Music
15 Mar 23

IMRO - Live Venue of the Year Winners Announced

IMRO Venue Awards - Credit: Miguel Ruiz

This year's IMRO Live Music Venue Awards were hosted at The Sugar Club in Dublin, on March 14th.

Last night, the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO)'s yearly music awards were hosted at The Sugar Club in Saint Kevin's, Dublin.

Crucial to fostering the vibrant musical community Ireland is known for, the Live Venue of the Year Awards offer an opportunity to recognise and give thanks to the amazing venues that host our favourite artists.

Awards are presented to venues that excel in the delivery of venue ambience, staging, sound and lighting, gender balance, diversity of music, professionalism with performers, PR, and venue accessibility.

Venues are an incredibly important part of Ireland's music scene and the much deserved recognition came along with some incredible performances.

Winners for the regional categories include:

Dublin - The Workman's Club

Rest of Leinster - The Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Connacht - Monroe’s, Galway

Munster - Dolan’s, Limerick

Ulster - McCafferty’s, Donegal

Opening the show was the DJ Mona Lisa and a welcoming speech from the night's host, Irish musician and Gift Grub co-creator Paul McLoone. Following opening speeches from Eleanor McEvoy and Hot Press founder Niall Stokes, was the presentation of the Hot Press Awards and a performance from the Dundalk duo Negro Impacto.

Hot Press's Awards:

Special Recognition of Excellence - Mike the Pies

Special Recognition of Excellence - The Soundhouse

Hot Press Live Music Venue of the Year - 3Olympia Theatre

IMRO Venue Awards - Credit: Miguel Ruiz

Intermediary performances from the genre-blending R&B master Bricknasty and the rock musician Skinner, backed by a DJ set from Mona Lisa livened up the event.

The night closed out with a few final words from McLoone and a wonderful set from Mona Lisa.

See the rest of the night's winners, here:

IMRO Best Technical Crew award presentation - Wexford Spiegeltent Festival

IMRO Best Small Live Music Festival of the Year award presentation - Wexford Spiegeltent Festival

IMRO Outstanding Contribution to Live Music award presentation - Dermot Lambert

IMRO Live Music Festival of the Year award presentation - Electric Picnic

IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year award presentation - Allingham Arms Hotel