Irish Music Month 2026 Launches with A New Local Hero Competition, Offering 5,000 Prize and Studio Support for Emerging Artists

When the first notes of Irish Music Month echo across the nation on September 14, 2026, the spotlight turns to the A New Local Hero competition—a launchpad that has turned independent musicians into household names since 2021.

The competition, a cornerstone of the month‑long celebration, invites indie artists to submit their tracks to 22 local radio stations, including FM 104, KCLR, Shannonside and WLR FM. Entries are still open, and stations are ready to hand the next wave of talent a platform.

The 2026 edition ups the ante with a €5,000 cash prize, studio time at Camden Recording Studios, and a mixing and mastering session with Grammy‑winning engineer Ruairi Cushnan. Winners also receive a single release through Rubyworks, the independent label that has partnered with the event from day one. Organisers say the overall value of the Irish Music Month project for artists tops €100,000.

Past participants consistently cite the competition as a career catalyst. Laura Jo, a Wildcard Award winner in 2023, explained that the cash and studio support let her invest in photography, branding and marketing for her single “Bright Eyes.” She added that hearing her music on the radio expanded her audience beyond her existing fan base.

Bobbi Arlo, a 2024 finalist, stressed the importance of radio play and press coverage, noting that the exposure “introduces your music to people who might never have discovered you otherwise” and that the momentum gained can change an emerging artist’s trajectory.

Carrie Baxter, a 2021 finalist, recalled the support from her local station, WLR FM, and the confidence she gained from performing at The Academy in Dublin. She said that the event “gives new independent artists a range of opportunities that are usually reserved for people with labels and teams.”

Mia Yermeche, also a 2021 finalist, described the experience as “meaningful recognition of the effort” that had gone into writing, rehearsing and releasing music. She emphasized that the additional coverage “allows new listeners to discover you, while also reassuring you that people in the industry believe your music deserves space.”

Asophonics, a 2023 finalist, praised the mentorship and networking opportunities available at the final, noting that “being able to sit down with industry professionals, talk about our music and get genuine advice was priceless.”

Eva Campbell, a 2023 finalist, highlighted the confidence boost from performing at The Academy and the value of hearing her own release, “People,” played on a major platform. She noted that the competition “provides exposure, platforms and support, while helping to celebrate and strengthen Ireland’s incredibly diverse and talented music scene.”

Temi NLA, a 2023 finalist, said the competition “gave me a real confidence boost” and that the connections made with radio presenters and industry staff were “just as valuable as the performance itself.”

Paddy Keyes, a 2023 finalist, pointed out that the fee received for gigs helped him release more music and that the continued support from stations like Ocean FM kept his songs in rotation.

Leah Moran, a 2021 finalist, described the event as the beginning of her career and a chance to “build confidence as an artist.” She said that the support from the room “gave me a boost I really needed.”

The competition is organised by Hot Press in partnership with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and the Irish Broadcasting Industry (IBI). It is backed by industry bodies and sponsors including IMRO, RAAP, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Rubyworks, Camden Recording Studios and Spéir Mix and Master.

The 2026 Irish Music Month will also feature the Amhrán na Laoch Irish‑language songwriting competition, with entries accepted through August. The month‑long event runs through September and October, with participating stations broadcasting special programming and live performances.

For more information on how to submit music or to follow the competition’s progress, listeners can visit the websites of their local participating station or check hotpress.com.

In short, Irish Music Month 2026 offers emerging Irish artists a high‑value platform that blends cash prizes, studio access, radio exposure and industry networking. The competition’s structure and support mechanisms have already helped several artists launch or accelerate their careers, and the event’s ongoing sponsorships underscore the industry’s commitment to nurturing local talent.