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Valuing Creativity

IMRO supports the development of music and songwriting talent through sponsorship of song contests, music festivals, research initiatives, and artist showcases. We champion a diverse range of creative projects that reflect the richness and originality of our international membership.

IMRO Sponsorhip Programme

IMRO’s Sponsorship Programme supports events, projects and initiatives that strengthen music creation in Ireland. We welcome applications from organisers whose work delivers meaningful opportunities for music creators, supports live performance, expands audience engagement and contributes positively to the wider Irish music
ecosystem.

Application Timeline
  • Round 1 Applications (for events which take place between January and June) open November 1st and close November 30th
  • Round 2 Applications (for events which take place between July and December) open June 10th and close July 1st 
Assessment Criteria
  • Demonstrates a clear music focus, with tangible benefit for songwriters, composers or music creators.
  • Shows how the event will champion Irish music, including support for Irish repertoire, Irish talent development or visibility for Irish creators.
  • Sets out a credible sustainability approach, for example through environmentally responsible production, travel, materials or waste management.
  • Demonstrates a meaningful commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in programming, participation, staff and access.
  • Provides a realistic budget, clear use of funds and good value for money.
  • Includes strong promotional opportunities and a clear role for IMRO within the partnership.
  • Meets IMRO licensing requirements where applicable and supplies all required information at the time of application or when requested. Please note, payment will not be made until all necessary information has been submitted by the applicant.
Eligibility Requirements

To be considered, applicants must complete this form in full and ensure that the proposed event, activity or initiative meets the following requirements:

  • It must include a clear music element and support, feature or benefit music creators.
  • It must be compliant with IMRO licensing requirements where applicable.
  • It must clearly outline what benefit the sponsorship will deliver to music creators, audiences and the wider sector.
  • It must include full and accurate information, including details on sustainability, EDI and how the proposal will champion Irish music.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact sponsorships@imro.ie.

Awards

At IMRO, we champion the best in music and live entertainment through our prestigious awards.
Annie-Dog - IMRO Venue Awards 2025 - 25th March 2025 - ©Glen Bollard
  • Annie-Dog - IMRO Venue Awards 2025 - 25th March 2025 - ©Glen Bollard

IMRO Live Music Awards

Each year, IMRO members nominate and assess hundreds of venues and festivals nationwide. Judging is based on key elements that contribute to an exceptional live music experience, including atmosphere, sound and lighting quality, staging, diversity of programming, and the professionalism of staff and management.

From this shortlist, members of the public are invited to vote for the IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year, ensuring that audiences have their say in recognising excellence in live music.

Details

  • 21 April 2026
  • Guinness Storehouse, Dublin

Tune-Up Your Business Award

Thinking about adding or upgrading music in your business? The IMRO Tune-Up Your Business Award offers a €4,000 prize for music/audio-visual equipment plus expert advice on maximizing music’s impact.

Open to businesses already using or planning to introduce music, the award helps create inviting atmospheres across industries—from hotels to salons.

See how Jacobs Inn, Dublin benefited last year!

Details

  • Entries for the 2024 IMRO Tune-Up Your Business Award are now closed
Learn more
Entries for the 2024 IMRO Tune-Up Your Business Award are now closed

Seminars & Workshops

IMRO hosts regular seminars, workshops, and interviews on the music industry, covering business, songwriting, production, and technology.

Through the IMRO Interviews Series among those we have spoken with include Number 1 Irish Album Chart successes Finbar Furey, Iarla Ó Lionaird & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh from The Gloaming,  Damien Dempsey, Ruth Anne Cunningham and Sorcha Richardson.

Past events have featured masterclasses with Beth Nielsen Chapman, Brendan Graham, Paul Williams, Christy Moore, Jake Gosling, and more.

Recent songwriting and production speakers

Beth Nielsen Chapman

Brendan Graham

Paul Williams

Christy Moore

Jake Gosling

Frankie Gavin

Don Mescall

Sorcha Richardson

Brett Perkins

Buddy Mondlock

Scarlet Keys

Sign up to our mailing list to find out about events coming soon.

Music for Film & TV

Gavin Friday

Songwriter / Composer

Jeff Atmajian

Composer / Orchestrator

Conrad Pope

Composer / Orchestrator

Richard Bellis

Composer / Orchestrator / Educator

Maurice Seezer

Songwriter / composer

Darren Hendley

Composer

Todd Brabec

Lawyer/Educator

Eimear Noone

Composer/Conductor

Julian Goodkind

Pure Sync

Fiachra Trench

Composer/Orchestrator

Scoring for film programme

The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Filmbase, The Contemporary Music Centre (CMC), and Screen Training Ireland previously joined forces to deliver a unique collaborative initiative aimed at connecting emerging Irish filmmakers and composers.

The programme provided a valuable platform for creative partnerships, with many participating films and scores going on to win national and international awards over the years.

The project culminated in a one-day recording session at RTÉ studios, where the RTÉ Concert Orchestra recorded original scores for up to four short films submitted by both amateur and professional filmmakers. Participants were invited to submit either complete short films or excerpts from longer works, across all genres—live-action, animation, documentary, and experimental. Selected composers then created 3–5 minutes of original music to accompany the visuals.

The programme remains a celebrated example of how cross-disciplinary collaboration can elevate both film and music while nurturing emerging talent in Ireland’s creative industries.

Sponsorships and Partnerships

IMRO is proud to support the next generation of Irish music through key partnerships. 
These initiatives showcase and elevate emerging artists, providing them with vital performance opportunities, industry exposure, and career development.

RTÉ 2FM Rising

RTÉ 2FM Rising is an artist development initiative that champions emerging Irish talent. Each year, ten music acts are selected for extensive airplay, promotion, and content opportunities across RTÉ 2FM.
RTÉ 2FM Rising

When

From January 16th–20th, featuring exclusive new music and interviews with the selected artists. 2FM will continue to support them throughout the year.

Past Rising Alumni

Fontaines DC, Denise Chaila, Dermot Kennedy, Lyra, Pillow Queens, Wild Youth, and more.

2025 Lineup

49th & Main | Aonair | April | Jen Payne | KhakiKid | Negro Impacto | Ryan Mack | Still Blue | Sweetlemondae | Winnie Ama.

Support & Funding
In partnership with IMRO, each selected artist receives a €1,000 bursary (€10,000 total) to support their career development.

What they’re saying…

“2FM already has a great track record with our Rising lists each year and we look to continue that this year. We believe our Rising list for 2023 is a great example of how strong and diverse the Irish music scene is right now and we feel our listeners will be as excited as we are about the quality of talent coming through and the incredible music they are making.We look forward to supporting our Rising acts and the many other great Irish acts across our platforms in 2023.”

Adam Fogarty,
Director of Music at 2FM

“IMRO is delighted to continue its association with RTÉ 2FM Rising. Irish songwriters continue to push creative boundaries at home and on the international stage and the RTÉ 2FM Rising initiative will provide an invaluable showcase and support platform for all of the participating acts throughout 2023.”

Keith Johnson,
IMRO Director of Marketing & Membership


For more information visit www.rte.ie/2FMrising or @rte2fm on Instagram

Other Voices

Other Voices is Ireland’s premier music TV show, showcasing the best of Irish and international music talent. The series captures extraordinary performances and intimate conversations in iconic locations across Ireland and West Wales, celebrating both established and emerging artists.

RTÉ 2FM Rising

When

The series begins on Thursday, 16 February, at 11 PM on RTÉ2, with all episodes available worldwide on the RTÉ Player.

Past Rising Alumni

Paolo Nutini in Dingle, Sorcha Richardson at the Church of St James, John Francis Flynn, and SELLÓ in the IMRO Other Room.

2025 Lineup

Paolo Nutini | Loyle Carner | Inhaler | Stella Donnelly | The Big Moon| Biig Piig | Just Mustard | Gilla Band | SOAK | Gwenno | SELLÓ and many more.


What they’re saying…

“We are delighted to be bringing another series of Other Voices to our audience. This 21st series will continue to showcase emerging talent and also treat us to very special performances from some of the biggest names in the business, made all the more special that they are coming to us from Dingle.”

Justin Healy, 

Executive Producer at RTÉ

“IMRO is delighted to continue its longstanding association with Other Voices. From its humble beginnings in Dingle over twenty years ago, Other Voices has grown into a much treasured and unique platform that provides Irish music creators with an ideal opportunity to reach a global audience with their creative talent… long may it continue”.

Keith Johnson,

IMRO Director of Marketing & Membership


For more information visit www.othervoices.ie