BBC Radio 2 has announced that Clannad and Martin Carthy will be the recipients of this year’s Lifetime Achievement awards.

In a ceremony held at the Royal Albert Hall on 19 February, the accolade will be presented to the Celtic band Clannad, who released their debut album in 1973 and comprise of siblings Moya, Ciaran and Pol Brennan and their twin uncles Noel and Padraig Duggan. The band formerly recruited their younger sister and niece, Enya, before leaving the band in 1981 to establish her solo career. "We are absolutely honoured to be recognised in this way by the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. The BBC have been such great supporters of us since we first broke through in the UK with Theme From Harry's Game. We are really looking forward to being part of the big night at the Royal Albert Hall," the band wrote in a statement.

Folk singer Martin Carthy will also be marked for his influence on the genre, recording more than 40 albums, ten of which were solo records.

“I’ve just been lucky enough to follow my heart and pretty much do what I want over the past 50 years or so," Carthy said. "If, along the way, I've been able to play a part, however small, in keeping the traditional music of these islands alive, then I consider myself a fortunate man.”

Bob Shennan, Controller BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music added that Clannad and Martin Carthy had "made magnificent contributions to Folk music over the years".

In the 50th year of its event, Cambridge Folk Festival will also be presented with the Good Tradition Award. Cecil Sharp will be inducted into the award's inaugural Radio 2 Folk Awards Hall of Fame, and Bellowhead, Suzanne Vega and The Fisherman’s Friends are set to perform live on the night, as well as Martin Simpson, Anais Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer and The Full English.

The full list of nominees:

Folk Singer of the Year

Bella Hardy
Fay Hield
Lisa Knapp
Lucy Ward

Best Duo

Ross Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson
Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker
Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita
Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin

Best Group

Breabach
The Full English
Lau
Melrose Quartet

Best Album

Child Ballads – Anaïs Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer
The Full English – The Full English
Hidden Seam – Lisa Knapp
Vagrant Stanzas – Martin Simpson
Won’t Be Long Now – Linda Thompson

Horizon Award

Olivia Chaney
Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker
Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar
Georgia Ruth

Musician of the Year

Aidan O’Rourke
Will Pound
Martin Simpson
Sam Sweeney

Best Original Song

Love’s For Babies and Fools – Linda Thompson
None the Wiser – Chris Wood
Swimming in the Longest River – Olivia Chaney
Two Ravens – Lisa Knapp

Best Traditional Track

Codi Angor – Georgia Ruth
Les Bras de Mer – Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita
Mary Macdonald’s – Rant
Willie of Winsbury - Anaïs Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer

BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award

Hattie Briggs
Gentlemen of Few
Granny’s Attic
The Mischa Macpherson Trio