Irish TV, the brainchild of Pierce O’Reilly from Westport and his wife Mairead Ni Mhaoilchiarain from Donegal, will host their first ever country music awards show in Armagh on Monday 24 August.

The event will be broadcast live on Sky 191 and will feature a host of major names from the Irish country circuit.

From small beginnings, Irish TV has become the home of all things Irish, leaving the other massively funded national stations in the shade when it comes to covering events outside of Dublin.

John Griffin, the London-based business man with strong roots in Mayo and Kerry, is the person who has made it all possible.

He liked the ethos behind the venture from the outset and came on board. His financial backing for the project is the reason why Irish TV is now reaching out to an international audience, with the slogan: Local Stories Global Audience.

Pierce O’Reilly says they are looking forward to a major weekend in Armagh and a full production team is in place to bring the glamour of the night to their ever increasing audience on Irish TV.

“The show will feature Nathan Carter, Lisa McHugh, Susan McCann, Robert Mizzell, Philomena Begley, Mike Denver, Jimmy Buckley, Declan Nerney, Gerry Guthrie, Mary Duff, Louise Morrissey, Johnny Brady, Lee Matthews, John McNicholl, Shane Owens and many more.

“We had a huge response to the nomination process and patrons and viewers are assured of a great night. Country music forms a strong part of our output and we are very much aware of its appeal throughout the country.

“If anyone was in any doubt about its place at the heart of country life, all we need do is look back at the phenomenal response we had to the Big Tom Tribute Night in Castleblayney earlier this year. That show generated a massive response, both here at home in Ireland and over in the UK,” says Pierce.

Irish TV will also have a major presence at the National Ploughing in Ratheniska, Co Laois, next month.

“Patrons of the Ploughing Championships have a national affinity with what we do. We are very much in touch with rural Ireland and we will be broadcasting live from Laois on the three days of the biggest rural festival in Europe,” adds Pierce.

The Mayo man also confirms that Irish TV is hoping to broadcast four GAA specials ahead of the All-Ireland hurling and football finals.

“This year, we are planning to host special live broadcasts from the counties involved in both finals, speaking to some well known sports people in the counties, and featuring reflections, music and chat the week before the hurling and football games.”

In the meantime, the focus for music fans is on the awards night in Armagh on 24 August. This will be preceded on the Sunday night by a special show for early arrivals, featuring Lisa McHugh, Susan McCann, Malachi Cush, Hugo Duncan, Philomena Begley, and Lee Matthews.

Tickets for the Monday night show are £25 and are available from the hotel reception.