Dublin, Ireland – Emerging Irish band Amble has been awarded the prestigious RTÉ Choice Music Prize Song of the Year for their track “Schoolyard Days.” The announcement, made live on Thursday morning on The Tracy Clifford Show on RTÉ 2FM, comes just hours before the band is set to perform at the live awards event at Vicar Street this evening. The win marks a significant milestone for the trio, signaling a rising trajectory in the Irish music scene.
The RTÉ Choice Music Prize, now in its 21st year, celebrates excellence in Irish recorded music. Established in 2005, the prize has become a cornerstone of the Irish music calendar, recognizing both established and emerging talent. The Song of the Year award specifically acknowledges outstanding songwriting and musical artistry. This year’s event features performances from seven of the ten nominated acts, promising a vibrant showcase of Irish musical innovation. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2FM from 7-11pm, hosted by Beta Da Silva.
Amble’s Journey to Recognition
For Amble, the win is particularly poignant. Band member Ross McNerney shared that attending the RTÉ Choice Music Prize as a fan in 2016, witnessing Lankum’s Album of the Year win, was a formative experience. “I was here in 2016 when Lankum won one Album of the Year and that was my first time seeing them,” McNerney recounted. “And I just came as a punter, as a music fan, and to be here in 2026 getting to play on the stage, it’s something I never thought of then. So, Here’s a celebration of Irish music, and we’re just proud to be a part of that.” This personal connection underscores the significance of the award for the band, transforming them from audience members to celebrated performers.
The band members expressed their surprise and gratitude upon hearing the news. “It’s unbelievable,” they said collectively, adding that they were “very, very happy, and delighted.” Robbie Cunningham of Amble emphasized the unexpected nature of awards recognition, stating, “It’s something that you don’t think about when you’re writing songs or playing music. You don’t write the songs for awards, but when you do get nominated, it is a lovely moment to sit back and soak in what’s really happened in the last couple of years.” Oisín McCaffrey echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude to voters across Ireland and acknowledging the influence of artists they admired in the past. “There’s a lot of people taking the stage tonight for the awards gig, people we looked up to for years,” McCaffrey said. “I was in college in Galway listening to those people five or six years ago now – and now to share the stage with them is surreal, genuinely, and we’re very, very grateful for the whole thing.”
A Busy Year Ahead for the Rising Band
The Song of the Year award isn’t the only good news for Amble. The band is poised for a busy 2026, with a packed schedule of performances and recording commitments. Cunningham revealed that Amble will be supporting Dermot Kennedy on his European tour and will as well join Ed Sheeran for select dates in America. “We’re supporting Dermot Kennedy around Europe, and then we are lined up for a couple of dates with Ed Sheeran in America, as well as our own, so we’re going to be busy men again in 2026,” he stated. The band confirmed they are currently working on their second album, promising new music for their growing fanbase. The band also expressed a desire to maintain their close-knit dynamic, hoping that the core group of musicians and their team will remain intact as they navigate their increasing success.
The RTÉ Choice Music Prize event at Vicar Street will also announce the Irish Album of the Year, Irish Artist of the Year, and Irish Breakthrough Artist of the Year. The Classic Irish Album will be announced next month on RTÉ Gold’s Will Leahy Show, with a full album play and additional mentions on RTÉ 2FM and Dan Hegarty’s show. The prize money of €10,000, provided by IMRO and IRMA, will be presented to the Album of the Year winner at the live event. The event also includes the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Conversations, a series of music industry discussion panels taking place at BIMM, Francis St, Dublin, from 12:00-16:30 on Thursday, March 5th. These panels will bring together artists and industry professionals to address key issues facing the music sector.
The Choice Music Prize isn’t solely focused on awards; it’s a platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration within the Irish music industry. The “Conversations” component, featuring topical discussions, highlights the prize’s commitment to supporting the broader ecosystem of Irish music. Official project partners for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize include RAAP, Culture Ireland, FMC, Minding Creative Minds, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet, and Coimisiún na Meán.
The Significance of “Schoolyard Days”
Even as details surrounding the song “Schoolyard Days” are currently limited, its selection as Song of the Year underscores its resonance with both the judging panel and the Irish public. The RTÉ Choice Music Prize judging panel comprises eleven Irish music media professionals and industry experts, ensuring a diverse and informed assessment of nominated works. The song’s lyrical content and musical arrangement clearly struck a chord, setting it apart from a competitive field of nominees. Further analysis of the song’s themes and musical style is expected as Amble’s profile continues to rise.
The band’s success comes at a time of growing recognition for Irish music internationally. The RTÉ Choice Music Prize plays a vital role in showcasing this talent and providing a platform for Irish artists to reach a wider audience. The live event at Vicar Street, coupled with the extensive coverage on RTÉ 2FM, ensures that Amble’s achievement will be celebrated across the country and beyond.
Live coverage of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize continues on RTÉ 2FM throughout the evening. For more music news, visit RTÉ Entertainment’s music section.
The next key event will be the full announcement of all RTÉ Choice Music Prize winners tonight at Vicar Street, followed by the broadcast on RTÉ 2FM. We encourage readers to share their thoughts on Amble’s win and the broader Irish music scene in the comments below.