Culture
18 Nov 22

RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards winners announced at Vicar Street ceremony

Navá at RTE Folk Awards 2022 copyright Miguel Ruiz

On what was a night to remember, this year's awards ceremony honoured young up and comers in folk like Cathal Ó Curráin, as well as established icons like Mary Black.

Dublin's Vicar Street hosted the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards last night to honour and celebrate the best Irish folk music of the past year. Hosted by RTÉ's John Creedon for a live audience and radio broadcast, the night featured live performances as well as the folk awards presentation.

Taking home the RTÉ Radio 1 Best Folk Album award for Nine Waves were Ye Vagabonds. The sibling-duo have received worldwide acclaim for their second album – a record that's filled with fine songs, beautifully layered harmonies and fine string arrangements.

Ye Vagabonds at RTE Folk Awards 2022 copyright Miguel Ruiz

Susan O'Neill earned the Best Original Folk Track award for 'Now You See It', from the multi- instrumentalist's first EP. RTÉ Folk on One presenter Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh took Best Traditional Folk Track with her rendition of 'Róisín Dubh', on which she collaborated with the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

Susan O'Neill at RTE Folk Awards 2022 copyright Miguel Ruiz

The RTÉ Radio 1 folk award for Best Folk Singer also went to Nic Amhlaoibh – an artist who has been widely celebrated for both her solo career, as well as her work as lead singer and flute player with the supergroup Danú.

Bass, baritone, treble and piccolo concertina player Cormac Begley won the Best Folk Instrumentalist Award. Meanwhile, the olllam, the trio responsible for 2022 album elllegy, were awarded Best Folk Group.

At just 19 years old, the exciting Donegal multi-instrumentalist Cathal Ó Curráin was dubbed Best Emerging Artist. And the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award went to the iconic Mary Black.

Mary Black at RTE Folk Awards 2022 copyright Miguel Ruiz

The late Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains was posthumously inducted to the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards' Hall Of Fame, with the group performing in his honour.

The Chieftains at RTE Folk Awards 2022 copyright Miguel Ruiz

Other touching live performances on what was a night of fine music included excellent turns from Navá, Skipper's Alley, Inni-K, The Sharon Shannon Band, Myles O'Reilly, Scullion, Dani Larkin, Anna Mieke, and the lifetime achievement winner Mary Black. All told, the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards made a powerful statement as to the rude good health of the genre in Ireland. As it should be...