Supporting Irish Musicians and Artists

The next stage in Irish Music Month's major talent search, A New Local Hero, is here – with the participating radio stations now selecting one winner from their four finalists. Clare FM have crowned Lisa Glass, who hails from Mountshannon in East County Clare, as their overall champion.

A traditional harp player by trade, the artist – who began writing songs at the age of 14 – is also skilled on the piano and ukulele. Approaching her craft from a deeply emotionally-driven place, she seeks to forge a connection with her listeners.

The other worthy finalists selected by Clare FM include up-and-coming Nigerian-Irish musician Hannah Saidi, singer-songwriter David McCarthy, and Ennis artist Ali Woodford.

Each finalist got the chance to play live on Clare FM, with all of the artists – thanks to the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, under its Sound & Vision scheme – being paid for their performance.

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 25 participating radio stations having reached out for submissions as part of the talent search.

Watch Lisa Glass performing on Clare FM below:

25 artists, including Lisa, have now been selected as their radio station's A New Local Hero. Now, an industry judging panel will choose just five of those acts to go forward to play at a special showcase event in Dublin.

The A New Local Hero campaign will ultimately see over  €100,000 paid directly to Irish artists – and one worthy winning act selected, who will get to record a single at the prestigious Camden Recording Studios in Dublin, and release the single on the famed Irish independent record label Rubyworks.