Drogheda's Tara wins Irish language song competition

Amhrán na Laoch duais do 'Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí'

Drogheda's Tara Dignam has been named overall winner of the 2026 edition of Amhrán na Laoch, an Irish language song competition for Irish Music Month, supported by An Post, with their song 'Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí'.

As part of their Amhrán na Laoch prize, Tara will receive airplay support across 22 independent Irish radio stations; guaranteed coverage in and support from Hot Press; €2,500 prize money; music industry mentoring and support; mixing, mastering and release of a single through the Gael Linn label.

“An Post is proud to support Amhrán na Laoch," Orla Bradshaw, Irish Language Officer with An Post said. "Huge congratulations to the worthy winner Tara Dignam. The creativity and talent of all the Irish language songwriters and performers who entered Amhrán na Laoch is truly inspiring.”

BIMM Dublin student Tara Dignam – who hails from Drogheda – has already built up a following with their captivating blend of indie-pop and alternative Irish folk. The singer has a particular passion for writing as Gaeilge – as they showcased at recent performances in Whelan's, the Sound House, and McHugh's.

Tara's song was selected from a genre-transcending shortlist by a judging panel which included legendary Co Donegal fiddler and singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan, and renowned musician/broadcaster Fiachna Ó Braonáin of Hothouse Flowers.

"Fuaireamar a lán iontrálacha an-mhaith – agus, mar sin, bhí obair an-deacair le déanamh ag na moltóirí," a dúirt eagarthóir Hot Press, Niall Stokes. “Ach ba mhór againn go léir ‘Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí’. Amhrán iontach é.

"This is a marvellous achievement for an exceptional young songwriter and performer."

Launched in 2021, Irish Music Month is an initiative of Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, and is supported by Coimisiún na Meán.

Michael Kelly, chief executive of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland commented: “We are very pleased to be working with Hot press on this innovative and important aspect of Irish Music Month and we warmly congratulate Tara Dignam, the winner of the Amhrán na Laoch Songwriting Competition and wish them the best in their career.”

Tar éis freagra den scoth ó cheoltóirí ar fud na tíre, tá torthaí eagrán 2026 d’Amhrán na Laoch, mórchomórtas amhrán Gaeilge do Mhí Ceoil na hÉireann le tacaíocht ó An Post, fógartha faoi dheireadh... agus is í an t-amhránaí iontach cumasach Tara Dignam a ainmníodh mar bhuaiteoir foriomlán lena hamhrán ‘Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí’.

Mar chuid dá duais ó Amhrán na Laoch, gheobhaidh an t-amhránaí agus cumadóir amhrán an méid seo a leanas: tacaíocht raidió ar 22 stáisiún raidió neamhspleách ar fud na hÉireann; clúdach agus tacaíocht ó Hot Press; duais airgid ar luach €2,500; meantóireacht agus tacaíocht ón tionscal ceoil; eascadh, máistriú agus eisiúint singil trí lipéad Ghael Linn.

Tá lucht leanúna bailithe cheana féin ag Tara Dignam, mac léinn de chuid BIMM i mBaile Átha Cliath atá ó Dhroichead Átha ó dhúchas, lena meascán mealltach d’indie-pop agus de cheol tíre malartach Éireannach. Tá dúil ar leith ag an amhránaí i scríobh as Gaeilge, mar a chonacthas ag a seónna le déanaí in Whelan's, sa Sound House agus in McHugh's.

Roghnaigh painéal moltóireachta Amhrán na Laoch amhrán Tara as gearrliosta a sháraigh teorainneacha seánra. Ar an bpainéal sin bhí an fidléir agus amhránaí iomráiteach as Contae Dhún na nGall, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh de chuid Altan, agus an ceoltóir agus craoltóir aitheanta, Fiachna Ó Braonáin de chuid Hothouse Flowers.

“Fuaireamar a lán iontrálacha an-mhaith – agus, mar sin, bhí obair an-deacair le déanamh ag na moltóirí,” a dúirt eagarthóir Hot Press, Niall Stokes. “Ach ba mhór againn go léir ‘Mo Chuisle Mo Chroí’. Amhrán iontach é. Comhghairdeachas mór le Tara. Is éacht iontach é seo do chumadóir amhrán agus do thaibheoir óg den scoth.”