It was a big night for the Irish music industry on Thursday, as the annual RTÉ Choice Music Prize awards returned to Vicar Street, celebrating the standout achievements in Irish recorded music over the past year.
The event was hosted by Tracy Clifford of RTÉ 2FM and featured live performances from several of the nominated artists throughout the evening.
Meath singer-songwriter CMAT was among the biggest winners of the night, taking home the prestigious Album of the Year award for her third studio album EURO-COUNTRY.
The announcement was made by Barry Devlin of Horslips after a panel of Irish music media professionals selected the winner from a shortlist of 10 nominated records.
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The win marks CMAT’s second time claiming the coveted prize, having previously secured the award in 2022 for her debut album If My Wife New I’d Be Dead.
On the night, the singer also received the Irish Artist of the Year award, further cementing her status as one of the country’s most celebrated music stars.
CMAT was then presented with a €10,000 cheque and a specially commissioned award, with the prize fund provided by the Irish Music Rights Organisation and the Irish Recorded Music Association.
The Album of the Year shortlist for 2025 featured ten nominees, including Joshua Burnside, Just Mustard, Junior Brother and SPRINTS, highlighting the strength and diversity of Ireland’s contemporary music scene.
Elsewhere on the night, Irish folk trio Amble secured a major win, taking home Irish Song of the Year for their track Schoolyard Days.
The award was decided by a public vote from a shortlist of ten songs via the RTÉ 2FM and Choice Music Prize websites.
The group also picked up the Breakthrough Irish Artist of the Year award, presented by DJ Próvai of KNEECAP, marking another milestone moment for the fast-rising band.
During the ceremony, members of legendary Irish rock band Horslips, Barry Devlin, Eamon Carr and Jim Lockhart, were welcomed to the stage to accept the Classic Irish Album award for their 1973 record The Táin.
Established in 2005, the RTÉ Choice Music Prize continues to recognise the best in Irish recorded music each year.
