Fiach nominated in Hot Press music magazine poll
Singer songwriter Fiach Moriarty has been shortlisted for a Hot Press music award
MUSICIAN and Carlow resident Fiach Moriarty has been shortlisted for the 2026 – better known as the ‘Hotties’ – in the best folk/trad (Irish) category.
The readers' poll, which is an iconic part of the Irish music scene’s year, allows music fans to vote for their favourite artists and projects in the previous year.
There is stiff competition in the folk/trad category, which includes Palatine brothers Diarmuid and Brían Mac Gloinn of Ye Vagabonds, Lankum, Lisa O’Neill and rising Donegal star Muireann Bradley. However, Fiach is not too concerned about the outcome.
“It is nice to be mentioned alongside some other great acts and friends of mine, who are probably a bit more established. You don't play music for these things, but they are nice when they come along as well,” says Fiach.
The ‘Hottie’ shortlist comes just after Fiach’s collaboration on the winning song in this year's Pan Celtic Festival, along with his wife Clara Hutchinson and poet Dave Barron.
The song, which is titled , meaning nature destroyed, initially started out as a poem written by Dave about the destruction of the environment and how we no longer hear certain sounds from nature, such as the sound of the curlew and corncrake.
Fiach, who has attended Pan Celtic events in the past, explains how he was enticed into getting involved as a participant.
“I have been at the Pan Celtic National Song Contest before, but this was the first year I entered it and that was at the insistence or encouragement of Dave Barron who wanted me to put a song to the poem,” says Fiach.
“So, I put a nice melody to it and then Dave suggested my wife, Clara Hutchinson sing it. We weren't really expecting much from it. I was just like, sure we’ll put it in and see what happens,” he says, adding that it was a huge honour for the trio to represent Ireland against contestants from the other Celtic nations.
Fiach will be laying low over the coming months in terms of live gigs and festivals. However, he will be performing a couple of shows with ALDOC on guitar.
ALDOC are a unique group that blend traditional Irish music with influences from around the world, such as the New Zealand roots reggae scene.
ALDOC was formed by Alan Doherty, known for his contribution to , as well as for being the frontman of Gráda.
Carlow football supporters who travelled to Dublin for the recent National League Division 4 final will be familiar with one of ALDOC’s tunes, which is a regular feature at GAA HQ.
“There’s a song that some of the people in Carlow would have heard recently. When the teams run out in Croke Park, there is an ALDOC song called that plays, so people who are regular visitors to Croke Park will instantly recognise it,” says Fiach.
Catch Fiach and ALDOC play The Tower, Carlow on 26 September and you can also see them perform at Forest Fest in Emo, Co Laois, which runs from Friday to Sunday, 24 to 26 July.
To vote for Fiach or for Ye Vagabonds go to https://www.hotpress.com/culture/shortlists-announced-in-hotties-2026-vote-now-in-the-hot-press-readers-poll-23136668
