mae Hannon, with performances from Ahmed With Love, BABYRAT, Scullion and a surprise guest.

IMRO members decide the category winners, while the public is invited to vote for the Overall Winner in partnership with Hot Press here: https://www.hotpress.com/music/voting-for-imro-live-music-awards-overall-winner-23137519.

Full shortlist below: 

Live Music Venue of the Year – Dublin 

  • 3Arena Amphitheatre – Dublin  
  • 3Olympia Theatre – Dublin  
  • The Grand Social – Dublin  
  • Vicar Street – Dublin  
  • Whelan’s – Dublin  

Live Music Venue of the Year – Leinster (Excluding Dublin) 

  • Cleere’s Bar & Theatre – Kilkenny  
  • John Lee’s Bar and Venue – Offaly  
  • Set Theatre – Kilkenny  
  • The Spirit Store – Louth  
  • Wexford Arts Centre – Wexford  

Live Music Venue of the Year – Munster 

  • Coughlan’s Bar & Live Music Venue – Cork  
  • Cyprus Avenue – Cork  
  • Dolan’s Live Music Venue – Limerick  
  • Gleneagle Arena – Kerry  
  • University Concert Hall – Limerick  

Live Music Venue of the Year – Connacht 

  • Monroe’s Live – Galway  
  • Róisín Dubh – Galway  
  • TF Royal Hotel & Theatre – Mayo  
  • Tig Cóilí – Galway  
  • Westport Town Hall Theatre – Mayo  

Live Music Venue of the Year – Ulster 

  • McCafferty’s Bar – Donegal  
  • McCafferty’s Bar & Restaurant – Dungloe  
  • The Abbey Hotel – Donegal  
  • The Central Bar – Donegal  
  • The Chasin’ Bull – Donegal  

Venue Technical Crew of the Year (In partnership with Audoo) 

  • 3Olympia Theatre – Dublin  
  • Button Factory – Dublin 
  • The Spirit Store – Louth  
  • Vicar Street – Dublin  
  • Whelan’s – Dublin  

Festival Technical Crew of the Year (In partnership with Audoo) 

  • Aurfest Music & Comedy Festival – Louth  
  • Dolan’s Live at the Docklands – Limerick  
  • Electric Picnic Music & Arts Festival – Laois  
  • Galway Folk Music Festival – Galway  
  • Kaleidoscope Music Festival – Wicklow  

Live Music Festival of the Year – Large 

  • All Together Now Music Festival – Waterford  
  • Electric Picnic Music & Arts Festival – Laois  
  • Forbidden Fruit Music Festival – Dublin  
  • Kaleidoscope Music Festival – Wicklow  
  • BikeFest Motorcycle and Rock Music Festival – Kerry  

Live Music Festival of the Year – Small 

  • Aurfest Music & Comedy Festival – Louth  
  • Forest Fest Music & Arts Festival 2026 – Laois  
  • Galway Folk Music Festival – Galway  
  • Other Voices Music Festival – Kerry  
  • Vantastival Music Festival – Louth  

Live Music Promoter of the Year 

  • Aiken Promotions – Dublin  
  • Dolan’s Promotions – Limerick  
  • MCD Productions – Dublin  
  • Shenanigans Promotions – Louth  
  • Singular Artists Promotions – Dublin 

IMRO Chairperson Eleanor McEvoy welcomes the official launch of The Ivors Academy in Ireland 

Written by Sophie Ford on . Posted in Member News.

The Ivors Academy has today announced the launch of The Ivors Academy in Ireland, its first formal presence outside the UK in more than eight decades of championing songwriters and composers. This milestone creates a new, dedicated home for music writers across the whole island of Ireland, supporting all genres, disciplines and career stages.  

Eleanor McEvoy, Chair of IMRO, said: “Songwriters and composers across Ireland have long contributed immeasurably to the global music landscape. The establishment of The Ivors Academy in Ireland marks a powerful step forward in strengthening their voice, their rights, and their creative future. IMRO welcomes this initiative, which will deepen advocacy and expand opportunities for creators at every stage of their careers.”   

The Ivors Academy has celebrated Irish creative excellence for more than seventy years through the Ivor Novello Awards, recognising outstanding songwriting and composition. Irish winners and nominees include U2, Hozier, CMAT, Orla Gartland, Fontaines DC, Lankum, Jazzy, Shane MacGowan and more. The launch of The Ivors Academy in Ireland is a natural next step, moving from longstanding recognition into deeper, sustained support on the issues that shape writers’ rights, livelihoods and careers.  

Catherine Martin, former Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, will lead on policy in Ireland and report into Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy. The Ivors Academy in Ireland will strengthen the Academy’s advocacy, ensuring greater protection, representation and influence for Irish songwriters and composers. With a formal presence in Ireland, The Ivors Academy will also enhance engagement at EU level on major topics including AI, copyright, fair terms and remuneration. 

Visit https://ivorsacademy.com/news/the-ivors-academy-launches-in-ireland-with-former-arts-and-culture-minister-catherine-martin-leading-policy/ to learn more.