The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced that Pádraigín Ní Uallachaín has been awarded the Comaoin Traditional Music Award at the 2018 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards.
The acclaimed Irish music scholar, writer and performer joins virtuoso fiddle and flute player, Frankie Gavin, in the awards line-up.
The full list of TG4 Gradam Ceoil 2018 recipients reads as follows:
- Gradam Ceoil (Musician of the Year) – Frankie Gavin
- Ceoltóir Óg (Young Musician) – Clare Friel
- Gradam Saoil (Hall of Fame) – Patsy Hanly
- Amhránaí na Bliana (Singer) – Máire Ní Chéilleachair
- Comaoin (Special Contribution) – Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin
- Comharcheol (Musical Collaboration) – CONCERT
- Gradam Speisialta (Special Award) – The Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band
This year’s awards will be presented by TG4 (Ireland’s national Irish language Public Service Broadcaster) at a live televised concert hosted by Páidí Ó Lionáird and Gráinne McElwain at the Waterfront, Belfast, on 4 February 2018 – the start of a four-year residency at the venue.
TG4’s Leascheannasaí (Deputy CEO), Pádhraic Ó Ciardha, said:
‘TG4 has a deserved reputation for offering a broad range of traditional music and we are privileged to curate and sponsor this deserved recognition for extraordinary and talented artists. We are particularly excited that Gradam Ceoil TG4 is taking up a four-year residency in Belfast and the list of 2018 recipients just announced certainly reflects the depth and diversity of musical talent in that part of the world.’
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor, Nuala McAllister, said:
‘I’m absolutely thrilled that Belfast is to host this prestigious event for the first time. Gradam Ceoil celebrates the best of traditional Irish music and song and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the very worthy and talented recipients of the 2018 prize. As we bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2023, our music and arts scene has been well and truly in the spotlight, demonstrating the importance of culture as a driver for success for any city, so it pleases me especially to launch yet another fantastic event for Belfast.’
Header photo: Pádraigín Ní Uallachaín
