Critics deem 2010 a strong year for Irish music with Villagers one of the acts making a mark.
With a Mercury prize nomination, critically acclaimed live shows and an album considered to be one of the best of 2010, it was a very successful twelve months for Dublin based Conor O'Brien and his band, Villagers.
It's been an incredible year for Conor O'Brien, who performs as Villagers.
Villagers was just one of many Irish acts who will look back on 2010 as a good year. Exciting live performances and well received albums made 2010 one of the best years for Irish music in some time.
Journalist Una Mullaly says the most interesting thing about Irish music right now is the diversity offered from bands like Adebisi Shank, And So I Watch You From Afar, Fight Like Apes and Ham Sandwich.
Musicians and fans are looking forward with optimism to what the new year will bring. Conor O'Brien plans to bring more discipline to his writing.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 January 2011. The reporter is Sinéad Crowley.
