A singer-songwriter from Wicklow has been shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize.
Fionn Regan, from Bray, has been nominated for his critically acclaimed album The End Of History.
He is one of 12 acts nominated for the award, with the early favourites soul songstress Amy Winehouse and Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys.
Bookmaker William Hill rates Regan a 10-1 chance to scoop the coveted award. The End Of History, Regan's debut album, was praised for mixing folk music with conversational lyrics, and he played at the Glastonbury Festival last month.
The winner will be announced on September 4th in London. The prize is open to British and Irish acts who have released an album in the past year and covers all genres of music.
Renowned for honouring obscure acts for the award, last year the Mercury judges surprised many by going for the people's choice in Arctic Monkeys. Industry experts predict the judges may revert to type by choosing a more obscure act this time.