Barry Kerr, Macdara Yeates, and Beoga among winners at RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards

The winners for the 8th annual RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards have been announced, following the awards ceremony at Vicar Street, Dublin last night. The event was broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 and the RTÉ Listen app.

Armagh musician Barry Kerr won for Best Original Folk Track, with his song, 'The Curlew's Cry', as well as the award for Best Folk Singer.

Macdara Yeates took home the award for Best Traditional Folk Track with 'De May Bush', while fiddle and viola player Ultan O'Brien won Best Folk Instrumentalist.

Beoga won the title of Best Folk Group, following their surprise appearance at Niall Horan's 3Arena concert on Monday night.

 

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Joshua Burnside won Best Folk Album for his fifth record, It's Not Going To Be Okay. Hot Press gave the record a 9/10, calling it "his most unguarded to date." Cork singer Rua Rí took home the award for Best Emerging Artist.

Folk singer, songwriter, and activist Tommy Sands received the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement, which was presented to him by Bernadette Devlin McAliskey. With a career spanning almost 60 years, Sands helped bring Irish folk music onto the world stage, recording with artists such as Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and The Dubliners. His iconic song, 'There Were Roses' made him a significant cultural voice during Northern Ireland's peace process.

Previous recipients of the award include Donal Lunny, Mary Black, Christy Moore, and Moya Brennan.

Dolores Keane, who passed away in March of this year, was formally inducted into the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Hall of Fame by President Catherine Connolly. The honour will celebrate her legacy as one of Ireland's most distinguished folk musicians.

The show also featured live performance from several musicians including Beoga, The Unthanks, Declan O'Rourke, Joshua Burnside, Edwina Guckian, and Jillian O'Malley.

Presented by John Creedon, a television programme featuring the highlights of the awards show will be broadcast on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Saturday, November 14.