Following an outstanding response from artists right across the country, the results of the 2026 edition of Amhrán na Laoch – a major Irish language song competition for Irish Music Month, supported by An Post – are finally in... with the marvellously talented Tara Dignam being crowned the overall winner with her song 'Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí'.

As part of her Amhrán na Laoch prize, the singer-songwriter will receive:

• €2,500 in prize money
• Music industry mentoring and support
• Mixing, mastering and release of the song through the iconic Gael Linn label
• Support across IBI radio stations
• Guaranteed coverage in and support from Hot Press

“An Post is proud to support Amhrán na Laoch," Orla Bradshaw, Irish Language Officer with An Post said. "Huge congratulations to the worthy winner Tara Dignam – we wish her every success with her wonderful song. The creativity and talent of all the Irish language songwriters and performers who entered Amhrán na Laoch is truly inspiring.”

Tara Dignam – who hails from Drogheda and is a student at BIMM Dublin – has already built up a following with her captivating blend of indie-pop and alternative Irish folk. The singer has a particular passion for writing as gaeilge – as she showcased at recent performances in Whelan's, the Sound House, and McHugh's.

Tara's song was selected from a genre-transcending shortlist by the Amhrán na Laoch judging panel, which included legendary Co. Donegal fiddler and singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan, and renowned musician/broadcaster Fiachna Ó Braonáin of Hothouse Flowers.

Niall Stokes, Frances Dignam, Olivia Doody, Tara Dignam, Mark Dignam and Orla Bradshaw

"Fuaireamar a lán iontrálacha an-mhaith – agus, mar sin, bhí obair an-deacair le déanamh ag na moltóirí," a dúirt eagarthóir Hot Press, Niall Stokes. “Ach ba mhór againn go léir ‘Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí’. Amhrán iontach é.

"Comhghairdeachas mór do Tara. Huge congratulations to Tara.

"This is a marvellous achievement for an exceptional young songwriter and performer."

Launched in 2021, Irish Music Month is an initiative of Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, and is supported by Coimisiún na Meán.

“We are very pleased to be working with Hot Press on this innovative and important aspect of Irish Music Month, and we warmly congratulate Tara Dignam, the winner of the Amhrán na Laoch Songwriting Competition and wish them the best in their career," Michael Kelly, Chief Executive of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland commented.

The stations participating in Irish Music Month are, in alphabetical order: Clare FM, Classic Hits, Cork's 96FM, East Coast FM, FM104, Galway Bay FM, Highland Radio, KCLR, KFM, Limerick Live 95FM, LMFM, Midlands 103, Midwest Radio, Northern Sound, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, Shannonside FM, South East Radio, Sunshine FM, Tipp FM, and WLR FM.

Listen to 'Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí' – 2026's Amhrán na Laoch – below:

Tar éis freagra den scoth ó cheoltóirí ar fud na tíre, tá torthaí eagrán 2026 d’Amhrán na Laoch, mórchomórtas amhrán Gaeilge do Mhí Ceoil na hÉireann le tacaíocht ó An Post, fógartha faoi dheireadh... agus is í an t-amhránaí iontach cumasach Tara Dignam a ainmníodh mar bhuaiteoir foriomlán lena hamhrán ‘Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí’.

Mar chuid dá duais ó Amhrán na Laoch, gheobhaidh an t-amhránaí agus cumadóir amhrán an méid seo a leanas:

• Tacaíocht raidió ar 22 stáisiún raidió neamhspleách ar fud na hÉireann
• Clúdach agus tacaíocht ó Hot Press
• Duais airgid ar luach €2,500
• Meantóireacht agus tacaíocht ón tionscal ceoil
• Meascadh, máistriú agus eisiúint singil trí lipéad Ghael Linn

“Tá An Post bródúil as tacú le hAmhrán na Laoch,” a dúirt Orla Bradshaw, Oifigeach Gaeilge in An Post. “Comhghairdeas mór le Tara Dignam, a bhfuil an bua tuillte go maith aici. Guímid gach rath uirthi lena hamhrán iontach. Is fíorspreagúil an chruthaitheacht agus an tallann a léirigh na cumadóirí agus na taibheoirí Gaeilge go léir a ghlac páirt in Amhrán na Laoch.”

Tá lucht leanúna bailithe cheana féin ag Tara Dignam, mac léinn de chuid BIMM i mBaile Átha Cliath atá ó Dhroichead Átha ó dhúchas, lena meascán mealltach d’indie-pop agus de cheol tíre malartach Éireannach. Tá dúil ar leith ag an amhránaí i scríobh as Gaeilge, mar a chonacthas ag a seónna le déanaí in Whelan's, sa Sound House agus in McHugh's.

Roghnaigh painéal moltóireachta Amhrán na Laoch amhrán Tara as gearrliosta a sháraigh teorainneacha seánra. Ar an bpainéal sin bhí an fidléir agus amhránaí iomráiteach as Contae Dhún na nGall, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh de chuid Altan, agus an ceoltóir agus craoltóir aitheanta, Fiachna Ó Braonáin de chuid Hothouse Flowers.

“Fuaireamar a lán iontrálacha an-mhaith – agus, mar sin, bhí obair an-deacair le déanamh ag na moltóirí,” a dúirt eagarthóir Hot Press, Niall Stokes. “Ach ba mhór againn go léir ‘Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí’. Amhrán iontach é.

“Comhghairdeachas mór le Tara.

“Is éacht iontach é seo do chumadóir amhrán agus do thaibheoir óg den scoth.”

Dúirt Michael Kelly, Príomhfheidhmeannach Chraoltóirí Neamhspleácha na hÉireann:

“Tá áthas an domhain orainn a bheith ag obair le Hot Press ar an ngné nuálach agus thábhachtach seo de Mhí Ceoil na hÉireann. Déanaimid comhghairdeas ó chroí le Tara Dignam, buaiteoir an chomórtais Amhrán na Laoch, agus guímid gach rath orthu ina ngairm bheatha amach anseo.”

Seoladh Mí Ceoil na hÉireann in 2021. Is tionscnamh de chuid Hot Press agus Craoltóirí Neamhspleácha na hÉireann é, agus faigheann sé tacaíocht ó Choimisiún na Meán.