From the classrooms at Scoill Ree Gorree to the stage at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Mera Royle has come a long way in a very short time.

On Wednesday night, at a gala ceremony held at the Belfast Waterfront Hall in front of an audience of some of the top folk musicians and legends in the world, including Van Morrison, and hosted by Radio 2 presenter Mark Radcliffe and singer Julie Fowlis, harpist Mera Royle, 19, was handed the title of ’Young Folk Musician of the Year’ for 2018.

As the television cameras panned around to her, it was clear that there was no one in the room more stunned than she was.

’At the time I was very pleased, but I did not expect to win it at all,’ said Mera, back home in Maughold.

’All of us were shocked, and you can see us on TV with gaping mouths. I was very, very pleased though.

’The way Lynette Fay announced it, "from the Isle of Man", I knew before she said my name.

’But I didn’t really have time to collect myself. I stumbled up to the stage and stumbled off again.’

It was clear from her endearingly-nervous acceptance speech, in which she thanked all those who have supported her, just how unexpected the win was, given that she had previously said that she considered the fact that she had been selected for the first shortlist of 10 acts, who would eventually be whittled down to four, as a huge achievement in itself, and one that she was justifiably proud of.

’Just being at the awards was an amazing experience, and I wouldn’t have minded at all if I didn’t win,’ she said.

’I was able to meet so many folk legends, they were just all around you. It was a nice atmosphere to be in, and a nice feeling.

’I was sat with Ludwig and Andrew, who were lovely, and I spoke to the Drystones as well, as well as Jack Warnock, who were the other nominees.

’I went with my mum and dad, my sister and my aunty, uncle and cousin, were there also, and they were sat in the audience. We all had a really good time.

’The day before there was a sessions at the Waterfront, which was filmed by the BBC with the aim of showing how relaxed everyone was.

’Eliza Carthy was there, Julie Fowlis, and Mark Radcliffe as well. We just went down and played a few tunes together. That was fun. I was a little nervous doing that, but that was the only time I played at the concert.’

This is the first year that musicians from the island had taken part in the prestigious awards ceremony.

Imar, the band featuring Tom Callister and Adam Rhodes, were also handed an award, and fiddle player Isla Callister was also included in the preliminary short-list for the Young Folk prize.

Mera said that people were intrigued and curious about the island, and she liked being able to tell people about the culture and music.

’I did get a lot of people asking about the Isle of Man, and whether there was much Manx traditional music.

’I told them "yeah, there’s tons", and explained how, in a way it is very related to Scottish and Irish music, and you can hear comparisons between all three of them.

’I quite like being able to show people Manx music and explain what it is.’

Mera had previously taken part in a weekend of workshops and sessions with the original 10 acts who were considered for the Young Folk award, at Kendal, under the expert instructions of Eliza Carthy and a former award-winner Tim Van Eyken.

’We were in this little youth hostel and we sat around and played tunes the first night,’ she said of her weekend in Kendal.

’Then the next day we met Eliza and Tim, who gave us some workshops. They were things like techniques on how to stay calm before you play, how to talk confidently in front of the crowd, which I found really useful. I gained lots from meeting Eliza Carthy. She was so confident, even when she was on stage.

’I was given advice on how to calm your nerves before playing. I sometimes find my fingers shake before I play, which isn’t very good for a harp player.

’On the Sunday morning, after a concert we had a review, and I think the winner had been chosen by then, but we wouldn’t find out for the whole two months, until last week. That wait was pretty painful. But I was shocked when Isla’s group, Trip, didn’t make it to the top four. I thought they were going to win the whole thing. I don’t know how they judged it and I wouldn’t want to do it myself.’

There now lies appearances at two major folk and roots festivals in the UK, the Cambridge Folk festival and the Cropredy weekend, which are part of the young folk musician award, and to which Mera said she would like to bring some of her band mates from Scran to perform alongside her.

Mera has been playing the harp for almost 10 years, with the youth folk project Bree, which has led to the formation of the group Scran, and she also has regular lessons with Scottish harpist Rachel Hair.

’I have to say massive thanks to Rachel, who worked through my pieces with me that I played at Kendal. I don’t think that I would have got anywhere if she hadn’t helped me out with them.’

However, the person she credits the most with her musical development is the person who first put a harp into her hands, music teacher Mike Boulton, from Scoill Ree Gorree, where Mera was a pupil.

She joined the school folk group Share ny Veg, which means ’better than nothing’, and, under Mike’s tutelage, developed her passion for playing her chosen instrument.

’Everyone played music at school,’ she said. ’There was a folk group at school and, in a way, it was a competition or a game, because you wanted to play your best, and do it better than your friends.

’We all played the tin whistle, which is what everyone started to play at first at school, and Mr Boulton came up to me and asked me if I wanted to play the harp.

’Without Mr Boulton, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I wouldn’t have met Rachel, or done half the things I have done in my life.

’Playing the harp is such a big part of my life and I really appreciate what he has done for me, and for getting me started. I just don’t know how to thank that man enough for what he has done for me.

’I owe him everything.’

Mera Royle last week won the prestigious BBC Young Folk Musician of the Year award, a national competition that looks for the best talent in the world of folk music today. Afterwards she spoke of her amazement at being crowned the winner.