You might have heard that Irish Music Month is coming soon
And you might have heard we’re looking for a New Local Hero
But did you know we’re also looking for an original Irish language song too
Yes we’re looking for Amhrán na Laoch or song of the heroes
So if you or someone you know is writing songs ‘as Gaeilge’ or wants to try their hand at performing one of their songs ‘as Gaeilge’ or collaborating with someone on a blended Béarla agus Gaeilge amhrán then you can enter on the entry form on hotpress.com.
If it’s your song selected you win
- €2,500 euro prize money
- Music industry mentoring & support & the opportunity to release a song
- Independent Irish radio station airplay across the country
- Guaranteed coverage and support from Hot Press
- And the opportunity to perform live at the New Local hero Grand Finale National Final in October
- Songwriters or artists wishing to enter must get a recording or a demo done, and upload that song or track via the special Amhrán na Laoch entry form on hotpress.com.
- Songs must be the original work of the songwriter, artist or band that submits the entry.
- Entries for Amhrán na Laoch should be sent directly to Hot Press.
- The closing date for entries to Amhrán na Laoch is Friday, 18th September 2026.
Cén seans, cén deis!
Hot Press and the IBI have announced Amhrán na Laoch 2026 – an Irish language songwriting competition, which is supported by An Post – as part of this year’s Irish Music Month.
Irish Music Month is an initiative of Hot Press and Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and is supported by Coimisiún na Meán under its Sound & Vision scheme.
