Folk musician Tommy Sands has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Irish state broadcaster RTÉ. The award recognises his contribution to music and his role as a cultural voice during the peace process in Northern Ireland.

RTÉ highlighted Sands' song 'There Were Roses' as one of the most enduring musical responses to the conflict. The song tells the story of two friends from different religious backgrounds who were killed during the Troubles, united only by the roses placed on their graves.

Sands, who is from Mayobridge in County Down, said he was honoured to receive the award for his family and for the musical friends who have travelled with him.

Over a career spanning more than 60 years, Sands has performed around the world, including in New York and Moscow. He has also worked with prisoners in Nevada, helping them write songs, an effort that earned him an honorary doctorate from the University of Nevada, Reno.

During the peace process, Sands organised concerts aimed at promoting reconciliation. On the morning of the Good Friday Agreement signing in 1998, he led a group of supporters to Stormont, where they sang outside Castle Buildings during the talks. Delegates including Secretary of State Mo Mowlam and talks chairman Senator George Mitchell heard the singing and said it motivated them in their work.

Sands has also hosted a series of concerts called 'Music for Healing' and has been involved in other peace initiatives. His song 'There Were Roses' has been covered by other artists, including Cara Dillon in 2003.

The award presentation will be broadcast on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player on Saturday 14 November.