Christy Moore has received a lifetime achievement award at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.

The ceremony, which was hosted by John Creedon and Ruth Smith in Vicar Street in front of an audience including President Michael D Higgins, celebrated the best in folk music in Ireland from the past year, and featured live performances from Moore and other award nominees.

Moore said his life had been “immersed in the pursuit of folk songs and ballads”. “Being part of our folk song community has been an important part of my life,” he said.

“To receive this award from my peers is a great honour, one that I will remember and cherish.”

Moore was recognised for his career spanning seven decades. The ceremony on Tuesday evening took place in front of an audience with reduced capacity due to Covid-19.

Tom Mulligan, owner of the landmark Smithfield trad pub The Cobblestone presented John Francis Flynn with the award for Best Emerging Artist.

RTÉ’s Aoife Nic Cormaic presented Caoimhín Ó Fearghaill with the award for Best Folk Instrumentalist while legendary Scottish singer songwriter Eddi Reader presented Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill with the gong for Best Original Folk Track for their song Chain Reaction.

Peter Woods, Head of RTÉ One, presented Ye Vagabonds with the award for Best Traditional Folk Track for I’m a Rover. The same band also won the award for Best Folk Group, presented by Cáit Riordan.

Booker Prize-winning author Anne Enright presented John Francis Flynn with the Best Folk Singer award and Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill presented Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O’Brien with the award for Best Folk Album for Solas an Lae.

Finally, writer Nuala O’Connor inducted singer Sarah Makem from Northern Ireland into the Folk Music Hall of Fame.

The ceremony was broadcast live on radio, and televised highlights will be broadcast on Saturday.