The nationwide search for A New Local Hero has suddenly intensified greatly, with Kilkenny solo artist Patrick Dowling being announced as KCLR's own Local Hero! Patrick Dowling will now go forward onto the final long-list, which includes representatives from each of the participating stations. All 20+ of the Local Heroes will be revealed in a series of coming announcements. Watch this space for regular news updates!

Introducing Patrick Dowling

Having busked around Ireland since the age of sixteen, Kilkenny-native Patrick Dowling has developed an introspective meditation on love, longing, and the importance of remembering where you come from. With influences from hip-hop to modern pop reaching as far as Irish indie folk, Dowling injects a unique energy from Ireland’s South East region into his heartfelt storytelling.

Dowling graduated from the University of Galway with a science degree in chemistry and previously worked in environmental and pharmaceutical roles before switching to full-time music. Blending elements of many different genres, he takes inspiration from artists like Dermot Kennedy, Hozier and Ed Sheeran.

"I'm absolutely buzzing here," Dowling said on KCLR. "I would just like to say, though, a massive well done first of all to everyone who made the top four. It's an incredible achievement and Hot Press have been so good as well to run this for independent artists in Ireland; it's so important."

A New Local Hero: The Facts

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. Now, with over 80 artists having performed and been interviewed on local radio, one act from each station is nominated for 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.

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

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 interview

• Keep an eye on hotpress.com and listen to your local participating station for more news on Irish Music Month, A New Local Hero and the Irish song competition, Amhrán na Laoch.