It always sounds like a platitude when people say stuff like 'Irish music is in rude health at the moment' – but the truth is that the scene has never been as diverse as it is right now. Whether it's pop, r'n'b, soul, opera, rock, hip-hop or otherwise, young Irish musicians are making their mark on the genre of their choosing.

More to the point, there are some absolutely wonderful women making brilliant music at the moment – so in celebration of International Women's Day, we've narrowed down a selection of the newcomers on the scene for your listening pleasure.

1. LOAH

An artist that feels like she's been about to explode internationally for the last couple of years, Loah's unique style is down to her Sierra Leonean heritage and her Irish upbringing. The result is a gorgeous blend of soul, pop and even elements of jazz – all topped off with a voice that'll send shivers down your spine.

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2. MARLENE ENRIGHT

The Corkwoman has had a big year thanks to her solo debut album 'Placemats & Second Cuts', which earned a nomination for the Choice Music Prize – and thoroughly deserved it was, too. Beautifully considered, melodic, charming pop music and really well-written songs.

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3. TARA ERRAUGHT

Unless you're an opera aficionado you may not be aware of Tara Erraught – but the young Navan woman has been killing it on Europe's opera scene, most notably with the Bavarian State Opera, and has sung in most of the major houses around the globe – including New York's Metropolitan Opera last year.

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4. WYVERN LINGO

We'd been waiting years for this Bray trio to release their debut album, and thankfully it's been worth it. A slinky combination of pop, r'n'b, finger-clicking soul and swoonsome harmonies, it's exactly what Irish music needs right now.

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5. AINE CAHILL

The young Cavan woman seemingly came out of nowhere in 2015 after a slot on the BBC's Glastonbury coverage catapulted her skywards – but dismiss her as a Lana Del Rey soundalike at your peril. Cahill's knockout voice and sophisticated, soulful pop songs are impossible to resist – and she's only getting started.

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6. BITCH FALCON 

It's true that Bitch Falcon aren't 100% female in their make-up, but while drummer Nigel Kenny and bassist Barry O'Sullivan are an undoubtedly integral part of the Dublin rockers, the real star is singer, songwriter and guitarist Lizzie Fitzpatrick (sorry, lads). This is deliciously angsty, ferocious, grungy rock music – they just don't make 'em like this anymore.

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7. SOULÉ

Another Irish artist of African extraction, both aspects of Soulé aka Samantha Kay's heritage come together in a blaze of irresistible, upbeat, insanely catchy and impossibly fun r'n'b , occasionally with a '90s throwback slant. She should be huge. She will be huge.

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8. AE MAK

A four-piece led by Aoife McCann, this Dublin band are on the rise thanks to their quirky take on alternative pop, with songs like 'I Can Feel It In My Bones' sounding like a tribal incantation and 'Celestial' and the electronic undercurrent of 'Glow' evoking the likes of Bjork and Chvrches, respectively.

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9. SORCHA RICHARDSON

Dublin native Sorcha Richardson left Ireland for New York at the tender age of 19, where she found her musical feet and began developing her sound. Her journey has taken her from bedroom folk to strident alt-pop and more recently, glistening electronica. We can't wait to see where she goes next.

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10. KATIE LAFFAN

It's hard to pigeonhole Katie Laffan. Is she a bedroom pop artist? Or is that experimental hip-hop? Then again, there's a bit of rock in that song... and elements of '90s soul in another. The Dubliner's new EP 'Spacer' succinctly sums up her wildly eclectic sound, but it's all good, wholesome creative stuff.