Mayo musician among winners at RTÉ Folk Awards 2025

Swinford-born musician Alannah Thornburgh has been named ‘Best Folk Instrumentalist’ at the RTÉ Folk Awards 2025, which took place on Wednesday night at Vicar Street, Dublin.

Reflecting on her win, Alannah shared: “I am delighted to receive this recognition as Best Folk Instrumentalist of the year. I would like to thank all of the amazing collaborators who worked on my new album with me, and a special thank you to Cruit Éireann for the support and encouragement always!” 

Alannah’s music explores her family heritage, reimagining melodies from the Irish harping and American folk and jazz traditions. This cross-genre interaction and juxtaposition of old melodies with contemporary harmonies and technique are interwoven throughout her music, described by The Irish Times as being "unforced, fluid and utterly at home in her own sound".

Last month, Alannah released her debut solo album, Shapeshifter, which has been widely praised. Shapeshifter is a captivating collection of compositions deeply inspired by the rich traditions of fairy folklore and mythology from rural Ireland, particularly her native County Mayo. The project began when Alannah was commissioned to compose a piece for the Linenhall Arts Centre’s New Music in Mayo series, curated by traditional musician Emer Mayock.

“I was always fascinated by the fairy fort behind my Grandad’s house,” Alannah shares. “A conversation with him about the tale of ‘Mick na mBréag’ (Mick the Liar), who crossed the fairy folk, inspired the composition of a piece that ultimately became part of this album.” 

This sparked a journey of exploration into the world of fairy lore, which would culminate in Shapeshifter.

With the support of the Arts Council's Next Generation Award, Alannah conducted interviews with nearly 50 historians, storytellers, and locals, collecting stories and experiences that inform her music. These conversations are woven throughout the album, adding an authentic and archival quality.

Musically, Shapeshifter draws heavily on traditional Irish and folk influences - sounds that shaped her upbringing. Some tracks embrace subtle jazz elements, reflecting her childhood experiences. Alannah’s father contributes saxophone to several pieces, creating a poignant full-circle moment in her musical journey. Inspired by Seamus Fogarty's The Curious Hand, she also incorporated snippets from her research to enhance the album's narrative depth.

Alannah will launch the album in Mayo at the Linenhall Arts Centre on April 4th ahead of a nationwide tour. See  www.alannahthornburgh.com for more.