Arts Council apologises for mistakenly telling 141 artists they had won 'life-changing' award

Cork Filmmaker Brendan Canty, who directed the music video for Hozier’s ‘Take Me To Church’, said the error was “shocking”.

More than 140 artists were incorrectly told they had won a “highly competitive” and “life-changing” award in a “shocking” error by the Arts Council of Ireland.

A follow-up email sent just a few minutes later clarified the initial email had been issued in error and rescinded the award, leaving dozens of artists in a state of shock and disappointment.