On October 28, six regional radio winners face off at The Academy in Dublin for the A New Local Hero national prize.
When the doors open at The Academy in Dublin on Wednesday, October 28, the air will be thick with a specific kind of tension. Six acts are taking the stage, and only one will leave with a package estimated at €20,000. This is the national finale of A New Local Hero 2026, a contest that has whittled down a massive nationwide search to these six final contenders.
The group includes Sitting Room, a three-piece from the Kildare/Carlow border who are leading the charge. They are joined by five other regional champions: Groev from Galway, Rebecca Lane from the midlands, RunTheRed from the north west, Shimmer Boy from Cork, and WineMom from the west. This lineup proves that the best new Irish music is not just happening in the capital, but in the communities surrounding it.
The Prize That Changes Trajectories
Cash is important, but the infrastructure behind the winner’s prize is arguably more valuable for a young band. The €20,000 package includes €5,000 in cash, a significant boost for any independent group. However, the real value lies in the recording and release components that follow the cash.
The winner records a single at Camden Recording Studios in Dublin. This is not just a room with mics; it is a prestigious facility that has hosted some of the biggest names in modern music. Following the recording, the track is mixed and mastered by Spéir Mix & Master, a Grammy Award-winning team. Finally, the single is released through Rubyworks, the acclaimed Irish independent label that famously discovered Hozier. For a band coming out of a local radio contest, this is a direct pipeline to the industry’s upper echelons.
How They Got Here
The path to The Academy was not short. It began with an extensive nationwide talent search led by Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland. All 21 local and regional radio stations participated in the process, ensuring that the search covered every corner of the country. Each station had the opportunity to nominate their own Local Hero, creating a grassroots foundation for the competition.
From a shortlist of 21 regional winners, an industry judging panel narrowed the field down to the six finalists we see today. This curation process ensures that the acts reaching the finale have already survived a rigorous local scrutiny. They are not just promising; they are proven in their own communities. The judging panel looked for more than just vocal talent; they sought bands with a distinct identity and the potential to reach a national audience.
Sitting Room’s Local Hero Status
For Sitting Room, this moment validates their work with Kfm, the station that chose them as their regional representative. The band is a tight unit of sisters Aoife and Emily Mulhall from Athy, joined by Ava Somers from Carlow. Their selection highlights the strength of the music scene in the Kildare/Carlow area, which often flies under the radar of the major Dublin-based media.
Reaching this stage is a testament to the band's ability to connect with local listeners and industry professionals alike. They are performing live at the finale, which means their sound must translate from a studio recording to a raw, unfiltered stage performance. This is the true test of the A New Local Hero format, rewarding bands that can deliver under pressure.
The Finalists in Detail
The other five finalists bring a variety of sounds and backgrounds to the table. Groev, from Galway Bay FM, likely brings a distinct western Irish flavor to the mix. Rebecca Lane, chosen by FM104, and RunTheRed, from LMFM, represent the midlands and north west respectively. Shimmer Boy, from Cork’s 96FM, and WineMom, from Radio Nova, complete the list.
Each of these acts has already won the hearts of their local listeners. Now, they must compete for the national spotlight. The diversity of the finalists suggests that there is no single 'Irish sound' that dominates the scene; instead, there is a rich tapestry of regional styles and influences. This makes the finale a genuine celebration of the breadth of Irish music.
What Comes Next
The final is a live showcase, which means the audience and the judges will see the bands in their natural habitat. There is no safety net of studio production; it is all about the performance. The winner will be crowned on the night, and the journey from local hero to national contender will be complete.
For the rest of the music community, this event serves as a reminder of the power of local radio in discovering new talent. It is a system that works, connecting listeners with artists they might never encounter on mainstream playlists. Keep an eye on all six acts, regardless of who takes the crown, because this is where the next big wave of Irish music is forming.