Photo Credits: Ian West/PA Wire
On 21 May, Meath singer-songwriter CMAT won Best Album at the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards for her 2025 release ‘Euro Country’.
The 71st Ivor Novello Awards took place at Grosvenor House, London, celebrating the best of British and Irish songwriting and screen composition.
‘Euro Country’ was selected from a strong shortlist that included Lily Allen, Olivia Dean, Wolf Alice and Jim Legxacy. The judges praised the album’s “ability to balance personal songwriting alongside political and cultural themes”.
‘Euro Country’, CMAT’s third studio album, was released in August last year and has already earned major acclaim, including Irish Album of the Year at the Choice Music Prize and Hot Press No. 1 Album of 2025. Accepting the award, CMAT said: “It’s really nice to win an award in England.”
In her acceptance speech, CMAT reflected on the history of the awards, noting that Amy Winehouse and Conor O’Brien (Villagers) both previously received the same honour, adding that she set her sights on also winning an Ivor Novello Award. CMAT now joins a distinguished list of Ivor Novello winners that include Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Adele, Bruce Springsteen and Joan Armatrading.