2024 was an incredible year for great Irish Traditional music and we were treated to many fabulous performances, new music, new musicians, tunes and songs leaving us wanting more.
For many years, the Ireland Tonight Radio Music Awards (formerly known as American Celtic Listener Supported Radio Awards) have honored those who have impressed radio hosts and listeners with the excellence of their music.
The Ireland Tonight Radio Music Awards acknowledges the exceptional talents, achievements, integrity, and unwavering determination of musicians whose focus and performance is Celtic Traditional music. By bestowing this award, it is our intent to facilitate the exposure, promotion and celebration of these artists and their music.
The 2024 Ireland Tonight Radio Music Awards have been presented to the following:
· Female Vocalist of the Year: Eimear Arkins for Here and There
· Male Vocalist of the Year: Enda Reilly for Hy-Brasil
· Album of the Year: Open the Door for Three for A Prosperous Gale
· Debut Album of the Year: Ian King for The King’s Bow
· Live Performance of the Year: Aoife Scott for Women of Note, Dublin TRADFEST 2024
Female Vocalist of the Year, Eimear Arkins is a multi- instrumentalist from Ruan, Co. Clare Ireland and is the recipient of the 2024 Ireland Tonight Radio award for Female Vocalist. Eimear has a beautiful voice and combined with her amazing talent as a fiddle player the listener is captivated. Here and There is Eimear’s second album and the songs and ballads that she sings come from Ulster, Co. Armagh and the Appalachian Region and are varied and interesting in nature. She has the unique ability to tell the story well in all that she sings. The songs are interspersed with jigs, reels, hornpipes and waltzes that showcase her ability as a fiddler. Her voice is pure and sweet and she tells the story well in each track. Her dedication to music is amazing! Eimear Arkins illustrates her commitment to excellence in the Irish Traditional Music world with her marvelous voice.
Male Vocalist of the Year is Enda Reilly for his album Hy – Brasil and is the recipient of the 2024 Ireland Tonight Radio award for Male Vocalist.
Enda is from Co. Dublin and currently resides in the Michigan area.
Hy-Brasil as Enda describes it is a mythological island between Ireland and the USA. Enda provides us with a bit of history, he tells us about The Great Fire of Dublin, The Wicklow Mountains and sings about Grace O’Malley, all in his own compelling and unique style. The listener is intrigued, waiting to hear the next piece of history unravel musically. Enda Reilly brings the essence of Ireland to audiences near and far and he sings in both English and Gaelic. Enda brings his commitment to excellence in the Irish Traditional Music world with his album Hy-Brasil – this is for anyone who’s heart is in Ireland.
Album of the Year is The Prosperous Gale and is the latest album that was recently released by the exceptionally talented Open the Door for Three. Open the Door for Three is the recipient of the 2024 Ireland Tonight Radio award for Album of the Year. Pat Broaders vocals with his bouzouki playing, along with the incredible fiddle player Liz Knowles and master uilleann piper Kieran O’Hare have provided us with Traditional Irish Music that is a collection of songs and tunes that keep our toes tapping as we look forward to the next tune or song. The music dates back from the 17th century to present day and each song provides us with a different story. This is an exceptional mix of songs, jigs and reels and each one different but no less captivating. The uniqueness of the songs and tunes provides the listener with a sound that is uniquely Irish. The creativity and brilliant playing of this talented trio illustrates their commitment to excellence in the Irish Traditional world of music.
Debut Album of the Year is The King’s Bow. Ian King is the recipient of the 2024 Ireland Tonight Radio award for the Debut Album of the Year. Ian King’s debut album is an album that is a delight to listen to. The fiddle playing is superb and you have a variety of hornpipes, jigs, reels and waltzes. Ian King is a Chicago-native fiddler and has toured with the band Socks in the Frying Pan for the past few years.
The King’s Bow is a reel that was written by Maurice Lennon formerly from Stockton’s Wing. In addition to The King’s Bow, the tune If Ever You Were Mine was also written by Maurice Lennon. In a tribute to Ian's talent, the album features a number of renowned musicians, Maurice Lennon, Tadhg Ó Meachair, Róisín Broderick, Eric Thorin & Steve Morrow, Eimear McGeown, Shane Hayes and Mick Broderick. Ian’s dedication to Traditional Irish Music is amazing and his work illustrates his commitment to excellence.
Live Performance of the Year
Aoife Scott is the recipient of the 2024 Ireland Tonight Radio award for Live Performance of the Year for Women of Note, Dublin Tradfest 2024. This was a celebration featuring artists that come from diverse backgrounds and cultures while highlighting Irish Traditional music. The performers used their voice and song to carry on the tradition. Aoife coordinated the ladies that have exceptional musical talent to perform together at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. The talent, the wonderful camaraderie and the genuine enjoyment of playing together came through to the audience loud and clear. Her outstanding performance illustrates her commitment to Irish Traditional Music wherever she performs.
Congratulations to all of our Ireland Tonight Radio Music Award winners for 2024!
