The winners of the top categories were announced at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards ceremony held on March 5, 2026. The Irish Album of the Year award went to artist CMAT for her album "Euro-Country". Meanwhile, the Song of the Year title was awarded to the Dublin-based band Amble for their track of the same name. The event, broadcast by the public broadcaster RTÉ, is a key moment in the Irish music calendar and summarizes the most important achievements of the past year.

CMAT's Album of the Year Victory

CMAT, Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, won the main Irish Album of the Year award (also known as the Choice Music Prize Album of the Year) for her second album "Euro-Country". The album, released in 2025, blends catchy country melodies with an ironic-nostalgic reflection on European identity and won critical acclaim.

Song of the Year Award for Amble

The Dublin band Amble was the winner in the RTÉ Choice Music Song of the Year category for their title track "Amble". The group's success highlights the vitality and diversity of Ireland's contemporary, independent music scene.

Prestige and Significance of the Awards

The RTÉ Choice Music Awards, organized since 2005 by the public broadcaster RTÉ in collaboration with the industry, are considered one of the most important accolades in the Irish music industry. The ceremony serves as a year-end summary and offers winners significant media exposure.

The Irish music scene celebrated its biggest talents at the annual RTÉ Choice Music Awards gala, held on March 5, 2026. The main awards went to artist CMAT and the band Amble, highlighting the genre diversity and strength of local music production. CMAT, Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, won the prestigious Irish Album of the Year for her second studio album "Euro-Country", released in 2025. The record, blending country elements with reflections on European pop culture and identity, was met with enthusiastic critical acclaim. With this, CMAT joined the ranks of previous winners of this award. Meanwhile, the band Amble, hailing from Dublin, was awarded in the Song of the Year category for the track "Amble". The success of this indie-rock band illustrates the richness and energy of the independent music scene. The Choice Music Prize, also known as the RTÉ Choice Music Awards, was established in 2005 by the Irish radio station RTÉ 2fm in collaboration with music organizations. Its goal is to promote and reward the best Irish music, serving as a local counterpart to international ceremonies like the British Mercury Prize. Over the years, winners have included artists representing various genres, from Julie Feeney to Anna Maria Jopek. This year's edition confirms that these awards remain an important barometer of trends and talent in Ireland. The triumph of CMAT, an artist known for genre-blending and ironic stage persona, and Amble, a band with an indie-rock sound, indicates a healthy balance between artistic ambition and direct appeal. The broadcast of the ceremony by the main public broadcaster, RTÉ, provides the winners with significant exposure, which can translate into broader recognition both domestically and internationally. This event not only celebrates past achievements but also creates new opportunities for the winners in the next stage of their careers.

Mentioned People

  • CMAT (Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson) — Irish singer-songwriter, winner of the Irish Album of the Year 2026 award.
  • Amble — Music band from Dublin, winner of the RTÉ Choice Music Song of the Year 2026 award.