Last night the winners of the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards were announced in Vicar Street in a ceremony hosted by John Creedon.

The ceremony was broadcasted live on RTÉ Radio 1 in a celebration of the very best in folk music in Ireland from the past year.

The night which showcased the very best of Irish folk in the last year,  featured performances from  Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Bury, Bláth na hÓige, Johnny McEvoy, Rhiannon Giddens, and Steve Cooney & Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich,.

Winning the award for best original folk track, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin used his acceptance speech to highlight the plight of people suffering in Gaza.

The artist who won the award for his track 'Anáil na hOíche' said: 'I think I would be letting the people who I've been on the streets with over the past few months if I didn't use this platform to talk about Gaza. "

Wearing a keffiyeh the musician continued: ' A recent poll has shown that 79% of Irish people believe that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza"

"While unfortunately ordinary Irish people have taken to the streets in massive numbers to demand action and stop the genocide we are not seeing an ounce of moral courage from the people in power".

Ó Ceannabháin called for sanctions, the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Ireland and for Ireland to join South Africa's case against Israel in the ICJ.

Ó Ceannabháin also took home the award for best folk singer.

The musician wasn't the only one who used his platform to express solidarity with Gaza, as Bláth na hÓige called for "Saoirse don Phalaistín" during their performance.

The night, which the President of Ireland Michael D.Higgins attended, saw contemporary Irish folk group Lankum take home two gongs, one for best folk group and best album for their 2023 LP False Lankum.

Taking home the lifetime achievement award, Tríona Ní Domhnall said: "I am delighted and honoured to accept this award for my life in music. It is lovely and heartwarming to be acknowledged in such a way".

Best traditional track went to Bláth na hÓige and Piaras Ó Lorcáin for their arrangement of 'Séan Gabha'.

The award for best folk instrumentalist went to Aoife Ní Bhiain, who is a member of the avant grade string quintet Wooden Elephant. Her RTÉ Radio 1 folk award will join her strong of other accolades, including a Bonn Óir Séan Uí Riada.

Best emerging artist went to siblings Séamus Ó Fhlatharta and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta while Séamus Ennis was inducted into the RTÉ Radio Folk Awards Hall of Fame.

The full list of winners and nominees at the 6th RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards were:

BEST ORIGINAL FOLK TRACK: Anáil na hOíche - Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin

Abigail (Tomhas Ghobnatan) - Emma Langford
Anáil na hOíche - Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin
Glory Days - Steo Wall
Níl Aon Easpa Orm - Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O'Reilly
Not Your Fight - The Henry Girls and Ríoghnach Connolly
Old Note - Lisa O'Neill

BEST TRADITIONAL FOLK TRACK: Seán Gabha - Piaras Ó Lorcáin and Bláth na hÓige

Amhrán Pheadar Breathnach - Diane Cannon
Eileanóir a Rún - Síle Denvir
Eileanór na Rún - Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta
Go Dig My Grave – Lankum
Seán Gabha - Piaras Ó Lorcáin and Bláth na hÓige

BEST FOLK SINGER: Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin

Anna Mieke
Daoirí Farrell
Diane Cannon
Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin
Lisa O'Neill
Síle Denvir

BEST FOLK INSTRUMENTALIST: Aoife Ní Bhriain

Aoife Ní Bhriain
Diarmuid Ó Meachair
Michael McGoldrick
Michelle Mulcahy
Sorcha Costello

BEST FOLK GROUP: Lankum

Bláth na hÓige
Garadice
Lankum
Martin Hayes and the Common Ground Ensemble
The Mary Wallopers
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BEST FOLK ALBUM: False Lankum - Lankum

All Of This Is Chance - Lisa O’Neill
Bláth na hÓige - Bláth na hÓige
Double You - Aoife Ní Bhriain and Catrin Finch
False Lankum - Lankum
Look Over The Wall, See The Sky - John Francis Flynn

BEST EMERGING ARTIST: Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta

Cinder Well
Diarmuid Ó Meachair
Niamh Bury
Piaras Ó Lorcáin
Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta
Sorcha Costello

RTÉ Radio Folk Awards Hall of Fame inductee: Séamus Ennis

Lifetime Achievement Award: Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill