Cleere’s, Set Theatre in running for Live Music Venue of the Year

Cleere’s Bar & Theatre on Parliament Street, Kilkenny and Set Theatre at Langton’s, Kilkenny, were shortlisted today (Thursday) for the IMRO Live Music Venue Of The Year awards.

Both venues are in the ‘Rest Of Leinster’ category alongside the Sky & The Ground (Wexford), Wexford Arts Centre and the Spirit Store (Dundalk).

Of the Awards, Victor Finn, IMRO Chief Executive said, “Over the years these Awards have become a much sought after industry accolade and they clearly highlight the pivotal contribution that venues and festivals make to local economies and the significant role they play in providing a public platform for Irish songwriters and performers”.

At the ceremony in IMRO HQ in Dublin on 16 February, awards will be presented to the leading live music venue in each of the following regions: Dublin, Leinster (excluding Dublin), Connacht, Munster and Ulster (Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan). The IMRO Live Music Festival of the Year will also be presented on the night. Performances on the night will come from The Academic, Rocstrong and Saint Sister.

One overall award will be presented to the IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year. This award is decided upon by the public, who vote for their live music venue of the year from the combined shortlist of all the regions.

Both Cleere’s and Set Theatre are previous award recipients and both will hoping to bring home the gold on 16 February.

Here’s how the awards stack up in full.

IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year 2015 Shortlist

IMRO Dublin Live Music Venue of the Year 2015

• Whelans, Wexford Street, Dublin 2
• Vicar Street, Thomas Street, Dublin 8
• The Olympia Theatre, Dame Street, Dublin 2
• The Grand Social, Dublin 1
• 3Arena, Dublin 1

IMRO Rest of Leinster Live Music Venue of the Year 2015

• The Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• Sky and the Ground, Wexford
• Cleeres, Kilkenny
• The Set Theatre, Kilkenny
• Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, Wexford

IMRO Connacht Live Music Venue of the Year 2015

• Roisin Dubh, Lower Dominick Street, Galway
• Monroes, Dominick Street Upper, Galway
• Matt Molloys, Westport, Co. Mayo
• The Dock Theatre, Leitrim
• Hawks Well Theatre, Sligo

IMRO Munster Live Music Venue of the Year 2015

• The Greyhound, Killkee, Co. Clare
• Crane Lane Theatre, Cork
• Levis, Ballydehob, Co. Cork
• Dolans, Dock Road, Limerick
• Coughlans, Cork

IMRO Ulster Live Music Venue of the Year 2015

• Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney Co. Monaghan
• An Poc Fada, Monaghan
• Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Co. Cavan
• Allingham Arms Hotel, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
• Hotel Kilmore, Cavan

IMRO Music Festival of the Year 2015

• Body & Soul
• Electric Picnic
• Dublin Fringe Festival
• Longitude
• NYE StreetFest
• Forbidden Fruit
• Galway Arts Festival
• Other Voices
• Temple Bar Tradfest
• Fleadh Ceoil