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<\/p>\nCathal 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.
\nBorn 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.
\nAs 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 \u2018The Dogs\u2019, Arcady, M\u00e1irt\u00edn O\u2019Connor, Seamie O\u2019Dowd, Donal Lunny, Christy Moore, Bow Brothers and countless others, he has been a tireless ambassador for the tradition on stages around the world.
\nThroughout 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 \u2013 including, regularly, at home in Hayden\u2019s 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.
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Amhr\u00e1na\u00ed TG4 2026 \u2013 Pauline Scanlon<\/strong> 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\u2019t long before she herself would perform on some of the largest stages with the likes of S\u00e9amus \u00d3 Beaglaoich and \u00c9ilis N\u00ed Chinn\u00e9ide. Gradam Saoil TG4 2026 \u2013 Mickey Dunne<\/strong> Mickey Dunne is one of Ireland\u2019s 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 Ghr\u00fapa Ceoil TG4 2026 – Cherish the Ladies<\/strong> 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. Ceolt\u00f3ir\u00ed \u00d3ga TG4 2026 – Caoimhe agus S\u00e9amus \u00d3 Flatharta<\/strong> Caoimhe and S\u00e9amus \u00d3 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-n\u00f3s singer and S\u00e9amus is a first-class sean-n\u00f3s harpist and singer and is also talented at other instruments. Caoimhe and S\u00e9amus\u2019s arrangements of traditional Irish songs have impressed local, national and international audiences. Cumad\u00f3ir TG4 2026 – An Dr Niall Vallely<\/strong> S\u00e1rchumas leathanr\u00e9imseach na tr\u00e9ithe a luaitear le Niall Vallely i mbun seanma, cumad\u00f3ireachta agus c\u00f3iri\u00fach\u00e1in. T\u00e1 mianach cheol traidisi\u00fanta na h\u00c9ireann ag baint go dl\u00fath lena chuid ceoil c\u00e9 go leanann s\u00e9 ag cur le r\u00e9ims\u00ed a chuid saothar do cheolchoirmeacha ensemble, don amharclann agus don chraolach\u00e1n chomh maith le p\u00edosa\u00ed a chum s\u00e9 a bheith taifeadta go minic. T\u00e1 a shainst\u00edl f\u00e9in saothraithe aige agus \u00ed so-aitheanta, go h\u00e1irithe nuair a thagann an st\u00edl faoi leith ar an gconsairt\u00edn i gceist. M\u00e1 thosa\u00edtear leis an mionch\u00f3ir a ghabhann le Time Flying, agus an bh\u00eds spra\u00ed\u00fail rithimi\u00fail a bhaineann le throughother, gan tr\u00e1cht ar shn\u00edomh agus ar fh\u00ed na dtondathanna in Sondas, t\u00e1 \u00faire agus mealladh ag baint le ceol Niall a fh\u00e1gann gur iontach le daoine an bun\u00fas traidisi\u00fanta. Gradam Comaoine TG4 2026 – The Tulla C\u00e9il\u00ed Band \/ Banna C\u00e9il\u00ed na Tula\u00ed<\/strong> Founded in 1946 by East Clare fiddle giants PJ Hayes and Paddy Canny, The Tulla C\u00e9il\u00ed 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 C\u00e9il\u00ed 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. 2026 Citations Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026 \u2013 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":876,"featured_media":0,"parent":12968,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/template-corporate.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1og0s8nlbd0hm.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/09153051\/TG4-Gradam-Ceoil-2026-Pauline_Scanlon_1-1920x1080-1.jpg\")
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\nPauline has no boundaries as a singer, performing a traditional Irish language song and contemporary melodies with equal ease.
\nThe sweetness of her voice is incomparable, with touches of mystery added depending on the song.
\nHer solo performances are faultless, but she especially loves performing with other singers and groups.
\nPauline 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.
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\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1og0s8nlbd0hm.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/09154043\/TG4-Gradam-Ceoil-Mickey_Dunne_1-1920x1080-1.jpg\")
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\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1og0s8nlbd0hm.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/09155539\/TG4-Gradam-Ceoil-Cherish_The_Ladies_1-1920x1080-1.jpg\")
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\nThey have earned international acclaim through their outstanding musicianship, their vibrant performances and their unwavering commitment to Ireland\u2019s 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.
\nIn recognition of their exceptional achievements and their outstanding contribution to Irish traditional music both at home and abroad.<\/p>\n
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\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1og0s8nlbd0hm.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/09153504\/TG4-Gradam-Ceoil-Caoimhe_Seamus_Ui_Fhlatharta_1-1920x1080-1.jpg\")
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\nThey have collaborated with bands and musicians such as Notify, Ryan Molloy and Bl\u00e1th na h\u00d3ige. 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.
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\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1og0s8nlbd0hm.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/09154736\/TG4-Gradam-Ceoil-Niall_Vallely_1-1920x1080-1.jpg\")
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\nChomh maith leis na saothair sin do cheolchoirmeacha, t\u00e1 p\u00edosa\u00ed eile de chuid Niall\u2014a chuirtear i dtoll a ch\u00e9ile sa chnuasach Malfunction Junction\u2014at\u00e1 sa st\u00f3r ceoil cheana f\u00e9in ag ceolt\u00f3ir\u00ed ar fud an domhain. B\u00edonn an ti\u00fain ar aon teideal leis an gcnuasach \u00e1 chasadh ag seisi\u00fain go mion minic, chomh maith le p\u00edosa\u00ed bre\u00e1tha eile de leith\u00e9id Muireann\u2019s Jig agus an r\u00edl, Once in a Blue Moose. Tharla\u00edodh deacracht na focail \u201cnu\u00e1la\u00edocht\u2019 agus \u201ctraidisi\u00fan” a tharraingt le ch\u00e9ile tr\u00e1th ach t\u00e1 \u00e1 l\u00e9iri\u00fa ag Niall go paiteanta gurb iad an d\u00e1 thaobh iad den aon rud amh\u00e1in\u2014agus gurb \u00e9 an rud sin i gc\u00e1s Niall, an consairt\u00edn!
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\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1og0s8nlbd0hm.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/09160136\/TG4-Gradam-Ceoil-2026-Tulla_Ceili_Band_1-1920x1080-1.jpg\")
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\nThe Tulla C\u00e9il\u00ed Band\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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