CMAT calls out fascism and Bertie Ahern in speech for first Ivor Novello Award

CMAT has won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Album, with her acclaimed third album, EURO-COUNTRY. In her acceptance speech, the Irish artist called out Bertie Ahern, Nigel Farage, Reform, and the rise of fascism – telling her fellow artists in the room that now "is not the time to sit on the fence."

She was nominated alongside the likes of Lily Allen, Olivia Dean, Wolf Alice and Jim Legxacy – with EURO-COUNTRY announced as the winning album at this evening's ceremony at Grosvenor House in London.

This was CMAT's second Ivor Novello nomination, and her first win.

"This record, EURO-COUNTRY, is about the very complicated relationship that I have with my country..." she said in her speech. "I happen to be a legal immigrant in this country, only because Ireland was lucky enough to colonised 800 years ago by England...

"I have a very specific idea of what songwriting is supposed to be for. I think it is to reflect the times through your own personal view, so that everybody can have something to connect to, and something to learn from years later.

"Now, I would compel my fellow artists in the room, it is not the time to sit on the fence. Fascism is on the rise."

She went on to mention Bertie Ahern's widely condemned comments on immigration – made as part of a conversation that was recorded and shared on social media, while he was out canvassing for Fianna Fáil's by-election candidate.

"He revealed his true colours," CMAT said of Ahern in her speech. "Fuck Reform. Fuck Nigel Farage. I have no time, sympathy or empathy for anybody that decides to make life more difficult for people who are just trying to live – and that's what EURO-COUNTRY is about."

In a post on social media, The Ivors Academy praised CMAT for how she  "blends confessional songwriting with sharp humour, vivid storytelling, and social commentary" across EURO-COUNTRY, "while exploring themes of identity, relationships, and modern anxieties through a personal lens."

"The judges praised the album’s honesty, originality, and particularly highlighted its ability to balance personal songwriting alongside political and cultural themes," they added.

EURO-COUNTRY previously won Irish Album of the Year at the Choice Music Prize, and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. It was also selected as Hot Press's No.1 album of 2025 – while, more recently, CMAT emerged as the big winner in this year's Hot Press Readers' Poll.

David Holmes and Brian Irvine were also among the night's winners – with their work on the series Trespasses taking the top prize in the Best Television Soundtrack category.

Established in 1956, The Ivors is presented by The Ivors Academy, and is considered most prestigious awards ceremony celebrating songwriting and screen composition.

See the full list of 2026 winners below:

The 2026 winners:

BEST ALBUM
EURO-COUNTRY
written and performed by CMAT
music published in the UK by BMG Rights Management UK

BEST CONTEMPORARY SONG
I STAND ON THE LINE
written by Fraser T Smith and Kae Tempest
performed by Kae Tempest
music published in the UK by Warner Chappell Music and Domino Publishing Company

BEST SONG MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY
DON’T FALL ASLEEP
written and performed by Jacob Alon
music published in the UK by Concord Music Publishing

PRS FOR MUSIC MOST PERFORMED WORK
MESSY
written and performed by Lola Young
music published in the UK by Sony Music Publishing

RISING STAR AWARD
JACOB ALON

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE
TESTIMONY
composed by Tom Hodge
music published in the UK by Bucks Music Group Limited obo Rocliffe Limited and Underground Films Commissioning Limited

BEST TELEVISION SOUNDTRACK
TRESPASSES
composed by David Holmes and Brian Irvine
music published in the UK by Kobalt Music Publishing and Sony Music Publishing obo All3Media

ACADEMY FELLOWSHIP
GEORGE MICHAEL
THOM YORKE

OUTSTANDING SONG COLLECTION
LILY ALLEN

PRS FOR MUSIC ICON AWARD
CALVIN HARRIS

INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
ROSALÍA

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR with AMAZON MUSIC
SAM FENDER

SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL AWARD with AMAZON MUSIC
LINDA PERRY

VISIONARY AWARD with AMAZON MUSIC
KANO