Mayo venue and events short-listed for IMRO Music Awards

TWO Mayo music festivals and an iconic Westport pub have been short-listed for the IMRO Music Awards.

The Irish Music Rights Organisation host their awards on February 11 at Twenty Two, South Anne Street in Dublin.

Matt Molloy's Pub in Westport is on the Connaught short-list for Live Music Venue of the Year, while local event The Acoustic Yard Festival and Claremorris Folk Festival both feature on the IMRO Small Music Festival of the Year 2019 short-list.

The awards celebrate the venues and individuals working in the live music industry, whose passion and determination brings the joy and inimitable experience of live music to the public across Ireland.

More than 13,000 IMRO members were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite venues of 2019 for inclusion on the awards shortlist. Venues were judged on atmosphere, sound and lighting, staging, diversity of programming, the staff and management of each venue and accessibility for people with disabilities, all of which are essential foundations for a truly remarkable live music venue.

IMRO members also voted on Ireland’s music festivals, tech crews and for the IMRO Outstanding Contribution to Live Music, the receiver of which shall be announced on the night of the awards.

One overall award will be presented to the IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year. This award is decided upon by the public, who vote for their live music venue of the year from the combined shortlist of all the regions.

Live music fans should log on to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/imrovenueawards and choose their favourite from the shortlist provided, by 5 p.m. on February 7. Voters will by entered into a draw to be in with a chance to win an iPad.