The winner of the Shannonside Northern Sound Local Music Hero competition has been chosen.
Last month saw four groups perform live on Shannonside Northern Sound for the chance to win cash and prizes to the value of €10,000 as part of the national leg of the competition.
Laura Jo from Longford has been chosen to represent Shannonside Northern Sound as their Irish Music Month representative, with the grand showcase set to take place at the end of the month.
Over 120 submissions we're received from across the region, with the overall winner set to receive €5,000 in cash and a further €5,000 in music equipment.
Laura Jo was surprised with the news this afternoon by Paul Carrington, as the musician got ready for a St Patrick Day's performance in Tanzania:
'I am so overwhlemed . I can't believe it. I am actually in Tanzania in Africa performing here in one hour for the Irish ambassador Mary O'Neil.
We have some Ministers and delegates over from Ireland so we are waiting to go to this gig in the next five minutes.'