President Catherine Connolly has congratulated Tara Dignam on winning the Irish language song contest, Amhrán na Laoch.

The competition is part of Irish Music Month, which is an initiative of Hot Press in partnership with Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, and is supported by Coimisiún na Meán, under its Sound & Vision scheme.

“May I warmly congratulate Tara Dignam on winning Amhrán na Laoch 2026 with her song ‘Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí’,” President Connolly said.

"I know that the judging panel, including Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan and Fiachna Ó Braonáin of Hothouse Flowers, were very impressed with the song and I hope that this is the start of a long and successful career for Tara singing in our native language.”

The President praised the initiative, and the potential it has to stimulate ever-greater creative work in the Irish language.

"May I thank Hot Press, An Post, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán and all of the local radio stations participating in Irish Music Month,” she added, "for the immense support which they are providing for the Irish language through the Amhrán na Laoch initiative and I’m looking forward to hearing more from all of those who entered over the years ahead.”

"This is a marvellous achievement for an exceptional young songwriter and performer," Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said. And so say all of us...

• Main pic (l to r) Orla Bradshaw of An Post, Tara Dignam and Hot Press editor, Niall Stokes

Is féidir leat gach rud a dúirt an tUachtarán a léamh as gaeilge anseo...

President Connolly hosted reception for Bealtaine Festival at Aras an Uachtaráin on April 30th, 2026. Copyright Maizy Kharrazian/www.hotpress.com

Déanann an tUachtarán Connolly comhghairdeas le Tara Dignam a bhuaigh Amhrán na Laoch 2026

“Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas ó chroí a dhéanamh le Tara Dignam agus comórtas Amhrán na Laoch 2026 buaite aici leis an amhrán 'Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí'.

Tá a fhios agam go raibh an painéal moltóireachta, lena n-áirítear Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh ón ngrúpa Altan agus Fiachna Ó Braonáin ó na Hothouse Flowers, thar a bheith tógtha leis an amhrán agus tá súil agam gurbh í seo an chéad chéim de thuras fada rathúil Tara ag canadh trí Ghaeilge.

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Hot Press, An Post, Craoltóirí Neamhspleácha na hÉireann, Coimisiún na Meán agus na stáisiúin áitiúla raidió ar fad a bhí rannpháirteach i Mí Cheol na hÉireann, as an tacaíocht ar fad atá á dtabhairt acu don Ghaeilge tríd togra Amhrán na Laoch. Tá mé ag tnúth le níos mó a chloisteáil uatha siúd ar fad a bhí san iomaíocht sna blianta amach romhainn.”