Cobh singer-songwriter Rua Rí (Seán Damery) was crowned Best Emerging Artist at the 2026 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, held at Vicar Street in Dublin on Tuesday night (10 November).
The prestigious win marks another major milestone in a breakthrough year for the rising Irish folk artist, who was also nominated for Best Original Folk Track for “Johnny Workman”, taken from his acclaimed debut album Tell Your Mother I Saved Your Life, released in May via Soft Boy Records.
Produced by Kean Kavanagh, the album has earned widespread praise from Hot Press, The Irish Times, Clash, Nialler9 and more, establishing Rua Rí as one of the most exciting new voices in Ireland’s contemporary folk scene.
The award comes amid a busy run of live dates, with Rua Rí currently on his first Irish headline tour, culminating in a sold-out show at The Workman’s Club, Dublin, on 18 November. He will then head to the UK for shows in Glasgow, Manchester and London, before returning to Ireland for Other Voices in Dingle later this month.
December will see Rua Rí join Madra Salach for a run of shows across Ireland, including Dublin’s Vicar Street, Galway’s Leisureland and Cork’s Cyprus Avenue, alongside a special guest appearance with acclaimed Irish folk group Beoga at The Workman’s Club, Dublin, on 13 December.
LIVE DATES & TICKETS HERE
Photo credit: Tony Kinlan.