The stars of Irish country music will gather for the inaugural RTÉ Irish Country Music Awards, in association with the Irish Farmers Journal, on Friday 24 June.

This live ninety minute broadcast on RTÉ One promises to be the biggest ever celebration of country singers and performers in partnership with the Irish Country Music Association (ICMA), the body that represents the biggest names in country music.

Daniel O’Donnell will host this star-studded ceremony and will perform at the event. Coming live from RTÉ studios, the awards will also feature special performances from some of Irish country music’s biggest acts including, Nathan Carter, Big Tom McBride, Derek Ryan, Michael English, Mike Denver, Lisa McHugh, Jimmy Buckley, Jim Devine and Philomena Begley.

Your chance to vote

Awards up for grabs on the night include: Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Live Act of the Year, Video of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Winners will be decided by an independent committee set up by the Irish Country Music Association.

The highly-coveted ICMA Entertainer of the Year will be one of two categories open to a public vote. The nominees will be announced tomorrow night and the public will be able to vote for their favourite artist of the year on farmersjournal.ie.

The nation will also have the chance to choose Ireland’s All Time Favourite Country Song, a category that reflects an array of hit tunes over the past years. The public will be able to vote for their All Time Favourite Country Song through farmersjournal.ie from Saturday night.

The pioneers of the Irish country music scene will also be honoured at the ceremony with the RTÉ ICMA Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement awards.

Daniel O’Donnell commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be hosting the first ever RTÉ Irish Country Music Awards. It will undoubtedly be a great night of celebration for the stars for Irish country music and also importantly for all our loyal fans. I’m looking forward to gathering in RTÉ with the biggest names in the business to recognise the best of country music past and present.

It’s going to be an exciting few weeks and we want country music fans to get voting for their all-time favourite country song and artist of the year

Head of Comedy, Talent Development and Music, Eddie Doyle said: “I’m delighted to be announcing the inaugural RTÉ Irish Country Music Awards on RTÉ One in partnership with the Irish County Music Association. It’s an opportunity not only for a great show but also to recognise some of the country’s greatest acts for their achievements in music. This live televised event will be an exciting night of one-off performances and unique musical collaborations in a music genre that is enjoying a huge revival.”

Mairead Lavery, Irish Farmers Journal said: “The Irish Farmers Journal is delighted to be the sponsor of the RTÉ Irish Country Music Awards. These awards are a welcome recognition of how popular country music has become with all ages and right across the country. It’s going to be an exciting few weeks and we want country music fans to get voting for their all-time favourite country song and artist of the year."

EXCLUSIVE: WIN AUDIENCE TICKETS!

The Irish Farmers Journal has been given 80 tickets to giveaway to readers for the Irish Country Music Awards Night on 24 June. This is the only way in which country music fans can get their hands on tickets for the biggest country music event of the year!

To win 1 of 40 pairs of tickets, readers simply need to collect 3 tokens from any of the following editions of the Irish Farmers Journal: 26 May, 2 June and 9 June issues. For more details see next week's print edition.