Culture | Books, Music, Theatre, Film & The Arts

Simply Folk Recommends: Andy Irvine & Paul Brady's masterpiece

Every week, Simply Folk host Ruth Smith selects a record from the folk music archives. This week, she's chosen the eponymous duo album from Andy Irvine and Paul Brady.

Music • 09 Oct 18

Simply Folk Recommends: Clannad 2 and the Donegal tradition

Every week, Simply Folk host Ruth Smith selects a classic record from the folk archives. This week, she's chosen the second album by Irish folk legends Clannad.

Music • 07 Sep 18

Ruth Smith and John Creedon will present the inaugural Irish Folk Awards this October

Vote for the Best Folk Album of the Year

RTÉ Radio 1 has issued an open call for nominations from listeners for their favourite folk album of the last year.

RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards • 05 Sep 18

Simply Folk Recommends: A Woman's Heart beats stronger than ever

Every week, Simply Folk host Ruth Smith selects a classic record from the folk archives. This week, she's chosen the classic compilation album A Woman's Heart.

Music • 31 Aug 18

Simply Folk Recommends: Bilingua by Eithne Ní Uallacháin

Every week, Simply Folk host Ruth Smith selects a record from the folk music archives.This week, she's chosen Bilingua by Eithne Ní Uallacháin.

Music • 24 Aug 18

Fleadh TV presenters Hector Ó hEochagáin, Ruth Smith and Doireann Ní Ghlacáin

Watch: The Best Of Fleadh TV at Fleadh Ceoil 2018

Hats off to the brilliant team at Fleadh TV on TG4, who delivered four amazing nights of live highlights from this year's Fleadh Ceoil, in Drogheda - the sheer volume of talent on display was staggering.

Fleadh Ceoil • 20 Aug 18

Stockton's Wing, pictured celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2017.

Simply Folk Recommends: Stockton's Wing shine a light

Every week, Simply Folk host Ruth Smith selects a record from the folk music archives. This week, she's chosen Light in the Western Sky by Stockton's Wing.

Music • 16 Aug 18

Watch: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann abú!

To celebrate this week's Fleadh Ceoil, Kathryn Thomas was joined in studio for a few tunes with FleadhTV hosts Ruth Smith and Doireann Glackin.

fleadh cheoil • 15 Aug 18

Simply Folk Recommends: The Dubliners by The Dubliners

Every week, Simply Folk host Ruth Smith selects a record from the folk music archives. This week, she's chosen the eponymous debut album by The Dubliners.

Music • 02 Aug 18

Celebrated singer and song-collector Frank Harte.

Simply Folk Recommends: Frank Harte's And Listen to My Song

Every week, Simply Folk host Ruth Smith selects a classic record from the folk archives. This week, she's chosen And Listen to My Song by celebrated singer and song-collector Frank Harte.

Music • 25 Jul 18

Introducing... Simply Folk Recommends

In a new series of articles for RTÉ Culture, presenter and folk music fan Ruth brings us a weekly column presenting the influential albums that have shaped the course of folk music at home and abroad, with some personal favourites thrown in too.

Music • 17 Jul 18

Christy Moore and Paul Brady at the launch of the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards at Vicar Street, Dublin

Gallery: RTÉ Radio One Folk Awards launch

In the end, it's only right and proper that the launch of the inaugural RTÉ Radio One Folk Awards should be all about the tunes - especially when one of the living legends of the form takes to the stage.

RTÉ Radio One Folk Awards • 02 May 18

Creedon & Smith to host RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards

RTÉ Radio 1 has today announced that it will host the inaugural RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards at Vicar Street on October 25th this year, with John Creedon and Simply Folk presenter Ruth Smith set to host.

RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards • 01 May 18

Ruth Smith, pictured in Once: The Musical, currently playing at The Olympia, Dublin.

Something for the Weekend: Ruth Smith's Cultural Picks

Choice cultural picks from the host of RTÉ Radio One's Simply Folk and star of Once: The Musical.

Music • 08 Jul 17

Ruth Smith