The programme featured specially recorded performances from many of those nominated.
President Michael D. Higgins who normally attends in person opened the evening as follows:
“May I welcome all those music-lovers listening to tonight’s show. Let us all acknowledge this evening, at what is a celebratory event, the importance of our music and our musicians especially during this most difficult time.”
He also spoke of Steve Cooney, the recipient of the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award:
“It is a matter of great fortune for this country and its traditional music that Steve was directed here from his birthplace in Australia by two powerful ancestral forces acting on his psyche.
Having moved to Ireland in the early 1980s, he has since played, notably the guitar, on over 60 albums with Irish artists…. He and Iarla Ó Lionáird performed at the first lunch Sabina (his wife) and I had in 2011 on the day of my inauguration…”
Iarla, sean-nós singer with the group The Gloaming presented Steve with his award.
The guitarist and producer was also awarded Best Folk Instrumentalist, Best Folk Album for Ceol Ársa Cláirsí: Tunes of the Irish Harpers for Solo Guitar, and Best Traditional Folk Track for ‘Eleanor Plunkett’ from the same album.
Renowned actor Brendan Gleeson presented Orla Harte daughter of the late Frank Harte with the Hall of Fame honour, for her father’s impressive contribution to the Irish folk tradition.
Lankum was named Best Folk Group with lead singer Radie Peat taking the award for Best Folk Singer.
Mick Flannery and vocalist SON (aka Susan O’Neill) won ‘Best Original Folk Track of The Year’ for their duet, ‘Baby Talk’.
Vicar Street, which has hosted Bob Dylan and is the intimate venue where Neil Young, Planxty and many more have recorded live albums, has been strangely silent since March 2020. We look forward to the return of live music and to the venue hosting next year’s award ceremony.
List of Awards and Recipients
- Best Traditional Folk Track: Steve Cooney, 'Eleanor Plunkett'
- Best Original Folk Track: Mick Flannery & SON, Baby Talk
- Best Folk Singer: Radie Peat
- Hall of Fame: Frank Harte
- Best Folk Instrumentalist: Steve Cooney
- Best Folk Group: Lankum
- Folk Album: Steve Cooney, Ceol Ársa Cláirsí: Tunes of the Irish Harpers for Solo Guitar
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Steve Cooney
