RUNA, a Philadelphia, PA-based contemporary Celtic vocal and instrumental ensemble whose repertoire features traditional and more recently composed music from Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the Untied States and includes both high-energy and more graceful acoustic melodies, was named both Top Group and Top Traditional Group in a Pub, Festival or Concert. Keith Harkin, a singer-songwriter from County Derry, Northern Ireland, who also is a principal singer with the popular vocal group Celtic Thunder, won two awards for Top Solo Performer in Concert and Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue.

“We are unbelievably excited and honored to be recognized with so many incredible artists,” said Shannon Lambert-Ryan, who fronts RUNA with her rich, vibrant vocals. “We are so grateful to all of our fans (our spectacular RUNAtics) for their unending support and for voting for us,” she continued, expressing thanks also to the Irish Music Association for its support of Irish music and culture. The five-member group, which previously won an award for Best Song in the World Traditional category in the 12th annual Independent Music Awards, is set to release its fourth album this spring.

Phil Coulter, a popular musician, songwriter and producer, who also hails from Derry, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award., while the Tommy Makem Award went to The Dubliners, an Irish folk band that played its final concerts last month, following a career that spanned more than 50 years.

A complete list of Irish Music Award recipients follows:
Top Solo Performer in Concert: Keith Harkin
Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue: Keith Harkin
Top Duo in Pub, Festival, and Concert: Ryan Kelly & Neil Byrne
Top Group: RUNA
Best New Irish Music Artist(s): Gothard Sisters
Top Celtic Rock Band: The Fighting Jamesons
Best Irish Tenor (individual): Emmet Cahill
Best Female Vocalist (individual/traditional): Meav
Best Sean-nos Singer: Brid Ni Mhaoilchiaran
Top Traditional Performance Show: The Chieftains
Top Traditional Group – In Festival, Pub & Concert: RUNA
Tommy Makem Award: The Dubliners
Top Harpist: Moya Brennan
Top Uilleann Piper: Kieran O’Hare
Top Fiddle/Violin: Cora Smyth
Top Button Accordion: Danny O’Mahony
Lifetime Achievement Award: Phil Coulter

The Irish Music Association produces, promotes and perpetuates Irish music through sponsored events, festivals, concerts, pub shows, and an annual network production, according to its website.

Irish Music Awards nominees for 2012 include:

Top Solo Performer in Concert: George Donaldson, Christy Moore, John Doyle, Tommy Fleming

Top Solo Performer in a Pub Venue: Ian Gould, Luka Bloom, Tony Cummins, Mickey Coleman

Top Duo in a Pub, Festival, Concert: The Ryans Irish Band , Lilt, Switchback, Siusan O’Rourke and Zig Zeitler

Top Group: Cherish The Ladies, Lunasa, Gaelic Storm, Altan

Best New Irish Artist(s): Burning Bridget Cleary, The Rovers, The Fighting Jamesons, Ciorras

Best New Irish CD: Lilt – Onward, The Mickey Finns – Prayers and Idle Chatter, The Ryans – Songs of Irish Freedom, Mairi Morrison & Alasdair Roberts – Urstan

Top Celtic Rock Band: Barleyjuice, Roger Drawdy & the Firestarters, The Clumsy Lovers, Scythian

Best Irish Tenor (individual): Paul Byrom, Anthony Kearns, Daryl Simpson, Tommy Fleming

Best Female Vocalist (individual/trad.): Katie McMahon, Chloe Agnew, Méav, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of RUNA

Best Sean-nos Singer: Brid Ni Mhaoileoin, Maighread Ni Dhombhnaill, Aine Meenaghan Len Graham

Top Traditional Performance Show: The Fureys, Celtic Crossroads, The Henry Girls, Fidil

Top Traditional Group in a Pub, Festival, Concert: Vishten, Guidewires, Slide, Dervish

Top Uilleann Piper: Diarmaid Moynihan, Cillian Vallely, Barry Kerr, Paddy Keenan

Top Harpist: Seana Davey, Chad McAnally, Triona Marshall, Sibohan Owen

Top Fiddle: Martin Hayes, Alasdair Fraser, Mairead Nesbitt, Kevin Burke

Top Button Accordion: John Williams, Liam O’Connor, Paddy O’Brien, David Munnelly

Tommy Makem Award: The Irish Rovers, Máirtín de Cógáin, Mick Moloney, Jimmy Crowley

Note: This award is presented to an Irish music act that best reflects the performance style, philosophy, and traditional approach to Irish music of the late Tommy Makem.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Patsy Whelan, Carmel Quinn, Joanie Madden

Note: This award will be given to someone who has dedicated his/her life to Irish music and continues to be an icon in the Irish music community globally.

The Irish Music Association produces, promotes and perpetuates Irish music through sponsored events, festivals, concerts, pub shows, and an annual network production, according to its website.