RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Tuesday 27th February 2024, Vicar Street, Dublin

The 6th RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards will take place in Vicar Street in Dublin on Tuesday 27 February 2024. The Awards will be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 and on the RTÉ Radio App and a highlights programme will be broadcast on RTÉ television. The Awards will not take place this November.

Commenting on the decision to move the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards to February, Head of RTÉ Radio 1, Peter Woods, said: “Music is central to what RTÉ Radio 1 does and folk and traditional music are integral to that. We take pride in this and pride too in the Folk Awards in particular, which is a central part of the music calendar and a great recognition of the talent produced by this country and how it marks our culture.”

RTÉ’s Group Head of Arts & Culture, Ann-Marie Power said: “The inaugural night in 2018 awarded Best Folk Group to Lankum, Radie Peat Best Folk Singer and in 2019 Ye Vagabonds’, The Hare’s Lament, was Best Folk Album. Each year, new names – at the time – such as Emma Langford, John Francis Flynn are awarded best emerging artist – a category that they, and others, move quickly beyond through their work and artistry. It is heartening to view, over the six years, how robust, creative and vital the folk scene is in Ireland right now and to ensure RTE delivers the best celebration possible, we have moved the awards to February. This new time, in early spring, allows us to better reflect the full calendar year of music. We very much look forward to honouring our wonderful folk artists and musicians again in front of a live audience and with RTÉ Radio 1 listeners across the world.”  

THE DETAILS

QUALIFYING PERIOD 

The qualifying period for the 6th RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards is Thursday 13 September 2022 to Sunday 12 November 2023 [a period of 14 months].

Submissions for consideration from musicians, labels, promoters and members of the public are welcome by email to folkawards@rte.ie.

JURY VOTE CATEGORIES

Seven awards are made each year as a result of voting by the Folk Awards Jury.  These are:

Best Original Folk Track 
A new song or instrumental track which has been recorded during the qualifying period since the last awards.

Winner in 2022: Now You See It – Susan O’Neill

Best Traditional Folk Track 
A recording of a traditional track (song or instrumental) from the Irish folk tradition which was recorded during the qualifying period.

Winner in 2022: Róisín Dubh – Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and the Irish Chamber Orchestra

Best Folk Singer 
An award for an Irish folk singer in recognition of a great recording or performance which took place during the qualifying period.

Winner in 2022: Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh

Best Emerging Folk Artist 
An award recognizing a new act (solo or group/vocal or instrumental) who made an impact on the Irish folk scene within the qualifying period.

Winner in 2022: Cathal Ó Curráin

Best Folk Instrumentalist 

An award for an instrumental solo artist or a band member, recognizing great musicianship either in a recording or a performance during the qualifying period.

Winner in 2022: Cormac Begley

Best Folk Group 

The Irish folk group which made the biggest impact during the qualifying period.

Winner in 2022: the olllam

Best Folk Album 

The best folk album released during the qualifying period. This excludes re-issues or compilations.

Winner in 2022: Nine Waves – Ye Vagabonds

Committee Vote Categories

Two awards are made each year as a result of deliberations by the Folk Awards Steering Committee. Those are:

Hall of Fame Award 

An award given to a person no longer living who made a significant contribution to Irish folk music during their lifetime.

Recipient in 2022: Paddy Moloney

Lifetime Achievement Award 

An award given to a living artist who has made a significant contribution to Irish folk music over a period of many years.

Recipient in 2022: Mary Black

For full details on last year’s winners, see https://about.rte.ie/2022/11/17/rte-radio-1-folk-awards-winners-announced-2/