TRÍONA NÍ DHOMHNAILL TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 

AT RTÉ RADIO 1 FOLK AWARDS 

Celebrating the very best in folk music in Ireland from the past year 

Awards event LIVE in Vicar Street and on RTÉ Radio 1 on Tuesday 27th February 

Limited tickets available from ticketmaster.ie | #rtefolkawards 

RTÉ is delighted to announce that Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill will be recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards in Vicar Street, Dublin on Tuesday 27th of February at 7.45pm. Tríona Ní Dhomnaill is one of Ireland’s leading interpreters of folk and traditional music, as well as a composer and songwriter of worldwide renown. 

The RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards will be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 and the RTÉ Radio App from 8pm. Highlights from the Awards will be broadcast on RTÉ One television on Saturday 2nd March 2024. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award is made annually by the Executive Steering Committee of the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards to a living artist who has made a significant contribution to Irish folk music over many years. The previous winners are Mary Black (2022), Christy Moore (2021), Steve Cooney (2020), Moya Brennan (2019) and Andy Irvine (2018). 

Commenting on learning of her Lifetime Achievement Award, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill 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, and I am very grateful for this special recognition of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.” 

Full biog details for Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill are available below. 

In making the award to Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, the Executive Steering Committee cited, in particular, her influence on other musicians – especially singers and keyboard players – who followed in her wake. 

One of these is Natalie Ní Chasaide – pianist and keyboard player with the Bonny Men – who responded to the news of Tríona’s Lifetime Achievement Award by saying: “Growing up, Tríona was such an influence on me. Her way of playing is so iconic, so individual and so perfect. It’s modern and exciting, and yet it sounds so ancient, like it’s always been there. And always should have been there.” 

Live performances at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards 

In what promises to be a very special night celebrating Irish folk music, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill will perform works from a career spanning more than fifty years. The Awards show will also feature live performances from rising star Muireann Bradley and teenage piping sensation Sorcha Ní Scolaí, from nominees, including Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Bury and Bláth na hÓige, and from international stars, Johnny McEvoy and Rhiannon Giddens. 

Uilleann piper, singer and collector Séamus Ennis will also be inducted into the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Hall of Fame on the night. His son, Christopher Ennis will be among the guests of honour at Vicar Street on the night. 

RTÉ presenter John Creedon will again host the awards ceremony in front of a live audience. 

A limited number of tickets for the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards are still available via www.ticketmaster.ie and are priced at €33.10, inclusive of booking fee and service charge. Facility fee of €1 applies. 

Stay up to date on the latest on the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards by following RTÉ and RTÉ Radio 1 on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #rtefolkawards and by staying tuned to RTÉ Radio 1. 

If you can’t join us in Vicar Street on Tuesday 27th February, join us live on RTÉ Radio 1 at 8pm on the evening and don’t forget our television highlights programme on RTÉ One on Saturday 2nd March 2024. 

About Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill 

Tríona Ní Dhomnaill is one of Ireland’s leading interpreters of folk and traditional music, as well as a composer and songwriter of worldwide renown. Raised in Kells, Co. Meath and now living in Dublin, her family’s roots run deep in the Rann na Feirste Gaeltacht in Co. Donegal. She often cites her Aunt Neilí Ní Dhomhnaill – a famed singer and storyteller – as one of her earliest and biggest inspirations and influences. 

Family has always been essential to Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, especially her late brother Mícheál and her sister Maighread, with whom she collaborates regularly. Tríona has been a key member of some of the most influential bands in Irish music since the early 1970s, including groups like Skara Brae, the recently reformed Bothy Band, Relativity, Nightnoise and the vocal super-group with deep Donegal roots, T with the Maggies, which also featured her sister Maighread, Moya Brennan (of Clannad) and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (of Altan). 

Her songs have been recorded by major international artists including Linda Ronstadt, whose version of Tríona’s ‘In a deep sleep’ is included on the complete edition of The Trio Collection featuring Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.