CMAT caps remarkable year with Ivor Novello Award win

Dunboyne singer-songwriter CMAT has continued her extraordinary rise with another major accolade after winning Best Album at the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards in England.

The Meath performer, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, received the honour for her acclaimed third album Euro-Country, further cementing her status as one of Ireland’s leading music stars.

Speaking after the ceremony, CMAT joked that it was “nice to finally win an award in England”, as the Dunboyne native celebrated the latest milestone in a career that has gone from strength to strength over the past year.

The award follows a hugely successful run for the singer-songwriter in the Hot Press Readers’ Poll 2026, where she emerged as the standout winner with six awards.

Affectionately known locally as ‘Dunboyne’s Diana’, CMAT topped several major categories following the success of Euro-Country, which has enjoyed critical acclaim and chart success both at home and internationally.

She won Irish Album of the Year for Euro-Country, while her track ‘Take A Sexy Picture Of Me’ claimed Track of the Year.

CMAT also secured awards for Live Act of the Year, Individual Artist of the Year, Groundbreaking Woman of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

The annual Hot Press Hotties celebrate the best in Irish music and culture, with tens of thousands of votes cast by readers and music fans across the country.

The latest recognition at the Ivors marks another landmark achievement for the Dunboyne artist, whose blend of sharp songwriting, humour and emotional honesty has earned her a rapidly growing international audience.

With a string of major awards now to her name and Euro-Country continuing to resonate with fans and critics alike, CMAT’s remarkable journey shows no sign of slowing down.