The RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards are annual awards presented by

RTÉ Radio 1 RTÉ Radio 1 () is an Irish national radio station owned and operated by RTÉ and is the direct descendant of Dublin radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926. The total budget for the station in 2010 w ...

to celebrate the best in

Irish folk music Irish traditional music (also known as Irish trad, Irish folk music, and other variants) is a Music genre, genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. In ''A History of Irish Music'' (1905), W. H. Grattan Flood wrote that, in Gaelic Irela ...

. The awards were established in 2018 and include recipients such as Martin Hayes, Emma Langford,

Declan O'Rourke Declan O'Rourke (born April 26, 1976) is a singer-songwriter from Kinvara, Ireland. Career Early career to 2010 At the age of 13, when living in Australia with his family, O'Rourke was given his first guitar by a priest in Kyabram who recog ...

Moya Brennan Moya Brennan (born Máire Philomena Ní Bhraonáin on 4 August 1952), also known as Máire Brennan, is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist. She is the sister of the musical artist known as Enya. She began performing pr ...

, Andy Irvine, Saint Sister,

Steve Cooney Stephen Cooney is an Australian-Irish musician. Early life Cooney was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, where he learned to play the didgeridoo, and from the age of seventeen he played in a number of rock bands. He is of Irish ancestry ...

, Lisa O'Neill and

Lankum Lankum are a contemporary Irish folk music group from Dublin, consisting of multi-instrumentalists Ian Lynch, Daragh Lynch, Cormac MacDiarmada and Radie Peat. Originally a duo consisting of the Lynch brothers, known as Lynched, the pair relea ...

History

On 1 May 2018 at a launch in Vicar Street, Dublin,

announced that it would host the inaugural RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards at Vicar Street on 25 October of that year, with the event being broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 on the night. The RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards were to be the first dedicated folk awards held in Ireland, with nine awards categories showcasing and honouring the richness and diversity of folk music talent in Ireland. This would be held in addition to

TG4 TG4 (; , ) is an Irish free-to-air public service television channel. It launched on 31 October 1996 and is available online and through its on-demand service TG4 Player in Ireland and beyond. TG4 was initially known as (TnaG), before bein ...

's annual Gradam Ceoil awards, the premier award event in

traditional Irish music Irish traditional music (also known as Irish trad, Irish folk music, and other variants) is a Music genre, genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. In ''A History of Irish Music'' (1905), W. H. Grattan Flood wrote that, in Gaelic Irela ...

. RTÉ Radio 1 later put out a call for designers and

craftspeople An artisan (from , ) is a skilled craft worker who makes or creates material objects partly or entirely by hand. These objects may be functional or strictly decorative, for example furniture, decorative art, sculpture, clothing, food ite ...

to design and produce the trophies for the winners at the inaugural RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards. The competition invited candidates to create a series of nine commissions, one for each of the awards categories. The purpose of this competition was to promote and highlight the talent and skills of the

craft A craft or trade is a pastime or an occupation that requires particular skills and knowledge of skilled work. In a historical sense, particularly the Middle Ages and earlier, the term is usually applied to people occupied in small scale pr ...

and design sector and to build a collection of unique awards that reflect the diversity of Ireland's rich talent and heritage through

folk music Folk music is a music genre that includes #Traditional folk music, traditional folk music and the Contemporary folk music, contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be ca ...

, craft and design. Three candidates were shortlisted based on their work and a statement describing how they would incorporate the heritage of

into their design. The winner of the commission, artist Fiona Mulholland was invited to discuss the work as part of RTÉ Radio 1's ''Arena'' programme. Design concept of the inaugural RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards 2018-2020: Harvest: (To gather). A gathering of guitar petals to evoke ‘Connectedness’, by artist, Fiona Mulholland. Using the universal symbol of guitar playing, ‘the plectrum’, the shape itself has nostalgic connotations evocative of an abstract heart, metaphorically offering support and recognition to Irish folk musicians. Symbolically, the intersecting lines of the overlapping plectrum forms share a common point and remind us that folk music is a global connector. Applying these strong emotional and aesthetic connections to the formal principles in design of rhythm, the sculptural awards are imbued with exuberant qualities which invoke movement and music, celebrating our folk heritage. Materials used: Plexiglass, Recycled Ocean waste plastic & 3mm Stainless steel. Size: 340mm (H) x 140mm (W). The inaugural awards ceremony was hosted in front of a live audience at a packed-out Vicar Street. The visual theme for the awards ceremony was Harvest, inspired by folk heritage, nostalgia and an autumnal palette. The ceremony included performances by artists such as Andy Irvine,

and Saint Sister. In addition to the Vicar Street event, RTÉ Radio 1 produced a five-part feature series on folk music with the support of the

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI; ) is a former broadcasting authority which regulated both public and commercial broadcasting sector in Ireland. It was established in 2009, effectively replacing the Broadcasting Commission of Irel ...

, which were broadcast in the run up to the awards night. The Folk Awards has been hosted every year by RTÉ presenters John Creedon and Ruth Smith, and is broadcast live on

or can be streamed on the RTÉ Radio Player. While the awards ceremony is not broadcast live on television, the entire show is filmed and the highlights can be streamed on YouTube or

RTÉ Player RTÉ Player is an on demand video service provided by Irish public media broadcaster RTÉ. The service provides live and recorded RTÉ television programs, and content exclusive to the player as well as content from other international broadca ...

. In 2019, highlights from the awards ceremony were televised for the first time, broadcast at a later date on

RTÉ One RTÉ One is an Irish free-to-air flagship television channel owned and operated by RTÉ. It is the most-popular and most-watched television channel in the country and was launched as ''Telefís Éireann'' on 31 December 1961, it was renamed ''R ...

. In 2020, the prizes were announced at a special live event from

RTÉ Radio RTÉ Radio is a division and service of Irish public broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), which broadcasts four analogue channels and five digital channels across Ireland. Founded in January 1926 as 2RN, was the first broadcaster in ...

studios, Dublin due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

and included a special video message from

President of Ireland The president of Ireland () is the head of state of Republic of Ireland, Ireland and the supreme commander of the Defence Forces (Ireland), Irish Defence Forces. The presidency is a predominantly figurehead, ceremonial institution, serving as ...

Michael D. Higgins Michael Daniel Higgins (; born 18 April 1941) is an Irish politician, poet, broadcaster, and sociologist who has been serving as the president of Ireland since 2011. Entering national politics through the Labour Party, he served as a senator ...

. In November 2021 The Folk Awards returned to being held in front of a live audience in Vicar Street, Dublin. In 2023 The Folk Awards moved from being held in November to the following February.

Selection

The nominees shortlist is announced annually in September and is selected by a judging panel of 40 people, among them musicians, promoters, broadcasters, journalists,

bloggers A blog (a Clipping (morphology), truncation of "weblog") is an informational website consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries also known as posts. Posts are typically displayed in Reverse chronology, reverse chronologic ...

and venue owners. The Best Folk Album award was previously chosen by RTÉ Radio 1 listeners through ''The John Creedon Show'' and ''Simply Folk'' with Ruth Smith.

Hall of Fame

A posthumous 'Hall of Fame' award is presented annually to celebrate past legends of the Irish folk world.

Inductees

* 2025 inductee: Róise Rua * 6th inductee:

Séamus Ennis Séamus Ennis (; 5 May 1919 – 5 October 1982) was an Irish musician, singer and Irish music collector. He was most noted for his uilleann pipe playing and was partly responsible for the revival of the instrument during the twentieth centur ...

* 2022 inductee:

Paddy Moloney Paddy Moloney (; 1 August 1938 – 12 October 2021) was an Irish musician, composer, and record producer. He co-founded and led the Irish musical group the Chieftains, playing on all of their 44 albums. He was particularly associated with the re ...

* 2021 inductee: Sarah Makem * 2020 inductee:

Frank Harte Frank Harte (14 May 1933 – 27 June 2005) was a traditional Irish singer, song collector, architect and lecturer. He was born in Chapelizod, County Dublin, and raised in Dublin. His father, Peter Harte, who had moved from a farming backgrou ...

* 2019 inductee: Margaret Barry * 2018 inductee: Tom Munnelly and John Reilly

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award is made annually by the Executive Steering Committee of the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards to a living artist who has made a significant contribution to Irish folk music over many years.

Inductees

* 2025 inductee:

Dónal Lunny Dónal Lunny (born 10 March 1947) is an Irish folk musician and producer. He plays guitar and bouzouki, as well as keyboards and bodhrán. As a founding member of popular bands Planxty, The Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, Coolfin, Mozaik, LAPD ...

* 6th inductee:

Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill is an acclaimed Irish traditional singer, keyboard player, and composer. She is considered one of the most influential female vocalists in the history of Irish music. Throughout her career, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill has worke ...

* 2022 inductee:

Mary Black Mary Black (born 23 May 1955) is an Irish folk singer. She is well known as an interpreter of both traditional folk and modern material which has made her a major recording artist in her native Ireland. Background Mary Black was born into a m ...

* 2021 inductee:

Christy Moore Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore (born 7 May 1945) is an Irish folk singer, songwriter and guitarist. He was one of the founding members of the bands Planxty and Moving Hearts and has had significant success as a solo artist. His first albu ...

* 2020 inductee:

* 2019 inductee:

* 2018 inductee: Andy Irvine

Award Winners

6th Awards

* Best Folk Singer: Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin * Best Folk Instrumentalist: Aoife Ní Bhriain * Best Folk Group:

* Best Emerging Artist: Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta * Best Folk Album: False Lankum –

* Best Original Folk Track: Anáil na hOíche – Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin * Best Traditional Folk Track: Seán Gabha – Piaras Ó Lorcáin and Bláth na hÓige * Lifetime Achievement Award:

* Hall of Fame:

Host: John Creedon Venue: Vicar Street, Dublin

2022

* Best Folk Singer: Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh * Best Folk Instrumentalist: Cormac Begley * Best Folk Group: the olllam * Best Emerging Artist: Cathal Ó Curráin * Best Folk Album: Nine Waves - Ye Vagabonds * Best Original Folk Track: Róisín Dubh - Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh & the

Irish Chamber Orchestra The Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) is an Irish classical music ensemble, administratively based at the University of Limerick. János Fürst founded the ICO in 1963. The ICO consisted only of strings as its regular ensemble for many years, adding wi ...

* Best Traditional Folk Track: ''I'm a Rover'' – Ye Vagabonds * Lifetime Achievement Award:

* Hall of Fame:

Host: John Creedon Venue: Vicar Street, Dublin

2021

* Best Folk Singer: John Francis Flynn * Best Folk Instrumentalist: Caoimhín Ó Fearghail * Best Folk Group: Ye Vagabonds * Best Emerging Artist: John Francis Flynn * Best Folk Album: ''Solas an Lae'' – Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O'Brien * Best Original Folk Track: ''Chain Reaction'' –

Mick Flannery Mick Flannery (born 28 November 1983) is an Irish singer and songwriter. His debut album ''Evening Train'' resulted from his time spent studying music and management at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa in Cork. It featured tracks which had previously ...

& Susan O'Neill * Best Traditional Folk Track: ''I'm a Rover'' – Ye Vagabonds * Lifetime Achievement Award:

* Hall of Fame: Sarah Makem Hosts: John Creedon and Ruth Smith
Venue: Vicar Street, Dublin

2020

* Best Folk Singer: Radie Peat * Best Folk Instrumentalist:

* Best Folk Group:

* Best Emerging Folk Act: Not awarded * Best Folk Album: ''Ceol Ársa Cláirsí: Tunes of the Irish Harpers for Solo Guitar'' –

* Best Original Folk Track: ''Baby Talk'' –

& SON * Best Traditional Folk Track: ''Eleanor Plunkett'' –

* Lifetime Achievement Award:

* Hall of Fame:

Hosts: John Creedon and Ruth Smith
Venue:

studios, Dublin

2019

* Best Folk Singer:

Iarla Ó Lionáird Iarla Ó Lionáird (born ) is an Irish singer and record producer. He sings in the traditional Sean-nós singing, sean-nós style. He was a member of the Afro Celt Sound System and is a member of the Irish-American supergroup (music), supergroup ...

* Best Folk Instrumentalist:

Zoë Conway Zoë Conway is an Irish violinist, trained in both classical music and traditional fiddle-playing. She is married to fellow Irish traditional musician John McIntyre. Early life Born in Dundalk in 1981, attended St Louis Secondary School, Du ...

* Best Folk Group: Ye Vagabonds * Best Emerging Folk Act: Saint Sister * Best Folk Album: ''The Hare’s Lament'' – Ye Vagabonds * Best Original Folk Track: ''Rock the Machine'' – Lisa O'Neill * Best Traditional Folk Track: '' The Foggy Dew'' – Ye Vagabonds * Lifetime Achievement Award:

* Hall of Fame: Margaret Barry Hosts: John Creedon and Ruth Smith
Venue: Vicar Street, Dublin

2018

* Best Folk Singer: Radie Peat * Best Folk Instrumentalist: Martin Hayes * Best Folk Group:

* Best Emerging Folk Act: Emma Langford * Best Folk Album: ''Haven'' – We Banjo 3 * Best Original Folk Track: ''Along the Western Seaboard'' –

* Best Traditional Folk Track: ''Bean Dubh A’ Ghleanna'' – Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh * Lifetime Achievement Award: Andy Irvine * Hall of Fame: Tom Munnelly and John Reilly Hosts: John Creedon and Ruth Smith
Venue: Vicar Street, Dublin

References

External links

2020 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Site

2019 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Site

2018 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Site

RTÉ Radio 1's five part feature series
{{DEFAULTSORT:RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards RTÉ Radio 1 programmes RTÉ Radio 1 Awards established in 2018 Lifetime achievement awards 2018 establishments in Ireland Folk music awards

History

Selection

Hall of Fame

Inductees

Lifetime Achievement Award

Inductees

Award Winners

6th Awards

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

See also

References

External links