// BBC ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS — MODA & SOCIETÀ
CMAT joins Philomena Begley on stage in surprise appearance
CMAT and Philomena Begley celebrating Begley receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award
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'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".