The Irish Music Rights Organisation has just announced its shortlist of nominees for 2019 Live Music Venue of the Year. The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Febuary 11 at Twenty Two in Dublin.

The annual awards, now in their twelfth year, celebrate the venues and individuals working in the live music industry, whose passion and determination brings the joy and inimitable experience of live music to the public across Ireland.

More than 13,000 IMRO members voted for their favourite venues based on atmosphere, sound, lighting, diversity of programming, staff and management, and accessibilities. They also voted on Irish festivals, tech crews, and for the IMRO Outstanding Contribution to Live Music.

Music venues and festivals play a vital role in Ireland's music industry that is overlooked. IMRO Chief Executive Victor Finn said:

"The important role that venues and festivals make nationally is all too often overlooked. They provide an essential platform and support network for Irish and international artists and bands of all levels, in addition to their vital contribution to communities both economically and socially. The IMRO Live Music Venue Awards have grown from their inception to become one of the most anticipated dates in the Irish music industry calendar. The awards are an opportunity to acknowledge venues big and small across the country and to celebrate the individuals whose hard work and commitment help our vibrant and eclectic music industry to flourish."

Emerging acts Soda Blonde, Alex Gough and ELM will perform at the ceremony. The award for Hot Press Live Music Venue of the Year will also be presented, which fans can vote for in the Readers Poll, available here. Live music fans can vote for the IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year here.

See the full shortlist below:

Dublin

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin 2
Vicar Street, Dublin 8
Arthur’s Blues and Jazz Club, Dublin 8
The Old Storehouse, Dublin 2
The Underground, Dublin 2

Rest of Leinster

The Royal Meath Bar, Navan, Co Meath
Kavanagh's Bar & Venue, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
The Spirit Store, Dundalk, Co. Louth
The Set Theatre, Kilkenny

Ulster

Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney Co. Monaghan
An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
McGinley’s Bar, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
The Chasin’ Bull, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
Balor Arts Centre, Ballybofey, Co Donegal

Munster

Coughlan's Bar & Live Music Venue, Cork
Mike the Pies, Listowel, Co. Kerry
De Barra's Folk Club, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Connolly’s of Leap, Co. Cork
Crane Lane Theatre, Cork

Connacht

Matt Molloy's, Westport, Co. Mayo
The Quays Bar, Galway
JJ Harlow’s Bar, Roscommon
Anderson’s Live, Sligo
Róisín Dubh, Galway

IMRO Music Festival of the Year 2019

All Together Now
Body & Soul
Electric Picnic
Longitude
Féile '19
Galway International Arts Festival
Forbidden Fruit
Sea Sessions
Live @ The Iveagh Gardens
Sligo Live

IMRO Small Music Festival of the Year 2019

Clonakility International Guitar Festival
It Takes A Village
Claremorris Folk Festival
K-Fest Arts Festival
Another Love Story
The Acoustic Yard Festival
Sounds from a Safe Harbour
Ireland Music Week
Kilkenny Tradfest
Doolin Folk Festival

IMRO Tech Crew of the Year 2019

Coughlan's Live Bar and Music Venue
Axis Arts Centre and Theatre
BelloBar
Sea Sessions
Other Voices
Beatyard
Live at St. Luke's
The Sugar Club
Olympia Theatre
The Academy