Donegal Town bar wins Ulster’s Best Live Music Venue of the Year

McCafferty’s Bar in Donegal Town was crowned the Live Music Venue of the Year in Ulster by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) at a ceremony held at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

The popular Donegal Town premises also won the same award in 2023. 

The IMRO Live Music Awards champion the venues and teams that support live music at every level and make gigs possible, on stages big and small, in every part of the country. They recognise the huge cultural and economic impact of live music across Ireland.  

Winners were decided by an IMRO member vote, following submissions nationwide.

Electric Picnic Music & Arts Festival was declared the Overall Winners at the ceremony, which was decided by public vote in partnership with Hot Press. 

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Victor Finn, CEO of IMRO, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of this year’s winners. 

“Live music is at the heart of Ireland’s cultural identity, and it is sustained by the venues, festivals, promoters and technical crews who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all possible. 

“It is a privilege for IMRO to host these awards and recognise the people and places whose dedication, passion and expertise continue to drive Ireland’s live music scene forward.  

“We would like to thank the Guinness Storehouse for its generous support in hosting this year’s awards. As one of Ireland’s most iconic cultural venues, its ongoing commitment to music and live experiences plays an important role in the wider creative community. We are also delighted to have Hot Press, The Louise Duffy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 and Audoo as partners, and we are very grateful for their continued support of live music."