Online voting began December 1 and extends until January 12, 2012 on nominees in 18 categories for the fourth annual Irish Music Awards presented by the Independence, Missouri-based Irish Music Association. Harpist and singer Orla Fallon, a previous winner in several categories and a former member of Celtic Woman, is nominated in three categories this year, while Irish tenor Michael Londra and fiddler Donal McCague each received two nods. The awards are slated to be presented on January 28 at O’Malley’s Pub in Weston, MO., with names and photos of the winners to be posted at www.irishmusicawards.com.

Irish Music Awards nominees for 2011 include:

Top Solo Performer in Concert: Niamh Ni Charra, Méav, Michael Londra, Ryan Kelly

Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue: George Donaldson, Luka Bloom, Mickey Coleman, Tony Cummins

Top Duo in a Pub, Festival, Concert: Ian Walsh and Kevin Buckley, Oristina & Quinn Bachand, The New Barleycorn, The Ryans Irish Band

Top Group: Gaelic Storm, Lúnasa, Brock McGuire Band, The High Kings

Best New Irish Music Artist(s): Ciorras, Fieldstone, The Ryans, The Young Folk

Top Celtic Rock Band: Barleyjuice, Roger Drawdy & the Firestarters, The Kreellers

Best Irish Tenor(individual): Daryl Simpson, Finbar Wright, Michael Londra, Paddy Homan

Best Female Vocalist(individual/trad.): Lisa Kelly, Méav, Orla Fallon, Siobahn Owen

Best Sean-nos Singer: Aine Meenaghan, Brid Ni Mhaoileoin, Iarla Ó Lionáird

Top Traditional Performance Show: Celtic Woman, Kintra, Trad on the Prom, Wild Colonial Bhoys

Top Traditional Group – In Festival, Pub & Concert: Frankie Gavin and DeDannan, McPeake, Slide, Téada

Best New Irish CD: Cara – Long Distance Love, Donal McCague – Bits N Pieces, Orla Fallon – My Land, Royseven – You Say, We Say

Top Harpist: Cormac De Barra, Kavan Donohoe, Orla Fallon, Seana Davey

Top Uilleann Piper: Diarmaid Moynihan, Michael “Piper” Cooney, Tiarnon O’Duinnchinn, Tommy Martin

Top Fiddler: Caitlin Barrett, Cora Smyth, Donal McCague, Kevin Burke

Top Button Accordionist: James Keane, John Whelan, Liam O’Connor, Paddy O’Brien

Tommy Makem Award: Enya, Máirtín de Cógáin, Mick Moloney, Tom Sweeney

Note: This award is presented to an Irish music act that best reflects the performance style, philosophy, and traditional approach to Irish music like that of the late Tommy Makem.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Carmel Quinn, Paddy Keenan, Patrick Healey, Patsy Whelan

Note: This award will be given to someone who has dedicated his/her life to Irish music and continues to be an icon in the Irish music community globally.

Hall of Fame: Phil Lynott (the late front man and primary songwriter for Irish rockers Thin Lizzy)

The Irish Music Association produces, promotes and perpetuates Irish music through sponsored events, festivals, concerts, pub shows, and an annual network production.