It comes after a great year for Irish music.
Ships have been announced as the winner of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the Year 2017 for their album Precession.
After deliberating for one last time, the judges’ decision has probably surprised quite a few people as the Dublin duo beat out competition from several established acts, including Fionn Regan and James Vincent McMorrow.
Receiving a cheque for €10,000, provided by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), the group was presented with the award at a sold-out event in Vicar Street in Dublin on Thursday night.
The winner of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Irish Song of the Year, as voted by the public, was also announced with Chasing Abbey taking home the prize for their song ‘That Good Thing’.
Clip via Chasing Abbey
RTÉ2 will broadcast a one-hour TV highlights programme of the event featuring performances from the acts and interviews by Bláthnaid Treacy on Sunday, 18 March at 11pm.
RTE Choice Music Prize – Irish Album of the Year 2017 Shortlist
Come On Live Long – In The Still
Marlene Enright – Placemats and Second Cuts
Fangclub – Fangclub
Lankum – Between the Earth and Sky
James Vincent McMorrow – True Care
New Jackson – From Night to Night
Otherkin – OK
Fionn Regan – The Meetings of the Waters
Ships – Precession
Talos – Wild Alee