There was much celebrating in Dublin’s Four Seasons Hotel on Monday as Bill Whelan and Brendan Graham became the first inductees to the new IMRO Academy whose mission is to celebrate and mark the successes of Ireland’s iconic songwriters and composers.
“Both Bill and Brendan have contributed enormously to the recognition of Ireland across the globe,” noted IMRO CEO Victor Finn. “As a country we have real diversity and quality of music. It is the most important ingredient in fostering our reputation of being a dynamic and culturally rich nation. No creator goes out with the expressed intention of being a flag bearer for Ireland but nonetheless this is the inevitable consequence when their work resonates so powerfully with overseas audiences. We believe that the IMRO Academy will celebrate Ireland’s creatives.”
Enthusing about being recognised by his peers, Bill Whelan, who’s best known as the composer of Riverdance, said: ''It’s a double honour for me to be inducted into this new Irish Academy of Composers – not alone because I share it with my long-time friend and colleague, Brendan Graham, but also because I look forward in the coming years to the growth of this Academy into an association of Irish talent, as yet unimagined.”
Those sentiments were shared by Graham, the co-author of ‘You Raise Me Up’, which has been recorded and performed over 300 times by different artists.
''Through the years of scratching out songs and hoping to find a listening ear, you never expect to be the recipient of such an acknowledgment as this, and in the company of a friend of long standing, such as Bill, whose work you admire and have been inspired by,” he reflected. “Surprised and grateful are words that spring to mind.''

The final words went to IMRO Chairman Keith Donald who stated: “The songs Brendan has Bill have written have been heard all over the world. When you think Ireland and music you think either U2 or Riverdance. We believe that the IMRO Academy will celebrate Ireland’s creatives in this regard.”