Highland Radio: Cillian Mc Laughlin, The Hopeful Kind, Rian Mc Cauley, and Ruby Rua picked as Donegal station's A New Local Hero Finalists

Cillian Mc Laughlin, The Hopeful Kind, Rian Mc Cauley, and Ruby Rua have been picked out as local finalists in the A New Local Hero national talent search - a key part of Irish Music Month which is set to kick off on 22 stations across Ireland on September 14.

One act per day will perform live on Highland Radio's Greg Hughes show, starting from Monday, September 14.

As one of the central features of Irish Music Month, A New Local Hero is a major call to arms for Irish musicians and bands – with all 22 participating radio stations having reached out for submissions in recent months. The excitement is rising, with a slew of announcements arriving over the next few days. Each of the acts selected by the stations will perform and be interviewed on their local station, with one act from each station going forward onto the long-list of contenders for the national A New Local Hero award.

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. Irish Music Month is also supported by IMRO, RAAP and Live Nation, along with Ticketmaster, Rubyworks, Camden Recording Studios and Spéir Mix and Master.

The stations participating in Irish Music Month are: 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.

What Irish Music Month means, across participating independent stations, is:

– More Irish music song plays

– More Irish music artist mentions

– More Irish music features

– More Irish artist gig pushes

– More Irish artist interviews

And – what's more – we'll be putting over €100,000 into the hands of music makers and their crews across the country too.

Without further ado, here are Highland Radio's shortlisted artists...

Cillian McCann McLaughlin

Cillian McCann McLaughlin is a 20 year old singer songwriter from Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal. Currently entering his third year studying Commercial and Modern Music at BIMM University Dublin.

His second single, 'Peace of Mind' is about being a little dopey or forgetful at times, while still remembering the people and moments that matter most in life.

Having grown up in Donegal and spent many summers enjoying drives along its roads, Cillian wanted to write a song that captures that feeling and makes the perfect soundtrack for a summer journey.

His debut single ‘Lost’ received airplay on Highland Radio, and he has performed his original music at venues and pubs across Donegal and Dublin. Most recently, he performed at the Foyle Maritime Festival in Derry.

Cillian McCann McLaughlin

The Hopeful Kind

The Hopeful Kind are a female-led indie-pop band who released their debut single, ‘Wherever You Go,’ in 2024, with Highland Radio and LMFM among the stations showing support for the song. They’ve since released a number of singles, received national radio play, and played venues  like The Academy, Whelans, Bloom at the Phoenix Park, Clubeo in Leos Tavern, as well The Ghostlight Sessions in the Balor Arts Theatre.

After taking the last while to write new songs, their new track 'Green Baby Go' explores their upbeat sound, along with some softer acoustic moments that showcase their storytelling and lyricism.

The Hopeful kind

Rian Mc Cauley

Rian Mc Cauley started posting on TikTok last year and, completely unexpectedly, built a following of over 85,000 people through his music.

He currently has one original song out, 'Nickname', and is still riding the high of playing on the Main Stage at Electric Picnic, after being selected for a performance alongside some huge names, including Tinie Tempah. While that opportunity was a massive milestone, the up-and-comer sees as the beginning rather than the end.

"What matters most to me now is getting my own music out there, continuing to write and release songs, building my audience, and giving myself the best possible chance of making this my full-time career," he says.

Rian McCauley

Ruby Rua

Forged from the quiet of Ireland, Ruby Rua "find power in what is left unsaid." They are are Sebastian Kalka, a classically trained instrumentalist, director, and producer with a lifetime of experience across musical genres; and Michaela Bonner, a vocalist whose haunting, precise, and remarkably warm voice has led some admirers to dub her the 'Celtic Adele'.

Together the duo create tunes that are spacious and rousing, like their latest spellbinding single, 'Fields of Gold'. A highly-anticipated debut album will be emerging from the shadows next year.

Ruby Rua