Eleanor Shanley wins Danish Folk Prize 2015

Proving that her Irish roots have spread and had a big impact outside of the country, last Sunday saw Eleanor Shanley honoured in Denmark.
The Leitrim star, who came to prominence singing with De Danann, is the recipient of the prestigious, peer-award Danish Folk Prize 2015. In the process, she became only the second Irish artist to receive the accolade – The Dubliners won it back in 2004.
She picked up the award in person at Skagen Festival, where she was playing with De Danann, with Morten Kock, Director of Spar Nord Bank, handing it over.
"This is such an honour," Eleanor says. "Since my first performance at the Skagen Festival in 1998, I have loved each return visit to the festival and each tour in the country.  To be given the honour of The Skagen Festival's 'Folk Music Prize 2015', thrills me greatly, but also makes me proud of my relationship with the country and its folk music fans.
"What makes the award even more special is that I am only the 2nd Irish artist since its inception in 1995 to be given the honour, alongside the wonderful Dubliners."
Outlining why Shanley was chosen, The Skagen Festival has commented:
"The main reason that the choice fell on the Irish skylark this year is that she, throughout her career, has helped keep the folk music tradition alive. Eleanor visited the festival for the first time in 1998 and has over the years been an esteemed artist at the festival.  She has subsequently gained a large audience in Denmark."