An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny is IMRO’s Ulster Venue Of The Year.
YESTERDAY evening An Griaán Theatre in Letterkenny was named Ulster Venue Of The Year at the much-anticipated 6th IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards.
An Grianán has been nominated every year since the awards began in 2008. The Director of An Grianán Theatre, Patricia McBride, was delighted with the award.
“It’s certainly nice to get it, we had some amazing live music gigs last year with the likes of David Gray, Josh Ritter, In Their Thousands and others packing the place out. All of them commented on the fact it is a special venue to play: that the acoustics are superb, that the technical and front of house staff are so helpful and that the audiences are really respectful and so responsive.
“We’re proud that we are quickly becoming many artists favourite venue to play’. Indeed Glen Hansard’s accolade that it is ‘the best room in Ireland’ is proudly framed on An Grianán greenroom wall,” she said.
Last year An Grianán put in a new Turbosound P.A. which has brought the quality of the sound up even further. “It was a considerable expense, but that’s what we are about, we’re not about making the most money, we’re about the artist and the audience, and providing the best possible experience for both, and this was an investment in that experience.
“We took it up a notch last year and we feel that our hard work and investment is being recognised in this award,” said Ms McBride.
The awards ceremony, hosted by 2FM’s Paddy McKenna, saw performances from Kodaline, singer/songwriter Gavin James, I Am The Cosmos and Donegal’s own Eve Murtagh. “Eve performed at An Grianán on Culture Night alongside Ruairi Friel and certainly caught everyone’s ear,” said Daithi Ramsay, Marketing Manager of An Grianán.
“She’s part of a wealth of talent in the North West making inroads into the national and international scene which includes Derry talent Soak and Downings’ Rosie Carney, both of whom have signed major deals in the past year, and of course In Their Thousands who played a remarkable gig to a full house over Christmas.
“We also have some great gigs lined up ahead including The Henry Girls, Cara Dillon and Winter Mountain, Kieran Goss, and The Webb Sisters who are part of Leonard Cohen’s band. And we’re always on the lookout for more.”
The annual awards are voted for by over 8,500 IMRO members. Keith Donald, IMRO Chairman said: “The IMRO Live Music Venue of The Year Awards is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the hard work, vision and creativity that the live music venue and festival sectors deliver week in, week out throughout Ireland”.
An Grianán Theatre will be holding a celebration night this Saturday with The Henry Girls, who will be launching their new album ‘More Than Words’, and the Inishowen Gospel Choir. For more information go online www.angrianan.com or call 074 91 20777.