Gradam Ceoil TG4
2026 Citations
Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026 – Cathal Hayden
Cathal Hayden’s virtuosity, individuality and musical imagination have shaped a musical voice that is instantly recognisable in Irish traditional music. Whether leading a tune, accompanying a song, composing, arranging or collaborating, his instinctive musicality and profound musical insights illuminate the music in ways that are unmistakably his own.
Born and raised in The Rock, near Pomeroy in County Tyrone, he is universally recognised as one of the outstanding traditional musicians of his generation. A master of both fiddle and banjo, he grew up in a household where music was part of everyday life, learning first from his father John Hayden and drawing inspiration from a rich family tradition that has helped shape one of the most remarkable careers in Irish music.
As a founding member of the groundbreaking group Four Men and a Dog, Cathal helped redefine the possibilities of Irish traditional music in the 1990s. Through his work with ‘The Dogs’, Arcady, Máirtín O’Connor, Seamie O’Dowd, Donal Lunny, Christy Moore, Bow Brothers and countless others, he has been a tireless ambassador for the tradition on stages around the world.
Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to music as a way of life. Behind the brilliance lie an unwavering work ethic and a deep dedication to the craft that continue to inspire fellow musicians and audiences alike. Whether on the concert stage or in the session – including, regularly, at home in Hayden’s Bar – Cathal remains a musician’s musician, deeply admired for his artistry, and for the generosity and authenticity that have characterised his lifelong contribution to the tradition.
Amhránaí TG4 2026 – Pauline Scanlon
Pauline Scanlon came under the influence of some of the master songsters of Corca Dhuibhne as a teenager growing up in her native Dingle. It wasn’t long before she herself would perform on some of the largest stages with the likes of Séamus Ó Beaglaoich and Éilis Ní Chinnéide.
Pauline has no boundaries as a singer, performing a traditional Irish language song and contemporary melodies with equal ease.
The sweetness of her voice is incomparable, with touches of mystery added depending on the song.
Her solo performances are faultless, but she especially loves performing with other singers and groups.
Pauline does not shy away from taking part in campaigns for justice or the treatment of serious and uncomfortable themes which relate to her own life or our society in general.
Gradam Saoil TG4 2026 – Mickey Dunne
Mickey Dunne is one of Ireland’s most revered uilleann pipers, a master musician whose distinctive open style has inspired generations of players. A proud bearer of the Traveller musical tradition, he has dedicated his life to preserving and sharing a rich cultural inheritance. As a teacher, composer, singer and craftsman of exceptional uilleann pipes, his influence extends far beyond the stage. Through decades of performance, mentorship and artistry, he has enriched Irish traditional music at home and around the world. Gradam Ceoil proudly honours Mickey Dunne for a lifetime of outstanding contribution to the tradition he has served with such generosity and distinction.
Gradam an Ghrúpa Ceoil TG4 2026 – Cherish the Ladies
For more than forty years, Cherish the Ladies has been one of the most celebrated and influential traditional music groups in the world. Under the leadership of Joanie Madden, they opened new doors for women in the world of Irish traditional music and brought Irish music, song and dance to audiences across the globe.
They have earned international acclaim through their outstanding musicianship, their vibrant performances and their unwavering commitment to Ireland’s living musical tradition. Remaining faithful to the musical heritage passed down by previous generations, they have nurtured, enriched and shared that tradition with the wider world. Through their recordings, concerts and work as cultural ambassadors, they have left a lasting mark on the world of traditional music and inspired new generations of musicians.
In recognition of their exceptional achievements and their outstanding contribution to Irish traditional music both at home and abroad.
Ceoltóirí Óga TG4 2026 – Caoimhe agus Séamus Ó Flatharta
Caoimhe and Séamus Ó Flatharta, a sister and brother who are steeped in the rich music and song tradition of the region, hail from Iorras Aithneach in Conamara. The talents of these two multi-talented artists are many, with remarkable versatility in both musical and singing traditions. Caoimhe is a talented fiddler and sean-nós singer and Séamus is a first-class sean-nós harpist and singer and is also talented at other instruments. Caoimhe and Séamus’s arrangements of traditional Irish songs have impressed local, national and international audiences.
They have collaborated with bands and musicians such as Notify, Ryan Molloy and Bláth na hÓige. They succeed in combining tradition and innovative styles in a way that keeps to the tradition but are highly creative and contemporary. They have left an indelible mark on our traditional singing and music.
Cumadóir TG4 2026 – An Dr Niall Vallely
Sárchumas leathanréimseach na tréithe a luaitear le Niall Vallely i mbun seanma, cumadóireachta agus cóiriúcháin. Tá mianach cheol traidisiúnta na hÉireann ag baint go dlúth lena chuid ceoil cé go leanann sé ag cur le réimsí a chuid saothar do cheolchoirmeacha ensemble, don amharclann agus don chraolachán chomh maith le píosaí a chum sé a bheith taifeadta go minic. Tá a shainstíl féin saothraithe aige agus í so-aitheanta, go háirithe nuair a thagann an stíl faoi leith ar an gconsairtín i gceist. Má thosaítear leis an mionchóir a ghabhann le Time Flying, agus an bhís spraíúil rithimiúil a bhaineann le throughother, gan trácht ar shníomh agus ar fhí na dtondathanna in Sondas, tá úire agus mealladh ag baint le ceol Niall a fhágann gur iontach le daoine an bunús traidisiúnta.
Chomh maith leis na saothair sin do cheolchoirmeacha, tá píosaí eile de chuid Niall—a chuirtear i dtoll a chéile sa chnuasach Malfunction Junction—atá sa stór ceoil cheana féin ag ceoltóirí ar fud an domhain. Bíonn an tiúin ar aon teideal leis an gcnuasach á chasadh ag seisiúin go mion minic, chomh maith le píosaí breátha eile de leithéid Muireann’s Jig agus an ríl, Once in a Blue Moose. Tharlaíodh deacracht na focail “nuálaíocht’ agus “traidisiún” a tharraingt le chéile tráth ach tá á léiriú ag Niall go paiteanta gurb iad an dá thaobh iad den aon rud amháin—agus gurb é an rud sin i gcás Niall, an consairtín!
Gradam Comaoine TG4 2026 – The Tulla Céilí Band / Banna Céilí na Tulaí
Founded in 1946 by East Clare fiddle giants PJ Hayes and Paddy Canny, The Tulla Céilí band have since paved the way for traditional Irish dance music worldwide for the past 80 years and counting. With a remarkable membership throughout the years including Willie Clancy, Joe Cooley, Francie Donnellan and Martin Hayes the band have managed to maintain their signature sound which is deeply rooted in the East Clare regional style and has a lift and swing which cannot be mistaken. Selling out dancehalls from The Galtymore in London to their famous 1958 Carnegie Hall performance in New York, the band have never swayed from their original goal of providing good dance music for those who loved to dance. The band have released numerous commercial recordings including most notably; Echoes of Erin (1958), Claddagh Ring (1970), Ireland Green (1972) and 50 Years of the Tulla Céilí Band. The band continue to play on a very regular basis both locally and abroad, led by a younger generation of East Clare musicians which include second and third generations of the original founding members.
The Tulla Céilí Band’s contribution to community life in East Clare (and beyond) is incalculable. Their musical generosity has ensured that social dancing, gatherings and music making has remained an integral part of rural community life for the last 80 years. Their tenacious approach to maintaining their unique musical style and repertoire has resulted in the preservation and longevity of a most distinctive style of music which will continue to uplift and inspire audiences.