Biog
Mu dheidhinn Joy | About Joy
It’s little surprise that 2010 was hailed as “Bliadhna Joy Dunlop.” (Joy Dunlop’s Year) In addition to winning the prestigious Royal National Mòd Gold Medal, releasing her critically acclaimed solo album “Dùsgadh” (Awakening), being nominated as ‘Gaelic Singer of the Year’ at the 2010 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards and winning the ‘Tradition Award” at the Fatea Awards 2010, Joy also found time to entertain a global audience including performances in the UK, Ireland, USA & Canada.
With talents ranging from singing to television presenting, dancing to award-winning Gaelic journalism, Joy certainly has more strings to her bow than most. A multi-prize winning Gaelic singer and popular international performer, she combines her singing with regular media stints and also writing for numerous Gaelic publications. A regular on the traditional music circuit, Joy has won numerous illustrious awards and is as much at ease entertaining audiences at local cèilidhs as performing at major festivals, such as Cape Breton’s ‘Celtic Colours’ and Glasgow’s ‘Celtic Connections.’ In recent years, she has toured the UK & Ireland extensively and also performed frequently in Europe, Canada and New Zealand.
In addition to her solo work, Joy is a dedicated supporter of Gaelic choral music and Scottish step dancing & is a prolific figure in both fields, especially in her native Argyll. With an extensive academic background in Gaelic language and culture development work, she is also increasingly in demand as a teacher, speaker and translator. Lately, Joy has become a familiar face in Gaelic broadcasting, appearing frequently on both television and radio, while her Gaelic journalism was commended at both the Scottish Press Awards and Highlands and Islands Media Awards; a heady combination of achievements that has raised her profile as a new and powerful Gaelic voice.
Awards and nominations
Roots Recording of the Year 2011 – Scottish New Music Awards (Winner)
The Tradition Award – Fatea Awards 2010 (Winner)
Royal National Mòd Gold Medalist – 2010
Gaelic Singer of the Year – MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2010 (Nomination)
Best Achievement for Argyll – For Argyll Awards 2009 (Runner up)
Scottish Press Awards – Gaelic Journalist of the Year 2008 (Nomination)
Highlands and Islands Media Awards – Gaelic Journalist of the Year 2007 (Highly Commended)
Oban Times Mòd Gold Medalist – 2006
Traditional Inter-Celtic Dance Champion 2006 – Pan Celtic International Festival
Traditional singer of the year – Pan Celtic International Festival 2005 (Runner Up)
Traditional group song competition – Pan Celtic International Festival 2005 (Winner)
Traditional group song competition – Pan Celtic International Festival 2004 (Winner)
Traditional group song competition – Pan Celtic International Festival 2003 (Winner)
For further information, please read Joy’s full biography.
