Orla Gartland wins Ivor Novello Award for ‘Mine’

Orla Gartland has won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for 'Mine', a track from her 2024 album Everybody Needs a Hero.

The Dubliner beat out competition from a shortlist that included Raye, Lola Young and fellow Irish act Fontaines D.C. This marks the singer-songwriter's first Ivor Novello win.

Presented at the 70th annual Ivors Music ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House, the award recognises exceptional songwriting craft.

Judges praised 'Mine' for its "ability to handle heavy subject matter in a gentle, expressive manner". Gartland has described the track as her most vulnerable work to date.

“Winning an Ivor is a real and thoroughly deserved vindication for Orla Gartland as an artist,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said. “She has independently and courageously developed her craft, often against the odds, working extremely hard to establish herself among the finest songwriters of her generation. She is not just a writer of real imagination and musicality, she is also a great performer and very fine musician and guitar player. With this prestigious acknowledgement of her unique talent, the hope is that she can step up to the next level. She certainly has what it takes to go all the way. Irish women artists are on the rise. Long may it continue."

Gartland's second studio record, Everybody Needs a Hero talks about the ups and downs of relationships, being a woman in the world and trying not to lose yourself. It was shortlisted for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize last year.

Orla was among the artists selected to appear in the Brigid's day festival gigs, celebrating Irish women artists, and run by Hot Press in association with Kildare County Council, earlier this year – appearing at the event in Leixlip in a powerful line-up alongside Mary Coughlan, Camille O'Sullivan, Lisa O'Neill and Niamh Farrell, fronting HamsandwicH.

The Ivors Academy also honoured major figures in music this year, including U2 - who became the first Irish artists inducted into the Academy’s Fellowship - and Charli XCX, who was named Songwriter of the Year.

Other winners included BERWYN for Best Album, Lola Young as Rising Star, and Brandon Flowers for the Special International Award.