The Ivors Academy has formally launched its first dedicated presence in Ireland, marking a significant moment for songwriters and composers across the island. After more than eighty years championing music writers in the UK, the Academy’s expansion signals a deeper, long-term commitment to advocacy, protection and recognition for Irish creators, at a moment when questions of fair pay, AI and authors’ rights have never felt more urgent.

The new Ireland-based chapter moves the Academy beyond awards alone and into sustained, on-the-ground support. It creates a dedicated home for songwriters and composers working across all genres and career stages, strengthening their collective voice in industry and policy conversations at both national and EU level.

Irish writers have long been central to The Ivors’ story. Over seven decades, the Ivor Novello Awards have celebrated songwriting excellence from artists including U2, Hozier, CMAT, Orla Gartland, Fontaines D.C., Lankum and the late Shane MacGowan. This launch marks a shift from recognition to representation, from applause to infrastructure.

That move has been widely welcomed by Irish music figures. The Edge, Fellow of The Ivors Academy, described the expansion as timely in a fast-moving, tech-driven landscape, underlining the need to protect human creativity and the people behind it. Orla Gartland echoed that sentiment, pointing to Ireland’s global cultural reputation and the importance of ensuring songwriters are properly protected and paid at both an individual and national level.

Central to the new chapter is the appointment of Catherine Martin as Head of Policy, Ireland. Martin brings extensive experience from her time as Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, where she led reforms that placed creators’ livelihoods and wellbeing at the centre of cultural policy, including the landmark Basic Income for the Arts pilot. In her new role, she will lead policy development in Ireland while reporting to Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy.

With a formal base in Ireland, the Academy will now deepen engagement around key issues shaping music creators’ futures: copyright, fair terms, remuneration and the rapidly evolving implications of AI. Irish members will have greater opportunities to feed directly into campaigns and policy discussions through the Academy’s member-led structures, strengthening representation at European level.

Industry bodies have also welcomed the move. IMRO Chair Eleanor McEvoy described the launch as a meaningful step toward amplifying the voice of Irish songwriters and composers, while Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriter Iain Archer highlighted the growing urgency of ensuring creators’ survival in an increasingly complex music economy. “This is such a positive step in representing the interests of songwriters and composers across Ireland. Ensuring the survival of music creators grows more pressing by the day, and I am delighted to see Catherine Martin join us in this exciting new chapter for The Ivors Academy.”

For Irish songwriters and composers, this moment feels consequential. It recognises a long history of musical excellence, but more importantly, it builds a framework for the future.