SUSAN MCCANN has been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at The Irish Post Country Music Awards 2018 in Derry.
The Armagh songstress, nicknamed the 'First Lady of Irish country’, was honoured for her achievements in the industry over more than four decades.
An enduring talent who can boast of international popularity, McCann has recorded over 650 songs and has a whopping 15 gold and platinum disks under her belt.
The singer has toured around the world and performed at a number of iconic venues, including Carnegie Hall and Dollywood in the US - and has even sung for former US Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush.
Sár cheoltóirí tíre na hÉireann ar aon stáitse amháin, ní dhéanfaidh muid dearmad ar an oíche seo #IPCMA @theirishpost pic.twitter.com/7bC2rVg2dn
— TG4 (@TG4TV) September 11, 2018
The singer has regularly found chart success in her home country since the 1970s, having achieved her first Number 1 single in the Irish pop charts in 1977 with her hit 'Big Tom is Still the King'.
She made her first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry two years later and took home the European Star Award in 1980.
The 68-year-old is also well-known for the hit 'String of Diamonds' and has continued to release new material in recent years.
McCann has done an incredible amount to put Irish country music on the map across the globe and her honour is richly deserved.
Elsewhere, there were double honours for Carlow singer Derek Ryan who took home the awards for Best Country Male and Best Country Songwriter, while Tyrone songstress Cliona Hagan was named Best Country Female.
THE IRISH POST COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS 2018 - AND THE WINNERS ARE...
- Best Country Newcomer Award: The Ward Sisters
- Best Country Video Award 2018: Olivia Douglas - Leaving Tipperary
- Best Country Female Award 2018: Cliona Hagan
- Best Country Male Award 2018: Derek Ryan
- Best Country Single Award 2018: Lisa McHugh - Who I am
- Best Country Album Award 2018: Philomena Begley - My Life, My Music, My Memories
- Best Country Songwriter Award 2018: Derek Ryan
- Lifetime Achievement Award 2018: Susan McCann
