‘Oscars’ of traditional music come to Limerick venue

THE ‘OSCARS’ of traditional music will take place at University Concert Hall in Limerick this Sunday night and will be  broadcast live on television for all to view.

Gradam Ceoil TG4 is the premier annual traditional music awards scheme and will be broadcast live from 9.30pm.

An independent panel of adjudicators selects recipients each year and this year recipients will be presented with a specially commissioned piece by leading sculptor John Coll, as well as a small stipend. 

A line-up of top trad talent has been announced for the event which promises to be a night of foot-stomping entertainment. 

This year’s Music Group award will be presented to to Mick, Louise, Michelle Mulcahy - a family of musicians from Abbeyfeale in west Limerick. All three are successful solo musicians as well as being highly regarded as a trio. 

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Louise began playing the tin whistle at age five and later moved onto the flute. At age 13 she started to learn the uilleann pipes, a male dominated instrument which she is now known for within the Irish traditional music scene.

Her sister Michelle also learned the whistle from age five and went on to play the button accordion, concertina, harp, fiddle, piano and melodeon. She was awarded the Young Musician Award at the TG4 Gradam Ceoil, 2006.

Some other winners of this year’s awards included: Young Musician award, Méabh Smyth, Musician award, Mick O’Brien and Outstanding Contribution award, Frank McArdle.

The concert and broadcast will be presented by Páidí Ó Lionáird.

All award winners will perform live on the night and will  be joined on stage by their own special musical guests, such as Caoimhín Ó’Raghallaigh Ciara Ní Bhriain, Tiarnán Smyth, Seamus O’Kane and Caoimhe Mulligan.

Since the annual prize-giving ceremony’s inception in 1998, Gradam Ceoil aims to celebrate Irish musicians who contribute to the folk/country music scene for over 25 years.

A range of VIP guest presenters will also take to the stage to present the recipients with their awards these include, Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer Breda Smyth, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Peter Browne, Bríd Harper, Antóin Mac Gabhann and Anna Ní Ghallachóir.

See www.gradam.ie or tune in to TG4 from 9.30pm.