Following the success of last year’s competition, the second RAAP/RTÉ Breakthrough Bursary has been launched. Bands and musicians are invited to submit material for inclusion, with €20,000 divided between four categories: folk/trad, rock/pop/dance, classical/jazz and country/roots/bluegrass. A large group of industry folk will judge. The panel includes Mary Black, Paul Walsh of Royseven and Fiachna Ó Braonáin of The Hothouse Flowers.

The winner in last year’s folk/trad category, Alice Jago, said the prize money proved essential to the funding of her second album and the experience “provided great encouragement”.

As well as the financial boost, the winners are guaranteed prime-time airplay on RTÉ Radio. Hopeful musicians have until August 9th to enter at rte.ie/breakthrough. A shortlist will be released in September, with winners in each category announced on September 20th.