Fermanagh was well represented at the 2022 Northern Ireland Country Music Awards, with a number of local country music stars taking home top prizes.
Hosted by Malcolm McDowell, Louise Morrissey and Big T, this year’s awards ceremony took place at the Tullyglass Hotel, Ballymena on February 7 and featured a line-up of stellar performers on the night.
During the ceremony, which was a celebration of Northern Ireland’s top country artists, a number of acts from Fermanagh were honored, including Derek Ryan, Nathan Carter and Lisa McHugh. All the winners of the evening were elected by the public.
The nominees and winners in each category are as follows:
Best Country Dance Group
Nominees: Paul Kelly, Barry Kirwan, Liam Kelly, John McNicholl
Winner: Barry Kirwan Band
Best Dance and Live Music Venue
Nominees: The Ryandale Hotel Moy, The Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena
Silver Birches Hotel Omagh, The Ramble Inn Antrim
Winner: The Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena
Best Country Backing Band
Nominees: Country Harmony, Keltic Storm, Country Features (Robbie Pearson), Curtis Magee.
Winner: Keltic Storm
Favorite Online Lockdown Show
Nominees: Couch Gigs, Stefan Walker, Andy Crawford, John Glenn
Winner: Stefan Walker
Favorite Country Gospel Artist
Nominees: Owen Mac, Billy McFarland, Dominic Kirwan, Crawford Bell
Winner: Billy McFarland
Brian Coll Male Newcomer Award
Nominees: Gavin Gribben, Dale Armstrong, Owen Mac, Andrew McMurdie,
Winner: Owen Mac
Charity Contribution Award
Nominees: Billy McFarland, Crawford Bell, Philomena Begley, Owen Mac
Winner: Crawford Bell
Best Tribute Act
Nominees: Darren Kiernan (Joe Dolan), Gary Gamble (Daniel O’Donnell), Jason Hughes (Garth Brooks), Cash Returns,
Winner: cash back
Favorite Event Companion
Nominees: Gary Gamble, Hugo Duncan, Gary Wilson, Andy Crawford
Winner: Gary Gamble
Best Songwriter
Nominees: Gerard Dornan, Derek Ryan, John Farry, James McGarrity
Winner: Derek Ryan
Gene Stuart Inspiration Award
Nominees: Dale Armstrong, Barry Kirwan, Owen Mac, Jordan Mogey
Winner: Barry Kirwan
sexiest man
Nominees: Johnny Brady, Nathan Carter, John McNicholl, Lee Matthews
Winner: Nathan Carter
The most glamorous woman
Nominees: Cliona Hagan, Susan McCann, Lisa McHugh, Shauna McStravock
Winner: Lisa McHugh
Best Female Newcomer
Nominees: Jamie Donnelly, Sinead Heaney, Rachel McConnell, Kelly Smiley.
Winner: Jamie Donnelly
Presentation of Philomena on 60 years as queen of the country.
Best Single
Nominated: “The Night That Went on For Days” Derek Ryan, “Grandma” by Susan McCann and Sinead Heaney, “You Got Gold” Nathan Carter, “Find the Right Guy” Gavin Gribben
Winner: Grandma by Susan McCann and Sinead Heaney
best album
Nominated: “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” by Owen Mac, “Dolly Parton Songbook” by Cliona Hagan, “Soft Ground” by Derek Ryan, “Little Old Town” by Nathan Carter.
Winner: ‘Soft Ground’ by Derek Ryan
Best music video
Nominees: Grandmother of Susan McCann and Sinead Heaney, “Find the Right Girl” Gavin Gribben, “My Delilah” Owen Mac, “You Got Gold” Nathan Carter
Winner: “Find the right girl” Gavin Gribben
Favorite Country Duo
Nominees: Country Harmony, The Benn Sisters, Thomas and Fhiona Maguire, Country Features
Winner: The Benn Sisters
Favorite TV presenter
Nominees: Shauna McStravock, Paul Kelly, Natasha Magee, Caitlin Murtagh
Winner: Natasha Magee (Irish TV Hour Sky Spotlight)
Favorite Country Radio Presenter
Nominees: Big T Downtown, Hugo Duncan BBC, Ralph McClean BBC, Stuart Banford Downtown.
Winner: Big T
Best Male
Nominees: John Rafferty, Nathan Carter, John McNicholl, Owen Mac
Winner: Nathan Carter
Best Female Artist
Nominees: Lisa McHugh, Patrica Maguire, Cliona Hagan, Susan McCann
Winner: Susan McCann
Ireland’s favorite country star
Nominees: Daniel O’Donnell, Nathan Carter, Derek Ryan, Mike Denver
Winner: Derek Ryan