Horslips’ *The Táin* Crowned RTÉ Choice Music Prize Classic Irish Album for 2026

Dublin, Ireland – February 18, 2026 – Horslips’ seminal 1973 concept album, The Táin, has been awarded the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Classic Irish Album for 2026. The announcement was made on RTÉ Gold by Will Leahy, recognizing the album’s enduring impact and innovative fusion of Irish mythology and rock music.

A Landmark Album

The Táin, Horslips’ second full-length offering, is a concept album centered around the Irish epic, Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). Released in 1973 on their own label in Ireland, and by RCA in the UK and Atco in the US, the album quickly became a cornerstone of the Celtic rock genre.

The album’s track “Dearg Doom” is arguably its most iconic song, and its main guitar riff gained renewed prominence when it was incorporated into “Put ‘Em Under Pressure,” the official anthem of Ireland’s Italia ‘90 World Cup campaign. More recently, the song also featured in the 2025 film, Saipan.

Band Reflects on the Award

In a statement released following the announcement, Horslips expressed their surprise and gratitude. “We can’t believe it, really. We knew at the time that The Táin was a different kind of album. And we could witness that ‘Dearg Doom’ had a great riff going on. We just didn’t think that it would sustain in the way it has. Both Italia 90 and Saipan have served to keep the album and the single surfacing but even without that, there seems to be an inbuilt determination to survive in both. 50 years is a good innings!”

Judges’ Citation

The judging panel for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Classic Irish Album 2026 – comprised of Dave Fanning, Caroline Henry, Stevo Berube, and chaired by Paul Russell – lauded Horslips’ groundbreaking contribution to Irish music. They noted the band’s ten-year run (1970-1980) and their immense impact on the Irish music scene, stating that they “literally changed the course of music in Ireland in the seventies.” The panel highlighted their unique ability to fuse traditional Irish music with rock, inspiring countless artists and establishing a legacy that extends beyond the “Celtic Rock” label.

The judges further emphasized Horslips’ dedication to performing live, stating they “brought their unique brand of music to every barn, every dancehall, every hotel, every disco, every church-hall again and again and again.”

Band Members to Attend Ceremony

Some members of the classic Horslips lineup – Jim Lockhart, Eamon Carr, Barry Devlin, and Charles O’Connor, along with the late Johnny Fean being honored posthumously – will attend the Choice Music Prize ceremony at Vicar Street, Dublin, on March 5th to collect their award.

Previous Classic Irish Album Winners

The RTÉ Choice Music Prize introduced the Classic Irish Album award in 2023. Previous recipients include:

• I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got – Sinéad O’Connor
• Achtung Baby – U2
• Watermark – Enya

The overall winner of the Choice Music Prize will be announced at the same ceremony on March 5th, with a live broadcast on RTÉ 2FM.