TOP music acts from Ireland will launch the inaugural Irish Post Music Awards this summer.
Supported by IMRO, The Irish Post Music Awards will take place on June 7 in the INEC Killarney, Co. Kerry.
The Music Awards will build on the success of previous Irish Post events by bringing the best Irish performers to music fans in Ireland.
The live music event follows the success of The Irish Post Country Music Awards last August and The Irish Post Awards in November.
Irish Post Editor-in-Chief Siobhan Breatnach said: “Music is one of our most alluring and captivating exports and has proved a powerful cultural connection to Ireland for the Irish abroad. We are delighted to be showcasing the best of Irish talent and sharing it with a global audience this summer.
"The Irish Post Music Awards will bring the Irish home to the beautiful lakes of Killarney on a summer's night - exactly what many Irish emigrants down through the years would have dreamt about."
Get your tickets for The Irish Post Music Awards here
Keith Johnson, Director of Marketing & Membership, IMRO said: “2017 was an incredible year for Irish music. A wealth of emerging talent made serious inroads in various international territories by taking the creative forces of Irish music around the world and in so doing reaching new audiences each step of the way.
"The Irish Post Music Awards recognise and champion some of our finest songwriters and performers and IMRO is delighted to be associated with these prestigious music awards.”
Ten of the country’s top acts will perform under one roof for one incredible night of Irish music.
With awards in nine categories, including Best Country, Best Folk and Best Pop/Rock, a Lifetime Achievement Award will also be revealed on the evening.
Winners will be picked by a panel of distinguished judges and a public vote.
Best Singer/Songwriter, Best Album and Best Single will also be honoured on the evening alongside a Best Indy Award and Outstanding Contribution to TV/Radio.
Singer-songwriter Malachi Cush will present this celebration of Irish music to a packed house in the iconic INEC from the heart of Killarney.
He said: “I am thrilled to be involved in this year’s Irish post Music Awards. These awards will serve to recognise the tremendous efforts and achievements of our very talented performers, arrangers, producers and songwriters in the music industry.
“Support from the sector to date for this initiative has been remarkable with some very exciting performances and nine categories up for grabs. There is no doubt that this awards show will be one of the must-see events of the year.”
Mark Egan, Director of Corporate and Leisure Events for the Gleneagle Group, which owns the INEC, said: “We look forward to welcoming the crème de la crème of the Irish music industry to the INEC, Killarney this June for the inaugural Irish Post Music Awards.
"The Gleneagle Group and INEC have been proud exponents of both the emerging and established talents of the Irish music industry for decades and we are delighted to play our part in supporting the arts. These awards will serve to recognise the fantastic talents and achievements of the people who make this a truly remarkable indigenous industry.”The live 90-minute show will also be broadcast on TG4.
TG4 Director General Alan Esslemont said the station is delighted to be building on their successful collaboration with the Irish Post through this new initiative around The Irish Post Music Awards.
He said: “Music is such an integral part of how we Irish identify ourselves at home and abroad. TG4 is to the forefront of showcasing the best of Irish artists, therefore it makes sense that we work together to honour the best of Irish musical talent with these awards.
“We are delighted that the Irish diaspora across the world will be able to see the ceremony live, on the varied platforms TG4 uses. We are fully committed to bringing our top quality programmes to our ever growing audience base on the island of Ireland and across the globe.”