Artists all across the country responded to our call for submissions for Amhrán na Laoch – a major Irish Music Month hunt for a brilliant original song, composed as Gaeilge or through a combination of both English and Irish. Now, after sorting through a phenomenal, genre-transcending selection of entries, it's time to reveal our final shortlist of 20 songs...

The final shortlist:

• Aoife Welby, 'Corazon'
• Blue Niall Ft. Celaviedmai, 'New Celtic Flow'
• CAOIMHÍN, 'Ríocht Na Sí'
• Ciarán De Búrca, 'Dultaigh'
• Clann Karasu, 'Gach Uair'
• Colin Lynch/W. O. T. C., 'Scaoil Amach É'
• Éabha Breathnach, 'Comparáid'
• Element 108 & Catherine Kelly, 'Laoch Óg'
• Huartan, 'Bean Udaí Thall'
• Little Kings, 'Bringlid Milis'
• Jenny Ní Ruiséil, 'Amhrán Don Ghrianstad'
• Kane O'Rourke, 'Beacha Na Ceapai'
• Niall Teague and Padraic Joyce, 'Ar Saoire'
• Pebbledash, 'Carraig Aonair'
• Róisín Little, 'Gold'
• Ushmush, 'Finnsta'
• Burnchurch, 'Take Us Back'
• Goldie Bron$on, 'Barcelona'
• Enda Gallery & Susan Quirke, 'Ó A Bhríd'

Of course, there can only be one winner...

The Amhrán na Laoch judging panel – which includes legendary Co. Donegal fiddler and singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan, and renowned musician/broadcaster Fiachna Ó Braonáin of Hothouse Flowers – are in the process of whittling that fantastic shortlist down to one final song.

The winner will be announced in advance of the upcoming A New Local Hero live event at The Academy, Dublin, on Tuesday, October 15.

That night will see special sets from the A New Local Hero finalists, and special guest Tolü Makay.

A New Local Hero in 2023. Copyright Glen Bollard / HotPress

The worthy Amhrán na Laoch winner will receive:

• €2,000 prize money
• The opportunity to release their song through the iconic Gael Linn record label
• Airplay support across 21 independent Irish radio stations
• Music industry mentoring and support

Launched in 2021, Irish Music Month is an initiative of Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, and is funded by Coimisiún na Meán. Participating IBI stations will feature Irish music strongly throughout the month, and significantly increase the number of plays for Irish artists.

All-in, the value of the Irish Music Month project for Irish artists is in excess of €100,000.

Stay tuned to hotpress.com for more Amhrán na Laoch news – coming soon...

Tickets for the A New Local Hero live event – taking place at The Academy, Dublin, on October 15 – are available to purchase here.

Listen to the Amhrán Na Laoch shortlist below: