CMAT Wins RTÉ Choice Music Prize for Euro-Country
CMAT has been awarded the RTÉ Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year for her critically acclaimed album, Euro-Country. The announcement was made on Thursday night, March 5, 2026, at a ceremony held in Vicar Street, Dublin, by Barry Devlin of Horslips [Irish Times].
Second Choice Music Prize Win for CMAT
This marks the second time CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, has received the Album of the Year honor. She previously won the award in 2022 for her debut album, If My Wife Knew I’d Be Dead [Irish Times]. In addition to the Album of the Year prize, CMAT was also named Irish Artist of the Year at the ceremony [Hot Press].
Prize and Recognition
CMAT will receive a prize of €10,000, provided by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) [Irish Times]. All shortlisted acts will also receive a specially commissioned award.
Amble Also Recognized
The band Amble also had a successful night, winning Irish Song of the Year for their track “Schoolyard Days,” which was selected by public vote [Hot Press]. They were further honored with the Breakthrough Irish Artist of the Year award [Hot Press].
Classic Irish Album Award
Horslips were honored with the Classic Irish Album award for their 1973 LP, The Táin [Hot Press].
2025 Album of the Year Shortlist
- Amble – Reverie
- Bricknasty – Black’s Law
- Joshua Burnside – Teeth of Time
- CMAT – EURO-COUNTRY
- Dove Ellis – Blizzard
- Junior Brother – The End
- Just Mustard – WE WERE JUST HERE
- pôt-pot – Warsaw 480km
- Maria Somerville – Luster
- SPRINTS – All That Is Over
The RTÉ Choice Music Prize, established in 2005, annually recognizes the best in Irish recorded music. Previous winners of the Album of the Year award include Fontaines D.C. In 2025 for Romance and Lankum in 2024 for False Lankum [Irish Times].