The infamous RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, hosted by John Creedon, return this Autumn to celebrate the best in Irish folk music. Highlighting folk artists over the past year and paying homage to Irish folk icons, the awards will take place in front of a live audience at Vicar Street, Dublin on Thursday, November 17.

The ceremony will also be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 and online via RTÉ Culture. A television highlights programme will also be shared on RTÉ One following the awards, set for release Saturday, November 21.

Nominees for the 2022 Folk Awards are to be announced Thursday, November 3. The categories include Best Emerging Artist, Best Original Folk Track, Best Traditional Folk Track, and Best Folk Group. 2021 saw Irish talent John Francis Flynn, collaborative partners Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill, and Ye Vagabonds take home awards for their Folk projects.

Other award categories include Best Folk Instrumentalist, Best Folk Singer, Best Folk Album, Lifetime Achievement Award, received by Christy Moore last year.

Another artist will also be inducted into the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Hall of Fame. Previous inductees include Sarah Makem in 2021 and Frank Harte the year prior.

Upon announcing the return of the award show, host John Creedon shares, "I am delighted to be back in Vicar Street again this year in front of a live audience of folk music fans to celebrate the very best in folk music in Ireland over the past year and there is so much to celebrate and to be proud of. It's been wonderful to see the return of live music and events over the past year and I am looking forward to enjoying more great live performances on the night."

The awards will present live performances from some of this year’s nominees, yet to be announced.

Ann-Marie Power, the RTÉ Group Head of Arts and Culture, adds, “Last year’s RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards were so uplifting after a challenging year for Ireland’s musicians and artists, and we are looking forward to another special celebration of our folk artists and musicians at this year’s awards.”

Tickets for the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards are on sale now via Ticketmaster. The award show takes place live and in-person on Thursday, November 17 at Vicar Street, Dublin.