This year’s Gradam Ceoil TG4 concert, which takes place at Cork Opera House on 22 February, will feature an all-star line-up of traditional musicians who are in demand individually around the world.  This is a change from their previously pre-recorded format and with a more expanded line-up it should make for a great nights entertainment.

This year the recipients are :

Traditional Musician of the Year - Máirtín Ó Connor

Gradam Comharcheol TG4 (Musical collaboration) - Ensemble Ériú

Gradam Comaoine TG4 (Outstanding Contribution to Traditional Music and Song) - Irish Traditional Music Archive

Gradam Saoil TG4 (Hall of Fame) - Bobby Gardiner

Ceoltóir Óg TG4 (Young Traditional Musician of the Year) - Maitiú Ó Casaide

Amhránaí TG4 (Traditional Singer of the Year) - Róisín White

The concert line-up has also been confirmed with a lot of familiar names on the bill.  The following has been confirmed so far.

·        Máirtín O Connor, Cathal Hayden, Jimmy Higgins & Brendan O Regan

·        Máirtín O’ Connor, Donal Lunny, Zoe Conway

·        Ensemble Ériu

·        Bobby Gardiner, Lynda Gardiner, Carol Talty & Caoimhín Ó Fearghail

·        Liam O Flynn, Paddy Glackin, Mícheál O Súilleabháin, Neil Martin.

·        Róisín White

·        Maitiú Ó Casaide agus The Bonnymen

·        Pulses of Tradition

With lots more to be announced.

The prestigious night will also recognise the outstanding achievements of musicians across six various strands of Irish Traditional Music, all of whom are performing on the evening.

Daithí Ó Sé and Aoife Ní Thuairisg from TG4 will MC the evening, and will be joined on stage with a star-studded line-up of award-presenters.  

The performance by Maitiú Ó Casaide and The Bonnymen will mark the start of a busy period for the band as they launch their new album on Monday 23rd February.  We will have an online launch here on Tradconnect with an exclusive listen to a first track from the album.

A Trad Music Trail will take place throughout the city over the weekend in Sin É, Cantys, The Oliver Plunkett, The Metropole, Charlies, The Corner House, Larry Thompkins, An Spailpin Fánach, Counihans and The Gables.  For a full list of times and locations see www.gradam.ie.

A Photo Exhibition celebrating former Gradam Ceoil recipients and their musical traditions will also take place at Cork City Hall over the weekend.  Entitled, “Nádúr An Cheoil - Máistrí Ghradam Cheoil TG4” or “Nature of Music - Masters of the Gradam Ceoil”, the Exhibition will run from 20th February to 13thMarch.  For opening hours see www.gradam.ie.

Tickets for the concert are selling fast according to Cork Opera House, so if you don’t secure a seat at this prestigious event, you can watch it live on TG4 at 9.30pm on 22 February.

Presented by TG4, in association with Cork City Council, tickets are priced €25 and are available from the Cork Opera House:  www.corkoperahouse.ie, 021 4270022.

For more information check out www.gradam.ie or Facebook and Twitter @gradamceoil. #Gradam