The nationwide search for A New Local Hero has suddenly intensified greatly, with Waterford singer-songwriter Shane Barry being announced as WLR FM's own Local Hero! Shane Barry is the first name to go forward onto the final long-list, which will include 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 Shane Barry
Waterford-based singer-songwriter and producer Shane Barry returned to releasing music in 2026 following a quieter year, with new material being released both under his own name and through his Americana project, The Night Post.

His 2026 solo release, ‘Later Than You Think’, features his regular backing band and showcases his signature sound, blending straight-up pop with influences from the 1960s to the 1980s. Shane released his debut solo album, Songs from the Silver South, in 2023, followed by the live album A Thursday Night Live in 2025.

Following a successful year of sold-out performances, including the Roots Festival, Barry is currently preparing two new EPs for release this autumn, with a support slot with The Blades in Bank Lane set for November.

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.