The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) has announced their annual Live Music Venue of the Year nominees.  The IMRO awards celebrate the dedication and passion of those who work in Ireland’s live music venues, providing the public with an exceptional live music experience, week in, week out. Live music venues and festivals play a vital role in the music industry in Ireland, giving international and homegrown artists a platform to engage with fans and build new audiences. The seventh IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards will take place on Tuesday February 3rd at their headquarters in Dublin. Speaking at the shortlist announcement, IMRO Chief Executive Victor Finn said: “Over the years these Awards have become a much sought after industry accolade. They also highlight the vital economic and social contribution that venues and festivals make to local economies and the enormous role they play in providing a public platform for Irish & international songwriters and performers”. The IMRO National Live Music Venue of the Year is decided upon by the public, who vote for their live music venue of the year from the combined shortlist of all the regions. To vote, simply log on to imrovenueawards and select your favourite venue from the shortlist provided. Votes must be cast by February 2nd. IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year/Festival of the Year 2014 Shortlist IMRO Dublin Live Music Venue of the Year 2014 The Grand Social, Dublin 1 Sweeney’s, Dublin 2 Vicar St, Dublin 8 Whelan’s, Dublin 2 The Academy, Dublin 1 IMRO Rest of Leinster Live Music Venue of the Year 2014 Cleere’s Bar & Theatre, Kilkenny Katie Daly’s Cellar Bar, Wexford Number 1, Mullingar, Westmeath The Set Theatre, Kilkenny Wexford Arts Centre IMRO Connacht Live Music Venue of the Year 2014 The Quays Bar, Galway Monroes, Galway Roisin Dubh, Galway Matt Molloy’s, Mayo Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo IMRO Munster Live Music Venue of the Year 2014 Coughlan’s, Cork De Barra’s, Cork Dolans, Limerick Siamsa Tire, Tralee, Kerry University Concert Hall, Limerick IMRO Ulster Live Music Venue of the Year 2014 Mc Kenna’s Bar, Monaghan Voodoo Venue, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal McGrory’s of Culdaff, Donegal Hotel Kilmore, Cavan McGinley’s, Letterkenny, Co Donegal IMRO Music Festival of the Year 2014 Body & Soul Sea Sessions Surf & Music Festival Cork Jazz Festival The Baltimore Fiddle Fair Electric Picnic Music & Arts Festival Indiependence Music & Arts Festival Kilkenny Roots Festival Spiegeltent Festival Wexford Vantastival Longitude