Updated / Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 07:48

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Beoga's Niamh Dunne performs at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards (Pics: Tony Kinlan)

Vocalist Barry Kerr was a double winner at the 2026 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, held at Dublin's Vicar Street and celebrating the very best in Irish folk music.

Kerr won Best Original Folk Track for 'The Curlew's Cry' and Best Folk Singer at the eighth annual awards, hosted by RTÉ’s John Creedon and broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 and the RTÉ Listen app.

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Double award winner Barry Kerr

Other winners included Beoga, who took home Best Folk Group, while Macdara Yeates won Best Traditional Folk Track for 'De May Bush'.

Ultan O'Brien was named Best Folk Instrumentalist, Joshua Burnside won Best Folk Album for It’s Not Going to Be Okay, and Rua Rí received the Best Emerging Artist award.

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Macdara Yeates accepts his award

The evening also featured two special honours recognising significant contributions to Irish music.

President Catherine Connolly formally inducted the late Dolores Keane into the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Hall of Fame. Keane, who died in March this year, was celebrated for her contribution to Irish folk and traditional music.

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President Catherine Connolly with RTÉ Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst

Tommy Sands received the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Bernadette Devlin McAliskey.

The singer-songwriter and broadcaster was recognised for his career in music, writing and peace-building. His song 'There Were Roses' has been associated with efforts to foster dialogue and reconciliation.

Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include Dónal Lunny, Mary Black, Christy Moore and Moya Brennan.

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Beoga play for the audience at Vicar Street

Live performances throughout the ceremony came from Beoga, The Unthanks, Declan O'Rourke, Jillian O’Malley, Joshua Burnside, Edwina Guckian, Hammy Hamilton and the Ora Quartet, Kris Drever with Noriana Kennedy, and Nicola Joyce and Pauline Scanlon.

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RTÉ Radio 1 presenter, Louise Duffy

A television highlights programme will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Saturday, 14 November. The ceremony is also available to listen back to via the RTÉ Listen app, or listen below:

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Source: RTÉ News · RTÉ Culture

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