"Today I ran for miles..."

Damien Rice and The Frames aren't the only Irish acts having nice things said about them in America!

Currently playing the club circuit there, Gemma Hayes is being given the 'thumbs up' by just about every major publication who's come to see her.

"As lovely as The Corrs and as catchy as U2, the talented Irish singer-songwriter almost makes up for Michael Flatley…almost!" is the Entertainment Weekly verdict.

No less fulsome in their praise are Billboard who report that the crowd at her New York Mercury Lounge gig "could barely contain itself, cheering and hooting whenever the waiflike singer so much as opened her mouth to blow a piece of hair out of her mouth."

The Village Voice's take on the show was that, "Gemma Hayes offers further evidence – if any were needed! – that the Irish are among the most consistently inventive and versatile musicians out there."

No wonder industry insiders are predicting great things for the Tipperary songstress!