Fermanagh was well represented at the Northern Ireland Country Music Awards 2022, with a number of local Country music stars winning top awards.

Hosted by Malcolm McDowell, Louise Morrissey and Big T, this year's awards ceremony took place at the Tullyglass Hotel, Ballymena on February 7 and featured a stellar line up of performers on the night.

During the ceremony, which was a celebration of Northern Ireland's finest Country artists, a number of Fermanagh acts were presented with awards including Derek Ryan, Nathan Carter and Lisa McHugh. All winners on the night were voted by the public.

The nominees and winners of each category are as follows:

Best Country Dance Band

Nominees: Paul Kelly, Barry Kirwan, Liam Kelly, John McNicholl

Winner: Barry Kirwan Band

Best Dancing and Live Music Venue

Nominees: The Ryandale Hotel Moy, The Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena

Silver Birches Hotel Omagh, The Ramble Inn Antrim

Winner: The Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena

Best Country Backing Band

Nominees: Country Harmony, Keltic Storm, Country Features (Robbie Pearson), Curtis Magee.

Winner: Keltic Storm

Favourite online lockdown show

Nominees: Concerts on the Couch, Stefan Walker, Andy Crawford, John Glenn

Winner: Stefan Walker

Favourite Country Gospel Artist

Nominees: Owen Mac, Billy McFarland, Dominic Kirwan, Crawford Bell

Winner: Billy McFarland

Brian Coll Male Newcomer Award

Nominees: Gavin Gribben, Dale Armstrong, Owen Mac, Andrew McMurdie,

Winner: Owen Mac

Contribution to Charity Award

Nominees: Billy McFarland, Crawford Bell, Philomena Begley, Owen Mac

Winner: Crawford Bell

Best Tribute Act

Nominees: Darren Kiernan (Joe Dolan), Gary Gamble (Daniel O’Donnell) Jason Hughes (Garth Brooks), Cash Returns,

Winner: Cash Returns

Favourite Event Compère

Nominees: Gary Gamble, Hugo Duncan, Gary Wilson, Andy Crawford

Winner: Gary Gamble

Best Songwriter

Nominees: Gerard Dornan, Derek Ryan, John Farry, James McGarrity

Winner: Derek Ryan

Gene Stuart Inspiration Award

Nominees: Dale Armstrong, Barry Kirwan, Owen Mac, Jordan Mogey

Winner: Barry Kirwan

Sexiest Male

Nominees: Johnny Brady, Nathan Carter, John McNicholl, Lee Matthews

Winner: Nathan Carter

Most Glamourous Female

Nominees: Cliona Hagan, Susan McCann, Lisa McHugh, Shauna McStravock

Winner: Lisa McHugh

Best Female Newcomer

Nominees: Jamie Donnelly, Sinead Heaney, Rachel McConnell, Kelly Smiley.

Winner: Jamie Donnelly

Philomena Presentation on 60 years as Queen of Country.

Best Single

Nominees: ‘The Night That Went on For Days’ Derek Ryan, ‘Grandma’ by Susan McCann and Sinead Heaney, ‘You Got Gold’ Nathan Carter, ‘Find the Right Guy’ Gavin Gribben

Winner: Grandma by Susan McCann and Sinead Heaney

Best Album

Nominees: ‘How Beautiful Heaven Must Be’ Owen Mac, ‘Dolly Parton Songbook’ Cliona Hagan, ‘Soft Ground’ by Derek Ryan, ‘Little Old Town’ Nathan Carter.

Winner: ‘Soft Ground’ by Derek Ryan

Best Music Video

Nominees: Grandma by Susan McCann and Sinead Heaney, ‘Find the Right Girl’ Gavin Gribben, ‘My Delilah’ Owen Mac, ‘You Got Gold’ Nathan Carter

Winner: ‘Find the Right Girl’ Gavin Gribben

Favourite Country Duo

Nominees: Country Harmony, The Benn Sisters, Thomas and Fhiona Maguire, Country Features

Winner: The Benn Sisters

Favourite Tv Presenter

Nominees: Shauna McStravock, Paul Kelly, Natasha Magee, Caitlin Murtagh

Winner: Natasha Magee (Irish Hour Sky Spotlight Tv)

Favourite Country Radio Presenter

Nominees: Big T Downtown, Hugo Duncan BBC, Ralph McClean BBC, Stuart Banford Downtown.

Winner: Big T

Best Male

Nominees: John Rafferty, Nathan Carter, John McNicholl, Owen Mac

Winner: Nathan Carter

Best Female Artist

Nominees: Lisa McHugh, Patrica Maguire, Cliona Hagan, Susan McCann

Winner: Susan McCann

Ireland’s Favourite Country Star

Nominees: Daniel O’Donnell, Nathan Carter, Derek Ryan, Mike Denver

Winner: Derek Ryan