Ulster Hall Surprise
Country music singer Philomena Begley received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th anniversary NI Music Prize at Belfast’s Ulster Hall.
Introduced by her friend and broadcaster Hugo Duncan, Begley performed her hit “Blanket on the Ground” alongside the Shamrock Showband before CMAT joined her on stage, The Irish News reported.
The surprise guest appearance brought the audience to its feet and prompted calls for an encore.
“Seeing Philomena Begley and CMAT together, with the entire Ulster Hall on its feet, was something really special,” said Charlotte Dryden, chief executive of Oh Yeah Music Centre, which organises the event.
NI Music Prize Winners
Belfast band Chalk secured a double win, taking home Single of the Year via a public vote for “Pain” alongside MCD Live Act of the Year. Kaidi Tatham won PRS for Music NI Creator of the Year, and Neil Martin received the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award from actor Stephen Rea.
Award Categories and Recipients
- Lifetime Achievement: Philomena Begley
- PPL Album of the Year: Joshua Burnside – It’s Not Going to Be OK
- Single of the Year (Public Vote): Chalk – Pain
- MCD Live Act of the Year: Chalk
- PRS for Music NI Creator of the Year: Kaidi Tatham
- Outstanding Contribution to Music: Neil Martin
- BBC Introducing in NI Artist of the Year (Public Vote): Polar Bolero
Sound of Belfast Schedule
The evening opened with performances from The McKenna Family, Wynona Bleach, Shamrock Showband, Beauty Sleep, and Aoibha with Ciaran Lavery and Róise.
‘I am over the moon’: Philomena Begley on receiving Lifetime Achievement Award at NI music prize 2026 https://t.co/xYDQxaC4zK
The NI Music Prize operates as part of the wider Sound of Belfast festival, which continues until Sunday, Nov. 15, to highlight the city’s status as a UNESCO City of Music.
Questions About the NI Music Prize History and Voting
When was the NI Music Prize established?
The event celebrated its 15th anniversary at the ceremony on Nov. 11, marking a decade and a half of recognising Northern Irish music across genres.
Who organises the NI Music Prize?
The Oh Yeah Music Centre runs the annual awards ceremony as part of the Sound of Belfast city-wide music celebration.
How are winners selected for categories like Single of the Year?
Certain categories, including Single of the Year and BBC Introducing in NI Artist of the Year, are decided via a public vote.
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