Donegal talents are shining bright in the shortlist for the 6th RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, announced this week.

The awards celebrate the very best in Irish folk music from the past year.

Malin sisters The Henry Girls and Armagh singer Ríoghnach Connolly are shortlisted for Best Folk track ‘Not Your Fight’.

Diane Cannon from Cloughaneely is up for the prizes of Best Folk Singer and Best Traditional Folk Track for ‘Amhrán Pheadar Breathnach’.

Bláth na hÓige is shortlisted for Best Traditional Folk Track for ‘Seán Gabha’ as well as Best Folk Group and Best Folk Album. The multi-instrumental group features Megan Nic Ruairí from Ranafast and Cathal Ó Curráin from Gweedore and will perform at the awards ceremony in Dublin on Tuesday 27th February.

Uileann 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.

In what promises to be a very special night celebrating Irish folk music, the awards will feature live performances from many of this year’s nominees, including Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Bury and Bláth na hÓige, piper Sorcha Ní Scolaí and international stars Johnny McEvoy and Rhiannon Giddens.  RTÉ presenter John Creedon will again host the awards ceremony in front of a live audience.

The event will be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 at 8pm on the evening and don’t forget the television highlights programme on RTÉ One on Saturday 2nd March 2024.