Dónal Lunny will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, which will take place in Vicar Street, Dublin on Wednesday, February 26 at 8 pm.
One of the most significant figures in folk and traditional music ever to come out of Ireland, Lunny's influence as a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer has shaped the sound of Irish music for more than half a century.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented 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.
As this year’s recipient, Dónal joins a distinguished list of Lifetime Achievement recipients, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill (2024), Mary Black (2022), Christy Moore (2021), Steve Cooney (2020), Moya Brennan (2019) and Andy Irvine (2018).
Head of RTÉ Radio 1 and member of the 2025 Folk Awards Steering Committee, Peter Woods said: “With the change between 'The Raggle Taggle Gypsy' and 'Tabhair dom do Lámh' on the 'Prosperous' album, and the opening chords of the 'Kesh Jig' on the first Bothy Band recording, Dónal Lunny announced and was central to a shift of gear in Irish music.
"He defined much of the music of a generation at a time when traditional music was not mainstream and was almost subversive.
“His contribution to that music through Planxty, to Moving Hearts, Mozaik, and of course the Bothies and beyond, sits alongside a career as a producer and collaborator across genres and as a true innovator.
"Dónal has done this without losing sight of the integrity of the music. What he has turned his hand to he has enhanced.
“It is a real honour for RTÉ Radio 1 to be associated with this award.”
Lunny's new group, Dónal Lunny’s Darkhorse, will also be performing live at this year’s ceremony.
Róise Rua, a renowned singer from Árainn Mhór, Dún na nGall, will also be inducted into the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards Hall of Fame on the night. Georgina Dudgeon, a relative of Róise Rua who has been involved in promoting and celebrating her great-grand-aunt's legacy, will be among the guests of honour at Vicar Street, to accept the award on her behalf.
Presented by John Creedon, the awards ceremony will be broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1 and the RTÉ Radio Player. The event will feature live performances from Damien Dempsey, Róis, Seamas Hyland, Pólca 4, plus five-time Grammy award winner Mary Chapin Carpenter, among many others.
In addition to the live broadcast, a television highlights program will air on RTÉ One on Saturday, March 1.
You can also view the 1996 Late Late Show Tribute to Dónal Lunny, from RTÉ Archives here.
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