THE FOUNDERS OF Ballyshannon’s ‘Sound Man Of The Year Awards’ are calling on other towns around the country to pay homage to their own local lads.

The SMOTY awards are now in their eighth year, and thrive on the motto:

We are hoors for Sound.

Hailing Ballyshannon as the birthplace of sound men, the awards have been:

Spokesperson for SMOTY Ciaran McLoone told DailyEdge.ie:

It’s about community, friendship and pride of place. Ballyshannon is a town which suffered very badly from the recession and is very much still suffering but we want to champion all that is great about the town and the people doing great work in the town.

There are some stipulations though:

This year’s awards show will be held in the town on 27 December and will see three awards bestowed on the men of Ballyshannon; Young Sound Man of the Year, International Sound Man of the Year and Sound Man of the Year.

A video promoting the awards celebrates the Ballyshannon men dotted around the world – in America, Australia, the UK, Saudi Arabia…

Now the organisers want to see other towns take up the idea.

McLoone says:

Its give them the opportunity to bring friends together, give a great reason for people to stay connected throughout the year. Let them get together and promote their own towns and villages and what is great about them.

The group organises quarterly gatherings in Dublin, while the chapter in London does the same. The Young Sound Men have also founded a football team.

Interested in establishing the SMOTY awards in your town? Get in touch with the organisers and check out their Facebook page.

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