“IRISH AND INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC STARS TO BE HONOURED AT 2009 ICMA AWARDS” (Apr 3, 2009)

Ireland's top Country music industry stars will be recognised and awarded for their contribution to the industry at the "Irish Country Music Awards" (ICMA) which will take place in the Royal Theatre & Events Centre, Castlebar, Co, Mayo, this summer on the night of Thursday 6th August 1st 2009. The event will take place as part of "The World Fleadh" international music festival, but is a stand alone event and is expected to draw massive crowds to Castlebar, Co. Mayo for the Gala Ceremony.

The ICMA Awards promises to be a star studded gathering featuring the top names in the Irish and international country music business. The event will be hosted in the 2,200 seat newly built Royal Theatre & Events Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, where Irish Country music lovers will gather to watch the top names in the business take to the stage to receive their accolades.

Producer of ‘ICMA Awards', Eric Cunningham commented on the significance of the awards:

"Many countries honour their greatest country stars annually at a national awards ceremony, until now the same couldn't be said about Ireland. The ‘Irish Country Music Awards' will fill this void and honour annually our greatest Irish country music artists along with a number of special guest country acts from outside of Ireland. The establishment of the ICMA Awards will give the power of voting to the general public and will let them decide who the best performers are. We hope to honour our Irish and international country music stars year after year within a number of nomination classes where all styles of country music are acknowledged. This exclusive event will comprise performances by the 'who's who' within the Irish and international country music business while the recipients of each award will be announced on the night."

Tickets go on sale on March 30th 2009. Nominees, details on voting and further information will be announced on the website www.irishcountrymusicawards.com