Image source, Carrie Davenport & Jim Corr
Image caption, CMAT and Philomena Begley celebrating Begley receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award
ByAdam Mandeville
BBC News NI
Irish star CMAT made a surprise appearance at an award ceremony in Belfast on Wednesday.
The pop-star joined Philomena Begley, one of Irish country music’s most loved and celebrated entertainers, on stage at the NI Music Prize.
Begley was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her 64-year career.
The country music legend performed the hit Blanket on the Ground alongside CMAT.
The NI Music Prize, an annual event celebrating music in Northern Ireland, was marking its 15th anniversary on Wednesday at Ulster Hall.
Begley ‘over the moon’ to win award
Begley’s award was presented by BBC broadcaster Hugo Duncan, a longtime friend of the musician.
When Begley went on to perform Blanket on the Ground she invited CMAT, who had made a surprise appearance at the ceremony, to join her on stage.
At a concert in Belfast earlier this year, CMAT, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, gave a shout-out to Begley, thanking the country legend.
Reacting to the shout-out in October, Begley told the Good Morning Ulster programme that she had never met her but had “heard so much about her”.
“It’s hard to beat the new generation, it’s great to see them all doing well.”
Figure caption, The pop-star joined Begley, one of Irish country music’s most loved and celebrated entertainers, at the NI Music Prize
Begley added that she was “over the moon” to win the award.
“I’m lost for words,” she said.
Begley said she did not know what reaction to expect at the awards ceremony, but that she was “looking forward to it”.
Charlotte Dryden, CEO of Oh Yeah Music Centre, who were the organisers of the NI Music Prize, said that seeing Begley and CMAT together “was something really special”.
“We’ve had some incredible moments at the NI Music Prize over the years, but I don’t think we’ve ever experienced an atmosphere quite like that,” she said.
Ireland’s Queen of Country
Philomena Begley is one of the island’s most loved entertainers.
An unrivalled interpreter of country music, she has delighted audiences on stages all over the world and collaborated with country greats like Porter Wagoner and Billie Jo Spears, who first released Blanket on The Ground.
From humble beginnings in Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Begley had a simple, but happy childhood as one of eight children in a close-knit, traditional and musical family.
She always loved to sing, but had no plans of pursuing a career in music.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Begley performing in 1976
Begley accidentally entered the world of country music at a local dance, when she was called on stage as a dare to sing a song with the Old Cross Céilí Band.
An instant hit, she was asked to fill in as cover for someone who had taken ill in the band and suddenly became swept up in the 1960s dance-hall circuit.
In 1975, Begley was granted permission to record her own version of Blanket on the Ground from US country music star Billie Jo Spears who had released it earlier that year as the title track from the album of the same name.
Begley’s version went to number five in the Irish charts and sparked some friendly rivalry between the pair.
Over the years, they became close friends, sharing many of the same hits and performing together on several occasions.
Blanket on the Ground remains one of Begley’s most popular songs to this day.
Global stardom
Begley has captivated crowds on stages all over the world, performing everywhere from Wembley Stadium to Nashville, Tennessee.
In 1978, she was invited by Porter Wagoner, the man who introduced Dolly Parton to the world, to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville’s legendary home of country music.
Here she rubbed shoulders with the stars of global country music and even received a standing ovation for her performance of Blanket on the Ground.
It was fitting recognition for her contribution to country music in Ireland and beyond.
An unlikely pairing
Image source, Mossy Media
Image caption, Philomena Begley put on a special performance for Dungannon Swifts’ fans and players
Speaking to BBC News NI ahead of the Irish Cup final, Ms Begley said she was “shocked, but delighted” with the response.
The Swifts went on to win the final, holding their nerve against Cliftonville to secure a 4-3 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Image caption, Country star Philomena Begley joined in the celebrations on stage
NI Music Prize awards
There were a number of other artists honoured on Wednesday, including Joshua Burnside, who won the PPL Album of the Year award for It’s Not Going to Be OK.
Belfast band Chalk, meanwhile, celebrated a double win: the group was awarded Single of the Year for Pain, as well as MCD Live Act of the Year.
Image source, Carrie Davenport & Jim Corr
Image caption, Joshua Burnside won the Album of the Year award
Kaidi Tatham was named PRS for Music NI Creator of the Year.
Image source, Carrie Davenport & Jim Corr
Image caption, Kaidi Tatham was named PRS for Music NI Creator of the Year
Polar Bolero won the public-voted BBC Introducing in Northern Ireland Artist of the Year award.
Image source, Carrie Davenport & Jim Corr
Image caption, Polar Bolero won the BBC Introducing in Northern Ireland Artist of the Year award
Composer and musician Neil Martin won Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.
Image source, Carrie Davenport & Jim Corr
Image caption, Actor Stephen Rea preseneted Neil Martin with the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award
The full list of NI Music Prize award winners was:
Joshua Burnside: Album of the Year
Chalk: Single of the Year
Chalk: Live Act of the Year
Kaidi Tatham: NI Creator of the Year
Polar Bolero: BBC Introducing in Northern Ireland Artist of the Year
Neil Martin: Outstanding Contribution to Music Award
Philomena Begley: Lifetime Achievement Award
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