RTÉ Radio 1 has announced the shortlist for the 2019 Folk Awards, which take place in Vicar Street on 24 October.

Singer Lisa O’Neill has received five nominations, including Best Folk Singer and two Best Traditional Tracks; Ye Vagabonds have received four, including Best Folk Group and Best Folk Album; fiddle-player and composer Colm Mac Con Iomaire has received three nominations, including Best Folk Album for The River Holds its Breath, produced by Bill Whelan. The Gloaming have also received three nominations, including Best Original Folk Track, Best Folk Group and Best Folk Album.

The nominees for Best Emerging Folk Act are Kerry singer-songwriter Junior Brother, Alfi, Lemoncello, Anna Mieke and Saint Sister.

Clannad singer Moya Brennan will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. Commenting on the announcement, Ann-Marie Power, RTÉ Head of Arts and Culture, said:

Moya Brennan has spent a lifetime contributing to Irish folk music and bringing it from her home place in Donegal, to a global stage. Along with her family, she was an ambassador for Ireland abroad at a very interesting time in our political history. Throughout her career as a solo artist, she has drawn from the well of history and home while also not being afraid to take on a new challenge or direction. She is also admirably very committed to nurturing young talent with her monthly nights in Donegal. RTÉ is delighted to honour her for her contribution to the world of Irish folk music.

John Creedon and Ruth Smith will present the awards at Vicar Street. The event will also be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 from 8pm.

See the full shortlist, and listen to our Spotify playlist, below. For more, visit www.rte.ie.

Best Traditional Folk Track
Bacach Shíol Andaí – Ye Vagabonds
The Factory Girl – Lisa O’Neill
The Foggy Dew – Ye Vagabonds
The Hills of Granemore – Daoirí Farrell
Póirste Béil – Inni K

Best Original Folk Track
All Down the Day – Gerry O’Beirne
Áthas – The Gloaming
Blackbird – Lisa O’Neill
Down in the Glen – Karan Casey
The River Holds Its Breath – Colm Mac Con Iomaire
Rock the Machine – Lisa O’Neill

Best Emerging Folk Act
Anna Mieke
Alfi
Lemoncello
Junior Brother
Saint Sister

Best Folk Instrumentalist
Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh
Colm Mac Con Iomaire
Cormac Begley
Martin Hayes
Zoe Conway

Best Folk Singer
Daoiri Farrell
Iarla Ó Lionáird
Lisa O’Neill
Radie Peat
Ríoghnach Connolly

Best Folk Album
A Lifetime of Happiness – Daoirí Farrell
Heard a Long Gone Song – Lisa O’Neill
The Hare’s Lament – Ye Vagabonds
The River Holds its Breath – Colm Mac Con Iomaire
Pull the Right Rope – Junior Brother
The Gloaming 3 – The Gloaming

Best Folk Group
Dervish
Flook
Saint Sister
The Gloaming
Ye Vagabonds